Product Launch

Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning." It represents the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, promoting a life of purpose and daily fulfillment. What is your Ikigai? **ATTENDANCE POLICY:** To keep this group running smoothly and ensure that spots are available for those who genuinely want to attend, please RSVP only if you are confident you can make it. If you RSVP “Yes” and do not attend without updating your RSVP in advance, you may be restricted from attending future events for a period of time. We understand that things come up. If you can no longer attend, simply update your RSVP as soon as possible so your spot can be offered to someone on the waitlist. Repeated no-shows will result in removal from the group. Thank you for respecting everyone’s time and helping us maintain a reliable and engaged community. **SUPPORT THINKERS AND DRINKERS:** Thinkers and Drinkers International is a registered 501(c)7 nonprofit organization. We work hard to create an organization that adds value to our communities while keeping membership free for all. If you find value in what we’re doing, please consider donating through Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thinkers](https://www.patreon.com/thinkers) **CONNECT:** Instagram: @ThinkersDrinkersInternational Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/](https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/) Podcast: [https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational](https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational) Email: [[ThinkersDrinkersInternational@gmail.com](mailto:ThinkersDrinkersInternational@gmail.com)]

Come join local improv troupe, the ***Home Improv Mints***, as we run through some of the basics of short form improv. Wear clothes you can move around in. We will start at **7:15**. We will run until just after 9 pm. Bring yourself and a willingness to try new things - like (insert audience suggestion here)! We try a different topic each session to see if it changes who sees the announcement. There might not be bobwhite imitations, hyena butter, lava floors, trans livestock, thalidomide twinkies or inflatable turnips (all things that HAVE come up), but we can promise something *random*. But we encourage you to bring cookies. NOM NOM NOM! We only have so many slots available. **Please don't RSVP as a yes *until* you are certain.** We limit the class size so everyone gets a chance to play, and ask for RSVPs so we know how many outlines to print and cookies to bring. We understand things change sometimes. Please message us if things change and you can't make it, rather than being a No-Show. Multiple No-shows get you put on the naughty list and may get you ejected from the group. Please don't make us do that. Please donate - *running* a Meetup group ain't free folks. Suggested Donation is $10/session. And feel free to bring more cookies. Everybody likes cookies. If you're keeping track, this one will be Workshop # 3. Hope to see you then!

Reserve your spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986185384953?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count. We will gather inside at the **purple booth** to the left as you enter. **There is no cover.** Support NoVA's only LGBTQ+ bar! There is no cover. There also is no group tab to worry about; order whatever you want on you own. The Go Gay DC happy hour officially starts at 6 p.m. Enjoy the happy hour drink specials (which last until 7 p.m.) The dinner menu is at [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu). Pasta dishes are half price on Mondays. Tito vodka drinks are only $5 each. Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets. This fun happy hour gathering brings LGBTQ+ folk, including Allies, together for conversation. Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there! **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Crystal City Metro station on the Yellow/Blue lines is the closest Metro stop. When you arrive, go out the station, walk towards your left to 18th Street and then veer right and walk under the Route 1 overpass to Eads St. Turn left and walk to 23rd Street. Turn right. Freddie's is up 23rd Street just a block. Just look for the rainbow flags on the right side of the street! Freddie's was voted the Best Virginia Bar by Washington Blade readers. Don't like a smoky bar? You are covered: Freddie's is a smoke-free establishment. (Ashtrays are provided in back of the building if smoking is 'your thing'). Freddie's is an LGBTQ+, straight-friendly restaurant and bar. It offers Happy Hour daily from 4-7 pm. [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/) Arrive at any time that's convenient for you. There's no need to print out and show your Eventbrite ticket. This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for 21+. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course. This event is hosted by **[Go Gay DC](http://www.gogaydc.com)**, Metropolitan Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [http://www.gogaydc.com](http://www.gogaydc.com) Mingle with fabulous LGBTQ+ folk and allies. Go Gay DC Leader **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)** will be there to greet you. Bring your friends and meet new people from all over the world. Casual attire is fine. You are welcome regardless of where you live. Guests from DC, Maryland, and Virginia often attend. This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@gogaydc) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR765Xxf5t8wFzbCac74QNX3p0Bs2oT0drXZoOmLV63J8cURMl3ta5b8iP3ztg_aem_nSdndpxd5-hXJ8myNF2_vQ) Search keywords: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies

**NEW UPDATE:** Additional members of the cubing community have reached out to me and we all agree, the more cubing the better! I have removed the 12 person limit and we are adding an overflow cube for those also interested in non vintage type cubes! These guest cubes may consist of the following: \- Alex's Enchantment Cube: [Enchanted to Meet You](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/enchantedCube)! \- Matthew's Avatar cube: [Avatar: The Last Airbender Power(ful) Cube](Avatar: The Last Airbender Power(ful) Cube) Priority will still fall to firing the vintage cube but what this means is if we reach 12 members we can offer the option to fire both cubes at 6 and 6 or just the vintage cube at 2 pods each. If we reach over 12 we will divide up the players between the two cubes with earlier RSVPs getting priority on their choice. If you have a cube that you are interested in having as a spill over cube please reach out to me and we can coordinate. Thank you! Come join and casually draft a vintage cube that is open to everyone. No cost to enter! The store provides promo booster packs and I usually throw in a pack of the most recent standard set to award to the people with the best records at the end of the night. [What is Cube?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNDBTRG6keM) What: Vintage Cube Draft When: 6:00pm Where: Your Hobby Place in Old Town Alexandria (Your Hobby Place, 700 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314) We aim to start drafting shortly after 6:00pm as the store's register closes at 9:00pm. The store owner is kind enough to keep the space open for us to finish rounds. In previous events we've usually wrapped up around 9:45. All skill levels are welcome and all cards, lands, tokens needed are provided so you only need to bring yourself and potentially some dice and playmat if you prefer. The list can be seen here: [https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/proxybacon](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/proxybacon) Join Your Hobby Place's Discord and grab the Cube Role in the mtg-chat channel for the most up to date information on cube at their location: [https://discord.gg/9je3G8vzXh](https://discord.gg/9je3G8vzXh) **Important Notice:** I have seen an increased number of signups and no shows amongst brand new accounts. In an effort to make sure we have room for everyone if this is your first time joining and you have just created a meetup account please reach out to me via Meetup or discord. **Late Policy:** RSVPing will hold your spot for up to 10 minutes after 6. If you expect you may be running late please reach out to me via the store's discord. My username is iluvbacon610.

**When Should I Join the Union?** Bring your brown bag lunch and join the Talent Roundtable in person or on Zoom as we discuss the question of when to join SAG-AFTRA and the pros and cons of joining. Our panelists are **Ryan Hastings** of SAG-AFTRA, and actresses **Towanda Underdue** and **Elisabeth Noone**. Our moderator is Kimberly Skyrme. **Ryan Hastings** will be hosting our in-person portion at the SAG-AFTRA offices in Bethesda, 7735 Old Georgetown Road, Unit #950 (Bethesda Metro) Program starts at 1:00. There will be no virtual networking for this program. FREE for WIFV Members / $15 Public You will receive login information with your registration confirmation. You MUST register here: https://www.wifv.org/calendar/#id=32420&cid=783&wid=401&type=Cal

Join us to enjoy the new southern & coastal Italian Capitano DC inside the Canopy Hotel at the Wharf! Just opened on March 6, Capitano promises a seasonal, ingredient driven menu which will bring the warmth of Italy to your heart (perhaps don't mention that to your cardiologist)! Fresh out of the box - there are not a lot of reviews readily available... so here's a sneak [peek! ](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=b2010e30be87c2d7&rlz=1C1MYPO_enUS1186US1186&sxsrf=ANbL-n7QF96KqINRyJzwSekLVm4IIhBMQw:1773939200381&udm=39&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpmAsnXCN5UBx17opt8eaTX5MJRoosnbembaWTjeNSquJhopKzGFtXgl9coBQO6WPIzXQJ7xWrFSNJtPY_sN9P3Bp1JhQ8rhweG19BcJY7IX4dkk4-fK170qVf5whUF9Os5tDLUZoh7OWg-2aMM9vtkCP0U843gX20awUgkT5MJY8d_2jp7L7XBza0i01ayRbKIVkQ4A&q=capitano+dc+review&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwithJG_tqyTAxXwF1kFHTTzHI0Qs6gLegQIFBAB&cshid=1773939220667028&biw=1280&bih=551&dpr=1.5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:29603d15,vid:ZPBrh9C_bhA,st:0) Let's check it out and see for ourselves! **Popville:** Capitano blends tradition with a touch of modern ease. It’s approachable, never fussy and where a plate of housemade pasta or the day’s crudo feels just as natural with a spritz at lunch as it does with a bottle of wine under the evening lights. The restaurant, which features open-air dining and views of the water (and maybe some cherry blossoms if we're lucky!), brings a fresh, approachable dining option to DC’s waterfront, as the concept takes over the restaurant space within the Canopy by Hilton at The Wharf. The interior is completely reimaged, with Capitano’s look and feel being inspired by the traditions, culture, and architecture of Southern Italy. Capitano’s bright colors and traditional textures of the Southern Italian region are infused with the modern forms and clean lines of more contemporary Italian furniture design. Floor-to-ceiling windows, weathered wood, ceramic tile accents and natural linens highlight the space. The result is a seamless journey that transports the guest from the hotel’s clean and refined public space to a quaint Italian Piazza. The Coast is calling - looking forward to sharing this experience with you! ***Check out the menus [here](https://www.capitanodc.com/menus/)*** We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app. In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will pay their own tab. before departing the event. If you are unable to join us in April we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a fantastic dinner at Capitano!

AI can generate a thousand images in a minute. But can it make you feel something? Join us for a live panel exploring why immersive experiences and spatial storytelling matter more than ever, and what the XR age really looks like beyond the hype. Featuring voices from the World Bank, community-driven cultural XR, and filmmaking, this conversation cuts through the noise to ask: when content is cheap, what makes an experience valuable? Recorded live as an episode of Beyond the Byte before a studio audience. Come be part of the conversation. **Featured speakers:** * [Sophia Moshasha](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiamoshasha/)\, Interactive Media @ The World Bank \| XR & AI * [Ines Said](https://www.linkedin.com/in/inessaid/)\, XR Immersive Artist \| EE 30 Under 30 \| Lead XR Developer @ Froliq \| Founder @ Tanit XR **Location:** AWS Skills Center, 1550-G Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202 **Drinks and Networking After:** Tacombi, 1550 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202 **Description:** Join us at AI Innovators Network for our upcoming meetup in the Mosaic, which is dedicated to exploring the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a professional, or someone curious about the intersection of technology and AI, this event is perfect for networking, learning, and sharing insights. Connect with like-minded individuals from DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland as we dive deep into the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation driving innovation and progress in Artificial Intelligence.

### Drop-In Improv Class — Beginner Friendly **Improv for good people.** Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly drop-in improv class focused on play, laughter, and connection — in a supportive, no-pressure environment. You don’t need performance experience, improv training, or a “funny personality.” You just need a willingness to try. *** ### What to expect Each session includes: * Friendly introductions * Easy warm-ups * Guided short-form improv games * Lots of laughter in a small, welcoming group The exercises are inspired by shows like *Whose Line Is It Anyway?*, but the focus is on participation, not performance. *** ### A few important reassurances ✔ You don’t need to be “funny” ✔ You don’t need improv experience ✔ You *do* need curiosity and a willingness to play Everything is explained clearly, and you’re never put on the spot. *** ### Who this class is for This class is a great fit if you: * Are curious about improv but a little nervous * Want to meet new people in a genuinely welcoming space * Enjoy playful learning and low-pressure activities * Want a break from overthinking and daily stress Many people arrive unsure and leave smiling. *** ### How Meetup fits in Many participants first discover Laughy Place Improv through Meetup, attend a class or two, and then decide whether they’d like to continue by booking future classes directly through the website. There’s no pressure — Meetup is meant to be an easy, friendly way to try things out. *** ### Location & logistics 📍 **Theatre on the Run** 3700 S Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA Parking and entrance are on the opposite side of the building from Four Mile Run Drive. Use the door labeled **“Arlington Cultural Affairs – Main Entrance.”** Ring the doorbell to be buzzed in. Sunday classes are usually in room 174 and Wednesday classes are usually in room 147, but you can check the class list by the concierge desk to be certain. I’ll be in the room about 20 minutes early to set up and meet folks as they arrive. If you can, please come a few minutes before the scheduled start time so we can kick things off together. *** Looking forward to laughing with you!

🍻 **Post-Event Happy Hour — Tech Fluent** 📅 April 10 \| 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza After a full day of building, learning, and experimenting with AI, join us for a **casual happy hour** to unwind, connect, and keep the conversations going. This is open to: * Tech Fluent attendees * DC Legal Tech Meetup members * AI-curious professionals who just want to join for drinks + conversation No agenda — just good people, good pizza, and a chance to meet others exploring AI across legal, business, and beyond. *** 💡 **Why come?** * Meet others who are actually *doing* something with AI * Continue conversations from the workshop in a relaxed setting * Join even if you couldn’t attend the full event *** RSVP appreciated for the happy hour.

\-\-\-\-\-\- [REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE (ON LUMA)!](https://luma.com/g7s8n8sz) \-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for an evening of collaborative problem-solving as we work on a variety of civic tech projects together. Project needs vary but often include brainstorming, researching, writing, coding, or analyzing data. Check out [our website](https://www.civictechdc.org/projects) for a list of projects which may make an appearance! Meet other civic tech enthusiasts. Learn new skills. Contribute to a project to improve a local civic issue. **All are welcome and collaboration is encouraged.** Laptops are recommended but not required. **Where do I register?** To better serve our growing community, we’re transitioning our event registrations to Luma! **We still love Meetup** Meetup has been an incredible platform for us to build and connect with our community. We’ll continue sharing upcoming events there so that new people can find us, but Luma will be our primary registration platform moving forward. **Why we're making the switch** Meetup’s registration system has some limitations, and we need more flexibility to manage sign-ups and engagement. \-\-\-\-\-\- [REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE (ON LUMA)!](https://luma.com/g7s8n8sz) \-\-\-\-\-\-

❤️♠️❤️ Speak & Spades - A Night of Cards & Conversation ❤️♠️❤️ Welcome to our 1st official Speak & Spades Night! Come out to a new venue in Downtown Silver Spring - Comma's Food Hall inside City Place Mall. ♠️ Spades games will be available from 6pm to 10pm! Play cards, eat, drink, & socialize! Enjoy a variety of reasonably priced restaurant options. ❤️ Optional: Around 7:30pm, take a break from Spades...and take some time to Speak. Engage in an open and casual conversation between men and women. 👨🏾‍🏫 Led by Life Coach, Kool KT, discuss dating, relationships, love, marriage, and more. Speak your mind and learn how the other side thinks. 🌟 Singles and couples are both welcome to Spades and to Speak! Bring questions, share stories, and gain insight. 😀 Play a game of partnership and maybe learn how to find your permanent partner! 🍷 Happy Hour Specials all night! 🎶 A Live DJ will be playing music 🚗 Parking available in Ellsworth Garage (connected to the venue) 📷 See the photo section for details 🌜Join us for a night of cards and conversations! You won't forget it!🌛 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Guest Speaker: Michelle Waldman, founder if Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary A deeply personal talk about how heartbreak over animal suffering became the doorway to action. Michele is both the Founder of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and a licensed Psychotherapist. She shares how she transformed her grief into a vision for Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. This talk will explore ways in which grief became a blueprint for healing and real-world change, and how her vision became a reality. Please be sure to RSVP here! https://stampede.proanimal.org/events Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

Join us for lunch at Cooper’s Hawk in Easton. If the weather is nice, we’ll enjoy lunch on their gorgeous patio!

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**Let’s relax and have fun. The private room is reserved for us 😊**

Central Ohio Radio Enthusiasts—CORE—is an informal community for anyone enthusiastic or curious about radio—whether you're new to radio and want to learn or you've been tinkering for years and want to share. Ham radio operators, GMRS users, Meshtastic fans, software-defined radio nerds, makers, and technical and non-technical folks are all welcome. No experience required or expected. This month we have **WiFi HaLow: Introduction and Practical Use** with **Alex Barbur**. Details are are [core.radio](https://core.radio).

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.