Storytelling

All: I am right inside the door to the left when you walk in I will have name tags for ev Our latest gathering will be at Torchys Tacos in Rockville. They requested our group to come to their restaurant. We will have our own seating area and also have access to the bar area. They have amazing tacos of all kinds and the drinks are good too. The event starts at 5:30 but goes until 8:00 so just get there when you can. Address is below. 12266A Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

This was awesome last time so we're doing it again - **Traveling film festival, Mountains On Stage is coming to DC with summer's best 2026 short films related to the outdoors.** ***Note: This is a ticketed event being hosted by a 3rd party organization. You must buy a ticket to attend.*** Interested in outdoor adventure? Let's get together and watch a curated selection of the best short films on mountaineering and adventure sports. **Cost:** $25 ([To buy tickets, click here](https://weeztix.shop/jb357zxw)) **Meetup Time:** 5:00pm **Meetup Location:** The Commodore DC 1636 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 **Event** **Location:** Washington DC - Cafritz Hall 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 Mountains on Stage is a traveling film festival that presents a curated selection of the world's best adventure and mountain films to a global audience. It brings the excitement of mountain sports like climbing, skiing, and paragliding to cities around the world, allowing people to experience the beauty and challenge of the outdoors through film We will meet at a small pub called The Commodore at 5pm to eat and consolidate before heading to Cafritz Hall at 6pm. The first film starts at 6:45 pm and the last ends by 10 pm (doors open at 6:15 pm). [https://www.mountainsonstage.com](https://www.mountainsonstage.com/) [Video trailer](https://montagne-en-scene.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d7696be56eef6d11e5a0d55b0&id=bbb55af8ef&e=19103ab673) **Film Line Up** **Patagonian Chimeras** Directors: Guillaume Broust Length: 35 min Lise Billon’s adventure with Fanny Schmutz and Maud Vanpoulle lies at the crossroads of history, dream and reality. Their goal: the first all-female ascent of the Southeast Ridge of Cerro Torre in Patagonia. This legendary line, on the world’s most beautiful mountain, is full of exploits and controversies. While this movie reveals an extraordinary achievement, it also explores questions about the place of women in mountaineering and the dreams they are entitled to pursue. Are there still gender-related limits in a discipline where everyone risks their life ? **Chery On The Cake** *Based on the original work by Josh Lowell (Reel Rock), directed by Léopold Renié and Cyril Salomon* Length: 55 min Embark on the Kamak ship, bound for Greenland and its pristine cliffs, following our favorite Belgians: **Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll**, **Nicolas Favresse**, **Jean-Louis Wertz**, and their newest Swedish recruit **Aleksej Jaruta**. After 2 weeks of sailing between storms and icebergs, the quartet sets up their base camp at the foot of the Mythic Cirque, a unique spot surrounded by rocky towers rising from the sea. Their goal: establish dream lines on these untouched summits, armed with their musical instruments. An ode to adventure and friendship! **Why I Fly** Director: *Jean-Baptiste Chandelier* Length: 4 min With a nod to E.T. and Peter Pan, **JB Chandelier** offers an intimate and moving film, a true visual ode to freedom. Renowned for his impressive proximity flights, the paraglider reveals, through a highly poetic style, the sensations he experiences while flying. But above all, he reflects on the wounds that have shaped his life choices. An invitation to listen to our inner voice, the one that pushes us to achieve our dreams and live our lives to the fullest! **Queen Swing** Director: *Thibaut Marot* Length: 53 min In speed climbing, it’s all about timing. 24 hours is the time **Kate Kelleghan** and **Laura Pineau** gave themselves to complete the Triple Crown, the three major big-walls of Yosemite: El Capitan, Half Dome and Mount Watkins. An insane bet: three big walls, over 2,000 meters of extremely difficult climbing. For this challenge, never before attempted by an all-female team, risk-taking, determination and complicity will be the keys to success!

Come join other guys in their 20s and 30s for a friendly group run. This run is not competitive and all skill levels are welcome. Join our [Slack](https://join.slack.com/t/arlington-run-club/shared_invite/zt-2lq70wa9t-INw_xk~MnZM~U41EQsKcXQ) to keep up to date with the group! **MEETING SPOT:** We'll meet a little before 6:30 PM at Ballston Local on N Glebe in front off the restaurant. See the pin below. Parking at the mall is only $1.00 after 6:00 PM. Then we'll head out right at 6:30 PM and eventually end up back where we started. **ROUTE INFO:** Here's our regular Thursday route, from the Bluemont Junction Trail to the W&OD Trail to the Custis Trail (about 4 miles): [https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5952134599/](https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5952134599/) When viewing the route, you may want to login with a MapMyRun account and bookmark the route so you can load it later from the MapMyRun app on your phone. **POST-RUN:** After the run, we'll grab a drink nearby for those who are interested in sticking around. **WEATHER:** We won't run in the middle of a thunderstorm, but we'll still go if there's light rain. Many of us will plan to meet at the start time regardless and we can make a call then. We've learned that the weather can change quickly, so there's not much point in canceling the run prematurely. **RSVP:** If you are interested in joining, please join the group and then sign up for this event so we know you're coming. You're welcome to bring a friend -- all guys in their 20s and 30s are welcome -- but please have them sign up through Meetup or shoot us a message so we know how many people to expect.

Trivia!! Trivia starts promptly at 7, come earlier to get set up 630-645. Clear Sky's Meadery. 15201 Display Ct, Rockville, MD 20850

Storytelling Open Mic at Library. Sign up list goes out at 12:00 p.m. Each performer will get 6 minutes to tell their story via Microphone. A true story. If you don't want to tell a story this time around, feel free to come enjoy the storytellers and relax. If you need to cancel, please change your status to "will not attend."

**Change the Story in Your Head: Rewire Your Inner Narrative** The story in your head shapes how you feel, how you show up, and what you believe is possible. In this workshop, you’ll learn to notice the narratives you repeat, especially the ones rooted in fear, self-judgment, or old conditioning, and gently shift them with presence and self-compassion. We’ll practice interrupting automatic thought patterns and creating an inner dialogue that’s clearer, kinder, and more empowering. **Key Takeaways** *• Identify and transform limiting inner narratives* *• Use present-moment awareness to disrupt habitual thought loops* *• Practice self-compassion and shift your inner dialogue in real time* *• Create a new story rooted in authenticity, resilience, and possibility* Sat., April 25th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/ahZbI](https://shorturl.at/ahZbI)

Playtesting Agent and Battle-scale of the Zone-17 role-playing and miniatures game.

Now in its 10th year, the [The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards](https://www.strathmore.org/nurturing-artists/bernardebb-songwriting-awards/ "Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards") showcases some of the most compelling emerging songwriters from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Finalists take the stage at Strathmore to perform their original work before judges select this year’s winners. The competition awards a $10,000 grand prize plus studio recording support, along with a $2,500 award to one talented songwriter under 17. All finalists in both the adult and youth categories receive additional cash prizes. Tickets are as low as $20 and include a dessert reception after which is very nice to socialize. **[Click here](https://www.strathmore.org/nurturing-artists/bernardebb-songwriting-awards/bernardebb-songwriting-awards-concert/)** to purchase tickets. Price goes up $5 the week of the event. The evening offers a rare chance to hear fresh, original music from artists on the rise and to celebrate the region’s vibrant songwriting community.

Please arrive early (no later than 7:30) to stretch out and warm up. Wear a black jersey and bring a pair of shin guards.

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

Join our monthly writer meetup to share ideas, socialize, kick off your creativity, and write something! To find us, either take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor, following the signs for the conference center. We'll be in room 401-A. All writer levels are welcome; we're all about building community and confidence. If you have any questions, please email us! (writingheptagon@gmail.com)

A WiA Collective Wisdom Exchange At the start of this year, we gathered to look back, set intentions, and imagine the next chapter. This is the follow-up. Not a check-in. Not a progress report. A small, facilitated circle to reconnect with what you said mattered — and honestly explore what’s actually happening now. Together, we’ll explore: • What you intended at the start of this year - and what that looks like three months in • What’s surprised you, supported you, or shifted • What the next chapter needs now that you know what you know If you were at our January gathering, bring whatever you made or wrote — your word, your artifact, your intention. We’ll look at it with fresh eyes. If this is your first time, you belong here too. You’ll start where we all started: with what’s true right now. Optional art materials will be available for anyone who wants to reflect creatively alongside conversation. If you brought something home from January, you’re warmly invited to bring it back. The intention is the same as always: everyone leaves feeling more clear, more connected, and a little lighter. Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate. What to Expect • A small, welcoming circle (not a large meetup) • Structured conversation so everyone has space to speak • Reflection, listening, and lived experience — not advice-giving • Optional creative reflection alongside conversation • A calm, supportive environment Who This Is For Women and underrepresented folks working in or around agile, product, technology, leadership, or organizational change — especially those looking for honest conversation and community beyond frameworks and buzzwords. Good to Know • No preparation required • If you attended in January, we invite you to bring anything you created or wrote (or something that represents your intention at the start of the year) - it’s optional but invited • Participation is invitational; listening is always welcome • Creative activities are optional

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **LATE LUNCH:** *After we browse the bookstore maze, let's gather for the best traditional Jewish deli in town, [Katzingers!](katzingers.com) Choices include stacked Reubens, hot pastromi on rye, chicken salad, macaroni salad, knish, chicken soup, NY cheesecake, and dozens of other sandwiches and sides!* **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.