Concerts

**Mark the date:** Woltrap Splash off with the US Marine Band followed by fireworks! Doors open at 6pm. Bring a blanket/picnic chair and picnic basket to socialize before the concert and secure your spot. Food and beverages allowed in. Concert begins at 8PM **Location: [Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts](https://www.google.com/maps?sca_esv=9687c9b822386596&output=search&q=wolf+trap+national+park+for+the+performing+arts&source=lnms&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpaEWjvZ2Py1XXV8d8KvlI3jljrY5CkLlk8Dq3IvwBz-SiiHLMuwmCQZ7DqSL8AQqoJuAtjtegtdjEPKu9tUSpBEYyfYP2fz4cnCC1qzcZxqdczjgMBPeXVNPWFVgPse19jF7wcssJtc9faiZY_6bsMnA-z1PoGlHDJqwIRtro4h46H-gOAJs-hIqAR8btqntwnpZHTg&entry=mc&ved=1t:200715&ictx=111)** **Date & Time:** Sunday, May 24 at 8 p.m. **Program:** Coming Soon **Description:** Start off your summer at Wolf Trap with fireworks on stage and in the sky! “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the longest standing professional music organization in the U.S. with over 225 years of delighting audiences, performs favorites from popular musicals and marching standards from the Armed Forces’ distinguished songbook. The evening caps off with a spectacular fireworks display. **This event is free but registration is required**. To register for this event, **[click here](https://www.wolftrap.org/show/blast-off/)**.

Join us for the world premiere of the musical ***Aguardiente: Where Magic Transcends Borders,*** commissioned by GALA and conceived by Helen Hayes multi-award winner Luis Salgado from Puerto Rico and Colombian artist Daniel Alejandro Gutiérrez. Blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as bomba, currulao, and cumbia, and Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, Aguardiente is a bold new musical about the messy, urgent act of making art in a world on fire. As a group of artists race to finish a new show, their rehearsal room becomes a battleground of ideas, ambition, and lived experience—especially for a composer whose undocumented status makes the dream of success anything but simple. As the team wrestles with what story they should tell, the line between reality and imagination begins to blur, until—like two currents meeting in the same river—the artists’ own struggles spill into the story they are creating: a vibrant tale set in a river town on the brink of environmental collapse, where two young lovers must decide whether to stay and fight for their homeland or leave in pursuit of a dream, making Aguardiente a theatrical journey about migration, memory, and the complicated act of transforming real lives into art. **PERFORMANCES:** ***Aguardiente*** is a bilingual production with surtitles in English and Spanish, and runs April 30 through May 24, 2026. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. The show is approximately 160 minutes long and includes one intermission. Community Night is Thursday, April 30. Noche de GALA, which includes a post-performance reception with the cast and creative team, is Saturday, May 2, under the honorary patronage of His Excellency Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo, Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S. **TICKETS:** Regular tickets for ***Aguardiente*** are $60 Premium, $55 Orchestra Standard, $45 Orchestra Value, and $35 Balcony Value; $35 Seniors (65+), Military, Teachers, and Groups (10+); $25 25 and Under; Community Night tickets are $25 each and Noche de GALA: Chosen ticket price + $5 (per person). **[GET TICKETS HERE](https://ci.ovationtix.com/35923/production/1245626)** **CAST:** ***Aguardiente: Where Magic Transcends Borders*** features an 18-people multicultural cast that includes Samuel Garnica (Venezuela) as Alberto, Sebastián Treviño (Colombia and Mexico) as Alejandro, Vin Ramos (Puerto Rico) as Azuquita, Ana Luisa Martínez (Mexico) as Anís, Shayla Hernández (Puerto Rico) as Kiara, Emy Ramos (Dominican Republic and United States) as Beta, Eric González (Spain) as Eve, Machirán (Cuba) as Pepe/MC, and Leanna “Leah” Finol (Venezuela and Hungary) as Mamá/Mom. The ensemble includes Ralphie Rivera (Puerto Rico, Dance Captain), Álvaro Medina Molina (Puerto Rico and Colombia, Alberto U/S), Santiago Ayala (Colombia, Alejandro U/S), Brianna Ríos (El Salvador and Puerto Rico, Anís U/S), Ana Daniela Pérez (Panama, Beta U/S), Bibi Sánchez (Mexico, Mamá U/S), Julia Neveu (United States, Eve U/S), Zaramaría Fas (Puerto Rico, Swing), and Rodrigo Calderón (Peru, Swing, Azuquita U/S). **CREATIVE TEAM:** This enthralling new musical is written, directed, and choreographed by Luis Salgado, with music and music direction by Daniel A. Gutiérrez, and lyrics by both Salgado and Gutiérrez. Scenic Design is by Clifton Chadick, Lighting Design is by Colin Bills, Projections Design is by Milton Cordero, and Madeline “Mo” Oslejsek is Sound Designer. Costume Design is by Jeannette Christensen, Properties Design is by Chelsea Dean, and Hair and Makeup Design is by Andre Hopfer. Sorany Gutiérrez is the Dramaturg, Valeria Cossu is Associate Director, and Ralphie Rivera is Associate Choreographer. Cody Von Ruden is Assistant Costume Designer and Elias Hall is Assistant Properties Designer. The band includes Daniel Gutiérrez (Music Director, Conductor, Keys), Sebastián Natal (Assistant Music Director, Multi-instrumentalist), Juan “Juancho” Gómez (Guitar), Iván Navas (Multi-instrumentalist), Jaime Rodríguez (Percussion), Roger Torres (Trumpet), and Michael “Mike” Ventura (Saxophone). Ester Teixeira Vianna is Stage Manager, Rbekah Nogueira is NYC Assistant Stage Manager, Brian Martínez is DC Assistant Stage Manager, Ilyana Rose-Dávila is Production Manager, Amanda Leyva is Assistant Production Manager, Anson Stevie is Technical Director, Delbis Cardona is General Manager for Rehearsal Space, and Lorena Suárez is Company Administrator. Gustavo Ott is the Producer and Rebecca Medrano is the Executive Producer. The production is made possible in part with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Paul Angell Foundation, the National Latinx Theater Initiative, and the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Additionally, GALA Hispanic Theatre is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Mark Edelman Theater Fund and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the National organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.

Let’s go dance to the wonderful music of Ocho de Bastos. They are part of a two day celebration in Rockville Town Square with other bands and vendors. Bring a chair if you want to pause your dancing.

One time Bob scored a goal with his back Bring enthusiasm and a good attitude, plus a light and a dark shirt. No slide tackling, casual play. Warnings, yellow cards, and red cards will be issued based on behavior and play. GENERAL REMARKS Given the huge demand, we had to limit the Meetups to a maximum number of players. To play, you must register for each meetup (on a first come first served basis). Once the Meetups are full, there is a waiting list and you can still get a seat if players cancel. If you are not on the list, please do not drop by, as we can only play with a maximum of players. LATE DROPOFF POLICY: Late drop-offs will incur a 1-week suspension. Repeated late drop-offs may be subject to increased suspension time. All suspensions handled on case-by-case basis. COVID19 MEASURES: IF YOU ARE SICK OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, DO NOT SHOW UP. Yellow Cards: Swearing at other player, hostile physical behavior, slide tackling, unnecessarily aggressive physical play (despite warning). RED CARDS: Initiating hostile physical conflict with another player. Repeated offense of the above yellow card behaviors. RULES: 1. Be cordial and nice 2. NO SWEARING AT OTHER PLAYERS 3. NO HOSTILE PHYSICAL ACTIONS (OUTSIDE OF COMPETITIVE TACKLES) 4. NO SLIDE TACKLING 5. YELLOW CARDS: Accumulation of three yellow cards will mean you will not be able to play for a game. 6. RED CARDS: Red card will remove you from the game and you will not be able to play the next game. 7. WAITLISTED INDIVIDUALS: Please avoid coming to the game if you are waitlisted. If players do not make it, the waitlist will be updated based on the time and date of sign up... PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES. By agreeing to sign up, you are waiving us and meetup from liability for any injuries.

We willl view 2 exhibits, one on [Mary Cassatt](https://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/mary-cassatt-1) & one on [Niagara falls](https://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/niagara-falls). It’s a large museum, so you are also welcome to stay longer & explore more. We’ll meet out front of the [entrance on 6th St NW](https://www.nga.gov/visit) at 10:30. The exhibit is in the West building (main building) Main Floor. Check comments day-of for how to find me. INHERENT RISK AND LIABILITY: Organizers carefully plan events and check public sources for weather and safety. Common sense dictates that conditions may change and there is inherent risk associated with attendance. Organizers do not accept any liability for accidents/injuries or any other incidences that may occur in connection with the activities published herein or on linked sites.

Social Architects will kick off Memorial Day weekend with a rodeo theme party at a rooftop resort in National Harbor on Sun., May 24th at the Gaylord Resorts. This is where the rodeo meets the dress all-white theme! Tickets must be purchased in advance on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rodeo-en-blanc-an-elevated-all-white-western-attire-rooftop-social-tickets-1985836418184). Check the Eventbrite link to see available tickets. More details on the party is below this message! HARBOR AFTER DARK SERIES \- RODEO EN BLANC \- AN ELEVATED ALL WHITE \| WESTERN ATTIRE ROOFTOP SOCIAL SOCIAL ARCHITECTS PRESENT **SUNDAY MAY 24TH** **7:00PM - 1:00AM** HARBOR AFTER DARK SERIES RODEO EN BLANC AN ELEVATED ALL WHITE \| WESTERN ATTIRE ROOFTOP SOCIAL LOOKOUT 18 (FORMERLY POSE ROOFTOP LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB) GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER 201 WATERFRONT STREET NATIONAL HARBOR, MD 20745 **FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST DJ TBA** **HOSTED BY - TBA** **GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS** **\- $20\-$40** **VIP TICKETS** - **$100** INCLUDES TWO HOUR PREMIUM OPEN BAR 9:00PM \- 11:00PM \| RESERVED SEATING **TABLE RESERVATIONS** **OPTION 1: $450** Includes Admission for Four Guests Includes Seating/Reserved Table for Four Guests Includes Two Hour Premium Open Bar 9:00pm-11:00pm **OPTION 2: $650** Includes Admission for Six Guests Includes Seating/Reserved Table for Six Guests Includes Two Hour Premium Open Bar 9:00pm-11:00pm **ATTIRE:** ALL WHITE ATTIRE COWBOY BOOTS \| COWBOY HATS REQUESTED NOT MANDATORY PROPER ATTIRE IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST WE RETAIN THE RIGHT REFUSE ADMISSION BASED ON ATTIRE **AMENITIES:** TWO LEVELS OUTDOOR PATIO SPECIAL GUEST DJ TBA SPECIAL GUEST DJ TBA EVENT PARKING $20 **HOTEL RESERVATIONS - TBA:** **[ROOM RESERVATIONS]()** **CLICK ON ABOVE LINK TO BOOK YOU ROOM** ALL SALES ARE FINAL - NO REFUNDS

cut.rate.box has been creating iconic electro-industrial-future pop since 1989. Albums such as "new religion" and "dataseed” caught the ear of labels around the globe. After a long break, cut.rate.box returned with the 2025 "luxury anxiety" release. Back to their earliest musical roots, a punk ethos—driving minimalism and scathing lyrical takes on the current state of the world—to the electro-pop-industrial sound c.r.b is known for. [https://www.cutratebox.com/](https://www.cutratebox.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcWwwNWtYeXY5SHdrWGhMenNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5zYcRx9_JU_iOgkEXa9vUfUNzurOE5fH1BNeL57fB2Kub7BNmhIH5p72niRQ_aem_oQrAtWJ1FgGemp21tBmUIg) Nuda is a solo darkwave/industrial artist based in Seattle, Washington. Nuda brings instrumental soundscapes with "a feminine touch to industrial music." The live performances feature guest vocalists and light shows that blend together an immersive experience. Nuda’s second album "Mindful Tragedies" was noted under "The Top 50 Albums" by ReGen Magazine. [https://www.nuda-official.com/](https://www.nuda-official.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcWwwNWtYeXY5SHdrWGhMenNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4-0nNUCh_5F4kvtaGu2aKi22KYGWblbm1feZLe5EOSh0MfeV15RLphc5kS1A_aem_WtcYRAPAsK4fyOjKsCtJRg) Signs of the Past, a Baltimore-based artist and producer has spent the last decade-and-a-half honing his chops as a proficient songwriter and producer, working in a broad range of styles from industrial/metal and alt. rock, to new wave-influence electro-pop. Now, several years in the making, he at last unveils the debut album from Signs of the Past, his latest solo endeavor. [https://signsofthepast.bandcamp.com/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsignsofthepast.bandcamp.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcWwwNWtYeXY5SHdrWGhMenNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7XZ35uC5Md7zsp6urCqEdG3mRu9bMyXPqq7aFJCwJkBUeeRqOs8BHDcz0vVw_aem_lCdjEdUtDiJxBoVyYyuP6g&h=AUB6VXWnBqpM1UFdDf8wAoObsbz1v5PnAmxldwj6AgEDPZbbN2lRd4vt-cdGwA5rGY2YeTsdUKT8Sm9JqoQ0XsgN2aZt-PYnte1i3RQl02Yc_7t6tMz1Bd7zN0oogFRa0f0Wuq9etaEu6xPS&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AUCkVIupUUZOcrkRl8HGyHnhsO-jN8Kt9p0pSPtGjBO_z9hB7lfDoaek_1hhaBkwopNbNv65Bds5dMXsctHsTEludxf7tco0d6oqNFyIIigGBt2yGpu_IGXXSp4NeaSUMUq-sVOlFxQ6RUNlizieEh9SEy2f2duNB1M) DJ Villainess, The fabulous DJ alter ego of Bella La Blanc, and founder of Fiction DC, will be on the decks before/between/after bands. [https://www.facebook.com/DJVillainess](https://www.facebook.com/DJVillainess?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZaI8VpHCb7pJMLIgI0L-ElwLsdSoN7CHEdvtWxTS40WKhdpVe7b6PqOwajsgQTl2g_yIgK4OiJ1pTknp0A1JFc95Yhty5DcdnWmr5BtMjqed71fdKupdBelCwcfl0JnlWSY4K97VnNfR5TD3_yL7mvY&__tn__=q) Ages: 21+ Doors at 7 PM, show starts at 8PM $25 in advance / $35 at the door The Renegade in Arlington Virginia is Metro Accessible and there are parking garage options nearby as well as street parking. Make sure to bring your appetite, the food at the Renegade is awesome! Tickets and venue information can be found here : [https://renegadeva.com/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frenegadeva.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcWwwNWtYeXY5SHdrWGhMenNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5T8ufyQpU-s5T-bNY_SKcKmwcDF2uVsK_ZEPf55SIjVi03oUBqFtsMz5IbXA_aem_UL6-cr11Tx2poR6mltn9tg&h=AUC1Zf8uhgiffGnVFVocymVCkRb7imfNSf2n7nqxszxI1bAEW_lnfH6m8mmxxPD4uYTSl0z88q_u7AvlHzKBBdZCZ9Ayzjb1CSr1MTpyHMxN9SLcSBbCMH8cmlgjt6gE6YG9GVWqLpruS05a&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AUCkVIupUUZOcrkRl8HGyHnhsO-jN8Kt9p0pSPtGjBO_z9hB7lfDoaek_1hhaBkwopNbNv65Bds5dMXsctHsTEludxf7tco0d6oqNFyIIigGBt2yGpu_IGXXSp4NeaSUMUq-sVOlFxQ6RUNlizieEh9SEy2f2duNB1M) 3100 Clarendon Blvd Arlington VA

This is a great class for beginner to intermediate players looking to get into bluegrass. Students will learn the basic chords and melody of one or 2 classic Bluegrass songs and how to approach playing them in a jam setting. Over the course of about an hour the class will play the tunes several times as a group exploring different possibilities for kickoffs, solos, endings and more. At the end of the class we open up the jam! Justin plays guitar and banjo with Cherry Blossom Special and runs jam sessions along and runs jam sessions along with mandolinist Nick Cameron and fiddler Mari Carlson. He has been teaching guitar, banjo and mandolin in Takoma Park since 2012. This class was designed to give people an affordable entry point to Bluegrass music, and help grow the community. The class is $30 Register [Here!](https://checkout.square.site/buy/GUSSUYYW5UMKDMCDV4CQBOBL)

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/walk-breathe-rise)]** DC Black Pride weekend is a lot of things. Loud, beautiful, full, unforgettable. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, your body, mind, and spirit deserve a moment to exhale. Lesbifriends Travel is linking up with [We BE Walkin'](https://webewalkin.com/) for Walk, Breathe, Rise for a Sunday morning nature gathering designed to slow the weekend down in the best way possible. Think fresh air, a scenic walk through the U.S. National Arboretum, a grounding yoga flow with Devyn of [Surrender + Flow](https://bio.site/surrenderandflow), light snacks, and meaningful connection with your community. This is how we close out Black Pride. Soft, intentional, and together. **Event Details** 📅 Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM 📍 Location: The U.S. National Arboretum, Northeast DC (specific meeting location shared with confirmed guests) 💸 **Early Early Bird: $15** \(through May 8\) \| **Early Bird: $25** \(through May 21\) \| **Regular: $35** (Booking Deadline: May 23) 🎁 **Gifted Tickets Available:** **$15** to send a community member **What to Expect** * A guided 2.8 mile beginner-friendly walk through the Arboretum * A grounding yoga flow with Devyn (gentle asana, breathwork, and her signature handpan) * Healthy snacks, water, and time to connect after * Pet friendly and welcoming to all paces and energy levels * A reset before heading back into the week Tickets are tiered and limited. **The earlier you grab yours, the less you pay.** Sliding scale is intentional. Show up however you can. **Who This Event Is For:** Black queer women and non-binary people who want to close out DC Black Pride feeling grounded instead of depleted, who love being outside and moving their body, or who simply want to spend a Sunday morning the right way. ✨ Lesbifriends Travel and We BE Walkin' invite you to walk, breathe, and rise with your community. **Claim your spot here: [Walk, Breathe, Rise](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/walk-breathe-rise)**! **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

Forro for Memorial Day! Join Lunna Gomes for terrific forró class to support the Afro Brazilian fest 2026. Lunna Gomes is DC's top forró instructor so this class will be terrific. Play with musicality, improve your ability to follow/ lead plus learn a fun dance pattern. Forró is Brazil's most popular partner dance for it's ease, terrific music and socialability. Meet new people and support a good cause. 100% of the revenue goes to Afro-Bahia Fest 2026. Class fee $15. Stay for delicious traditional feijoada too, and forro students get a discount 😋

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You’ll gain insights into: ✅ The true definition of the subconscious ✅ How it generates unwanted emotions ✅ Its real purpose and function ✅ What determines the pressure it exerts on you And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** But this isn’t just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It’s interactive and engaging—you can ask questions at any time. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.