Alchemy

Socrates Café meets on the first Saturday of each month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

**CHILL N CHESS/CHECKERS** Come play!! Classic, clock, social. Social checkers and chess club. We play both chess and [American Pool Checkers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pool_Checkers) (not your kindergarten checkers!). Come chill with us, get your mind in the game. We offer Blunder Support Groups ;) 🤦‍♂️ **How’s your week?** Did you hang a queen? Fork yourself? Promote to *rook* instead of queen? 😭 > **Don’t worry—we’ve all been there.** > (Literally. We meet weekly. Bring snacks.) **Parking/transit:** Street parking. Folks find spots right on 16th ST. There are private parking lots in Adams Morgan. For public transportation: Fiv-six city blocks away from Columbia Heights Metro stop. Same block for bus stops: D60 and D6X on 16th St. A 7 minute walk from the C51 bus stop and same block for D72 bus stops on Columbia. We limit spots to 7 players from/on meetup in order to maintain space for everyone -our regulars and players from other signups

This Reiki 1 class, presented by Shaman Phil, is the introductory level of Usui Reiki training, which involves receiving attunement to open and align your energy channels to the universal life force, or Reiki energy. In this class, you learn the history of Reiki, Reiki principles, self-healing techniques, and how to practice Reiki on yourself and others. What to Expect in this Reiki Class * History and Principles: You'll learn the origins of Reiki and the five Reiki principles for daily living.
 * Attunements: You will participate in a sacred ceremony to receive attunements, which will help you to connect to Reiki energy.
 * Hands-On Healing: The class includes practical experience and instruction on how to use hand positions for self-healing and for healing others, including friends, family, and pets.
 * Self-Healing Focus: Level 1 primarily focuses on developing your ability to use Reiki for your own well-being, stress reduction, and relaxation.
 * Certificates and Support: After completing the course, you'll receive a Reiki Level 1 certificate and access to support and follow-up sessions after the initial training.
 What You Will Be Able to Do After Reiki 1 * Channel Reiki Energy: You'll be permanently opened to channel the universal life force energy for healing. * Self-Healing: You can use Reiki on yourself to promote relaxation and reduce stress. * Heal Others: You can share this healing energy with friends, family, and animals. * Professional Practice: After completion of this Reiki 1 class you will be capable of offering Reiki healing sessions in a professional capacity to others. * Reiki Circles: Join local Reiki Circle groups with fellow practitioners to share and practice Reiki.

Join us at the Chess Center offices (Suite 118, entrance on 2nd Avenue) on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 – 5:00pm ET for open play. Players of all abilities and ages are welcome. * Non-Members: $5.00/player table fee for the day. * Chess Center [Members](https://chessctr.org/membership/) always play for FREE ($0.00). Check our social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/uschess) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/USChessCenter)) for closure announcements: The Chess Center is closed on major holidays. We also have chess sets, clocks, and [used chess books](https://chessctr.org/usedbooks/) for sale.

Join us for an afternoon of chess in a fun and relaxed setting. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Club boards are provided. Bring your own clocks or use Chess.com's Chess Clock app. We generally meet in the blue room, which is to your right after entering. If we're not in the blue room we're at the far left near the beer tanks in the back corner.

**Every six months, to honor the passing of the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox, the circle hosts a potluck at the pavilion in front of the fire pit. We don't keep track of who will bring what behind-the-scenes, so feel free to bring whatever you'd like!** **If you have any dietary restrictions and would like to attend, but worry there won't be anything you can eat, please reach out to Ethan or Ben and we'll make sure there's something available for you!** -- The[ Simplicity Living Study Circle of Northern VA](https://www.coachingwithdanijk.com/blog/important-community-update-join-our-new-meetup-group-simplicity-living-circle-of-northern-va) meets on the first Saturday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington, Virginia. **\*This is a rain or shine outdoor event.** This free community group offers a unique and empowering space for individuals seeking to live a simpler, more intentional life. Through participant-driven discussions and facilitated activities, our circle fosters connection, reflection, and mutual support. Hosted by members of the Simplicity Living Circle of Northern VA, we welcome those who are curious about simplicity, mindful living, and environmental care. Whether you are just beginning or deepening your journey, you are warmly invited into this inclusive and supportive space. *Note: Our official Meetup group changed due to administrative complications. This new group is now our verified and active community hub, which you can confirm at our in-person events.*

🎉 **Puzzle Palooza: PUZZLES OF ALL KINDS WELCOME at the Board Room! 🧩** Join us for **Puzzle Palooza** in our puzzle swap series! Whether you're into jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku, logic puzzles, or brain teasers, this event is for you. Bring any type of puzzle—whether it’s a challenging 1000-piece jigsaw, a captivating 3D puzzle, a fun puzzle book, or a unique brain-bending game—and swap it with fellow puzzle lovers. Let’s share the joy of solving and discover new puzzles to enjoy! 📅 **Date:** Sunday April 5, 2026 🕒 **Time:** 3:00 PM 📍 **Location:** [Board Room DC](https://boardroomdc.com/), 1737 Connecticut Avenue NW, WDC 20009, in the mezzanine. **Event Highlights:** 🌐 **Networking:** Connect with fellow puzzle enthusiasts over a game and some delicious drinks. It's a perfect blend of puzzles, games, and great company. 🧩 **Puzzle Swap Extravaganza:** Immerse yourself in a sea of puzzles as we transform the Board Room into a Puzzle Paradise. Bring your puzzles to trade, and discover hidden gems for your collection. 🎲 **Board Game Delights:** Enjoy the fantastic selection of board games available at the Board Room. Take a break from puzzles and explore a world of strategic challenges and social fun. **Agenda:** * 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - check in and chat! * 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm - introductions and swap * 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - social puzzling **How to Join:** 1. **Save the Date:** This is your ticket to Puzzle Paradise. Mark your calendar and get ready for an afternoon of puzzling delight. 2. **Location:** Board Room DC, known for its vibrant atmosphere and extensive game collection. [1737 Connecticut Avenue NW, WDC 20009](https://boardroomdc.com/) 3. **Spread the Word:** Invite your friends and fellow puzzle lovers. Let's make this Puzzle Paradise an unforgettable experience! \*\*\*Please note that if your puzzle is not swapped, you are still responsible for taking it home. **This is not a swap where you will be able to drop off puzzles and leave**\*\*\* For all of our Swap Series, please prioritize community safety. Ensure you're vaccinated before joining us. Your commitment creates a secure space for our shared love of cooking and good times. See you responsibly at the meetup!

Merry Meet! Teach a witch a spell and she can do that spell. Teach a witch *The Craft* and she can do magick! GrannyMoon, Teaching the Craft for over 20 years! Please be sure to RSVP each week so I can order enough supplies for everyone! Thanks! • Basic Magickal Skills • Sacred Space • Magickal Correspondences • Casting a Circle • Magickal Working • Phases of the Moon • Crystals and Stones • Candle Magick • Herbs and Oils • Creating Your Own Spells and Rituals And much much more!!! Hands-On! Learn something new in every workshop and take home your project! Instructor: GrannyMoon grannymoonsmail@yahoo.com $25.00 per workshop - Includes herbs and all items needed for projects!

Title: Beyond Cryptography: Geometric Symmetry & Parity Stability Summary: Decoding Chaos: Using Quantum-Inspired Symmetry Metrics to Detect Stealth Attacks in High-Stakes Infrastructure. Agenda: Why symmetry matters after the proof is done. Symmetry as an Invariant Symmetry as a Security Primitive Trust as a Continuous Function Live Thought Experiment Engineering, Implications & Open Questions Move away from traditional bit-matching and discuss "Symmetry Drift." Explain how system states can be modeled as high-dimensional manifolds where an attack represents a geometric deformation.T(t)=f(symmetry stability,parity consistency,temporal coherence) Speaker: Vijay Krishna Vijay is a security engineer focused on runtime observability and symmetry drift in cryptographic systems. He is the founder of Vyapti Resonance and the creator of the Quantum Security Probe (QSP), a telemetry-driven integrity monitoring framework for post-quantum infrastructures. His work bridges theory, engineering, and long-lived system behavior, emphasizing measurable trust over binary verification. Vijay has 9 accredited licenses in Quantum Computing. Career Snapshot: Microsoft → DuPont → Rockefeller Capital Management → Morgan Stanley → New York Life → Founder, Vyapti Resonance Across this trajectory, Vijay has operated at the core infrastructure layer of organizations—cloud platforms, identity systems, distributed compute, reliability engineering, and governance frameworks. His work has consistently involved systems that cannot fail, particularly in regulated financial and insurance environments. This enterprise grounding strongly informs his academic and research outlook: quantum and AI systems must be operable, governable, auditable, and teachable, not merely theoretically elegant.

New (old) location - La Madeleine at 500 King St! Hope to see you there

Where Jazz meets Indian Classical music. For one night only, enjoy cross-cultural storytelling with a live band in an intimate, BYOB venue. \*\*\*\* An evening of story telling and live performances, featuring an improvised music group that combines Indian Folk music and Jazz. Led by Indian guitar player Eshaan Sood on guitar the band features Annie Orzen on Piano, Ivan Demarjian on Saxophone, Sam Schaeffer on Drums, and Brendan Nie on Bass. The band will be featuring music from their album Dream River as well as their upcoming album ‘Love & In The Absence Of’. Join us from 7 pm onwards for a relaxed Sunday evening filled with fusion music and storytelling at Ernie's Place, a cozy and BYOB music venue in SE DC. Zoo Animal Productions is an artist-run collective focused on diverse, alternative, and community-focused events in the DMV and beyond. Tickets are $15. [Get yours now.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sonic-alchemist-spring-tour-tickets-1985086306580?aff=oddtdtcreator)

**The Arts as Divine Inspiration (Free Event)** **Whether it’s a piece of fine art or the work of a craftsperson or an artisan, where does the inspiration to make art, to create, come from? Is art solely a product of the material world, or is it sometimes also somehow connected to something greater than us, to a higher power, able not only to entertain us, but to drive us to be better?** **Art has a unique ability to inspire and uplift us, to teach us and help us understand the world around us, to help us heal and bring us together. But what is it – and who gets to make it? Is it solely the domain of a select few, or is the ability to create, to inspire, to bring beauty and healing to this world something that we all have the ability to do?** **The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin word inspirare meaning “to breathe into,” or even to give life to. Though understood in many different ways and called by different names, as the first maker, the first creator, is that not what God has done with us? And if we are, as some believe, created in God’s image, then are we not also creators who can do the same – or at least have the capacity to be? Is this another spiritual quality for us to develop and reflect in this world? By not recognizing and developing this capacity, are we neglecting an entire part of ourselves, a part that connects us to each other and to something greater than ourselves? Viewed in this light, how might the arts contribute to our material and spiritual progress, as individuals and as a society?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the spiritual nature of art and creation. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the powerful role the arts can play in the spiritual and social progress of us as individuals and as communities.** **“Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

This is a time where players of all ages, and skill levels can gather and enjoy a nice Sunday full of Chess!

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) $15 for One Class $20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space.

Join us for a tour of Brothers Drake Meadery in Grandview, hosted by the owner Oron Benary. He will explain the mead-making process and offer us generous samples of their fine meads. Mead is basically wine that is made from honey instead of grapes. There are many different flavors that range from dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, to sweet. They are best known for their Apple Pie Mead. Oron has offered us a special price of 5.00 each person for the tour and tasting, which is normally 25.00 per person. I've taken the tour several times, and it's always enlightening and fun. Rebecca will bring a tea that will pair well with the mead for a tea tasting afterwards. Park anywhere around the building. Please avoid parking in front of the houses in the neighborhood behind the Meadery. Please keep your RSVP current. Knowing how many will attend will help Brothers Drake plan accordingly to accommodate us.

The Fellowship of the Star Schema: Transforming OLTP Data for Power BI One does not simply build reports on OLTP data. Join us on an epic journey from the depths of raw, normalized tables to the shining halls of a well-modeled star schema fit for Power BI greatness. We will demystify the differences between OLTP and OLAP, walk through star schema vs snowflake (and why Power BI has a clear favorite), and show you the compression differences between normalized and columnar storage that will make you never look at an OLTP model the same way again. We will cover the different types of dimensions, when to use them, and how to handle Slowly Changing Dimensions without losing your mind. You will leave knowing exactly how to identify a bad model, how to convert OLTP data into a clean star schema, and how to forge relationships that rule them all. Whether you are a data wizard, a curious hobbit, or somewhere in between, your models will never be the same.