Vancouver

**NEW EVENT!!!** Please be sure to RSVP on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988727222658?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest list. Pink Poodle Club is Spark's weekly Yappy Hour — every Monday on the back patio from 5–7pm. $1 Scooby Snacks for hoomans and $1 pup cups for the doggos. Come join us for a fun and **dog-friendly** gathering! It’s the perfect chance to meet new people, share stories, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with the **LGBTQ+ community**. Whether you're looking to make friends or just hang out, everyone’s welcome. Grab your favorite drink and let’s make some great memories together! This event is free to attend. We hope to see you there. In addition to coffee selections, the venue offers a good food and drinks [menu](https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2 "https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2"). We encourage you to register your attendance in advance. We hope to see you there. When you arrive with your dog, order on your own from the [menu](https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2 "https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2"). Then meet and mingle with LGBTQ+ folk and their dogs on the back patio. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. U Street Metro (Yellow/Green line) is only a few blocks away. Take the 13th Street Exit. The venue is adjacent to Crush Bar. This event is a safe space for everyone under the rainbow. Please feel free to invite all your friends to join you there! This event is hosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com "https://www.gogaydc.com")**, Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com "https://www.gogaydc.com") . Go Gay DC's founder is **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/")**. 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 Two-Spirit Straight Allies

¡Buenos dias! Bienvenidos a todos! Let’s practice our Spanish and meet new people at this Spanish-language happy hour! Geared toward those who have, at minimum, an Advanced level of Spanish and would like to keep it up, our group will speak Spanish exclusively over drinks and appetizers. This group meets the first Monday of the month. The time is 6:30p to as long as you wish to stay or the restaurant closes! No fee is required to participate. >

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Horror as Queer,”** a look at the influence and depiction of queerness in horror films, with May Santiago, adjunct professor of film studies at George Mason University and producer of the podcast *Horrorspiria.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-horror-queer](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-horror-queer) .] Horror was queer long before both Brad and Janet succumbed to the charms of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show.* In fact, one could make the argument that, for both better and worse, the history of horror films is the history of queers on film. Film scholar May Santiago will do just that, with plenty of vivid examples, in reprising a talk that has earned rave reviews. You’ll learn how queer auteurs such as F.W. Murnau and James Whale were there at the very beginning. Murnau played a central role in the German expressionist movement that gave rise to films such as *Nosferatu*, while Whale left a body of work full of queer codes, including the films *Frankenstein*, *The Old Dark House*, and *The Invisible Man.* From there, Santiago will discuss how the representational codes established by such queer filmmakers were appropriated throughout the celluloid century by non-queer authors who constructed cinematic horror language that used queerness as shorthand for the monstrous. The result was harmful stereotypes of queer people in films and society, with examples being the stoic psycho lesbian trope embodied by Mrs. Danvers in *Rebecca*, the transgender sex-obsessed serial murderer Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho*, and the villains of *Dressed to Kill* and *Silence of the Lambs.* Yet, even with these negative portrayals of explicit or implicit queerness, horror cinema’s relationship with queerness and queer audiences has grown stronger with each passing decade, with queer authors and queer audiences reclaiming the monstrosity that created the basis of the horror genre. Santiago will look at how the evolution of horror films coincided with that of queer stereotypes and how queer authors embedded queerness in films that aren’t explicitly queer. Among the questions she’ll tackle: How did we come around to thinking that the Babadook was gay? ? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A frame from the 1920 silent German horror film *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* (tint added).

7:45 PM – Beginner Bachata 8:30 PM – Beginner Salsa This Class is for absolute beginner and up. [Book Your Class Here. ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Choose the date. then Click "book now." $18 Per Person for 1 Class $25 Per Person for 2 Classes Do I need Partner? NO Is it a Series? No. But we review similar materials on the consistent basic. Can I drop-in? Yes. Membership & Class pass available for your better growth and progress. [www.crowndancestudio.com](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowndancestudio.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2zhtlRxGhExkt_lh7UddK-BeWO8Qs1-EOyoeOGv-J3T0iFQh1Mcj2yiCA_aem_AcwNtPvUfkDahcWu-o_1owBvR7kH5cPtGKRaZN0cwvsy7zAKFAW0zv11GyJZeHFK3sXTqcwkHzYjvnhIdj_bZzn9&h=AT03tOQ7TaMbm8BWrbY5GVWwm5AUCbspa2tH6WSZj2P19MdXsK-Ih8hbVRlM9y0i0DuAMcN1QoF5tRzsQ-8aq-F0hneUu0Qayohk--xGdi4ODLmv7dW1y3B0veXR6xDUMxTNH1ui5a1qQMb1Cw&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT23QwS2XzF8mb_UChFebvxb_ZwrfUwkBaJHK5_0MHCyY9o9eHFqWNQPS2IJpCgWWS7KJfldFCk2N1JPAXQQGplryaicqsu-5Hpj0tsphsZ3balIXhHgvlOSxKBXhiUaH8GLAXguklvbM9QOeUG2qAJKdQJ6) Address: 2820 Dorr Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031 See less

Hello Euchre Enthusiasts – We are back at the [Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub](https://www.irishchanneldc.com/) in Chinatown on 6/1. **Please RSVP to indicate your attendance and HONOR YOUR RSVP**. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP. Regular no-show or late notices may get you dropped from the group. It is important that we are able to provide an accurate count to the venue and that all people who want to AND are able to attend are able to do so. **We ask all attendees to pay $1 to participate in the meetup.** This money helps maintain our meetup membership & cover various meetup costs that arise. You can pay $1 on Venmo @amanda-uherek, via Pay-Pal, or in-person (please choose paying friend/family not a business, good or service). All attendees are encouraged to support the business. ***REMINDER:*** everyone is responsible for their own tabs. If you have questions / comments / suggestions please message us. We'll have hand sanitizer & decks of cards on hand, you bring the smack talk. Cheers - Amanda

Let your creativity loose on the dance floor! Learn all the latest dances suitable for beginners and seasoned line dancers. Enjoy this great way to exercise, socialize, and energize yourself. Level: All. Ages 13 & up. Register [here](https://mdpgparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?Action=Start&SubAction=&_csrf_token=jj6G6I6V136R2B2C3F46404T5G545C5L015H415D5W6Z5J586S5W0C5V4E736I1V5U4N4N6H6N5H4I5S530Y5T4T6E6V080E4J6G5S096I5R505M1J6J4R5L640I726D6J&age=0.25&age=0.5&age=0.75&age=1&age=2&age=3&age=4&age=5&age=6&age=7&age=8&age=9&age=10&age=11&age=12&age=13&age=14&age=15&age=16&age=17&age=Adult&age=Senior&primarycode=17681-479A&keyword=&keywordoption=Match+One&showwithavailable=No&spotsavailable=&beginyear=&instructor=&dayoption=All&display=Detail&module=AR&multiselectlist_value=&arwebsearch_buttonsearch=yes) (summer registration opens 5/13 for residents & 5/20 for non-residents). Activity Code: 17681-479A Classes may be canceled due to inclement weather or wet grounds. Call 301-927-0822 for weather-related cancellations. For fastest response to any questions, or for more information, please contact Health and Wellness directly via email wellness@pgparks.com

**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](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/avatarTLA) 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.

**\*GET TICKETS AT - [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix)** (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. .) Do you like word games and enjoy playing with others? Then this is your opportunity to have some fun online playing word games our Live Word Game Night Party. These will include Word Twist, Categories, Rebus and more. We will email you everything you need to play! You will also get to socialize and make other friends all from the safety and comfort of your home! Plus, winners receive Amazon Gift Cards, free events, and more! **\*GET TICKETS AT - [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix)** \*After you purchase ticket, you will get the zoom link ON DAY OF THE EVENT. $15- $20 depending on how early you register for ticket. HOW IT WORKS: This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. In addition you get to meet and interact with other participants. You can attend via a computer/ webcam or smartphone/iPad/tablet. At game time, your host will show you a word search board. Your goal is to come up with as many words as you can within the specified time frame. We will have multiple rounds of play and have a system to also virtually introduce you to other participants. The people who made the most words, will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize at the end of the event. You also can earn raffle tickets for audience participation and finding certain bonus words. Winners receive Amazon Gift Cards, free events, and more! We will also play several other games including Word Twist, Categories, Rebus and more. **RSVPS on here are NOT reflective of actual attendance as this is a mlulti group event. \*GET TICKETS AT - [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13425#tix)**

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Friday: Advanced Expression End the work week with high-energy **Advanced Rhythm** from **7:00 PM to 8:30 PM**. This session dives deep into the technicalities of Latin and Ballroom styles like Rumba, Samba, or Mambo, designed for dancers who value precision and artistic expression. For $25, you'll receive intensive instruction that pushes your physical boundaries and refines your competitive or performance edge in a high-vibe atmosphere. **When: Every Friday** **Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.** **1 Dances per month:** **\*Please check the flyer on the group class page for the dance of the month. Or contact us to find out.** **Cost:$25 per person for 90 min.**

All: Many of you have asked for museum related events and now we have one. This event is free but you will need to register on Eventbrite, but also register on Meetup. Eventbrite link is below. We will go somewhere for food/drinks after. Will post details of meeting place at museum and then the lunch location closer to the date. Street parking on Sunday is free. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/museum-walk-weekend-2026-tickets-1987940099351?aff=oddtdtcreator For the **Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium (DKMC)**, there is no single mandated starting location. Visitors are encouraged to pick any participating museum as a starting point, plot their own route, and walk between stops. Most of the institutions are an easy walk from the **Dupont Circle Metro Station**. Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium Visit five cultural institutions in the Dupont Circle and Kalorama neighborhoods during the annual Walk Weekend! The following museums will be open for free on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 11 am-4 pm.\ *Bring your parents, kids, friends, and neighbors!*\* * **[Anderson House](https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/ "https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/")**, The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati and a National Historic Landmark * **[Dupont Underground](https://dupontunderground.org/ "https://dupontunderground.org/")**, Multidisciplinary platform for creative expression housed in an abandoned streetcar station * **[National Museum of American Jewish Military History](https://nmajmh.org/ "https://nmajmh.org/")**, Institution preserving the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the US * **[The Phillips Collection](https://www.phillipscollection.org/ "https://www.phillipscollection.org/")**, America's first museum of modern art * **[The President Woodrow Wilson House](https://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/ "https://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/")**, Home of the 28th president and a National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Site [Learn more about the Dupont Kalorama Museums Consortium.](http://dupontkaloramamc.com/%20%22http://dupontkaloramamc.com/%22) \*To see the special exhibition\* Miró and the United States\* at The Phillips Collection, guests must [purchase a ticket.](https://www.phillipscollection.org/visit%20%22https://www.phillipscollection.org/visit%22) Read less

Join us every Thursday for Beginner Friendly Social Classes and Social Ballroom Dancing. All is welcome and no partner is necessary. You will learn 2 dances per month in our beginner friendly classes every Thursday. 7:00 Pm Beginner Smooth (Waltz, Tango, or Foxtrot). Please see website schedule for dances of the month. 8:00 Pm Beginner Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, or Swing). Please Check Schedule. 9:00 pm - 10:30 Pm Social dancing. [Register for Classes Here 📌](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) * Please visit our website in the link above to register and claim your free intro offer for first time visitors. \*You MUST register online to claim the free offer!! Select “Intro offer.” \*The RSVP here does not reflect the size of our classes. We have e at least 15 members each week. And the number is growing.

Join us for a relaxed morning walk with waterfront views, fresh air, and great company as we stroll from Rosslyn into Georgetown and back. Meeting Point Rosslyn station Meet outside the metro station entrance at 10:30 AM The Walk Cross the Key Bridge We’ll walk from Rosslyn into Georgetown across the iconic Key Bridge with beautiful daytime views of the Potomac River and DC skyline. Destination: Georgetown Waterfront Park We’ll hang out by the water and optionally grab: * Coffee * Ice cream * Snacks Optional nearby spots: * Farmers Fishers Bakers * Baked & Wired * Fiola Mare After enjoying the waterfront, we’ll walk back across Key Bridge to Rosslyn. Total distance: * Approximately 4–5 miles roundtrip * Mostly flat and beginner friendly

Let's kick off our Friday night with a fun stroll through one of DC’s best local events and neighborhood — the **[Dupont Circle ArtWalk](https://dupontcirclebid.org/events/artwalk-dupont)**! On the first Friday of each month from 6:00–8:00 p.m., art galleries, embassies, and cultural centers around Dupont Circle open their doors for a free, self-guided gallery walk. **5:30 PM:** Let’s meet up at the bar at **[Kramers](https://www.kramers.com/menu/happy-hour)** (1521 Connecticut Avenue NW - two doors up from the bookstore entrance) while everyone arrives. **6:00 PM:** We’ll head out to soak in some art, explore the neighborhood, and enjoy the evening together. Here's a suggested itinerary: * Church of Scientology - National Affairs Office (It's not scary - they don't try to recruit you or anything. They showcase the work of several contemporary artists, and it's in a historic mansion.) * **[Vika Gallery](https://vikagallery.org/)** * **[Studio Gallery](https://www.studiogallerydc.com/)** **7:30 PM:** We can grab dinner from a local fast casual place. I'm partial to **[Tiki Taco](https://www.tikitacodc.com/)**, but please feel free to share suggestions in the comments! The closest Metro station is Dupont Circle (take the north entrance). The closest bus stops are the D74 and D96 at Connecticut Avenue and Q Street NW. There are a few parking garages around the circle.

**NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS** Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members. → **[Learn how DC Metro Dining works](https://tinyurl.com/Landing-Page-DC-Metro-Dining)** → **[Ensure Group Notifications are Setup (Announcements + In on Waitlist/Attending List)](https://app.tango.us/app/workflow/Enable-Meetup-Email-Notifications-3a85109614fc4907940503d096331392)** **RSVP CUTOFF (i.e. Final Change Your Mind if Registered YES)** → **RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Sunday 10a, 6/6**. (*Late Cancel applies after this, repeat occurrences can impact membership*) Let’s head to upper Northwest DC for an Indian dinner at Masala Art in Tenleytown, a long-running neighborhood favorite known for refined North Indian cuisine and regional specialties. The restaurant was founded by chef Surinder Singh, formerly of Heritage India, and continues to maintain a strong reputation for consistent execution and depth of flavor. **FOOD**: Masala Art focuses on North Indian cuisine with a mix of classic curries, tandoori dishes, and harder-to-find regional specialties, vegetarian & GF friendly. Recent diners frequently highlight the Railway Lamb Curry, lamb korma dishes, garlic naan, and vegetarian items such as baingan bharta and okra preparations. Tandoori items and biryanis are also consistently well reviewed, with many diners noting balanced spice levels and strong flavor without excessive heaviness. The menu supports a wide range of preferences, including vegetarian-friendly selections and several richer meat-based dishes. Expect traditional Indian desserts and a full bar with wine, cocktails, and beer available. Most members should expect total spend to land roughly in the 40 to 70 dollar range, depending on ordering style & beverage participation. → **Explore Masala Art's menu (please note the 3% service charge, their way of defraying increasing costs):** **[https://masalaartdc.com/washington-dc-tenleytown-american-university-park-masala-art-food-menu](https://masalaartdc.com/washington-dc-tenleytown-american-university-park-masala-art-food-menu)** **SPACE**: Comfortable and intimate dining room with warm décor and a quieter neighborhood feel compared to downtown DC dining corridors. Expect moderate noise levels and a more relaxed pace on a Saturday evening. → **Visit the restaurant site**: **[https://masalaartdc.com](https://masalaartdc.com)** - Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy (see the FAQs for more details). - Limited to 8 slots. See you there! JoeN **CLOSEST METRO**: - **Tenleytown–AU station (Red)** is the closest stop. Quick walk (exit on Tenleytown EAST (same side as Whole Foods) walk south along Wisconsin Ave & cross over Albermarle St NW). The walk is a quick 3–5 minutes based on routed walking directions and traffic signals. - For directions using the Metro, try using the Plan a Trip feature at the WMATA website ([click on your preferred Metro station](https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/index.cfm) then at the Station page level click "Plan a Trip". **PARKING**: Street parking and several public parking garages are available throughout Tenleytown. Weekend evening parking is generally easier here than in central DC neighborhoods, though nearby retail activity can still affect availability. Members may also want to check parking apps such as SpotHero and Parking Panda for discounted garage reservations and advance booking options nearby. Plan accordingly. ***Attendance Notes:*** - ***If you RSVP “YES,” please commit to showing up**. *With 5,400+ members and limited seating, we can’t afford no-shows. It’s not fair to other members or to our relationship with the restaurant.** -** New Members / 1st Timers: Trying to get a slot?*** Join the Waitlist and check back frequently: spots (*often open up before Noon on the day of the event. You may also receive midweek confirmation emails to reconfirm your RSVP, so please check your Meetup DMs inbox).*** -** Billing Reminder - Add 30% for tax and tip to your food and drink total. **This is part of our group’s expectations and helps smooth out service with the restaurant. Looking forward to dining with you! JoeN

**🔥 Lincoln Street Salsa HAS MOVED TO EVERY FRIDAY, NO MORE SATURDAYS!** **🔥 Lincoln Street Salsa @ 1717 Brice Rd, Reynoldsburg 43068** **🔥 Salsa, Bachata, Merengue Dancing!** **🔥 NO PARTNER OR EXPERIENCE NEEDED!** **🔥 Every FRIDAY, 8 pm - 1 am** **🔥 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm = Registration** **🔥 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm = Beginner Dance Class** **🔥 9:30 pm - 1:00 am = Open Dance Party** **🔥 LincolnStreetSalsa.com** **🔥 Questions? Text Todd 614-774-8146**

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

**🔥 Lincoln Street Salsa HAS MOVED TO EVERY FRIDAY, NO MORE SATURDAYS!** **🔥 Lincoln Street Salsa @ 1717 Brice Rd, Reynoldsburg 43068** **🔥 Salsa, Bachata, Merengue Dancing!** **🔥 NO PARTNER OR EXPERIENCE NEEDED!** **🔥 Every FRIDAY, 8 pm - 1 am** **🔥 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm = Registration** **🔥 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm = Beginner Dance Class** **🔥 9:30 pm - 1:00 am = Open Dance Party** **🔥 LincolnStreetSalsa.com** **🔥 Questions? Text Todd 614-774-8146**

**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.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

Let's stroll the artists' booths and enjoy some of the festival's opening day! The Columbus Art Festival features a wide and vibrant range of visual art from local and national exhibitors, plus, live music, and all kinds of food and refreshments, along the waterfront downtown. (The featured painting is by Columbus Arts Festival exhibitor, Joe Engel - joe-engelart.com)