Grassroots Republicans

We are closing down the 6900 block of Laurel Avenue in downtown Takoma Park MD to celebrate spring with live bluegrass music. The SMT advanced bluegrass ensemble class will open the show, then Justin Heath willbe joining Bebe Blumenthal and Cory Chubb to headline. This is a free, family friendly, event with food and drinks available from great local restaurants, and picnic tables where you can enjoy the music and meet your neighbors. Learn more: https://jheathmusic.com/lessons/upcoming-events/takoma-park-bluegrass-block-party/ Co-sponsored by the DC Bluegrass Union, and Main Street Takoma

**Mark your calendar for every third Friday of the month!** Come hang out with fellow freedom-lovers, get the inside scoop on the Liberty Movement in Northern Virginia, and hear what’s brewing with local festivals and upcoming election support. Whether you’ve been part of the cause for years or are just curious about Libertarian ideas, you’re welcome to drop by for food, fun, and lively conversations that keep the spirit of liberty alive!

Bike to Work Day is almost here and Vélocity is once again hosting a stop at Colasanto Park! Join us to welcome cyclists, hand out the official Bike to Work Day t-shirt, and maybe fix a flat or two. It's a great time and other local businesses will be there. Bike to Work Day is a great day to start volunteering too! More info on Bike to Work Day can be found here: https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Friday: Advanced Expression End the work week with high-energy **Advanced Rhythm** from **7:00 PM to 8:30 PM**. This session dives deep into the technicalities of Latin and Ballroom styles like Rumba, Samba, or Mambo, designed for dancers who value precision and artistic expression. For $25, you'll receive intensive instruction that pushes your physical boundaries and refines your competitive or performance edge in a high-vibe atmosphere. **When: Every Friday** **Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.** **1 Dances per month:** **\*Please check the flyer on the group class page for the dance of the month. Or contact us to find out.** **Cost:$25 per person for 90 min.**

Bike to Work Day is almost here and Vélocity is once again hosting a stop at Colasanto Park! **[Support BTWD by signing up here.](https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/pit-stop-locations/pit-stops/alexandria-del-ray/)** Then come to the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Aves. between **6:30-9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15** to get your free 2026 tee shirt and other free stuff from our partners: * *Transportation Federal Credit Union* * *Bagel Uprising* * *South Block* * *MOM's Organic Market* * *Virginia American Water* * *Alexandria Families for Safe Streets* * *Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.* **Sign up to show your support!**

To attend, register at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evening-at-the-embassy-of-kenya-tickets-1988416620639](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evening-at-the-embassy-of-kenya-tickets-1988416620639) – The Majesty of Nairobi – The Beauty of Chyulu Hills – The Wonder of The Mars Tonight, step on foreign soil for a special evening of native authentic Kenyan food, drinks, music, art, diplomats, film, and more! Featuring: A) **Kenyan Food:** Prepared by a native Kenyan chef. B) **Kenyan Beer and other African Beverages:** Sample the best and most unique Kenyan beers as well as other African treasures. C) **Special Kenyan Cultural Presentation:** **D) Diplomatic Greeting:** Hear from the leading Kenyan Diplomats and feel free to schmooze and network with the diplomatic staff, all of whom will be invited to this special evening, and many of whom are expected to attend. **E) Kenyan Art:** Throughout the embassy, the staff has arranged for the presentation of special African artifacts and paintings unseen to most Americans’ eyes. They will be on hand to personally discuss the art’s origins and meaning with you. **F) Kenya Cultural Film:** At your leisure, you are invited to watch recurring films showcasing Kenya’s cities, mountains, borders, landscape, people, tribes, animals, safari tours, everyday culture and much much more. Note: The *event is presented as a cultural event organized by us at the Embassy of Kenya, Your registration fee is used by Things to do DC solely to present diverse cultural events to our membership. No part of the admission fee is related in any way to the Embassy of Kenya or staff at the Embassy of Kenya. We appreciate your support of our event* ## Suggested Attire Smart Casual. Jeans, shorts or sneakers, or plain/design tee shirts are not acceptable. To attend, register at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evening-at-the-embassy-of-kenya-tickets-1988416620639](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evening-at-the-embassy-of-kenya-tickets-1988416620639)

How much do we LOVE COLLECTIVE? So SO MUCH!!!! Come join us for a high energy Friday night on the rooftop in Tysons! The band starts at 6:30. We're going to try and get there early, but it's a work day... Collective returns for the 2026 rooftop season at Starr Hill Biergarten. Best of the 80s, 90s, 2000s and today across rock, pop, pop punk, alt and country music. Voted "Best Local Band" by readers of Arlington Magazine. Your assignment: bring friends - introduce them to our particular brand of fun, and let's get GO. We'll see you on the 11th floor!

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Start your weekend with elegance and poise during our **Beginner’s Ballroom sessions at 10:30 AM and 11:15 AM**. These classes provide a welcoming, family-friendly environment where students of all ages can learn the fundamental steps of classic dances like the Tango and Rumba. Focusing on grace, posture, and the joy of movement, these sessions are **priced at $18 per class,** offering an accessible way to master the "American Smooth" styles in a relaxed morning setting. 10:30 1 American Smooth Dance. 11:15 I American Rhythm Dance. Cost: $18 for 1 Class. $25 for 2 Classes.

**Important: you must go to the Poplar Spring website to [register](https://www.classy.org/team/811995) for the race and [join Team VSDC.](https://www.classy.org/team/811995) (It is very helpful to RSVP here on Meetup as well, for communication purposes.)** Join [Team VSDC](https://www.classy.org/team/811995) as we support the [Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary Annual 5K Run for the Animals and 1-Mile Fun Walk ](https://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/)on Sunday, May 17th. All funds raised will go towards [Poplar Spring's](https://www.animalsanctuary.org/) lifesaving work every day. The funds will care for and feed the farm animals who live at Poplar Spring and educate the public about compassion towards all animals. The VSDC has been a participant in this event for many years. Registration Fee for both the Run and Walk by April 5, 2026: $28.00 April 5 – May 16, 2025: $30.00 Race Day: $35 To join the Team VSDC register [here.](https://www.classy.org/team/811995) More[ info on the 5k run and fun walk is here.](https://www.classy.org/event/poplar-spring-animal-sanctuarys-run-for-the-animals-2026/e766174) If you register on this page, be sure to select "Join a Team" and [choose Team VSDC](https://www.classy.org/team/811995)! There is also a virtual race option that takes place anytime during the week of May 17th. For important updates regularly monitor the "comments" section below. Don't be a no show! If your plans change, update your RSVP. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Come support Velocity's Monthly Warehouse Sale! We'll need help moving bicycles outside the warehouse before 9 a.m. and back inside at 1 p.m. In between, we'll greet customers, help them find bicycles and parts, and ring up their purchases on Square. Feel free to sign up even if you can't volunteer for the whole time. And remember to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Please note that volunteers under 18 are required to have a parent or guardian attend the beginning of their first volunteering session in order to sign a waiver for them, and volunteers under 16 are required to have a parent or guardian present with them during all the time they spend volunteering at Velocity.

We'll walk about 3 miles around Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, visiting preparations for the nation's 250th anniversary, memorials to U.S. leaders, the grotto-like Summer House, the National Botanical Gardens, the Disabled Veterans Memorial, and of course the government buildings where things happen -- or not. The meeting place/start is in front the office building that houses the Sierra Club's DC Chapter, where Potomac Region Outings (PRO) leaders will meet after the hike. **Those planning to attend the potluck lunch and meeting (See separate entry for that meeting) may leave their food, papers and other things in the office.** Sunday parking is available in the area, and the Union Station Metro stop (Red Line) is nearby. Dress for the weather; boots, trekking poles, and survival gear not needed. This guided walk is free, but participants may enjoy the opportunity to donate a modest amount ($2 or so) to defray the costs of training, communications and other elements of the outings program. All hikers, including the leaders, are required to sign the Sierra Club's participation agreement.

Join me for a small, mindful photography walk in nature. (**NOTE Time is 9:00 AM EST(Meetup is having technical Issue))** This is a slow, intentional gathering — not focused on fitness or perfect photography — but on simply pausing, observing, and being present. We’ll walk at a gentle pace, with moments of quiet, and a few light prompts to help you notice details you might normally miss. 📷 You don’t need any photography experience — a phone camera is enough. This is also not a business networking event. It’s a calm space to connect with nature and, if it feels natural, with like-minded people. 🌿 What to expect: • A slow-paced, relaxed walk • Moments of silence and observation • Simple reflection prompts 📍 Location: [ Red Trabue Nature Preserve] ⏱ Duration: \~90 minutes

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

PO Box 21. Is a speakeasy in the basement of Highbanks Distillery in Westerville. Check out the menu: https://www.poboxtwentyone.com/home

Hosted by OSU Extension Summer 2026 Food Preservation Workshops Join Shari Gallup from Ohio State University Extension, for a summer food preservation series at the Bryn Du Mansion. Discover how to safely preserve food at home. Learn basic food preservation methods including pressure canning, water bath canning and drying. June 4 - Water Bath Canning July 9 - Pressure Canning August 6 - Drying Fruits and Vegetables We're excited to once again welcome Shari Gallup from The Ohio State University Extension Office to lead a series of Life Local food preservation workshops. These hands-on sessions are designed to help participants learn practical, time-tested techniques for preserving seasonal foods at home. Registration is not yet open but will be available soon. Stay tuned for details on this wonderful series. Time 5:00 p.m. Location Bryn Du Mansion 587 Jones Road, Granville https://www.bryndu.com/public-events

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

Annie's Wine Cottage in Powell Meet and Greet. Dublin Wine MeetUp is hosting a low-key event to get to know new and old members a little better. During our Meet and Greet, we'll discuss things like future events, type of events we should present, and, Bien Sur, du Vin! See you soon! We will have the back section to gather. Wines are available by Flights, By the Glass or Bottle. Annie's has an array of appetizers to nosh. And, there likely will be Live Music. Enjoy this great spring evening.