Houston's 8 Weirdest Meetup Groups
Meetup.com boasts a network of over 175,000 local interest groups worldwide, with 19.15 million members and 9,000 meetings taking place each day. (According to the website, there are 2,941 meetings going on right now.) The most popular Houston-area groups include "Discovering Houston," "Houston Area Trails & More," and "Houston 20s & 30s Fun Stuff." But what about Houstonians with more more...specific interests? For lovers of everything eccentric and offbeat, we've compiled our list of the strangest local Meetup groups.
Description
“We meet monthly to talk, drum, and journey to do shamanic work together. Whether your interest is in Siberian or other indigenous shamanism or in the core shamanic practices taught by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, join us. […] We experiment with harmonic sounds, ecstatic trance postures, toning, and other aids for journeying.”
Founded
2003
Members
356
Sample review
“A bit disorganized, but meaningful journeys and many folk with wonderful energy.”
Next meetup
Nov 8, First Spiritualist Church of Houston
Houston Paranormal Research Society
Description
“HPRS will allow members with access to reportedly active sites, an opportunity to investigate with an experienced team simply by bringing the investigation to the group. […] In addition, there will be a monthly meet up where we will discuss past investigations, up coming investigations, new equipment and techniques.”
Founded
2013
Members
247
Sample review
“A relaxed, easy going group that enjoys sharing their experiences and enjoys teaching about the different types of equipment used during investigations.”
Next meetup
Oct 17, October Meet Up!; Oct 31, Halloween Investigation
Description
"When we remove our clothes, we also remove our inhibitions and our preconceptions about others. […] This is not a sex group, just a place to be nude, together and relax."
Founded
2014
Members
66
Sample review
“It was a relaxing, fun nude time getting to know some new friends!!”
Next meetup
Nov 1, Naked Halloween Party
Houston Shyness and Social Anxiety Group
Description
"Meet with other local people who suffer from extreme shyness or social phobia as well as general anxiety and other anxiety disorders. Offer support and understanding and share your story with others!"
Founded
2008
Members
677
Sample review
“Oh gosh I’m too shy to even meet with people from this group! :-( ”
Description
“The Duchy of Granite Spyre is part of Amtgard, a nation-wide, free-to-play, medieval fantasy combat sport. We are located in the Kingdom of The Wetlands (Southeast Texas and West Louisiana). […] Amtgard combat uses safe, padded weapons and shields which are simulations of the real thing, and offers a fast-paced, high-cardio workout.”
Founded
2009
Members
246
Sample review
“Best moment of the day for me was when I said I didn’t know how to use a polearm, and was told ‘That’s okay, saw you using a sword and you don’t know how to use that either.’”
Next meetup
Oct 19, Ray Miller Park
The Houston Ferret Meetup Group
Description
“The Houston Ferret Meetup group is the social side of the Houston Area Ferret Association or HAFA for short. We meet on the first Thursday night of the month for a dinner out to relax and talk ferret with other ferret owners.”
Founded
2002
Members
254
Sample review
“The more you know and understand the little beasties, the better prepared you are when the unexpected happens. And with ferrets, it always does!”
Next meetup
Nov 6, Location TBD
Description
“Men should be 6 feet tall and up and women should be 5’8” tall and up.”
Founded
2014
Members
291
Sample review
“I hope to continue with this group. More than being of like height, I feel like it is a like-minded group.”
Next meetup
Oct 17, The De Gaulle
Houston Data Visualization Meetup
Description
“This group is a place to share your experiences with data visualization. Come talk about the software tools you use and the data artists that inspire you.”
Founded
2013
Members
266
Sample review
“Javier’s d3 project he presented was pretty awesome.”
Next meetup
Nov 3, White Space Houston
