Entertainment

As part of the [DC Francophonie](https://www.francophonie-dc.org/event-list) Cultural Festival, the Embassy of Belgium invites you to a screening of "Rumba Royale" a historical drama set in pre-independence Congo. After the film, co-director and co-writer Hamed Mobasser will sit for a Q&A session, followed by a small reception with Belgian beer! Event registration is free, but capacity is limited. **To reserve tickets, [click here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rumba-royale-screening-and-qa-tickets-1983568476710?aff=oddtdtcreator).** Set in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa) in 1959, “Rumba Royale” follows a photographer drawn into the city’s most exclusive nightclub as Congo approaches independence. Inside the club, music, politics, and desire collide, with rumba mirroring the tensions of a society on the verge of change. The film will be in French with English subtitles. This event is organized in partnership with Embassy of France - La Maison Française.

Come and join Northern Virginia porcelain artists. We will provide all the paints and materials needed. Just bring your smile and creativity. We paint from 10:00 am - 2:00pm every Tuesday & Wednesday. Please RSVP in advance if you like to join oir group. Text: 703-906-9150 We are located few minutes from Tyson’s corner in McLean.

Five directors present five interwoven stories mostly set in a nondescript bar. The characters are anything but nondescript, with their diverse interests and intentions colliding in strange ways. What they drink, why they drink, and how they drink are all part of the stories, with fate, coincidence, and even a touch of the supernatural weaving their way into the mix. ■ Title — *Life on the Rocks* ■ Directors — Joanna Bowzer, Tim Gagliardo ■ Cast — Zach Alden, Bonnie Bedelia, Jasmine Hester ■ Unrated, suitable for teens and adults ■ ©2021 \| 1h 30m \| Drama ■ Watch it free with ads on Fandango: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Life-on-the-Rocks/1747115 ■ Watch it free with ads on Fawesome: https://fawesome.tv/movies/10678832/life-on-the-rocks ■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/707549/life-on-the-rocks ■ Available free without ads to Hoopla subscribers: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/18367241 ■ Available free without ads to Amazon Prime members: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.2039b5da-fb1c-4c8e-b29b-1f498db26285 ■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention. ■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com

It's Oscars season! Since every feature documentary up in this year's competition is on a different streaming service (::screams into the abyss::) we're taking a stroll down memory lane and watching a previous Oscar nominee. Plus, to honor Women's History Month, I've curated a list of films to choose from that were directed by women. The votes are in! We're watching: * The Square, 2013, Dir. Jehane Noujaim. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eWBmVprInQ Available for free on Kanopy, Xumo Play and Tubi, and to rent/subscription on YouTube, Roku, Prime and Google Play. ***Make sure to watch the film ahead of time*** and come prepared to discuss. We will not be screening the film at the meeting! What to expect the day of: * Please try to arrive on time * Meet new friends over some drinks & snacks (feel free to bring something to share!) * The host will lay some group rules and facilitate our discussion * Leave with some new insights and new friends! FYI - the free version of MeetUp limits me to 10 RSVPS, but if you're #1-5 on the waitlist please feel free to join us anyway.

Come join us for a 11-12 mile ride at a Fairland. We normally average 9-10mph. This is now a night ride and lights are required. Wheels rolling at 6pm unless someone texts me they're running a little late. We normally do 10-12 miles, and average 10mph. This ride is more for faster than average riders due to the pace. We wait up at intersections to let all riders catch up. If you have a good amount of rides under your belt and can average 8mph or better on singletrack trails, and take small brakes, then you will probably will be able to hang but it will be a challenge. About Fairland: 90% non-technical ride with few major climbs and no mandatory obstacles (they all have ride-arounds). Promise, no rocks. None! (there is one section of busted-up concrete, but it's not rocks, and it's only 10-15 feet long). Anyway, there are a couple good places to stop and practice log-overs, and balance on the boardwalks, and some good flow trails. We will visit the skills pit but be advised, there are drops, jumps, skinnies, and overall technical features that will require the appropriate experience. Always take caution and know your technical ability limits. Video of our ride at Fairland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-b0EDVb08 What to bring: Plenty of water, helmet (no helmet no ride), your mtb of course!, multi-tool (although you can borrow mine), patch kit, extra tube (make sure it has the same valve you need for your wheel), a snack if you're doing both loops. Here at MVD MTB'ers meetup page, we always appreciate any feedback, write a group review!( Here (http://www.meetup.com/MVDMountainBikers/about/comments/?op=all)

Come network with fellow VA mediamakers at this Happy Hour in Richmond! This is a "BuyYOB" event held in Brambly Park. You MUST register here: https://www.wifv.org/calendar/#id=32398&cid=783&wid=401&type=Cal

Join the group for *Safety Not Guaranteed* at Signature Theatre on Saturday, March 14 at 8PM! You can purchase tickets from TodayTix at [https://www.todaytix.com/washington-dc/shows/44349-safety-not-guaranteed](https://www.todaytix.com/washington-dc/shows/44349-safety-not-guaranteed). There's currently 1 $47 seat left in the dress circle. An imaginative indie-rock musical by Guster’s Ryan Miller and Nick Blaemire (*Soon*, *Glory Days*) based on the film of the same name. *WANTED: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED.* After seeing this classified ad, ambitious journalist Darius sets out on an expedition to find its writer. When she agrees to go along for the ride, however, Darius finds herself in way over her head. Heartwarming and hilarious, with an electrifying score, *Safety Not Guaranteed* asks, if you could go back and change your story – would you? “Ridiculous fun…*Safety Not Guaranteed* has an appealingly indie sound...I caught myself humming” – *The New York Times*

DC Film Society's 33rd Annual Party Watch the Oscars Broadcast ... LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN! It's the next best thing to being there! Sunday, March 15, 2026 The Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. (1/4 mile east of Glebe Road) **TICKETS**: $15.00 for DC Film Society members and WIFV members. $20.00 for the general public. Purchase advance tickets below. Same-day, on-site ticket sales start at 5:30pm. (CASH/CHECKS ONLY) The doors open at 6:00pm and the Red Carpet pre-show starts at 6:00pm. The Oscars broadcast is at 7:00pm. https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/357590 Come on out to celebrate, jeer and cheer this year's Academy Awards at the Washington, DC Film Society’s annual Oscars Watch Party, “And the Winner is…” on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Advance tickets are ON SALE NOW online. On-site door sales that night start at 5:30pm, followed by doors open for Red Carpet shows at 6:00pm, then the ceremony starting at 7:00pm. All proceeds support DC Film Society’s parent organization, the Washington DC Int’l Film Festival - Filmfest DC.

The Kennedy Center was supposed to present this play last year with a cast from Broadway, but the producers cancelled. Luckily, Theater J has taken up the baton. I saw it a few years ago, I believe at Mosaic, and it is laugh-out-loud funny. To buy a ticket for a Pay What You Can performance, go to **[this link](https://www.edcjcc.org/theater-j/show/eureka-day/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=GET%20TICKETS&utm_campaign=2025-12-24-%20Iris%20Sizzle%20Reel%20)**. Click on Buy Tickets, then March 11, then just choose your seats and your price. (I believe March 12 is also PWYC if that is better for you. The Eureka Day School in Berkeley, California, is a bastion of progressive ideals: **representation, acceptance, social justice**. In weekly meetings Eureka Day’s five board members develop and update policy to preserve this culture of inclusivity, reaching decisions only by consensus. But when a mumps outbreak threatens the Eureka community, **facts become subjective and every solution divisive**, leaving the school’s leadership to confront the central question of our time: **How do you build consensus when no one can agree on truth?**

Join us as we get together for a CMG-favorite event, the OSCAR PARTY AND RED CARPET BASH at the Drexel Theatre! The highlight of the movie year live on the big screen always makes for a fun and memorable evening! Here are details for this event: WHAT TO EXPECT: This year’s ceremony will be hosted once again by Conan O’Brien. In addition to the Oscars on the big screen, your ticket includes a Meal Deal from the Drexel’s new food partner Newfangled Kitchen (I’m checking on vegetarian/vegan options) along with unlimited popcorn and sodas, a free box of candy, and your first beer, wine or specialty drink on the house! Also included: Oscar-themed trivia with prizes from local businesses, on-site paparazzi, and the Drexel's Oscar ballot contest with a chance to win a year of free Drexel movies! Plus, the BEST and most FUN way to watch the Oscars with fellow film fans and your CMG friends! ADVANCE TICKETS: General public tickets are $45 but Movie Group Members and their guests get in for just $35! Here’s how to purchase your tickets: \* Option 1 – In Person: You can purchase at the ticket counter anytime during operating hours. Just mention you are with the Columbus Movie Group for the discounted rate. \* Option 2 – Online: If you prefer to purchase online, you can do so by going to the link below and following these instructions: 1. Click the link below. 2. Click the little TICKETS box then click BUY TICKETS. 3. If you are a Drexel Member, you can log in here to receive the Member/Group rate, which is the same. If you are not a Drexel member, click “No” and the $40 Rate will pop up. But, don’t fret. It’s a little hard to find but there’s a “Promotion Code” section on the screen. Click the “Know a Promotion Code?” box, enter “CMG2026” (case sensitive) and submit. Select the appropriate number of tickets in the Discount Rate section and click “Add.” Next “Proceed to Checkout” then “Checkout” and enter your credit card info. There’s a $1.50 online service fee but it’ll save you a trip to the Drexel. (If you don’t already have one, you will need to sign in or create an account first.) Sellout possible so please purchase yours as soon as possible in advance! LINK FOR TICKETS (See Above Instructions): https://prod1.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=373546\~e2e0a350-c626-4e33-bc63-27e983f4aecf&epguid=ab0b2f82-403c-4972-9998-5475e7dcfa0e&mdy=3/15/2026& DRESS: Dressing up for the occasion art of part of the fun! Dress up as much as you like – there will be everything from casual to formal at the event! Or you can go in character as one of this year’s nominated films! ARRIVAL: Doors open for CMG at 5:30pm so that’s when we’ll plan to meet! That’ll give us plenty of time to fill out our Oscar Ballots, pick up some free popcorn, candy, and something to drink, mix, mingle, take some photos, pick up your Newfangled Kitchen Meal Deal, grab a seat in our CMG Reserved Section, then settle in to enjoy the Academy Awards on the Big Screen! PICTURES: We’ll take pics throughout the evening and the Drexel Paparazzi will be on hand as well. We’ll also take a big group photo around 6:40 near the entrance before the show begins. If you happen to take some good shots yourself, be sure to upload them on the Oscar Party Meetup event! RESERVED SEATING: As you enter the theater, the roped off section to the right marked “Reserved” is reserved for you, your guest(s) and the Columbus Movie Group! VEGAN MEALS: As previously mentioned, the food vendor does NOT have a vegan option at this year’s Oscar Party. However, we DO have a solution! I have reached out to several individuals who are affected. If you are a vegan, plan to attend the Oscar Party and did not receive an e-mail from me, please reach out via private message post a note below. I’ll provide details off-line. And while there won’t be a vegan meal option this year, I think we do have a workable solution. And, all other plans are usiness-as-usual: popcorn, sodas, candy, on-site paparazzi, decorations, bar drinks (including your first drink on the house), the Drexel’s Annual Oscar ballot contest, along with the Big Show on the Big Screen and a fun group of Movie Group friends to watch ‘em with! BONUS LINKS: \* COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES: https://deadline.com/lists/2026-oscar-nominations-list/ \* INTERESTING ARTICLE ON RECORDS BROKEN, SUPRISING FACTS AND OSCAR FIRSTS: https://abc7.com/post/oscar-nominations-2026-surprising-facts-nominees-98th-oscars/18448908/ \* SHORT VIDEO MONTAGE OF THIS YEAR’S BEST PICTURE NOMINEES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3abMnrsaUA \* FUN VIDEO OF OSCAR NOMINEES HEARING THEIR NOMINATIONS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6eY1yGQ2aU PARKING: Parking is available along Main Street in front of the theater, on Drexel Avenue, and other nearby side streets. Additional parking is available at the Bexley Municipal Parking Lot (two driveways west of the theatre). LINK: Should be a fun & festive evening and a terrific way to celebrate a great year of movies together! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

***Okay, call me crazy but you have got to try their chip n dip!*** Club 185 is a true hidden gem in German Village! Seriously, old school, good comfort food and drink. We will try to gather in spaces near the windows. While we'll share Chip n Dip, you'll want to order a sandwich, too. **Where the Chip Began (1817)** Potato chips can be traced back to an English chef, William Kitchiner, who includes ‘crisps’ in his bestselling cookbook, “The Cook’s Oracle.” **Chip and Dip Popularity** The popularity of chip and dip skyrockets at the end of World War II with new entertainment fads and the introduction of Lipton’s new advertising campaign for their famous French Onion Dip. (Club 185 doesn't openly admit it, but I'm pretty sure that's their dip recipe!) **[Club 185](http://club185.com/)**—a true neighborhood bar serving since 1954, when it was known as a local 'speak-easy'. Located in German Village, Club 185 features a menu of quality casual comfort food and full bar. From politicians to lawyers, hardhats to hipsters—all find Club 185 the perfect place to tame their hunger and quench their thirst! **PARKING**: I know, brick street parallel parking can be a pain. Two other choices, metered parking along Livingston heading towards Children's Hospital or across the street in the large church lot (park in spaces farthest away from the church entrance doors, closer to the street). **PRE-EVENT**: **HAPPY HOUR (3-5pm)**: Italian drinks and bites at [Cento's happy hour](https://centogermanvillage.com/menus/), nearby.

Join us as we get together to see SIRAT, an Oscar-nominated Best International Film from Spain that follows a father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. Here’s a description, trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A father, accompanied by his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco while searching for his daughter who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. As their search continues, the journey forces them to confront their own limits. The film is directed by Oliver Laxe and stars Sergi Lopez, Bruno Nunez Arjona and Richard Bellamy. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70 BUZZ & ACCLAIM: SIRAT has already won numerous awards, including 4 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, along with the Chicago, Montclair and Toronto International Film Festivals! It also earned a whopping 11 nominations at the 40th Goya Awards, including Best Film and Director, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is earning a stellar 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes which calls it “an unforgettable exercise in tension” and “a brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and we’ll meet inside the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm. Super Tuesday ticket price is just $6.50 (including online fee)! Advance ticket purchase is advised (via Gateway website preferred). Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! This one will be a “movie only” event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

By popular demand, we're reserving a special meeting to watch the Oscars at Studio 35...