English

**Please note change of location: Doode is closed for renovations. We we will this week in Coalmine**. Join us for Coffee & Chat and practice your English! Every 2nd Tuesday of the month we meet at Doode Coffee World, Winterthur at 10:00 chat until 12:00. Ana is the organiser of this event. If you do not know her, look for the International Club Postcards on the table. We look forward to seeing you! Non-members are always invited to attend our events! This is a wonderful opportunity to experience what we have to offer and see if our club is the right fit for you. After joining us for 1 or 2 events, you can decide if you’d like to become a member. We look forward to welcoming you! About Us: The International Club Winterthur aims to connect, support and integrate individuals and families who have an international connection or interest. We are a non-political, not-for-profit, English-speaking association, actively fostering friendships and networks in Winterthur and its greater area. Follow us on MeetUp for our upcoming events: https://www.meetup.com/the-international-club-winterthur/ Disclaimer: Please note that the International Club Winterthur is not responsible for any injuries or damages that may occur during the event. Additionally, photos may be taken at the event and shared on the club's social media platforms.

A non-obvious English stand-up night with comics from Zurich and beyond. Expect loose ideas, polished bits, unexpected jokes, and laughter from places you don’t expect. **Tickets** on >> **[Eventfrog here](https://eventfrog.ch/jokes-jokes-jokes)** << Hosted by Swiss-based comedian **Łukasz Segiet aka Woocash ([@woocash.comedy](https://instagram.com/woocash.comedy))**, known for off-beat, unpredictable, vibe-driven comedy and a favourite among fellow comedians for his distinctive, non-obvious approach. He invites a lineup of friends and local comics to share the stage each edition. **Doors Open: 19:30** **Show Begins: 20:00** **Tickets** on >> **[Eventfrog here](https://eventfrog.ch/jokes-jokes-jokes)** <<

**Start February energized!** Open your eyes, heart and soul and lose yourself in the eyes of a stranger for one minute. Explore a sense of belonging within our community while enjoying a moment of connection with a fellow human being. ►𝗪𝗛𝗬 Explore and express who you are: A human being. 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 When someone approaches us on the street, sometimes there is an incentive to sell something in particular. Yet, in this event, you have the unique opportunity to experience how we connect with each other without any intention. Here, you can feel truly being seen and understood. Experience the joy of human connection. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 Eye contact is a simple form of meditation that allows you to observe your thoughts and feelings with much more clarity. This so called awareness is your gateway to a joyful life. Experience a day full of curiosity, peace and presence. 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 For some of us, looking into the eyes of someone can be a difficult, daunting task. Yet it is proven that people looking into the eyes of others are perceived as more confident. This skill can be trained like a muscle. In other words, you are going to feel much more comfortable around other people. Learning this skill can be useful in holding a public speech, a company meeting, at dating or talking with your friends and family. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀 Meet open-minded, positive people and connect with all kinds of them. Experience acceptance free of any judgement. Find a safe place where we see commonalities over differences. We are all part of the same family. 𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 Nowadays, we are glued to our phones and social media. We, almost by accident, learned to avoid contact with fellow human beings where the generation before us used to have conversations with strangers while riding the tram, bus or train. Many friendships and romantic relationships used to stem from these casual interactions in public life. Let’s solve the problem of the increasing sense of division, isolation and loneliness by coming together and be truly present and communicate with each other, verbally and non-verbally. ►𝗛𝗢𝗪 Choose someone, offer this person to sit in front of you and make yourself comfortable. Bring a blanket or something similar to comfortably sit down. Alternatively, you can do the eye gazing while standing. Look into each others eyes for a minute (or even longer). Enjoy the silence and observe what happens. Expect nothing, yet be open for everything. ►𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 The eye contact experiment is a beautiful and powerful experience that… • offers you to explore human connection through non-verbal communication. • can make your day, and for some people even change their life. • brings people together. ►𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 10th January, from 5 pm until 7 pm. ►𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 Rütschistrasse 29, 8037 Zürich https://maps.app.goo.gl/xwgUEK17FhSM4q4M6 Not sure where we are? Ask in our Whatsapp / Telegram group • Telegram: [https://t.me/+G4lENGEqlkIyZGM0](https://t.me/+G4lENGEqlkIyZGM0) • WhatsApp: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BioB6ALayCLJOnOwKQvmJ8](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BioB6ALayCLJOnOwKQvmJ8) ► **SUPPORT US** Love what we are doing? Support our movement to defeat loneliness and spread a sense of belonging and community through our unique experiences. We put a lot of love, care, attention, time and resources into our project for the benefit of everyone! Even with just 25, 10 or even 5 CHF you can make a difference. [https://buymeacoffee.com/socialfreedomcrew](https://buymeacoffee.com/socialfreedomcrew) ►𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 If you want to have a better picture about how this Event could be like, just watch the Videos from the following Links: [https://vimeo.com/190622917](https://vimeo.com/190622917) [https://youtu.be/EIlj5xtTYHE](https://youtu.be/EIlj5xtTYHE) [https://youtu.be/nFDeFo2aLmc](https://youtu.be/nFDeFo2aLmc) [https://youtu.be/hIq1v5KFN2c](https://youtu.be/hIq1v5KFN2c) ...or listen to this radio broadcast: [http://bit.ly/what_is_eye_gazing](http://bit.ly/what_is_eye_gazing)

**Shake off the week at the Reggaeton Beginner Class at The Vibe!** Whether you’ve never danced before or just want to move your body and have a good time, this class is all about good energy, Latin beats, and letting loose. Expect empowering Reggaeton grooves, body rolls, confidence-boosting combos, and a whole lot of fun — no pressure, no judgment, just pure VIBES! Your teacher Nat ([@nat.so.fun](http://@nat.so.fun)) will guide you through all the steps, help you feel the rhythm in your body, and hype you up from start to finish! *Don’t be fooled by the number of people on the event page — our weekly crew ranges from 10 to 20 amazing humans: first-timers, regulars, and a few silent fans who never mark “going” but always show up 😉* \*\*\* ### **Booking is mandatory!** To secure your spot, please book in advance via our website: [BOOK HERE](https://www.thevibedance.ch/schedule) \*\*\* ### **Rates** 💃 **Single Class:** CHF 28 or check out our **Starter Pack deal with 2-class** for CHF 35 \*\*\* ### **When?** **TUESDAY** **18:30 – 19:30 \| Beginner Reggaeton** \*\*\* ### **Where?** **The Vibe Dance Studio** Hohlstrasse 488 8048 Zürich (Just 3 minutes from Altstetten Train Station and 15 min from HB) \*\*\* ### **More info:** 🌐 [thevibedance.ch](https://thevibedance.ch/) 📸 Instagram: [[@nat.so.fun](http://@nat.so.fun)]([https://www.instagram.com/nat.so.fun](https://www.instagram.com/nat.so.fun)\) \| \[[@thevibedance.ch](http://@thevibedance.ch)]([https://www.instagram.com/thevibedance.ch](https://www.instagram.com/thevibedance.ch)) Got questions? Just text or call: 📞 +41 78 329 71 77 \*\*\* **See you on the dance floor – let’s Reggaeton together!** 💥🫶💃

If you are looking to expand your social circle, make a new friend then this event is for you! Speed friending is a fun and fast paced ice breaker, allowing everyone to interact face to face with the goal on finding those people you can find a connection. How does it work? 1. We will break attendees up into groups of 1:1's and provide some ice-breakers get to know you questions. 2. The group will stay together for about 6-7 minutes and at the end of the round, one participant will move to a new station and start a new round, meeting new people. FAQs: Can I come alone? Yes. Most attending will be coming on their own. This is a great way to connect and make new friends! Is this age-specific? This will be no different to any other Zurich Together Events with range from 23-45 ⚠️Please note this is not a event for dating⚠️

Conversation en français et balade spontanée. Essayons de suivre nos bonnes résolutions! ^^ Pour celles et ceux qui veulent discuter tranquillement en français, venez discuter de tout et de rien! Tous les niveaux sont bienvenus, même si je parlerai principalement français, j'essaierai de me faire comprendre! Merci de vous désinscrire si vous n'êtes pas sûr de venir! **RDV** sur les bancs à l'entrée de la forêt! **PAS** dans le restaurant ^^'

Come and get you **Comedy Brew**, your fix of English Stand-Up Comedy! We serve a fresh, locally sourced 'menu' of 10 comedians, as organic as your favorite farm-to-table meal, all geared up to make you laugh out loud. **Tickets at:** [https://bit.ly/iyfcb](https://bit.ly/iyfcb) Unleash your laughter at [ROBIN's coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/E1e3H9GRDDJaPK8z9), the coziest New York-style coffee bar in the heart of Zürich. **Dare to Make 'Em Laugh? 🎤😂** Ever fantasized about grabbing the mic and cracking some jokes yourself? Well, your dream could come true! Visit [our performer's page](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/) to find out how you can take the stage and spread laughs like a pro. **See You There! 🎤😂** Come down to ROBIN's, break some bread, share some laughs, and maybe even catch the comedy bug yourself! See you there every Thursday! Powered by IN YOUR FACE Comedy 🌟 [Check Us Out!](https://instragram.com/inyourfacecomedy/) **Tickets at:** [https://eventfrog.ch/comedybrew](https://eventfrog.ch/comedybrew) **Frequently Asked Questions** * ***Is the show really in English?*** Absolutely. Every set is performed in English by a mix of Swiss-based and international comics, so no Swiss-German skills required. * ***What’s a “Comedy Open Mic”?*** It’s the testing ground for jokes. Pros road-test fresh material and brave newcomers grab their first five minutes. Expect some gems, some flops—and the fun of seeing comedy born in real time. * ***Will it be funny?*** Most of the time, yes! An open mic is a roller-coaster: seasoned acts, new voices, and the occasional glorious train-wreck. It’s all part of the charm. * ***Can I perform too?*** Yes - you need to book a spot - find out more about how to do it here: [https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/). * ***Do I need to buy tickets in advance?*** Please do. We’re usually running around before the show and door sales slow things down. If you’re stuck, we’ll try, but no promises. Link to tickets as at [https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/comedybrew/](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/comedybrew/) * ***How does seating work?*** First come, first served so grab a drink, snag a seat, and settle in. * ***Is food available at the bar?*** ROBIN’s serves drinks only. For a pre-show bite, try **Restaurant Johanniter** (classic Swiss) or **Holy Cow!** across the street for burgers. * ***Will the comedians pick on me?*** We chat with the crowd for laughs, not humiliation. Friendly banter only - you’re safe. * ***How long is the show?*** Doors open 7:30pm, show starts \~7:50pm with a 15 min break in the middle ending around 10pm. Enough time for the last trams home... * ***Age limit?*** All ages welcome of course 16+ recommended (adult themes, spicy language).

Apéro Mensuel

Sharp wit, cheeky banter, and classic British humour, right here in Zurich! **Tickets at [https://buytickets.at/sohozurich/1901603](https://buytickets.at/sohozurich/1901603)** We are flying in a brilliant lineup of born-and-bred British comedians for an unforgettable night of laughter at the gorgeous SOHO Zurich. Expect quick wit, playful sarcasm, and that unmistakable British charm. *(See below for British translation)* **On Stage** * Host: Harry Fücks (UK) – The ginger-bearded stand-up navigating life over 50+, singledom, fatherhood, and tech chaos — because laughter is the only way out. Originally from the UK, with just a hint of German, he’s spent 23 years living in Switzerland and surviving that most dangerous of professions: software development. * Joe Bor (UK) – Award-winning comedian, writer and storyteller with razor-sharp timing. * Andy Kind (UK) – Comedy circuit legend, master of punchlines and cheeky crowd work. * Jules Oakes (UK/Berlin) – UK-born, Berlin-based, bringing expat tales and quickfire wit straight from the continent. **Doors Open 6pm, Show Begins 8pm** 🇬🇧 British Translation 🇬🇧 Proper laughs. Proper bants. Proper night out. We’re bringing a cracking line-up of top-notch wit and bants to leave you in stitches. Expect dry humour sharper than your Nan’s kitchen knives, a cheeky bit of nonsense, and more punchlines than a Friday night down the local. Grab your mates, it’s gonna be a belter! **Get your tickets at [https://buytickets.at/sohozurich/1901603](https://buytickets.at/sohozurich/1901603)**

Join us for a session based on Stoic philosophy. Through guided mental exercises and reflection, we'll put Stoic principles in practice. Suitable for all levels. This time, we will look at teachings by Seneca and Anthony de Mello. Important to note: 1. Don't worry, it's not going to be too serious. We will fun, too! 2. We're deliberately a small group and we'll do activities in groups of 2-3 people. The idea is to make everyone as comfy as possible. **Please bring: Pen and paper!** **Location we meet at:** In the 25h Hotel Zürich West (**NOT the 25h Hotel at Langstrasse**). When you enter the hotel, just walk 20m straight. **For Stoics social events in general:** Important: When you register for the event, please commit to it and **don't be a NO SHOW**. Presumably, when the old Stoics decided to go to an event, they kept to it ;) We look forward to seeing you

Welcome to the Open Level Play Session. This session takes place every Saturday from 12:15 to 13:45 at the Yonex Badminton Hall Hardbrücke. The number of players on the waitlist one week in advance determines the number of courts booked. If you are on the waitlist but can no longer attend, please remove yourself as early as possible. Open to players of all skill levels. This session is for doubles with a relaxed and social focus. Ideal for casual play, improvement and meeting new players. Payment can be made via TWINT after the session.

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Join us for an exciting language exchange event where Spanish speakers and bilingual individuals come together to practice Spanish and English. Our group focuses on fostering a welcoming environment for cultural exchange while improving language skills. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker looking to practice English or vice versa, or simply interested in learning more about Spanish culture, this meetup is perfect for you. Reignite your passion for language learning and immerse yourself in a diverse community of language enthusiasts. Bring your curiosity and willingness to engage with others in meaningful conversations. Let's come together to share language tips, cultural insights, and build connections that go beyond just words. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your language skills and make new friends in a fun and interactive setting.

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Some great optional questions for discussion are below.
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Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
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1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?
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Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles
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4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?
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Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human
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7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?
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Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning
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10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?
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Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche
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13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?
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Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose
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16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?
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Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection
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19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?
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Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality
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22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?
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Suggested Questions: Society & Culture
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25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?
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Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy
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28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

안녕하세요 여려분! Welcome to our Meetup series for Korean/English Language Exchange. These meetups will be intended for serious language learners who are at least at a conversational level in the language they wish to practice. We'll have a variety of activities targeted at fostering some significant practice time and perhaps have a little bit of cultural exchange along the way. For this Meetup, we ask that you make a decision with your RSVP by 10 AM the day of the meetup, so as to give others a chance to attend if you can't make it. For this session: We're returning to a favorite food hall of ours in H Mart in Fairfax! For the first half hour or so, as people gather and find food/seats, talk freely to each other and try to introduce yourself with everyone in the language you're practicing or catch up if you with friends you know! Once everyone gets settled into groups, take turns at the table allowing everyone to answer the following prompts: **Prompt #1:** TBD **Prompt #2**: TBD After the activity above, feel free to continue practicing in conversation as you wish, but if so inclined, try one of the activities below: A.) Two truths and a lie about (fill in the blank)......decide as a group on a topic for group play and have each person take turns giving two true statements and one false statement in any order and allow others to guess which statement is false B.) Word association......start by naming a common word and go around the table as long as you can with each person giving a word (in the language that you're practicing) that is COMMONLY associated with the previous word given. If the group calls you out, be ready to defend your answer. C.) Story time.......start off telling the first sentence of a story and go around the table letting each person add a line to the story until you reach the end...or a breaking point. D.) Ditto.......Each player will need to be able to write on paper or an electronic device for this one. Have one person pick a category of common nouns (ex. vegetables, sports equipment, things you see at the circus, etc.) and have another person pick a starting consonant (or vowel, if playing in English). Allow two minutes for everyone to write down as many nouns that both fit the selected category and start with the selected consonant/vowel. When two minutes are up, compare and contrast your answers. Whoever has the most matches wins. For further challenge, try playing the inverse way to achieve unique answers rather than matches. Another adventure may break out afterwards if the group is so inclined. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Love and Monsters,”** on the inescapable bond between romance and horror, with Joshua Barton, scholar of horror and lecturer in English at Virginia Commonwealth University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-love-monsters](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-love-monsters) .] Romance and horror might seem like opposite genres, but they share a deep emotional core, and the combination of them has captivated audiences across time and culture. Put even your worst Valentine’s Day in perspective by hearing this strange relationship discussed by Joshua Barton, who has earned a big following among Profs and Pints fans with his past talks on cryptids, American horror, and Christmas ghosts. He’ll explore the undeniable and unsettling intersection of romance and horror and examine how and why love and fear intensify each other and combined to create tension, drive narratives, and explore human vulnerability. We’ll look at works that have blended passion and terror, including Gothic literature like the vampire novella *Carmilla* and modern films like *Spring* and *Crimson Peak*. We’ll study the fine line between obsession and adoration running through Stephen King’s “I Know What You Need,” Adrian Lyne’s *Fatal Attraction*, and the timeless *The Phantom of the Opera.* We’ll discuss the seeds of monstrous love that were planted with *Beauty and the Beast* and *Creature from the Black Lagoon* and bloom ferociously in works like *Twilight* and *The Shape of Water*. Through it all, we’ll find the threads of otherness and the taboo that intertwine horror, love, and reflections on identity. Join us for a journey through storytelling that combines the grotesque and the scintillating as we uncover why romance and horror are a match made in the dark. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From the original 1954 advertising poster for *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (Artist: Reynold Brown / Public Domain).

Come out and play the "Celebrity Mingle Game" with us on February 14 at The Bench (Rio Washingtonian) , from 5 - 8 PM. Bring your sense of humor and a willingness to play. Engage with familiar faces and meet new friends on this Valentine's Day. Free parking is available at the Marriott Hotel. See you then!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Hidden Cleopatra,”** an excavation through myth and slander to uncover the real Egyptian queen, with Jacquelyn Williamson, an Egyptologist and associate professor of archaeology and ancient art at George Mason University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra) .] Depictions of Cleopatra are abundant in popular culture. A long list of painters have depicted her, Marilyn Monroe and Kim Kardashian have posed as her, and Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor famously portrayed her in Hollywood films. At the end of the day, however, what most of us think we know about Cleopatra is wrong, the product of the ancient Rome’s “fake news” and anti-Egypt propaganda. Learn about the real Cleopatra—and how our understanding of her came to be so distorted—with Professor Jacquelyn Williamson, scholar of women and power in ancient Egypt, teacher of courses on ancient Egyptian art and archaeology, and author of *Nefertiti’s Sun Temple: A New Cult Complex at Tell el-Amarna.* Dr. Williamson will walk us through how the first Roman emperor, Octavian, created the distorted image of Cleopatra as seductress that we know today as part of his political scheming to defeat his rival Antony and end the Roman Republic once and for all. Cleopatra has been the subject of debate and controversy ever since. William Shakespeare later relied on ancient Roman sources such as Horace and Plutarch in writing *Antony and Cleopatra*, and his play helped give rise to countless other works offering a distorted picture of her. Professor Williamson argues that “Cleopatra was a human being, like you and I,” and “deserves the dignity of being represented as accurately as possible.” Her efforts to set the record straight have met frustration, however—after being extensively interviewed for the recent Netflix historical docuseries Queen Cleopatra, she concluded that it, too, had missed the mark. You’ll gain a much deeper appreciation of the challenges of researching and accurately depicting the ancient past from Dr. Williamson, who also has taught at Harvard, Brandeis, and the University of California at Berkeley and is involved with an ongoing archaeological investigation of Queen Nefertiti’s sun temple. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Layla Taj portrays Cleopatra VII as part of an Egyptian Cultural Performing Arts Society production. (Photo by Amos Gvili / Wikimedia Commons.)