Poetry

Run starts promptly at 9:45 am and follows a 1.5 mile loop around the lake. Do however many loops you like! Run at your own pace. After the run, we'll meet at the Brew House for a beer or coffee and BREAKFAST pretzels! Those cannot be anything but delicious. See you there.

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

Join us for an enlightening evening at the Meditation Museum - Virginia, where we delve into the transformative power of forgiveness. Our special guest, Lama Tashi, renowned spiritual leader, will guide us through the paths of self-discovery and healing. ***[Lama Tashi Norbu](http://www.lamatashinorbu.org/ "http://www.lamatashinorbu.org/")*** *is a revered Tibetan Buddhist Monk and artist known for blending traditional and contemporary art. Ordained by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, he worked as a Thangka Painter for the 14th Dalai Lama before studying contemporary art in the West. Tashi uses his art to promote an understanding of Buddhism and Tibetan culture. He also engages in meditation, live painting, sand mandala creation, and tattooing. He founded the Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art in the Netherlands and advocates for women's rights in Tibet. His work is internationally recognized, with exhibitions in numerous galleries and museums. His teachings, rooted in the compassionate philosophy of Buddhism, offer profound insights into the art of forgiveness and letting go.* This event is not just a talk, but a transformative experience. Participants will engage in an artistic interactive session, chanting, and guided meditation. Sat., May 9th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/f7lgD](https://shorturl.at/f7lgD)

Greetings Soul Warriors! Let us gather at **2:30 PM** at the Station Market and Cafe and get our poetry on!!! This meeting will consist of banter, reading, and reflecting. Bring a poem you wrote, a poem you love, or just your poetic personality. I look forward to seeing you there ready to participate and share!

Let’s get outside and explore the beautiful Great Falls Park. **No Fees** We’ll take in the stunning river views, walk the scenic trails together, and afterwards head to a nearby spot for our signature sips and bites. The Plan • What: Group Hike + Lunch • Where: Riverbend Park , McLean (about 15 miles from D.C.) • Hike: 11:00 PM Looking forward to a fun and refreshing day outdoors!

Join us for an afternoon learning the dances enjoyed at weddings, parties, clan gatherings, and social events in Scotland and around the world. No experience necessary and you don't need to bring a partner. \*\*\*LIVE MUSIC\*\*\* with David Knight, fiddle, and Janina O'Brien, piano. Please wear soft-soled shoes and bring your water bottle. $15

Meet new friends and enjoy a **medium/low difficulty hike** at Ball’s Bluff Regional Park! This hike focuses on good conversation and fresh air as we hike through wooded trails, with scenic views of the Potomac River. It’s a perfect way to connect with others who love the outdoors and take in the natural beauty of Leesburg during this 3-hour hike. Ball’s Bluff Regional Park is a hidden gem rich in history and natural beauty. The park features winding forest trails, scenic river views, and quiet spots perfect for taking a break or chatting with fellow hikers. Once the site of a Civil War battle, it’s now a serene place to enjoy nature and experience a peaceful escape just minutes from downtown Leesburg. **Meeting Time & Location:** 9:30 AM at the **Ball's Bluff Regional Park Parking Lot**. **Distance:** 5.34 miles (approximately) **Elevation Gain:** 643 feet **Difficulty:** Moderate Hike This hike features natural trails with moderate difficulty, including some elevation gains. We recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes to navigate this terrain comfortably. **Estimated Duration:** 3 hours. **Waitlist Policy** To keep things fair, hikers will be moved off the waitlist in this order: **1\. Regular Hikers:** Those who join hikes often get first priority. **2\. Past Hikers:** Next are returning hikers, based on attendance and cancellation history. Frequent cancellations may lower priority. **3\. New Hikers:** New members will be added as space allows. **Age Requirement:** **Children under 18 are not permitted** to ensure a comfortable experience for all participants. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. **Pace:** Moderate. We'll walk a steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment. **Trail Map:** [Ball's Bluff - 5.34mi loop](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-ball-s-bluff-red-and-orange-loop-0010dae?u=i&sh=mdqqtd) **Restrooms:** Restrooms are not available on this hike. **Lunch After the Hike:** After we wrap up our hike, we invite you to join us for a relaxed lunch together. We'll meet for a casual lunch at **[Vanish Farmwoods Brewery,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RRviGPewRvUmow46A)** *[42245 Black Hops Lane](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RRviGPewRvUmow46A)* *[Leesburg, VA 20176](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RRviGPewRvUmow46A)*

**Mother’s Day at Machu Picchu Restobar** Treat Mom to the best Peruvian cuisine in Ashburn with a side of smooth sounds. 🎷 **Live Saxophonist** starting at 1:00 PM 🍹 **Mom’s First Drink is FREE!** 🍽️ **No Reservations Needed** – Walk-ins only (First come, first served) Make this Sunday special with great food, refreshing cocktails, and the perfect weekend atmosphere. * **The Bar:** Full cocktail menu and Pisco specials available. * **The Atmosphere:** High-energy, loud music, and the best crowd in NoVa. * **Location:** 📍 20020 Ashbrook Commons Plz Unit 117, Ashburn, VA 20147

Consider it cancelled if it’s raining (Sorry, not at that level yet 😬) Maybe one day!

Arrival time: 9:00 am Pedal: 9:15 am. The weather looks to be great for Sunday. The Rides Two routes of varying length and difficulty are available for this ride. Both routes start and end at the same location. Ride A (Some Hills) Distance: 39.0 mi Total Climb: 2,151 ft Max Grade: 6.9% Avg. Pace: 15 to 17 MPH (we may separate into two groups: A1 avg. 17 + mph and A2 avg. 15 to 16 mph) Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28212610 Ride B (Fewer Hills) Distance: 29.8 mi Total Climb: 1434 ft Avg. Pace: 12 - 14 MPH Max Grade: 6.5% Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28212689 All persons participating in this activity accept and/or assume any and all risks of injuries (physical or otherwise) arising from and/or associated with this activity. Notes: * Each person is responsible for loading the route onto to your GPS device or printing your own cue sheet. You can use the links below to download the route map. After the Ride...Pizza! After the ride, we'll meet for refreshing beverages, delicious food, and great conversation at Firework's Pizza. Fireworks Pizza, which is located on Harrison Street SE just 2 blocks north of the W&OD Trail, is well known for their great pizza, yet has an impressive list of non-pizza offerings as well. We will likely arrive at Fireworks pizza between 12:30 and 1:00 pm. Click HERE (http://www.fireworkspizza.com/FireWorksLeesburg.html) to go to the Firework's Pizza web site for more information.

**Ed and Gail's Second Saturday Hustle/West Coast Swing Night** NEW!!! Ed and Gail's Second Saturday Dance will now feature hustle and west coast swing music, by popular demand. Lessons will be taught by guest instructors. Note: We will continue our long-running Fourth Saturday Hustle/West Coast Swing Night with Joyce Szili - So you'll have TWO opportunities per month for hustle and west coast swing dancing! Saturday, March 28 Guest Instructor Shawn Brennan 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm Beginner Hustle 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm Intermediate Hustle 8:30-11:00 pm Dance (Variety) $15 cash, check, or Venmo

Join us for pickles and grilled cheese fest! Pickle and Grilled Cheese Fest is COMING BACK to Bunnyman Brewing Chantilly! 🥒🧀🍻 Mark your calendars, pickle fanatics and cheese lovers! Join us for a briny, boozy blast at Pickle and Grilled Cheese Fest at Bunnyman Brewing! 🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2026 ⏰ Time: 11:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Bunnyman Brewing, Chantilly, VA Get ready to dill with all things fermented and fun! What to Expect: 🥒 Epic Pickle Vendors: Taste unique and artisanal pickles from local makers (spicy, sweet, sour, and more!) 🧀 Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Savory and creative grilled cheese sandwiches to pair perfectly with your brew. 🍻 Bunnyman Brews: Our delicious craft beer lineup will be flowing, featuring special releases perfect for pairing. 🎶 Live Music: Jamming tunes all afternoon

Shut Up & Write meets at Cascades Library in Room D. We hope to see you there! *Shut Up & Write is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Library.*

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

It’s hard to believe our group is 1 year old now! Let’s have another great meetup to enjoy the hobby with each other and have a IFP&P birthday celebration! Note: location may change.

Greetings Soul Warriors! Let us meet at **2:30 PM** at the Station Market and Cafe and get our poetry on! This meeting will consist of chatting, reading, and reflecting. Bring something you wrote, something you love, or just your brilliant mind and your inspirational insights. All levels of familiarity with poetry are welcome - when in doubt, come and find out!

Shut up & Write! meets at the Gum Springs public library room C. We hope to see you there! Shut Up & Write is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Libraries.

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 11am-11:15am: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 11:15am-12:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 12:45pm-1pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. We will be in Room C at Cascades Library. Can't wait to see you! :) Disclaimer: Shut Up & Write! is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Libraries or any other entity.

**Looking for a group you can write with *whilst sipping your fave coffee*?** ☕✍️ Then come join **Shut Up & Write!** on **Saturday, May 23rd from 1:30pm to 4:00pm** at **Ridgetop Coffee & Tea**! Whether you're cranking out a novel, journaling, looking for new friends, or just trying to get that stubborn paragraph right—we’ve got a cozy seat and a supportive group waiting for you! **No critiques, no peer review, no pressure—just a chill space to get words on the page.** 📝 **What to expect:** 1:30–2:00pm – Grab your coffee or tea, find your seat, and meet your fellow writers. 2:00pm–3:30pm – Silent, focused writing time 3:30–4:00pm – Debrief, celebrate any writing wins, commiserate on any obstacles, and head out feeling accomplished. **RSVP Info:** The room seats only 8 people comfortably! RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot!! If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation **ASAP** so those on the wait list are able to RSVP and attend!!! **Meeting Room:** Enter the coffee shop, walk straight towards the play area and on your left you will see a meeting room just past the bathrooms. The room has a TV, white board, and walls are painted green. **What to Bring:** Whatever helps you focus, and be productive. There is a wall outlet at each end of the room, so you're able to bring your laptop to write. You're welcome to bring headphones if you enjoy listening to music while working. **Parking & Accessibility:** there is a large parking lot out front and it is free! There are no stair cases when entering the coffee shop or when inside. This coffee shop is incredibly spacious with many seating options. If you have any questions, please message me through MeetUp. I'm happy to help. **Dietary Information:** many GF, Vegan, and SF options. Just ask your barista when ordering for specifics! Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉 Disclaimer: Shut Up & Write! is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Libraries, City of Sterling or any other external entity or business.