Events for February 2012

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Events open to prospective members

Every month we have an Open Pub Meet and an Open Cafe Meet, at which you can meet Social Buddies Founder Jacky Walker, see a slideshow about Social Buddies, ask questions and - if you wish - join Social Buddies.

Look for the Social Buddies sign!

FEBRUARY 2012

Open Pub Meet: Thursday 2nd February 6.30pm-7.30pm
This month we're in the Fat Cat Brewery Tap, Lawson Road

Open Cafe Meet: Saturday 18th February 2.30pm-3.30pm
Meet us in the downstairs cafe/restaurant at the Theatre Royal, Norwich.

FEBRUARY 2012

Love Looks - a collection of paintings of nudes plus sensual poetry and images inspired by love

Saturday 11^th February 11-3pm

A particular celebration of women and love: an exhibition of expressionist nudes by local artist Geoff Francis in oils and mixed media, plus poetry and photos inspired by love. There'll also be a screening of two meditative films to music by Nick Coler (formerly of the band KLF and now a renowned producer of Girls Aloud plus others) as well as cards, e-books and a newly launched book for sale. More details www.artistgeofffrancis.com

The exhibition runs from 11am to 3pm.  It would be a courtesy to the pub to get a drink from the bar when you arrive, and do feel free to grab a bite to eat if you wish. Upstairs at the Garden House pub, Pembroke Road NR2 3HD

Geoff's business manager Jacky for more details:

Phone: 07796 904473
Email: jacky@artistgeofffrancis.com
Website: www.artistgeofffrancis.com

Events for Social Buddies Members only

JANUARY 2012 EVENTS

Saturday 28^th January 8pm Pub Social

Catch up with familiar faces and new, in pleasant surroundings. This pub has had a major makeover in recent months, complete with new whisky bar. It used to have a very hippy vibe (with an amazing selection on the juke box). Let's see what they've made from it.... But the red phone box remains, partly because (I am told) it would have taken 80 people to lift it out!

Sunday 29^th January 11am Riverside Walk with an Artist's Eye £5

A walk along the river with an artist and photographer whose very delight is the play of light upon water. Come with camera, phone camera, sketchbook or just your eyes, as we walk along the riverbank, and pause to consider how to to frame and catch the moment that makes the difference between a simple snap and something more artful.

Geoff Francis has been a full-time artist and photographer for 20 years, and his work seeks to capture the depth arising from the interplay between light, reflection and the moment – see www.artistgeofffrancis.com . Cost £5, which Geoff is donating to a local charity, the Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

Monday 30^th January 7.30pm Sewing Buddies £1 donation Hosted by Val

Come and have fun with materials. Learn new skills or extend your own. Find out how to alter those sale bargains! Bring your latest project to show. Share your expertise and inspire others. Or just dive into Val's hoard of materials, ribbons, laces, buttons and bows and create something fantastic! Beginners to experts welcome, contribution of £1 towards consumables.

FEBRUARY 2012 EVENTS

Wednesday 1st February 8pm Cryptic Crossword Quest Free

Ever wanted to get to grips with cryptic crosswords? Or would you enjoy solving them with others? Come along, whether you're a Novice or a Cryptic Champion AND BRING A CROSSWORD with you. (Copies would make it even more user friendly). We'll form small groups on the night to tackle the clues and tease our grey cells.

Thursday 2nd February 7.30pm for 8pm Quiz Night £1

A new quiz for us. Get here by 7.30pm to get a table, and the quiz starts around 8pm. £1pp, teams of (possibly) 8 – they couldn’t remember!

Friday 3rd February 7pm (TBA) Friday Film: The Descendants

A comedy drama starring George Clooney. With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating accident, Hawaiian land baron Matt King takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront the young real estate broker, who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.

Saturday 4th February Noon. Labyrinth Walk Hosted by Maggie Free

A Labyrinth is not a maze. There is only one entrance, one path and no choices, tricks or dead ends. A maze is designed to make you lose your way; it is a game. A Labyrinth serves the opposite purpose; it is designed to help you find your way. By encouraging you to walk without having to think about where to go next, it can enable you to be still, to let your mind escape the bustle of everyday life and reflect. Depending on how you approach it, it can be a very calming thing to do.

Saturday 4th February 7pm for 7.30pm Play: Letter of Intent £8

A gritty drama of revenge and murder. For no apparent reason, an entire family suddenly seems destined to die. The plot twists and turns, and a shocking secret emerges before finally the motive and an unlikely killer are revealed. But did an accidental discovery lead to a false assumption? Where does the real truth lie?

Sunday 5th February 11am Sunday Brunch 10 places booked

Just opened in December 2011, a contemporary cafe with quality food (sourdough bread, veggie, vegan and gluten free too) and a comfortable feel. A lazy start to Sunday, and always great to natter with friendly faces. I’ve reserved 10 places for us.

Monday 6th February 7pm for 7.30pm Philosophy Group Free

An interesting and lively group, led by a former UEA philosophy lecturer. An informal talk on a topic, followed by discussion and comments from the group. Arrive around 7pm to get a seat, and the talk starts around 7.30pm.

Wednesday 8th February 7.45pm for 8pm Quiz Night Teams of 6 £1

Our perennial favourite – Dawn and her unbeatable approach to quizzing. Teams of 6, £1pp. Arrive 7.45pm for an 8/8.30pm start.

Thursday 9th February 6.45pm for 7pm Bollywood Dance Class Hosted by Jacky £4

Come and learn Bollywood dance - the commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It's a combination of classical Indian dance (which is the base), folk dancing such as Bhangra and sometimes has a Latino and Arabic influence. It's fun and very expressive and there's a lot of deep meaning behind music in the films. You can actually express what the music means, through the graceful movements of the body. No dance experience is needed.

OR Thursday 9th February 7.15pm for 7.30pm Play Reading Hosted by Val Free

If you're sitting in the audience thinking "I wouldn't mind having a go at that", or would like to get involved - why not come along to one of these play-readings?  A complete play will be read, so why not take on a role (no experience necessary) - or just sit and listen. New members and friends are welcome. Refreshments available.

Friday 10th February 7.45pm for 8pm Ice Skating hosted by Carolynn £9 (inc skate hire) Spree vouchers can be used

First the roller skating, and now the ice skating.... see if you can revive your ice skating skills. From beginner to advanced level.  The skating session is a couple of hours long, but we may find that just do an hour or so is plenty. Meet Carolynn in the reception area at 7.45pm for 8pm start.

Saturday 11th February Noon Art Exhibition: An Exhibition of Expressionist Nudes Free

The exhibition runs from 11am to 3pm, but I'm suggesting we aim to arrive around noon.  It would be a courtesy to the pub to get a drink from the bar when you arrive, and do feel free to grab a bite to eat if you wish. Upstairs at the Garden House pub, Pembroke Road NR2 3HD

Saturday 11th February 7.30pm Dining Buddies 15 booked

£2 deposit & preorder needed

Dining Buddies meets on the first Saturday of each month for a meal in a decent restaurant, in and around Norwich. This central Norwich restaurant offers a nice range of contemporary food in the setting of an old wood-panelled library.

Sunday 12th February 10.45am for 11am Snowdrop walk. Hosted by Carolynn £4

A popular Social Buddies tradition is to view the emerging snowdrops each year. This historic setting is open to the public (adm £4) for a self-led snowdrop walk and we can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere surrounding the ruins, wildflower meadows, the 18 acres of woodland carpeted with snowdrops in season and river walks. Afterwards, if people want, we could have a hot cuppa at the local tea room nearby.

Monday 13th February 7.45pm Quasar Laser Evening (plus drink after?) Hosted by Carolynn 8 booked £5

Quasar is basically a form of Laser Tag played indoors. Beforehand, we'll get a quick briefing including safety rules - then we will be sent into the arena on a mission to have FUN! The idea is to Zap other players and destroy their base – all done with a harmless laser. We get points for zapping enemies and lose points when we get tagged. At the end of the game we get our score. Two twenty minute games (about an hour with a 20 minute break in-between) cost just £5.

Tuesday 14th February 6pm for 6.30pm World Cinema: Romantics Anonymous (2011, French) plus free chocky tasting 10 places booked

A monthly outing to see a World Cinema film. To celebrate the release of French comedy ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS, we can enjoy a free chocolate tasting with Hotel Chocolat immediately before a preview of this “playful, perfectly French love story” (Psychologies magazine).

OR Tuesday 14th February 7.15pm Book Buddies: book - Nicholas Carr - "The Shallows: How the Internet..." Free

Book Buddies is a monthly book reading group meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. Please see the header for the details of the book to be discussed. New readers welcome. Full title of book: Nicholas Carr - "The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember"

Wednesday 15th February 7pm for 7.30pm Dance: Richard Alston Dance Company tickets reserved, pay by noon 3rd Feb Hosted by Carolynn £18.50 plus 25p towards booking fee

Music and dance come together in exquisite harmony in the choreography of Richard Alston. No other dance company places such emphasis on the importance of music and the deep magic it can conjure together with movement. I have tickets reserved.

Friday 17th February 7.30pm (TBA) Film: This Means War

An action comedy starring Chris Pine (Star Trek). Two of the world's top secret agents are best friends who never let anything come between them - until they inadvertently fall for the same woman. It's all-out war, as the two spies battle each other with high-tech surveillance, advanced tactics, and an arsenal capable of bringing down a small country.

Saturday 18th February 9.45am for 10am Pamper Morning - 6 places, £25

A bespoke pamper session especially for Social Buddies at a new contemporary therapy venue in the centre of Norwich. Arrive by 9.45am, and our session starts at 10am, finishing around 12.45pm.

Choose from either a 40 minute Pure De-Stress - Back, Neck and Shoulders Massage (3 places) or a 40 min Ultimate Relaxation Reflexology (3 places). We have the use of a pleasant group room to natter whilst waiting for our treatment, with coffee and cake included. Our Pamper Morning finishes with a 20 minute talk (and possibly a demo) on Acupuncture.

Saturday 18th February 7.30pm Curry Night 15 places reserved

The chef here has won awards and been recognised as the best sea food curry maker in the Indian curry industry. Recently he has been getting calls from various famous restaurants to run special occasions, such as MEM SHAHEB, one of the best Indian restaurant in London. The Chef and Owner, Gurujee, was the main chef of the week and everybody loved his food as well as praised his curries.`The Chef’s delight in making food that delights you’ . Well, with that introduction, we simply have to go and sample the food!

Sunday 19th February 11.30am Antiques Fair £4 / Free

This Antiques Fair contains a fascinating mix of fine and country furniture, English silver, fine porcelain and art as well as arms and armour, figurines, bronzes and more. Tickets are £4, but you may be able to get a free ticket.

Monday 20th February 7.30pm Art Buddies Max 6-8 £2.50

A new monthly group for members to use for pursuing their own art explorations and projects (which could include photography related pursuits, Photoshop work if you bring your own equipment), whether beginners or more established. There might on occasions be an artist on hand for consultancy, or it might more likely just be us, finding our own way, for a couple of hours.

Wednesday 22nd February 7pm for 7.30pm Science Cafe: Cold beansprouts, cucumbers, crowds and coli Hosted by Val Free

A fascinating talk and discussion led by a local researcher: this month it is 'Cold beansprouts, cucumbers, crowds and coli; the story of an outbreak' with Lisa Crossman (TGAC).

Thursday 23rd February 7.45pm for 8pm Discover Scuba Diving 8 booked £20 (Spree) Hosted by Carolynn

For those that are new to diving the PADI Discover Scuba Diving session allows you to experience the thrill of breathing underwater. The session will be conducted by a PADI professional in the safe confines of a swimming pool. The program is designed for complete beginners to give you a taste of the exciting and weightless aquatic environment. If you're not sure whether scuba is for you, come and get your fins wet, blow some bubbles and find out! Things will never be the same again…

Friday 24th February 7.45pm for 8/8.30pm Live Irish band Free Hosted by Carolynn

This six piece Irish band will be playing at this friendly pub, which has a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. They sound pretty good too.

Saturday 25th February 7.30pm Ceileidh £5

A ceileidh is a fun way to dance without needing any skill or coordination whatsoever. It involves lolloping around to the directions from the caller, but generally a certain amount of organised chaos ensues. Music is by a good ceileidh band, enjoyable to listen to in their own right.

Sunday 26th February 2pm Treasured things, hosted by Carolynn Free

A Sunday afternoon natter with a difference. No matter what the weather is doing outside, we can settle ourselves into the comforting ambiance at this central Norwich venue. Bring something along that is a 'treasured thing' for you. Over a glass or a cuppa, there'll be time to share it with the rest of the group, plus see what they have brought (and why).

Monday 27th February 7.30pm Sewing Buddies £1 donation Hosted by Val Max 8

Wednesday 29th February 7.15pm Fine Dining 10 places booked £21

This popular five to six course fine dining experience has a loyal following. Arrive by 7.15, and then we can make our choice from the a la carte menu. Our feast includes canapes, an amuse bouche, starter, sorbet, main course, dessert, coffee and petit fours. Phew! All for £21.

How's the weather looking?

Help plan your social outings with greater confidence, by checking the BBC weather forecast for Norwich for the next few days.