Sure, for one category of music in some cities there's a resource. There are often community-curated lists that have some things, but if you want specific things or if you want everything/most things, it's the big platforms.
I'm part of some local photography groups. There's a Discord where members plan informal get togethers, but the big events are all posted on Instagram.
I follow a number of local bartenders, and their popup events are all on Instagram. Same for local performing artists.
My bike club coordinates through a Facebook page.
Honestly, none of my non-tech interests are viable (in a group setting) without Meta properties.
I find a life surrounded only by people who already do the things I do unfulfilling. I also find that almost no one who works outside of tech cares enough about privacy or other issues to care to move off the big platforms.
I already spend my entire work day surrounded by tech workers, I'm not going to change my hobbies to spend more time around them.
I'm part of some local photography groups. There's a Discord where members plan informal get togethers, but the big events are all posted on Instagram.
I follow a number of local bartenders, and their popup events are all on Instagram. Same for local performing artists.
My bike club coordinates through a Facebook page.
Honestly, none of my non-tech interests are viable (in a group setting) without Meta properties.