Space Exploration

Welcome to our March event. We're delighted to welcome [Matt Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhjwork/), CEO, Rayo, and [Dan Keely](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-keeley/), Principal Data Engineer, Rebura. **Matt** talks about hard-won AWS lessons on keeping cloud costs under control - plus a real “oops” story of how one small mistake can blow up your bill (and how to stop it happening again). **Dan** talks shares how hardware-style production thinking makes your data platforms more reliable, maintainable, and cheaper to run A big thank you to our sponsors [The Scale Factory](https://rebrand.ly/scalefactory) and [Cloudscaler](https://rebrand.ly/cloudscaler)! **Programme:** **18:00:** Arrival, registration **18:15:** Talks start **20:00:** Networking with food and a drink provided by the generosity of our sponsors. **Talk 1:** ***When things go wrong: Managing cost in the cloud with Matt Johnson.*** There are lots of sessions that talk about the theory of cost management and tooling available on AWS, but far less look at the real world challenges of using them in production, as well as the rough edges they have - not to mention what happens when things go wrong! In this session Matt will cover some of the hard lessons learned from working with AWS over the last 14 years, with a real-world example of how a simple mistake can cause problems, and how to avoid them in future. The presentation is aimed at both those new to AWS and to veterans of the platform, and also includes practical guidance on how to improve your cost management on AWS. Matt has been using AWS since 2011, including 8.5 years at AWS in the public sector tech org. He has presented at 6 separate re:Invents and dozens of other events, covering a wide range of topics. Now as CEO of Rayo, Matt continues to help customers deliver mission outcomes using cloud technology. **Talk 2:** ***Predictable Designs in Data Engineering on AWS with Dan Keeley.*** What if we treated data engineering systems the way world-class hardware teams treat products headed for mass production? John Teel (Texas Instruments) has spent years taking complex hardware from prototype to dependable, high-quality production at scale. In this talk, Dan borrows those “production-grade” principles - predictability, repeatability, and ruthless attention to failure modes, and translates them into practical patterns for building data platforms on AWS. This is less about any single AWS service and more about building data systems that behave consistently, even as requirements, volumes, and teams change. **What you’ll learn:** Attendees will leave with practical, reusable approaches they can apply immediately: * How to make systems maintainable * How to keep costs efficient without heroics * How to borrow best practices across engineering disciplines Dan is a community driven data engineer and now c-level team builder working with a wide range of Data technologies in the cloud. He is on the steering group for the biggest tech conference in London - BigDataLDN. He has won a number of awards, including being named in the top 50 data leaders and influencers in the UK. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you are interested in speaking at one of our events please check out our [call for papers here](https://awsuguk.org/call-for-papers/). We are advocates for greater inclusion & diversity in UK Tech and are especially keen to receive talk submissions from people in underrepresented groups. If you are interested in speaking at a future meetup but would like to discuss what to expect or need assistance please contact our Inclusion & Diversity Lead Natalie Gray - graynataliej@gmail.com or DM her [@natjgray](https://twitter.com/natjgray) Check out our [website](https://awsuguk.org) for more information about our community. Remember to follow us [@AWSUserGroupUK](https://twitter.com/AWSUserGroupUK) and on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aws-ug-uk) for the latest updates and you can find videos of our past meetups on [YouTube](http://bit.ly/2dZnvEE). If you want to chat with other members, join our [Community Discord Server](https://discord.gg/yMa8Rvtsmy).

Please read the full description! **Spanish Conversational Club** **Club de conversación en ESPAÑOL** **How does it work?** The Spanglish club is for all people wanting to improve their Spanish outside of a class room. Depending on numbers, there are going to be groups of max 6 people, the groups will be Beginners (A2), Intermediate and Advance. Each group will have a Spanish native speaker who can help you with your Spanish :) We will first meet our table amig@s and socialise, then we will make a fun and interesting activity for you to have a better Spanish speaking experience. Please book only if you are 100% sure to attend as there will be other Spanglishers waiting for you. **Where? Time?** Royal Festival Hall Riverside Bar Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX 19:30 to 21:00 **Google Maps:** **[https://maps.app.goo.gl/8ZY6zDymAM7M6Lju5](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8ZY6zDymAM7M6Lju5)** **Note:** We will be at the front of the Riverside Bar. Although, this might change depending on tables’ availability. Please look for Spanglish Flag/t-shirt or simply call us +447870776718. We don’t have a private area, we’ll be at a public space. There will be public noise. You can join the **Whatsapp [https://chat.whatsapp.com/LSUpj7m1tCZ2Vj86dmJR76](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LSUpj7m1tCZ2Vj86dmJR76)** for the latest updates. **How much does it cost?** £10 Your attendance is confirmed once you have booked in this website and paid in our online store. Store: **[https://www.spanglish-lc.com/page/events](https://www.spanglish-lc.com/page/events)** FREE for Native Spanish Speakers. Únete! No pagas por el evento :D **Why should I come?** You should come if you want to be immersed in a Spanish conversation with native speakers for 90 mins and more! You should also come if you want to make new friends and learn about different cultures at the same time. **Can we have a drink during the session?** Of course, it is all about feeling comfortable and we all know that a drink help us with fluency, there is a coffee shop and a bar at the center. **Can I suggest topics or just make an open suggestion?** Of course, just bring your suggestions to the session or send us an email. Your event planner will ensure your suggestion has the right execution. We are here to help and provide you guys with the best environment possible for you to have fun and improve your Spanish speaking. **Note:** This event is not suggested for beginners A1 Zero Spanish learners. Please get in touch if you need some lessons. **Suggestions or Qs** Just drop me a WhatsApp, message or email. Our events are advertised on different platforms. For this event we expect around 20 people. **[Whatsapp](https://wa.me/message/VHD2GRUCYYBDP1),** Calls or MSNs **[+447870776718](https://wa.me/message/VHD2GRUCYYBDP1)** **Instagram** and **Facebook** as **[@spanglishlc](https://www.instagram.com/spanglishlc/)** We have more events and great teachers to enhance your learning, check all our **[events](https://www.spanglish-lc.com/events), [courses](https://www.spanglish-lc.com/learning)**[ ](https://www.spanglish-lc.com/learning)and **[teachers.](https://www.spanglish-lc.com/learning)**

For our March meetup, we're back at the fabulous Accurx offices. We have two excellent talks lined up, the agenda will be: * 6:30pm - arrive, drinks, networking * 7:00pm - Welcome & Housekeeping * 7:15pm - **Talk 1: "Devops 2014 Revisited - a Dozen Years of Noise and Confusion"** It is 11th February 2014, a nervous Andy Burgin takes the stage at Agile Yorkshire and begins to share the current thinking from the burgeoning DevOps movement. Fast forward 12 years: DevOps is different — or is it? During a recent clear-out at chez Burgin, an old, forgotten laptop was discovered discarded between a box of floppy disks and a collection of old Computer Shopper magazines. While the laptop was no longer functional, a painstaking data recovery process rescued the files on its hard drive via a collection of old adaptors and half-working wires. Among the files saved from the Wakefield Council recycling centre was a copy of the very PowerPoint deck presented at that meetup 12 years earlier. But what was in this digital "time capsule"? What happened to DevOps? What did it become? Is it now a tool, a job title, or did something "bad" happen to it? Are the thoughts shared over a decade ago still relevant today? Join Andy as he looks at how we travelled from DevOps to Cloud, SRE, Platform Engineering, Team Topologies, Developer Experience, and VibeOps - Most importantly, we'll explore what the future of DevOps can learn from its past. **Speaker:** Andy Burgin, Principal Platform Engineer @ Flutter UK and Ireland *Andy is a Principal Platform Engineer at Flutter UK and Ireland. He considers himself a Kubernetes, AI and DevRel fettler, spending far too much of his spare time running software in containers that really shouldn't be. He is a small part of the organising team for DevOpsDays London and ran the DevOps meetup in Leeds for almost a decade hosting over 50 events. He’s attended and has spoken at a bunch of DevOps conferences and in his own words is an "all-round DevOps nuisance".* * 7.45pm - food, more drinks & networking * 8.00pm - **Talk** **2: "Navigating From Tension to Flow: A Human-Centred Guide to Overcoming Misalignment"** Behind every stalled project, missed milestone, or unclear decision is a story of tension between what people want, what’s needed, and what’s possible. But tension isn’t failure. It’s feedback. This talk explores how to recognize and respond to tension using Team Topologies principles, flow first thinking, and a healthy dose of human insight. We’ll show how organizational patterns, team boundaries, and interaction modes can either amplify or ease misalignment — and how trust, empathy, and bold conversation are just as important as structure, if not more so. Packed with real-world examples, this session blends organizational design with emotional intelligence to help you design for flow — and for people. **Speakers:** Faye Benfield, Product Leader, Independent & Rich Allen, Fast Flow Facilitator @ Conjurer *Faye Benfield is a Product Leader with over 15 years experience in product management, agile delivery and digital transformation. Specialising in helping organisations adopt product practices, Faye has a proven track record of embedding product teams, evolving ways of working, and aligning stakeholders to achieve strategic goals. Faye has held leadership roles, including Head of Product and Delivery at Parkinson’s UK and Head of Product at Comic Relief, where she spearheaded digital transformation initiatives and cultivated effective, people-centred teams. As a consultant at Armakuni, she combined hands-on coaching with practical tools and techniques to help clients navigate the complexities of product delivery, with a focus on balancing human dynamics and practical constraints.* *Rich Allen is a sociotechnical architect, consultant and creator of User Needs Mapping, a practical technique for aligning teams around what matters. With over 20 years’ experience across software engineering, technical leadership, and organisational design, Rich helps organisations reduce friction, clarify boundaries, and improve flow by working outside-in from real user needs. He was a foundational contributor to the development and teaching of Team Topologies, helping shape the core materials now used in Team Topologies training and consulting worldwide. Rich is the author of User Needs Mapping: Aligning Teams Around What Matters.* * 8.30pm onwards - drinks and networking. So, please come and join us, we look forward to seeing you there. The LOPUG team. * Food and drinks provided * Good time will be had by all

Hi Balancers 👋 Forget the midweek slump. This week we’re launching something a little different. Instead of the usual big Saturday crowd, this is a relaxed space where it’s easy to meet a few new faces after work. Shuffleboard will be there, but honestly **it’s just the excuse**. The Plan: **19:15 – Meeting point** Meet outside King’s Cross Station, in the square by Black Sheep Coffee. From there we’ll walk to the venue together. A relaxed chance to say hello before the evening begins. **20:00 – Shuffleboard rounds** Our host will split everyone into teams for a few friendly rounds. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to get people talking. **The Challenge** Beat the hosts at shuffleboard and your team wins a **free drink for this Saturday’s Balancers event.** After the games we’ll stay around in the bar for food, drinks and more conversation. ✨ **Pro Tips:** **\- WE RELEASE ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF SPOTS ON MEETUP\. FOR FULL AVAILABILITY\, HEAD OVER TO [THE BALANCERS APP.](https://onelink.to/balancers)** **\- Stay connected:** [Join our ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[WhatsApp group \[here\]](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[ for last-minute updates.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O) **\- Coming alone?** Most people do. You don’t need a plus-one to have a great night. We make it easy to start those first conversations so you can connect with the room naturally. *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Inclusivity, Kindness and Authenticity.* *Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

On Wednesday 11th March at 6:30pm, we will be having a Midweek Coffee Evening! It's a chance to meet and chat with others in the group in a relaxed setting over a hot drink. On the day, come up to the cafe on the 5th floor, grab a drink and come and join us. The cafe closes at 8:00pm and the bookshop closes at 9:00pm. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) or email: [general@cultureseekers.org](general@cultureseekers.org) ***On the day, if you can’t make the trip, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** ***Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing - [https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

**LOLCHOIR SPRING TERM 2026** [Sessions on Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30pm] **From March to May** (9 dates in total) \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- March: 4, 11, 18, 25 April: --, 8, 15, 22, 29 May: **6** \* Recording on last session We are very excited to start our Spring Term 2026 after a short break from our End of the Year concert in December 2025! Everything is ready for a term with a great selection of varied and beautiful tunes. During our sessions we will learn several songs from the Latin American and Spanish Folk tradition. You **don't** need to speak the language to sing it. Lyrics are provided. We will be exploring different rhythms, styles, melodies and themes with the selected tunes for this term. The learning process is done by ear. Lyrics & translations are provided as well as audio guide files and occasional scores if at all used. ☛ SESSIONS: IN PERSON & ONLINE (Hybrid) Most people are joining the sessions in person but the option of joining online via Zoom is still available since the pandemic. \* Link will be provided on request. ☛ We meet on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. * The learning process is done by ear. * Lyrics & translations are provided as well as audio guide files and scores (depending on the tune) * ☛ FEE: People contribute with £12 or £9 (concessions) per session with PayPal, Bank Transfer, etc. *[Little promotion: £100 when paying for the 9 sessions upfront]* ☀️ PAYMENT LINK: http://www.menjuramusic.com/payment.html or 🌀 REGISTER & PAYMENT LINK: (if you haven’t registered before) http://www.menjuramusic.com/choirs-reg-and-payment.html ☛ WHERE When in person, we meet at a community centre near Chancery Lane or Farringdon Station. Allen Hall Portpool Lane London, EC1N 7AA \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this far! Please get in touch if you have any question, comment, suggestion, etc., or even if you just want to say hello. I look forward to seeing you on this Wednesday! Best wishes, Camilo 😊 facebook.com/menjuramusic facebook.com/lolchoir

Have you ever wanted to gather together and talk about insightful topics which broadens your thinking and knowledge? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to the ‘Deep conversations’ event where you get the opportunity to share your views based on the topics that we may cover. The last time this was executed, it not only went well but we managed to learn from one another which broadened our thinking. With this particular event, the topics we’ll discuss are: * What do you define as a career in life? * Education then vs education now * Is school even worth it? * The stages of life via work and why it’s too common * If you had the power, what would you change about the educational system and in life? * What do you appreciate about education and how does it inspire you in life? We get so preoccupied with daily life that we hardly have a chance to sit back and think as well as discuss many topics in such depth. When was the last time you sat back and thought about anything in depth which opened your eyes to so many possibilities and broadened your thinking? Now is your chance to share your views and learn from one another. By participating in this, you could broaden your ways of thinking, learn new lessons or even heal if you have your hidden struggles. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy WHAT - Deep conversations
WHERE - Ole and Steen https://maps.app.goo.gl/XiVFwhjuqDH7oSadA?g_st=ipc
WHEN - 6:45pm - 9pm
MEETING POINT - Inside Ole & Steen
NEAREST STATION - Leicester Square station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour and respect on one’s opinions. PRECAUTIONS - This event is capped so if you do RSVP but can’t make it, please change it to ‘not going’ so it enable others willing to attend to be marked as ‘going’. If you do mark yourselves as going, don’t change your RSVP and don’t attend, the next time another event such as this takes place and you rsvp, you will be marked as ‘not going’ as it’s possible you may make commit the same action. Please be mindful about the opportunities for others who are willing to attend. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

**DevOps Not Dead: In-Person Event on DevOps, Platform & Cloud in LONDON** Conference focused on modern DevOps, platform engineering, and cloud infrastructure. It brings together engineers, SREs, and platform teams to share practical experience in CI/CD, Kubernetes, automation, cloud architecture, reliability, and operating production systems at scale. **🎤 [Speakers & Topics](https://devopsnotdead.com/2026-london-q1/)** **🎟 [Tickets](https://luma.com/devopsnotdead-2026-london-q1?from=embed)** Get your ticket — 50% OFF with promo code: MEETUP50

**SREday: In-Person Event on SRE, DevOps & Cloud in LONDON** Conference focused on Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), DevOps, and cloud infrastructure, bringing together engineers, platform teams, and leaders to share real-world experience building, scaling, and operating reliable production systems. 🫆[Speakers & Topics](https://sreday.com/2026-london-q1/) 🎟 [Tickets](https://luma.com/sreday-2026-london-q1?from=embed)

**You must register to attend:** [https://luma.com/d04bupgn](https://luma.com/d04bupgn) ​Attention London agent tinkerers and curious humans 🤖✨ ​Come join us for **ClawClub AI Agents Hackday** \- a bring\-your\-laptop afternoon for playing with AI agents\, agent UX \(AUX\)\, OpenClaw\, Moltbot\, or any agent idea you’ve been meaning to try\. ​No talks. No demos. Just tables, power, Wi-Fi, snacks, a shared scratchpad, and maybe a place where agents can hang out together. * ​​**bring a laptop 💻** * ​bring an agent (or curiosity) 🤖 * ​​register quick to avoid disappointment! 🎟️ * £10 ​​ticket price covers food, drinks & venue costs 🍴 * ​​hosted at [Newspeak House](https://newspeak.house/), The London College of Political Technology 🏛️ **You must register to attend:** [https://luma.com/d04bupgn](https://luma.com/d04bupgn)

🚨 Spoiler alert: We built the space we couldn’t find. A place where you show up alone, say hi first, and meet new people naturally. We celebrate the curious and the hungry—if you’re ready to expand your circle, you’re in the right place. Ps. You can check us out on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/)🚨 🎉 Get ready for another Social at The Folly! **To get the full experience, just [download our app 📲](https://onelink.to/balancers)—you’ll be able to connect with others, grab the best ticket deals, track the rewards you win, and relive the night through our photo gallery.** Here\`s the plan: 🔥 **7:30 PM – Spark Conversation Begins** Head to the welcome desk to grab your **Spark Conversation game**—your key to breaking the ice in a fun and effortless way! Play the challenge, connect with new people, and **win golden coins for free drinks!** ✨ **Keep the connections going!** ***[Download our app](https://onelink.to/balancers)*** to track your rewards and stay in touch with the people you meet after the event! 🎲 **9:00 PM – Choose Your Vibe:** * **Games Area:** Jump into **silly, lighthearted games—no skills needed!** just jump in, have a laugh, and win prizes! Every week, we feature a **new game** to keep things fresh and fun. 🎉 * **Mingling Zone:** Prefer a relaxed vibe? Grab a drink, chat, and connect in a more laid-back setting. * **Beer Pong & Jenga:** Feeling playful? Challenge someone to a **fun match** and enjoy some friendly competition. * **Welcome Desk:** Need help? Our friendly hosts are here for you! 🎶 **10:00 PM – The Night Turns Up** The vibe picks up! The DJ sets the mood with timeless tunes and crowd favourites, keeping the energy high. Whether you're singing along, swaying to the rhythm, or just soaking in the atmosphere, let the music bring the night to life! ✨ **Pro Tips:** ✅ Start early with **Spark Conversation** to meet people right away. ✅ Explore different areas and find the vibe that suits you. ✅📲 **Download our free [app](https://onelink.to/balancers)** to **track your rewards from the games** throughout the night and stay connected with the people you meet after the event. ### **Important Reminders:** 🔹 **After-party?** Bring your **ID!** 🔹 **Stay connected:** [Join our ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[WhatsApp group \[here\]](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[ for last-minute updates.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O) 🔹**Many attendees join via our app, so the Meetup ‘Going’ list only shows part of the crowd.** 🔹 **Coming alone?** Most people do. You don’t need a plus-one to have a great Saturday. Our hosts are on the floor to get you involved in the games and challenges as soon as you arrive. We make it easy to start those first conversations so you can connect with the room naturally. *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity.* *Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

Hello and welcome to our joint **Cloud Platform Engineering London x Platform Engineering Leaders x Data & AI Leaders** meetup. This special crossover event brings together platform engineers, data and AI leaders, architects, SREs, and technology executives exploring how agentic AI systems intersect with modern platform engineering in regulated financial services environments. We are delighted to host this event at Lloyd's Banking Group in London. **Speakers & Sessions:** Panel: Agentic AI in the Enterprise Speakers: * Joseph Reeve, Growth, ElevenLabs * Chris Parsonson, CEO, Solve Intelligence * Joanna Crown, Director of Data, Moonpig * Sultan AI Awar, Solutions Architect (Digital Natives) at Databricks * Moderator: Ethan Sumner, Co-Founder & CEO at Community Stack Session: Agentic AI in Practice: How LBG is delivering scalable business value through AI Description: This session highlights LBG’s enterprise approach to scale Agentic AI, showing how the Group has built a scalable and safe foundation for Agentic AI through investments in data & AI platforms, governance frameworks, reusable agentic patterns, and AI upskilling for colleagues. Speakers: * Astitva Karunesh - AI Business Lead, AI CoE, Lloyds Banking Group * Lara Vomfell - Senior Data & AI Scientist, AI CoE, Lloyds Banking Group **Agenda:** 18:00 — Arrival and refreshments 18:30 — Welcome and introduction — Ethan Sumner 18:35 — Agentic AI in Practice - LBG 19:10 — Break 19:20 — Agentic AI in the Enterprise 20:00 — Close and networking We are always keen to hear from: • Speakers • Hosts • Sponsors If you would like to speak, sponsor, or host a future event, please reach out to [Ethan Sumner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/) via LinkedIn. These communities form part of the [Community Stack](https://www.meetup.com/pro/generative-ai-uk-community/) ecosystem and follow the [Community Stack Code of Conduct](https://www.communitystack.io/code-of-conduct) and [Privacy Policy,](https://www.communitystack.io/privacy-policy) ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

Earth and Sky Adventures at Sweet Run State Park generally begins with a short evening hike along with family friendly activities in the Education Building (Red barn). This is followed by astronomical viewing led by members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club. See link below for scheduled times, and contact Jim Crowley at [uuplink@aol.com](mailto:uuplink@aol.com) for any questions. [Sweet Run State Park](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run)

Food is one of the most meaningful ways to experience culture — and Ethiopian cuisine is rooted in community, tradition, and bold, layered flavors. Join the Global Food & Culture group as we gather at Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant to explore traditional dishes served on injera. If you’re open to sharing, we can create a few shared platters so everyone can sample a variety of dishes — but individual ordering is perfectly fine too. Enatye is a small restaurant and does not make reservations so they recommended the 2-4 pm time frame. We’re initially capping this at 12 guests to keep the experience comfortable and conversational. If interest is strong and the restaurant can accommodate, we may open additional spots. The good news is that they will bill each of us separately! Come hungry. Come curious. And come ready to connect around the table.

**NEW DETAILS! SEE BELOW FOR LUNCH PLANS AND MOVIE TIME!** **Monday, March 24** Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – One Loudoun 20575 East Hampton Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147 Can’t make the **March 16 early screening**? No worries — the universe has provided a **second launch window**. Join Liane and your DTs friends for another opportunity to see *Project Hail Mary*, this time at **Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in One Loudoun** — with lunch beforehand! ### Lunch **Matchbox – One Loudoun** 44720 Thorndike Street, Ashburn **12:30 PM** [https://www.matchboxrestaurants.com/one-loudoun](https://www.matchboxrestaurants.com/one-loudoun) We’ll gather for lunch before heading over to the theater. Matchbox offers wood-fired pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and more — a perfect place to fuel up before our mission. ### Movie **Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – One Loudoun** 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn **2:10 PM showing** [https://drafthouse.com/theater/one-loudoun](https://drafthouse.com/theater/one-loudoun) Tickets are **discounted on Tuesdays — just $7**. You may purchase tickets in advance or buy them at the theater to avoid the online convenience fee. Participants are welcome to join us for **lunch, the movie, or both**. Whether you missed the first launch or just want another trip into deep space, here’s your chance to gather with your tribe and help save the universe.

Sci-fi convention

Gamers only interested in ai ar war strategy only

Sci-fi convention