Celtic Culture

NOTE CHANGE IN VENUE! GM Anne will be running a session of Dolmenwood. Dolmenwood is a fantasy adventure game set in a lavishly detailed world inspired by the fairy tales and eerie folklore of the British Isles. Like traditional fairy tales, Dolmenwood blends the dark and whimsical, the wondrous and weird. We’ll be starting with level 2 characters. New players welcome! No prep needed! If you want to familiarize yourself with the system and/or roll up a character, free resources can be found here: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/dolmenwood-free-resources **Where**: Belle Pre Apartment Building, Alexandria VA (public conference room) Looking for a place to play in-person RPGs and make new friends? Burnt out on internet D&D? Interested in trying games like Shadowdark and Dungeon Crawl Classics? Look no further than DMV RPG - Open Table! Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting started with tabletop role-playing, our group offers a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all gamers to gather and embark on epic adventures together. From Dungeons & Dragons to sci-fi sagas, there's something for everyone here. Join us for regularly scheduled meetups, make new friends, and unleash your imagination in a fun and collaborative setting. Let the games begin! **Rules**: always teachable at the table **Gaming is for everybody**: Welcoming, inclusive, and safe **Pregens**: the GM will have pre-made characters so you can jump right in **Game**: Old School & New School, but likely lightweight **Multiple GMs**: We run games in a rotating GM format, so come to play and make friends, but we'll be looking for your interesting one shots and mini-campaigns to try.

Join us for a cozy evening of authentic Turkish food and great conversation at Taste of Istanbul! What started as a favorite at local farmers markets has grown into one of Northern Virginia’s hidden gems, serving freshly prepared Turkish specialties including doner, chicken and beef kofte kebabs, wraps, homemade baked goods, and delicious vegetarian options. Their warm hospitality and homemade flavors make this the perfect spot for a relaxed and memorable group dinner. Because the restaurant is small and intimate, I’m keeping this meetup limited in size so everyone can comfortably enjoy the experience and connect with each other. Please only RSVP if you genuinely plan to attend, and be sure to confirm your attendance the day before the event. We often have a waitlist, and last-minute cancellations can prevent others from joining. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as early as possible so someone else can take your spot. Come hungry and ready to enjoy great food, good company, and a fun night out exploring one of the area’s best Turkish restaurants!

Please join the [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](http://vsdc.org/) and fellow LGBTQ+ vegans or veg-curious folks to explore the [Smithsonian American Art Museum](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YQAJAkGSUrn5ZzYw7) (SAAM) to see how many [pieces made by queer artists](https://americanart.si.edu/blog/pride-2023-artists) we can find. (Note that the museum is apparently [under renovation](https://americanart.si.edu/exhibition/18th-20th-century-art).) If we happen to move through SAAM quickly, it is connected to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and there are some [portraits of LGBTQ+ persons](https://npg.si.edu/exhibition/struggle-justice) there as well. Because the museums close at 7pm and we won't have that much time to explore, the event will begin promptly at 5:30pm. Around 7pm we will make our way to one of the nearby vegan restaurants (at own expense) like HipCityVeg or Pow Pow, depending on how large the group is and what people are feeling like. We'll enjoy the lively evening city atmosphere as we meander to dinner. Before we head around to look at the art, the host will post a comment about what she is wearing so that latecomers will have an easier time finding the group as we move through the museum(s). She will also attempt to keep the comments updated throughout the evening so folks can find us. In the event of rain, the museum portion will proceed and the group will decide together whether or not to brave the weather to dine together afterward. **Where to Meet:** outside of the entrance to the Smithsonian American Art Museum (8th and G Streets, NW) **Transportation:** The Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at 8th and G Streets NW. It is right by the [Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stop](https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/gallery-place.cfm?y=14) on the Green, Red, and Yellow Metro lines. **When:** May 21 at 5:30pm-7pm at museum and then after 7pm for an optional dinner. **Cost:** Free (outside of optional dinner) ***About the Group*** *Unless noted otherwise, VSDC's LGBTQ+ events are intended for queer/questioning folks who self-identify as LGBTQ+. The events are meant to serve as a safe space to share community with other self-identified queer or questioning LGBTQ+ vegan or vegan-curious people. However, we appreciate our allies and we plan to host "LGBTQ+ & ALLIES" events approximately quarterly - to welcome non-queer allies into our events in order to share community with our fellow vegans/veg curious VSDC participants. If the event is an "& ALLIES" event, it will be clearly identified as such in the name of the event. Any person who participates in an "& ALLIES" event must be supportive of LGBTQ+ persons, their lifestyle, and their gender expression; unsupportive or combative individuals will be removed from events and banned from future VSDC LGBTQ+ events. Please note that any and all questions related to gender/LGBTQ+ issues that may arise during either LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+ & ALLIES events must be posed ONLY to event host, Susan, and not be asked of any other meetup participants in order to respect their privacy and promote their personal safety.* **Update Your RSVP** Please change your RSVP if you can no longer make it. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Join us for a transformative sound and vibration journey, where you'll experience the profound energy of Light Language. Unlike traditional languages with fixed alphabets and agreed-upon meanings, Light Language is a vibrational expression that transcends human limitations and speaks directly to your soul and DNA. Some would call Light Language the “Language of the Soul.” This multidimensional, non-linear communication is best described as an experience, originating from within the soul, the Earth's guardians, or star nations. It uniquely resonates with each individual's vibrational needs, facilitating clearing, balancing, and aligning the body with newfound clarity. During the evening, Bill Sanda will guide the group through three Light Language meditations, with discussions in between. Investment: $20 Space is limited so a RSVP is required. This will inside be by the fire in our large great room FIRST TIMERS: No prior experience necessary. All are welcome as long as you come with an open mind and respectful heart. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so you can get situated. You are also welcome to walk our grounds or check out or crystal shop. IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS: The address is 15406 Riding Stable rd. Property is at end of 1/2 mile driveway into the woods. you will drive over a small stream. Please be EXTRA MINDFUL to drive slowly (under 10 MPH) as to not stir any driveway dust. It is a shared driveway so it's important to respect our neighbors. Please do not stop to interact with horses. With Love & Gratitude

*Sometimes we invite Neurodivergent District members to join a virtual event from our Constellations community. We’re glad you’re here.* *Just to clarify, attending this event doesn’t include access to the Constellations member portal or membership. If you’d like ongoing access to events like this, along with curated member introductions for friendship or dating, you’re welcome to explore joining [Constellations](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership).* Join us for a low-pressure in-person meetup at [Upside on Moore](https://upsideonmoore.com/) food hall. Located on Level “M2” at 1700 N Moore St, Level M2, Arlington, VA 22209. We’ll be meeting in the back near Ghostburger. If you’re sensitive to crowds or louder environments, this may not be the best fit. Click **[here](https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/schedule/0cfadc2d/?appointmentTypeIds[]=92645326)** to RSVP.

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

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

It's May, so we've passed the halfway point in the Firefly Foundations class series meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the House and about our way of being Pagan. For the sixth class of our seven-class series, we'll be (finally) talking about magic and spells. When you RSVP for this class, you'll be asked to provide an email address. We'll send you a link to the class video at that address as soon as possible after we receive it. We keep won't share your email with anyone ever. Watch the video before the class date and time, and come to class with any questions you might have. During the class session, we'll be going over anything from the video you wanted to review, and we'll come up with a situation that you might want to design a spell for and craft one together. If you're comfortable with it, join us at the MLK Memorial Library in the Room 401-D. Masks will be welcomed, but not provided, for in-person attendees. We will also have the necessary technology to allow folks to join in online via Google Meet if you prefer to attend remotely. Video conferencing information will be sent out the morning of the event. If you're connecting that way, please give us a few minutes past 3:30pm to get the stream online. This class is a part of our [foundations class series](https://docs.google.com/document/d/18-tA9ewEm1YEvY26jlWq07F2DT_-_HKwd-_wnl0l84g/edit?usp=sharing), which is only required if you wish to join the Firefly House as an initiate. If that does not interest you, then feel free to skip classes that you find less important for your journey. If you want to keep your options open with respect to initiation but cannot attend this session at the listed date and time, please contact the event host prior to the session. Keep in mind, you can only miss two of seven sessions in this way. Time spent with initiates of the House and your fellow classmates is an important part of knowing if you want to initiate. If you don't initiate, regardless of the reason, you're still welcome to all of the public events we organize. If you would like to, feel free to [join our Discord](https://discord.gg/RrS9XNzf9X) to chat with others in the Firefly House between sessions. This is also a great place to ask for help if you've lost a link to a video, for example. \*\*\* The Firefly House seeks to provide a friendly, safe environment in which all participants can engage in productive dialogue, sharing, and learning with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body type, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the host.

Come exchange Asian Languages that you speak! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. We will assign tables for represented languages. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. As you all remember well, this event used to bring out hundreds of people every week. However, it was discontinued last year for obvious reasons and we couldn't gather that many people now, because of restrictions. Hence, we are downsizing and caping the number of attendees. We have super limited spots and advance ticket purchase is required. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\. 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. You ought to have register on Meetup for a free entry\. Otherwise\, you will be subject to a cover charge\. 11. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speaker\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. 12.

This month we’re tackling a classic in the world of modern paganism: The White Goddess, by Robert Graves. For this session we will read approximately the first 200 pages, up through the end of Chapter 11: The Tree Alphabet (2).. As always, everyone is welcome to attend whether you have time to read the book or not! You can see the big list of current Book Club suggestions and past reads here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WjTh24Z988Nvj5WGVimS0xocAJT08sOVz9dWH1AxWB8/edit?usp=sharing \*\*\* This will also be our opportunity to select next month’s book, so be thinking about what you would like to read. I will be bringing a big stack of books I’ve been wanting to get to, and all attendees are welcome to do the same or just make general suggestions. \*\*\* The Firefly House seeks to provide a friendly, safe environment in which all participants can engage in productive dialogue, sharing, and learning with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body type, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the host.

We love a chill, laid back party. It’s about building real community - bringing blerds together in a space where we can connect, unwind, and actually be in the room with each other. If you’ve been wanting more in-person energy, this is that. What’s going down: * Games on deck (PS5 + Nintendo Switch available) * Bring your own favorites! * Board games, cards, controllers, whatever you’re into. * DJ’ing by our very own MC Brooks! * Good people. Good energy. Good vibes. Food & Drinks: * Hamburgers, hot dogs, and ribs provided * Bring snacks or something to share if you want * BYOB (come prepared) but we’ll provide ice and mixers. Details: 📍 Waldorf, MD (exact address provided after RSVP) * Saturday, May 23rd * 4PM until * Hosted by Tyler May * (friendly, sweet dog lives on premises) Parking: * First come, first served * Additional street parking available! (Need help getting to Waldorf? Candice has agreed to meet folks at the Branch Station metro from 4:45-5pm! Additional pickup may be available. Let Candice know when you RSVP!)

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."

**Pagans on the Patio! Summer/Fall Series** A casual gathering the first Thursday of each month. Time to relax, meet new people, and reconnect with old friends. There is no charge for the event itself and all are welcome but there are a few guidelines: 1. **You are expected to purchase food and/or drink to compensate the Cantina and our server.** 2. **No soliciting. Do not bring samples of your wares or brochures of your services.** 3. **Please respect the spiritual and political views of others that are present. No disruption of the peace.** In case of inclement weather, we will find seating indoors. I hope to see you there. Blessed be! \~ Cynthia ❤️---

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!