Food Festivals

Come the whole time or if you just spend 30 minutes. All are welcome. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own coloring supplies but, if you don't have any, I will have plenty and am happy to share! (coloring books, colored pencils, and markers). Part of the mission of this group is to provide us an opportunity to check out AND SUPPORT local businesses. So, please don't bring any outside food/drinks and, while purchasing something isn't at all a REQUIREMENT to participate in the event, I do strongly encourage you to try something from the vendor :) I look forward to seeing and meeting you there! ***\*\*DISCLAIMER*\*\*** Photos may be taken during the event to be shared here on Meetup so feel free to let me know if you'd like to be excluded from them.

Brisk 3- to 4- mile urban hike starting and ending at the Brig. We will hike to Southwest, before circling back past Bartholdi Park and ending at the Brig for drinks and food. Closest Metro Eastern Market.

Been a while since we all got tacos, so let's go back to Don Tito's! Join us for a fun-filled evening at Don Tito’s rooftop! This is the perfect chance to meet new friends and expand your network in a relaxed, lively atmosphere. 🤝🎉 Enjoy discounted tacos 🌮 ($3 tacos until 9pm) and drinks 🍹 as you mix, mingle, and make new connections. The event kicks off at 6 PM ⏰, offering a vibrant rooftop vibe, great music 🎶, and plenty of tasty options 😋. Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to grow your social circle, this meetup is a great way to connect with like-minded locals. 🗣️🌟 Don’t miss out—grab your friends 👯, bring your energy ⚡, and join us for a memorable night! 🌃🔥 **HH Menu: [https://dontitova.com/happy-hour](https://dontitova.com/happy-hour)** **Transit:** Take the Orange or Silver lines to the Clarendon stop, and it's 1 block over down Wilson Blvd. **Parking:** There's metered parking on Wilson Blvd in front of the place, and on the streets behind the building (N. Irving St, etc).

I enjoyed my first trip here and thought I’d introduce it to you, if you haven’t already been. If you're an early riser and need a wfh break, or you wake later and want to start the day off right, join me for a cup and some light convo. Friendly staff, dedicated parking, but limited seating, so grab a spot now. (No discussions on politics, religion or potentially controversial topics. We're here to relax and have fun. Just be respectful and we'll be alright. Pay your own way, and enjoy!)

Greeting Nerdizens! Let's hang out and celebrate the spring with the emergence of the cherry blossoms! Japan-America Society of Washington DC's Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and this year is their 64th anniversary. There will be live music and dance performances, food, vendors, cosplayers, and a large art and culture area. The event takes place over two days (April 11th and 12th) but this meetup is just for Sunday. It's being held between 7th St NW & 3rd St, Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004. The nearest metro train stops are Archives-Navy Memorial (Green/Yellow line) and south of Judiciary Square (Red line). There's additional information on the website below Right now, tickets are $20 until April 10th. They can be purchased at https://sakuramatsuri.org/ This is a large festival with plenty to do so if you want to venture off to view a particular performance or hangout elsewhere then feel free to explore. This meetup is open-ended so anyone can come and go as you please. I plan to arrive at Archives metro by 11:30am and will wait there until 12 which is when I/we will proceed to enter the festival. If you plan to arrive after 12 then make sure to comment and I will let you know where we are. Hope to see some of you then!

It's Asian festival season!!! This year, there seem to be more than ever, and it gets a little difficult to choose sometimes, but we decided to visit one of the free entry ones in Annandale that we think is sure to have some good street eats. [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588648847995](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588648847995) The event is held in the Eileen Garnett Civic Space area at 7200 Columbia Pike from 3 to 9 PM, though we'll likely only be there the first couple of hours. For the March event, guests were able to park in either the United Baptist Church lot, the Annandale Post Office lot, or the lot at 7203 Columbia Pike, but watch for signage or other announcements from their Facebook page if you want to see specifics about parking for April's event. If you're there more or less at 3 PM, we'll try to post up near the entrance for a little while. If you come a little late, you'll have to rely on message boards to communicate with us. The venue isn't very large, so we shouldn't be too difficult to locate for those who persist. Pro tip: Bring cash just in case any vendor doesn't take electronic forms of payment for any reason. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

The Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. The matsuri boasts four stages of performances (including J-pop, traditional Japanese music and martial arts), alongside hundreds of cultural exhibitors and vendors with Japanese products and food! Click here for more information: [http://www.sakuramatsuri.org/](https://sakuramatsuri.org/) Tickets are $21.20. Click here to purchase: [https://sakuramatsuri.festivalpro.com/form/GjuVsDBdTjUqKJmkncda/0](https://sakuramatsuri.festivalpro.com/form/GjuVsDBdTjUqKJmkncda/0) **Please Note:** We are not the organizers of the festival. Geek Nite Out is a Meetup group that is attending the festival. **--MEETUP INFORMATION--** **MEETING:** We will start to gather outside the entrance at Pennsylvania Ave and 7th St. at 10:15 am. I will be wearing a Geek cap. We'll head into the festival when it opens. Don't worry if you miss us when we're outside the festival. Just message us on Discord when you arrive, and I will post our location along with a what3words link. Learn more about what3words: [https://youtu.be/DLG6WFx3XHQ?si=dRjkpGBNWkIBA1f5](https://youtu.be/DLG6WFx3XHQ?si=dRjkpGBNWkIBA1f5) A #sakuramatsuri channel will be created on the GNO Discord server on the day of the event. It's to be used to help everyone communicate and find the group. Don't post spoilers until after the event. You can join the Discord server here: [https://discord.gg/d4e9MKScVP](https://discord.gg/d4e9MKScVP)[ ](https://discord.gg/d4e9MKScVP)(link should be permanent. Please let me know if it stops working) **METRO:** The Street Festival is next to the Archives Metro Station, along the Green and Yellow Lines.

This dance is in the Great Hall at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Pre-register at [https://www.fsgw.org/event-6549572](https://www.fsgw.org/event-6549572?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEybHhPdGd4SGJ1Nm41MnBmeXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6VplCnKv-afdDkec5r-gmzFUXFIvcFE9MPqB653YDUNlkzcDxvIfp7-3luvg_aem_TPblrNKBE9VOk0_sOJoZYQ) or register at the door *Please note: There is no longer free parking at the Civic Center Parking Garage* Caller: Gabe Popkin Band: Sarah Collins, Marty Frye, and David McKindley-Ward Calling Terms: Larks and Robins Lesson at 7:00pm, Dance is from 7:30pm to 10:00pm Covid Precautions: Masks and vaccinations encouraged but not required

***Let's join together for a fiesta!*** (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) * Taco Bar * Margarita and Beer tasting * Complementary chips and salsa * Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase * Freshly prepared snacks in the deli for purchase * Festive Band/Music **Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: *$15.00 per person (covers 4 Margarita or beer samples and one pass thru the Taco Bar)*** **Where:** [#MarketDistrict](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/marketdistrict?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZXglupYTNnuPXhU3gU2DI9GInOg8OWWSvEJTry0VDGnMwh3tC6LxAkyc13s7j-hzoCa7zpemBLJbwdOAIfL-4l-h-eX3x7UFBl6CgHm1ijsL9C9hR_jWvIa_CNOjxBCQzMpVcaRfKr1LrRukr4nY0KHoqN2w3gXLadSqHBf6hPcBx13ltDk2suI8GhnjfjDOUs&__tn__=*NK-R) (*Grandview Yard*) location. The party room (our private space) will be decorated with both patios open! Adjoining upstairs area also open for over flow and mingling. **After Party:** Sometimes, we head to a venue to hear live music afterwards. LDNL is at Black Swan in Hilliard tonight! Wear your bright colors and cheerful !Salud!

Dinner and dancing

Let’s try this popular Italian restaurant in Reynoldsburg. This is the menu: https://scaliristorante.com/#4e468054-0235-43e2-81c2-44e061341e9e

Join us for pizza and conversation at Vick’s Gourmet Pizza! 🍕 Good slices, good stories, and plenty of laughs around the table. Come hungry, bring your best conversation, and let’s enjoy a relaxed evening with great company. Extra cheese and extra chatter encouraged! 😄

***LOVE SOUP?*** Souper Heroes is back! Folks donate homemade soups and we get to sample and vote on our favorite! Now, put a donation in the collection (or Venmo). Suggested donation to local food pantry: $5+ (depending on how many samples you enjoy) ### April 23: “Spring Fling” As spring starts to bloom, Souper Heroes will embrace fresh, vibrant flavors with the “Spring Fling” event in April. This is your chance to dive into the season with soups that are as colorful and lively as spring itself. Bold ingredients, bright flavors, and a touch of creativity will make this event the perfect celebration of renewal and growth. ### How It Works **Soup Makers:** Bring your A-game (and your pre-heated slow cooker) filled with your best soup. You’ll be serving samples to attendees who are ready to fall in love with your creation. Registration is open now! **Soup Eaters:** For a small donation (cash or Venmo), you can taste up to 15 soups and vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award. The host location will supply all the essentials: extension cords, soup cups, spoons, napkins, and even cup carriers. *Plus, bread and beverages will be on hand to round out the experience.* [Seventh Son](https://www.seventhsonbrewing.com/) brings delicious beer to the city and state that we love—Columbus, Ohio—and offers a unique taproom space to enjoy with our friends and neighbors. Food trucks, live plants, good music, excellent people, award-winning beers, and cocktails.