Whitewater Kayaking

**Can R tame the MCP chaos? Or better yet… can it speak foreign? 🤖** “I Like It When You Talk Foreign” An evening exploring MCP, AI tooling, databases, and graphs — all through R. Two talks. Two live demos. One evening that might completely change how you think about R in the age of AI. Refreshments and networking from 18h00. **Agenda** **16h30 – 16h45 \| Welcome and News \- Handre Williams & Luis de Sousa** **16h45 – 17h20 \| Handre Williams** **Talking to Your Database in Plain English — MCP Clients in R** What if you could query your database conversationally? This talk explores how R can act as an MCP client — allowing LLMs to interact with databases through natural language while R orchestrates the workflow underneath. You’ll see: \- How MCP clients work in R \- How LLMs can interact with databases safely \- Where structured workflows still matter \- A live demo of conversational data access **17h20 – 17h55 \| Luis de Sousa** **Talking to Your Graph in Plain English — MCP + Graphs in R** Graphs are everywhere: relationships, systems, networks, dependencies. But what happens when AI can explore them conversationally? This talk explores how MCP and R can expose graph structures to LLMs — turning graph queries, traversals, and analysis into natural language interactions. You’ll see: \- How graphs can be exposed through MCP workflows \- Conversational querying over connected data \- Where graph reasoning becomes powerful \- Where the abstraction breaks \- A live demo **17h55 – 18h00 \| Wrap up\, questions & close** **18h00 \| Refreshments & networking** Continue the conversation in person. **Details** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ When: 12 May 2026 @ 16h30 to 18h00 (GMT+2) Where: Microsoft Campus in Bryanston, South Africa Location: https://goo.gl/maps/4ffcC3N6T7S2 Keen to speak at a future event? Submit your session abstracts at https://sessionize.com/johannesburg-r-user-group/ **Stay connected** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ \* Website: https://www.rusergroup.co.za \* Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/joburg-r-users-group \* Twitter: https://twitter.com/JHBRUserGroup \* GitHub: https://github.com/rusergroupcoza \* WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/3CeDifS

**Can R tame the MCP chaos? Or better yet… can it speak foreign? 🤖** “I Like It When You Talk Foreign” An evening exploring MCP, AI tooling, databases, and graphs — all through R. Two talks. Two live demos. One evening that might completely change how you think about R in the age of AI. Refreshments and networking from 18h00. **Agenda** **16h30 – 16h45 \| Welcome and News \- Handre Williams & Luis de Sousa** **16h45 – 17h20 \| Handre Williams** **Talking to Your Database in Plain English — MCP Clients in R** What if you could query your database conversationally? This talk explores how R can act as an MCP client — allowing LLMs to interact with databases through natural language while R orchestrates the workflow underneath. You’ll see: \- How MCP clients work in R \- How LLMs can interact with databases safely \- Where structured workflows still matter \- A live demo of conversational data access **17h20 – 17h55 \| Luis de Sousa** **Talking to Your Graph in Plain English — MCP + Graphs in R** Graphs are everywhere: relationships, systems, networks, dependencies. But what happens when AI can explore them conversationally? This talk explores how MCP and R can expose graph structures to LLMs — turning graph queries, traversals, and analysis into natural language interactions. You’ll see: \- How graphs can be exposed through MCP workflows \- Conversational querying over connected data \- Where graph reasoning becomes powerful \- Where the abstraction breaks \- A live demo **17h55 – 18h00 \| Wrap up\, questions & close** **18h00 \| Refreshments & networking** Continue the conversation in person. **Details** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ When: 12 May 2026 @ 16h30 to 18h00 (GMT+2) Where: Microsoft Campus in Bryanston, South Africa Location: https://goo.gl/maps/4ffcC3N6T7S2 Keen to speak at a future event? Submit your session abstracts at https://sessionize.com/johannesburg-r-user-group/ **Stay connected** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ \* Website: https://www.rusergroup.co.za \* Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/joburg-r-users-group \* Twitter: https://twitter.com/JHBRUserGroup \* GitHub: https://github.com/rusergroupcoza \* WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/3CeDifS

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!