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Let's keep Christmas going with a Friday night fried chicken and Christmas lights hangout this week! We'll start by first meeting at Oh My Dak in Vienna for some Korean Fried Chicken. [https://www.ohmydak.com/](https://www.ohmydak.com/) Then, we'll head to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to check out their outdoor walkable Christmas lights show. Tickets are around $25 and can be acquired here (Pick the 7:30 PM showing): [https://tickets.novaparks.com/event/2025-meadowlarks-winter-walk-of-lights-pniz2u?utm_campaign=0ZaVKcKU&utm_source=WWOLMainPage&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=BuyButton&utm_term=Intro](https://tickets.novaparks.com/event/2025-meadowlarks-winter-walk-of-lights-pniz2u?utm_campaign=0ZaVKcKU&utm_source=WWOLMainPage&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=BuyButton&utm_term=Intro) Ticket spaces may be limited, so act fast! Please be diligent about managing your RSVP, especially if there's a waitlist forming. RSVPs will close at 3 PM on Friday. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

Get ready for one of the most fun, and legendary nights we’ve had yet - because BINGO NIGHT is HERE! We’re talking: ✨ Big energy ✨ Big laughs ✨ Big wins ✨ And an even bigger Social Sips & Bites crew bringing the hype! Whether you’re the quiet strategist or the one who screams “BINGO!!!” before the last number even lands, this night is for YOU. We’ll play multiple rounds, cheer each other on, enjoy drinks, snacks, and nonstop fun. This is the perfect chance to meet new people, hang with friends, and make some epic memories. Bring your energy. Bring your luck. Bring your hype.

Enjoy a lively German convo! Hoffentlich werden wir euch dort sehen! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. Rules to abide : 1\. Event is 21\+ \(bring ID\)\. 2\. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well\. 3\. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible\. 4\. If you don't speak the other person's required language\, LEAVE THEM ALONE\. 5\. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion\. 6\. This is a face\-to\-face language exchange event\. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting\, by using the comment box or direct message\. 7\. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box\. Since it sends notification to all attendees\. If you have any questions\, send a message to the organizers\. Don't write in the comment box\. 8\. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation\. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event\. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via \(info@merevents\.com\)\. 9\. When you get there\, we will greet you and take you to your respective group\. 10\. Don't be shy of your local languages\. We have diplomates assigned to different countries\, who would love to practice your languages\. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\.
 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. ***AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Hello friends!! K has graciously opened her home to host a 6 hour Kirtan and Community Potluck! Come for just a bit, or stay the whole time! Schedule: 2pm - Peter 3pm - Micah 4pm - Rufus 5pm - Open Jam 6pm - Vandya 7pm - Sumer Please come if you feel compelled to lead a chant, play instruments, or request a chant we can learn. Of course, please come to just chant too! That is the most important aspect, after all! I like to describe Kirtan, in simple terms, as a chanting meditation. When you chant in Sanskrit, and repeat the mantra over and over, it vibrates your vocal chords and resonates through your whole body. When everyone in the room is chanting together, that vibration unifies us on a particle level and allows us to access and connect with the Divine within ourselves and each other. It is one of the main practices of Bhakti Yoga, which is another path of Yoga, which unites our mind, body, and spirit. Feel free to bring some food to share or an instrument to play. Any and all are welcome to join! Time: 2pm - 8ish Address: 5914 Johnson Ave. Bethesda, MD 20817 This is a private residence - open to the public - all are welcome - bring a friend, the family, the kids, the parents, the spouse - comfortable setting. If you want to sit on the floor, it might be wise to bring something to sit on - Zafu or pillow or the like.

It is irresistible, to enjoy a Spanish and Portuguese convo with appetizers, glass of wine and rail drinks. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com)). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\. 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. ***AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Let's have a nice evening out before the year is out to meet someone new or reconnect with friends at On St. Elmo's Restaurant in Bethesda MD Friday December 26 from 5:30-8:00. Have a cocktail or stay for dinner. The choice is yours. Cocktail attire is suggested. This restaurant is located near the Bethesda Metro (exit on West side of Wisconsin Ave) stop on the Red line. Public or street parking is also available nearby.

Friday night Greenbelt International Folk Dancing has gone "virtual". As we all practice good social distancing, many in our folk dance community are feeling the absence of our usually scheduled local dances. In response, please join us for the Greenbelt Virtual Folk Dance Session. Let’s keep dancing! • Connect and dance in our own homes • Watch hosts leading familiar dances • See each other; listen and dance to our favorites How: We will be using the ZOOM video conferencing app to share music and live videos of the leaders and each other. This can be used on a desktop, laptop, or smartphone. What to Expect: Your hosts are Linda Mansdorf, Vita Hollander, Ben Hole, and John Robinson. Collectively they will play 25-30 dances, which should approximate the number of dances normally done on a Friday night in-person event. The hosts will do a quick teaching or demonstration of the steps to some of the dances that may be less familiar to you or just as a refresher, but the session is not designed as a workshop, so the majority of the evening will be spent playing dances that many of us already know and love to do. How To Join Us: Each week we will send an email with the Zoom Meeting link ID. Make sure John Robinson knows you would like to receive this email with the link. John's email address for Info: j_srobinson@verizon.net. https://www.facebook.com/GreenbeltInternationalFolkDancing/ Co-sponsored by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington

Join us for the wonderful sounds of **New Hipsters** (Joe DeZarn (fiddle), Liz Donaldson (piano), Ralph Gordon (bass)) who will bring their exciting, engergetic dancing tunes to the Spanish Ballroom for the Friday Night Dance. Our caller, **Perry Shafran**, will bring us an evening of delightful dancing fun. Don't miss this fun-filled evening! Come on out and join us for an amazing evening at the Friday Night Dance!! **All dances called gender-free.** Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812. Tickets are $15. Purchase tickets at[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/friday-night-contra-dances-at-glen-echo-3504989)[here](https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/friday-night-contra-dances-at-glen-echo-3504989)[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/friday-night-contra-dances-at-glen-echo-3504989)or pay at the door. **The admission price includes the lesson at 7:30 p.m.** **Dance from 8 to 11 p.m.** You can register and pay online in advance, which is faster. You may also pay at the door with cash and credit cards. You have the ability to cancel registrations prior to the event, and any payment will be refunded as a credit for future use. No refunds will be available after the event has started. The Friday Night Dancers are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organization, welcoming all of our neighbors to join us in this energetic and delightful evening of fun each week. Be sure to invite your friends, family and colleagues to join us each Friday evening at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park!! **UPCOMING FND DANCES** **January 2 - Contra Rebels** (Aaron Blouin (bass), Todd Clewell (fiddle), Henry Koretzky (guitar and mandolin), Barb Schmid (fiddle)) with **Lo Ziv Peckman** calling - in the SBR **January 9 - Callithump** (Glyn Collinson (bouzouki, vocals, stomping), Andrew Marcus (accordion), David Knight (fiddle)) with **Chloe Levine** calling - in the SBR **January 16 - Gigmeisters** (Ralph Gordon (bass), Alexander Mitchell (fiddle, mandolin), Paul Oorts (mandolin, accordion, guitar), Dave Wiesler (piano, guitar)) with **Alyssa (Lyss) Adkins** calling - in the SBR **January 23 - Treble Makers** (Emily Aubrey (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, saxophone), Liz Donaldson (piano)) with **April Blum** calling - in the SBR

Come out, make new friends and enjoy the edgy pop punk band Tunnels End as they perform all the nostalgic hits live!

Join Nordic Culture and Language Exchange this Sunday, 28 December at the new Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. Come learn about Nordic contributions to the American Experience. We’ll learn about some Nordic-Americans and Nordic communities that influenced the growth and development of the United States and how Nordic-Americans attempted to realize the “American Dream”. Then we will practice Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and Icelandic. Meet at the tables near the “Tree of Generations”- if the new cafe is open by then, we will move to a table there. You can obtain free tickets at https://www.mcaad.org/ or we will have extra tickets for 1pm. The museum is located at 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC.

**Caller: Gaye Fifer** **Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

You must check into with the host and say you are with Suzie or Columbus Meetup To get the drink specials you must check in before 8:30 pm These are the drinks specials: $3 Domestic Draft- Miller Lite & Coors Light $3 Well Liquor Cocktails (no doubles/no redbull/no shots) $4 Vizzy Seltzers $5 Select Call Liquor-Titos, Bacardi, Bombay, Cazadores Reposado, & Jack Daniels (no doubles/no redbull/no shots) $5 Select Shots- White Tea Shots & Fireball

Join us as we kick the New Year with a fun Happy Hour and your choice of two fun, new films! Option 1 is the biographical-musical-docu-drama, SONG SUNG BLUE, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the story about a real-life couple and Neil Diamond Tribute Duo. Option 2 is the comedy-action-adventure ACACONDA, which stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as part of a group of friends remaking a favorite movie from their youth. Here’s a complete description, trailer and our plan for this event: SONG SUNG BLUE: The film follows Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience success and heartbreak in their musical journey together. Not a tribute to Neil Diamond, but a tribute to a Neil Diamond Tribute Band! The film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name and is directed by Craig Brewer. It stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, along with Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Critics call the film, “a crowd-pleaser with a ton of heart!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCM0Ztp3o1o ANACONDA: In this action-thriller-comedy-adventure, a group of friends going through a mid-life crisis head to the jungle to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter “unexpected events.” The film is directed by Tom Gormican and stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn. The film is a reimagining of the 1997 original. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsFsfrPNaw PLAN: We’ll kick off the event with a pre-show Happy Hour at nearby Bravo! We’ll confirm the details and exact meeting time once we get the showtimes, but planning for 5 to 5:30pm for the Happy Hour and a 7pm-ish showing of both films. For the movies, we’ll meet inside the lobby area about 20 minutes before showtimes! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your Movie of Choice and seat number in the Comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!