African Art

**Zen & Zest: Japanese Art & Culture Workshops** **Unlock the secrets to perfectly whisked, delicious Matcha!** **When:** Sunday, 8 Feb 2026, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM **Where:** Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 **Registration** is **Online Only** at: [https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6471015](https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6471015) **Details:** This immersive class teaches you the precise techniques for brewing, along with proper care for your tools. You'll leave with your very own Matcha set and the knowledge to find peace and flavor at home. While we sip, enjoy quiet mini-discussions on intriguing Japanese cultural mysteries. Master the art of Matcha and bring daily tranquility into your life! This class includes the Kit. Children are welcome but must be registered and accompanied by a parent or guardian if under 12. Hope to see you there!

Jujutsu

Join us every Sunday at [One Spirit Martial Arts](https://www.virginiabjj.com/) in [Herndon, VA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_Virginia) for open training in [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu): Research, Review, and Roll! 🥇 This is a **student-driven session** designed to help you explore what matters most to your BJJ development. Whether you want to **research techniques, review material from the week**, or **roll with different partners**, this open format gives you the flexibility to focus on your own goals. An **instructor will be present** to answer questions, offer feedback, and help troubleshoot positions, but the pace and flow of the session are entirely up to you. You can **drill, experiment**, or **get in some live rounds** in a relaxed and supportive environment. Open training is ideal for students who want to **refine their technique, test new ideas, and build confidence** through *consistent practice*. All skill levels are welcome -- come train, learn, and grow with the **[Northern Virginia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community](https://www.meetup.com/northern-virginia-martial-arts-group/)**! **Note:** We are located in **Suite #130**. The **drop-in fee** for non-members is **$20**, payable on-site.

Whether you practice divination, ritual work or more craft related activities… this series of classes taught on two Sundays of each month will help you explore various aspects related to sharing your gifts in the physical and virtual marketplace. This week, we'll briefly review our previous class homework on Defining My Brand, then we’ll jump into this week’s class, on Marketing & Services through... * Building an online presence (website, social media, email list) * Sharing authentic content: tips, rituals, and insights * Designing promotional materials and visuals * Collaborating with other practitioners and local businesses * Hosting free events or sample readings to attract clients Newcomers are encouraged to attend, and individual virtual classes are available for those who may have missed a class along the way by contacting Papa Bones Moon. Cost: $25 / Please check-in & pay once you arrive at Sticks & Stones.

The Brahma Kumaris invites you, your family and friends, to join Sister Dr. Jenna as we celebrate Maha Shivratri, one of the most auspicious and revered festivals of India. It is celebrated to mark the opening of the third eye of spiritual vision and to experience our innate self and the Divine. Join us for dance, entertainment, spiritual sharing, meditation, and light refreshments. Sister Dr. Jenna is a spiritual mentor, author, radio and TV personality, and speaker. She is the founder of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museums in Maryland and Virginia. Sister Dr. Jenna has been featured on magazine covers, appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for National Community Service. She was the creator and host of the Illuminating the Light Within fashion show for the Paris 2024 Olympic Gala. Sunday, February 8th, 1:00pm - 2:30pm. Held at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum - Virginia, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, Chantilly, VA. FREE EVENT - Registration Required at [https://shorturl.at/MDENQ](https://shorturl.at/MDENQ)

(2024) by Christof Koch, 288 pages [Psychology] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=613100 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review "A wonderful book."―Sam Harris, Making Sense with Sam Harris “a fun introduction to a number of debates… Mr. Koch’s book provokes questions… and counterarguments, but that’s what gives it life.” ―The Wall Street Journal “Easily the most current, thorough, and helpful exploration of consciousness available. Koch’s light, simple, yet authoritative writing style will appeal to general audiences as well as scientists and researchers. An essential, highly recommended purchase.”―Library Journal “magisterial… charming, sometimes beautiful, and almost always illuminating” ―Science Magazine “an impressive and sometimes exuberant work, showcasing decades of [Koch’s] research”―New Scientist “Koch’s adept use of analogies and entertaining anecdotes — complete with his own near-death experience and psychedelic drug trips — make the book a compelling and surprisingly light read.” ―Science News “undeniably compelling… a smoothly written must-read for anyone interested in a detailed introduction to the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and transformative experiences” ―Ars Technica “Expertly weaving in personal experience with science that few, if any, can speak more authoritatively about, Koch leads us on an amazing journey of consciousness—from birth to death. Deeply personal and infinitely digestible, Then I Am Myself the World is a remarkable must read for anyone interested in knowing their mind.”―Judson Brewer MD, PhD, New York Times–bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety “Koch’s latest book brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of our mind and our brain, offering insightful perspectives on the nature of conscious experiences, both ordinary as well as extraordinary ones.”―Hartmut Neven, founder and lead of Google’s quantum AI lab “Then I Am Myself the World is the new record of note for the scientific understanding of consciousness. This is an elegant tableau, a travelogue of subjective experience grounded in the latest neuroscience and philosophy traversing religion, science, and a life dedicated to the biggest questions. Filled with crystalline prose, lucid explanation, and revelatory honesty, this book will continue to be read centuries from now.”―Patrick House, author of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “What would happen if a hardcore neuroscientist, with encyclopedic knowledge and four decades of experience in his field, were personally confronted with transformative mystical experiences carrying inevitable metaphysical implications? What would happen if the neuroscientist in question were open-minded, humble, but remained rigorously grounded in reason, evidence, and his hard-earned understanding of how consciousness relates to brain structures and function? What would he, the most preeminent professional of his generation, make of his extraordinary experiences? And what if, in addition, the neuroscientist was a modern renaissance man versed in physics, philosophy, the arts, the classics, and could pluck irresistibly evocative metaphors from the Western literary and artistic canon as if leisurely picking apples in early fall? This is what you will find in this treasured book, a whirlwind ride of insight after insight—so many they can’t possibly be all documented in footnotes—that will surprise and delight you from the get-go. ‘Primacy goes to consciousness, not to the objective world,’ he boldly states already on page two, in a prelude of things to come. ‘Everything else follows from there, including the realist assumption of the existence of objects, out ‘there,’ independent of my experiencing them.’ The book embodies the ever-evolving wisdom of a man whose intellectual prowess is only matched by his intellectual honesty. And this man, in the seventh decade of his scintillatingly productive life, has a lifetime of learning to share with you.”―Bernardo Kastrup, executive director, Essentia Foundation “Koch’s first book was entitled The Quest for Consciousness. And such has been Koch’s life, an adventurer’s pursuit of a distant goal, undeterred by the prevailing winds. The reader will learn where this quest has led and, like the author, will be enriched by it. Koch, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, a mind singularly open to learning and changing, here opens his soul, revealing his vast, scintillating appreciation of nature in all its forms. It is a touching, profound book. Which is as it should be, since consciousness touches everything and is everything we touch.”―Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin-Madison ### About the Author Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles, Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Our monthly magical writing workshop is appropriate for writers of all levels and types (poetry and prose). Join TaraTheBard in a guided discussion about magical writing practices, ancestral connection and creativity, seasonal writing practices, publication luck magic, putting craft into storycrafting, and more. Each session focuses on the theme of a tarot card. This inclusive workshop provides support to new and experienced writers, a thematic prompt, in-workshop writing time, and space to share ideas and results. Paper notebooks, laptops, and tablets encouraged. Bring your best writing tools, your favorite blanket, a cozy cup of tea, or whatever you need to connect with the spirits of writing. \*\*New attendees welcome!\*\* This month, we plan to create and enact a group spell, discuss the Lovers theme, and explore how that theme could appear in our writing. Please note that "Lovers" can be interpreted broadly depending on the reading, and does not have to focus on romantic love. FOCUS: February's Magical Writing Workshop focuses on The Lovers -- a major arcana card of the tarot. Please bring your favorite tarot deck's Lovers card (though you may also borrow a store deck if needed). Writing Review: January's Magical Writing Workshop focused on winter creativity and the tarot symbol of the hermit and their lantern. We will devote part of the time to discussing our Hermit writing.

Hey everyone! 👋 It’s time to celebrate all the amazing people with February birthdays — including me! 🥳 If you have a February birthday or just want to spend the day soaking, relaxing, laughing, and making some great memories together at one of the best spots in town, then this event is for you! ✨ Whether you love relaxing in saunas, soaking in hot baths, or just want to chill with friends, this is the spot to celebrate all February birthdays in style! Welcome to King Spa, the premier Korean day spa in Virginia, offering a unique blend of traditional wellness and modern luxyry. Voted ‘Best Day Spa’ three years running by Northern Virginia Magazine, King Spa provides a sanctuary of healing through detoxifying saunas, signature body scrubs, rejuvenating facials, and more. Each treatment is designed to leave you feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and truly cared for. 💛 What to Expect: 🎉 Multiple Saunas and Aqua Pools 🧖‍♂️ Access to spa amenities (facials, massages, body scrubs (a la carte pricing) 🥙 Food court 🎂 Cake Cutting 💬 Hangout time with fellow February birthdays + friends 👚Dress code: You will be given a robe and slippers so wear something comfy under the robe (leggings, yoga pants, t-shirt, shorts). Of course , if you plan to swim in the pools and sit in the jacuzzi , then wear your bathing suit 🩳🩱under the robe. 💲 Admission & Details $70 per person for the full day event. You can purchase your ticket online here: https://ticket-virginia.kingspa.com/Admission/AdmissionDetail?Id=ITMMAA17PYLOKZMT The $70 rate is a special they have going on now. not sure how long it will last so book ASAP! RSVP so we know you’re coming! Feel free to invite other February birthday friends 🎈 Can’t wait to celebrate with you all! 🎂💛 *If you need to cancel your RSVP do it 24 hours before the event. No shows and late cancellations may be subject to removal from the group by the organizer. We will be checking everyone in - so we will have a tally of who does and does not come." See you at King Spa! 🧖‍♀️💆‍♂️

This is our weekly training session. NOVA Jujutsu is a self-defense focused system incorporating Geri (Kicking), Atemi (Striking), Uke (Blocking), Tai Sabakai (Body Movement), Tai Hodoki (Escapes), Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locks), Nage Waza (Throwing), Shime Waza (Choking), Katame Waza (Grappling), Tantojutsu (Knife), Bojutsu (Bo), Kenjutsu (Sword), and Kata (Forms). Come on down to a class and see for yourself what this group has to offer. You will get a great workout! You will have an awesome learning experience! You will meet some good people! We look forward to meeting you. See you there. TAGS: japanese, martial arts, self-defense, jujutsu, jujitsu, juijitsu, bujutsu, defense, karate, koppo, kenjutsu, bojutsu, tantojutsu

Simply Social is tucked away off Sunrise Valley in Reston. They've got a good selection of savory bites, and their matcha and espresso drinks are always tasty. They've got a decent amount of seating and a nice community vibe here. Grab a pastry (or not) and let's enjoy another winter Sunday morning. (No discussions on politics, religion or potentially controversial topics. We're here to relax and have fun. Just be respectful and we'll be alright. Pay your own way, and enjoy!)

***Colvin Run 1st Saturday Social Ballroom Dance.*** **"DANCE CANCELED"** 1st Saturday Social Ballroom Dance, February 7, 2026 As much as I look forward to and enjoy the First Saturday Ballroom Dances at Colvin Run, with safety being my primary concern, I felt it is better to error on the side of caution. The weather forecast is for temperatures between 10 & 12 degrees and with northwest winds predicted at 15-25 mph the wind chill temperatures could be near 0 degrees. **IN THE MEANTIME, WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!** ON THE BRIGHT SIDE! Our Third Saturday Ballroom dance is only two weeks away. Let's look forward to a "Welcome Back" to Colvin Run Dance Hall on Saturday February 21st. REMEMBER! AT COLVIN RUN, "IT'S ALWAYS FUN, FUN, FUN, FOR EVERYONE" WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME AND EVERYONE IS GLAD YOU CAME Our Calendar: Information for all events held at Colvin Run Dance Hall Our website: [http://www.colvinrun.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.colvinrun.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUkFpUk5PUWtxU1U5cTM2T3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5dthhX6QR_1A3TVldACsB1QUqahp2y14NB7h1E_a2uuaH_M2VUN7CYGDM9Qw_aem_GQ1JEwjti-ZryTonY8JuyA&h=AT02veZaaUHAy-E5xtdmZcXB2DzEOP6FpIQWfh1WCTHzcTzaWTLl3bc6wpZhvCgAcJ764kyG1lDNIZz9yHtHdwCG7WZoikf6pe4L2AB1MXWBOMaPdT3abS_RH1FdC_cDqKccM0xw1_u6Hg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3rWEPhZMQuFp1xMYBZ4jFgoCl2IQJJAMWVwK-x6VMruRbPb43f_Lzqj9wSDUyeSxU0k7ol9Pd4Ny9VnpezYkT5Ght1MdZRCHb_pEaFUMELVH0RynS_BclhDS8kAR7SYvhvYbVt2HndcZqzr9fQYBnOcyXGlD1cx1VLPtniDg) Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/colvinrundancehall](https://www.facebook.com/ColvinRunDanceHall?__cft__[0]=AZZXqL7fNSFK--s5GFtUAmgxIAvvDIh6Fd-KxgvDiycUpyzmvRqtdpF-VNWm_hQ8g7CM_kLpTxOpIEk_pnFmyRO5g49XR2gG0Px8d5B9w6c0RxY3bULpooofin1sRh5QmSKGrPsvBEFsGfAuWSO2T1ey&__tn__=-]K-R) Meet Up: [http://www.meetup.com/colvinrun-org/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.meetup.com%2Fcolvinrun-org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUkFpUk5PUWtxU1U5cTM2T3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5jHke7PCqB6kYkXOJVvpa8fRW6jKPFRTGum_xjJd3-TMP4f9BZL-GHd41ZNg_aem_NlWYfwd48oK2-eptpIkhKA&h=AT0KS6nEacAHu-Ckva-2G72fiF5AYnoDvPa7o5WJpbHmoyzUjb8sGQQAjzj6CxmILE8HoVFuFb31cGw4YA3SsfNbbQOcm25v55aeYLfjjWvUWvX9z1kCrhOPFVGwl0esaHQNgLsL41dOdg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3rWEPhZMQuFp1xMYBZ4jFgoCl2IQJJAMWVwK-x6VMruRbPb43f_Lzqj9wSDUyeSxU0k7ol9Pd4Ny9VnpezYkT5Ght1MdZRCHb_pEaFUMELVH0RynS_BclhDS8kAR7SYvhvYbVt2HndcZqzr9fQYBnOcyXGlD1cx1VLPtniDg) Contact: Conrad.Heer@ColvinRun.org, or 703-795-2003

**The Arts of Life with Nancy Burbridge - Discover Yourself through art!** **You're Invited to 'Arts of Life'** A meditative journey through art with local artist Nancy Burbridge Join us every third Friday of the month at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum, Virginia from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for creativity, relaxation, and self-discovery. In this interactive session, you will learn how to draw, paint, and explore the beauty within, cultivating the best version of yourself in a serene and supportive environment. Come experience the magic of art and meditation as tools for self-expression and inner growth. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore! We can't wait to see you there! Fri., Feb. 20th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum- Virginia, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, Chantilly, VA, 20151. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/m6Ncn](https://shorturl.at/m6Ncn)

This class will provide instruction into various concepts of **Jiu-Jitsu** as a form of **martial art**. Participants will have the opportunity to **study**, **practice**, and **experiment** with **submission holds** and **strategic fighting controls** that are the hallmark of the now famous methodology of Professional MMA athletes and professional combatives users. This **gi class** is held every **Tuesday** and **Thursday** and includes **one hour of instruction** and **30 minutes** (sometimes longer, TBD) of **open training**. Gis are available if you need one. Drop-in fee for non-members is **$20** which which can be paid on-site. Note that we are in **Suite #130**.

Join us for this exciting painting workshop in NOVA area. I am a [professional artist/university prof.](https://www.nataliyagurshmanpaintings.com/) and I will teach you ins and outs of palette knife painting. You will learn new techniques, and create a beautiful landscape painting to take home. No experience required, just desire to explore something new and meet other creatives, and enjoy a sip of wine (not included in the ticket). All of the art supplies are provided. Please [sign up at the link below.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-singles-40-plus-painting-workshop-with-live-instruction-tickets-1980791522766?aff=oddtdtcreatorte) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-singles-40-plus-painting-workshop-with-live-instruction-tickets-1980791522766?aff=oddtdtcreatorte I am looking forward to meeting everyone. Bring your friends and family.

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy the weather! We meet Saturdays at 10am, halfway between the Reston *Container Store* and *Not Your Average Joes* (by the metal benches), leaving no later than 10:05. Every week, rain or shine, we start by walking along the Green Trail to reach Lake Anne Community Center. Once there, we pause for water/bio (often staying a few minutes extra from April-November, due to the local Farmer's Market), and then we circle Lake Anne and head back to our starting point. It's roughly 3-4 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to *Not Your Average Joes* or another local restaurant for a quick drink/meal before tackling the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels. Dogs are welcome, and we recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll walk rain or shine. Also, feel free to bring a friend! By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Let’s hang out and journal together, trade stationary and stickers, and have a good time! Please note, we do not have a reservation, so we will do our best to find some good spots when we get there.