Cultural Heritage

Join Nordic Culture and Language Exchange for a karaoke party where we’ll sing hits from popular artists from the Nordic countries as well as Nordic -Americans! Practice your Eurovision favorites or songs from Nordic singers/bands who have made the charts in the US like Zara Larsson and Roxette from Sweden, Lukas Graham and Mø from Denmark, Ylvis, Kygo, and a-ha from Norway, and Daði and Of Monsters and Men from Iceland. If you know any Finnish metal, bring it on! Of course, we’ll sing some ABBA too! We’ll be celebrating the 7-Year Anniversary of this Meetup Group, so feel free to dress in party/ABBA/Eurovision-inspired style! Learning a few songs in the Nordic languages ahead (or at least some lyrics/the chorus) is highly encouraged, but not required. The current plan is to meet at the Wok and Roll Karaoke rooms in Chinatown next to Capital One Stadium, but if their new karaoke club in Dupont Circle is open by 24 January, we’ll change to that venue (watch for email notifications).

DATE CHANGE: Due to likelihood of a huge snowstorm, this event is now on SATURDAY, JAN. 24, not Sunday, Jan. 25. Imagine how rich you'd be -- and how much art you could buy -- if you owned Samsung. Now, come see it in person at this extraordinary, exquisite exhibition of Korean art that hardly ever leaves South Korea. Discover Korea's Mark Rothko, Kim Whanki, or fall in love with the cool green shades of serene Korean ceramics, or smile at the slightly imperfect perfection of a Korean moon jar. Or, just come to see Molly in full nerd mode -- she ADORES Korean art! It'll be a good time. MEET AT: Outside the front main entrance (the one facing the National Mall) to the museum. Look for Molly with the rainbow LAL sign. COST: FREE! NEAREST METRO: Smithsonian (orange/blue/silver lines) Collecting is a timeless passion—an enduring way to preserve memories, express one’s taste, and safeguard traditions for generations to come. *Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared* honors this practice by presenting a remarkable selection of masterpieces generously donated to the Korean nation by the family of Lee Kun-Hee, the late chairman of Samsung Group. Spanning ancient times to the present, the works featured in this exhibition embody the depth and diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy. Once held in private, these treasures now belong to the public, reflecting the Lee family’s profound commitment to preserving Korea’s cultural heritage and making it accessible to all. The objects on view were originally created for a range of settings, including royal palaces, Buddhist temples, Confucian academies, scholars’ studios, and modern art spaces. Together, the works trace the evolution of Korean innovation, revealing shifts in style, power, belief, and technology over time. In *Korean Treasures*, the voices of those who made, used, and collected paintings and objects are displayed through letters, inscriptions, and dedications—offering glimpses into their lives and insights into the meanings these objects held before and now.

Ciao Amici! Let us speak Italian and grab a drink or two. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. Ci vediamo! ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. Rules to abide : 1\. Event is 21\+ \(bring ID\)\. 2\. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well\. 3\. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible\. 4\. If you don't speak the other person's required language\, LEAVE THEM ALONE\. 5\. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion\. 6\. This is a face\-to\-face language exchange event\. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting\, by using the comment box or direct message\. 7\. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box\. Since it sends notification to all attendees\. If you have any questions\, send a message to the organizers\. Don't write in the comment box\. 8\. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation\. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event\. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via \(info@merevents\.com\)\. 9\. When you get there\, we will greet you and take you to your respective group\. 10\. Don't be shy of your local languages\. We have diplomates assigned to different countries\, who would love to practice your languages\. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\.
 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

**Saturday, January 24 is Local Quilt Shop Day — come** **[celebrate with Artistic Artifacts in-person](https://www.facebook.com/events/1051325833834406)[!](https://www.facebook.com/events/1051325833834406)** We will have quilting and product demonstrations throughout the day plus a 15% in-store discount. Stop in before the snow starts and get supplies for a new sewing or mixed media project! [Voting for the 2026 Local Quilt Shop contest](https://www.lqscontest.com/vote/) also **begins that day!** What a thrill to be recognized in 2025 with one of the inaugural Creative Hub Awards and to repeat as the Virginia Regional Winner for the second year in a row! **With your votes and kind comments, we can reach our goal of being the USA Grand Prize Winner in 2026!**

Come Craft with us at either the MLK Library or the Kogod atrium of the Portrait Gallery. There are generally knitters/crocheters/needle workers in both places. Our success has made us a fairly large group so we are meeting in both places on Saturdays. Don't let the lack of RSVPs stop you, they aren't required, nor is membership to our group. Bring your project and join a boisterous group of crafters in first floor of either building.

**CANCELED because of weather. To be rescheduled.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join Flurut for their debut concert - a vibrant evening of music and dance from the heart of Jämtland, Sweden! Flurut is Göran Olsson (fiddle), Ellen Bartlett (fiddle), Andrea Larson (fiddle), Marko Packard (guitar, saxophone, flute), and Charlie Pilzer (bass, organ). Sunday, January 25th in Silver Spring, MD. Doors open at 6:30, concert at 7:30pm. Bring some snack/drink to share. Please contact [phllsdrrck@gmail.com](mailto:phllsdrrck@gmail.com) to reserve your spot and for the address. Dance floor opens during the second half of the program - don't forget your dance shoes! As this is a residential neighborhood, please consider carpooling. Donations are welcome. We look forward to seeing you! [More FSGW Concerts](https://fsgw.org/concerts)

Out-and-back, go-at-your-own-pace hike of 10.2 miles on former right-of-way of a historic railroad through lovely wooded sections of Northwest DC, with an optional indoor lunch stop in Bethesda, MD. Total of 350 feet of elevation climbed on a few hills, at your own pace. [https://www.cctrail.org/points_of_interest](https://www.cctrail.org/points_of_interest) Level: Moderate 10 miles: Allow min. 4 hours for this hike. Meet at Fletcher's Boat House - 4940 Canal Rd, NW We meet by 9:30 am on the first/upper parking lot for registration. If there is no room in the first parking lot when you enter, proceed through the tunnel under the canal to a much larger parking lot, then walk back up the stairs/bridge to the meeting point. There are bathrooms there. Dress in warm layers, bring (hot) water, snacks and or lunch ...plus anything you might need for balance and to stay warm. Leaders: Rob Anderson 202-258-1010 and Vicky Hsu 240-370-7011 **ONE DAY HIKE** Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the [One Day Hike](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/304791832/) (ODH)—100 or 50 km along the C&O Canal—on May. 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s [Meetup page](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/) for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see [volunteering opportunities](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/304792694/) . For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io. **SCPRO DONATION:** A voluntary $2.00 donation per event is appreciated. You may donate via PayPal by sending money to ECommerce@SierraPotomac.org using “For friends and family” as payment type, or in cash at the event. You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the Virginia Chapter's [website](http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia).

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/shape-sip-a-queer-clay-social)]** Bring your curiosity and creative spark! Lesbifriends Travel invites you to *Shape & Sip*, a queer clay social where we trade wine glasses for clay slabs and build something beautiful together. Whether you're sculpting your first coffee mug or just vibing with community energy, this event is all about creation and fun. No experience needed, just come ready to play, sip, and shape your Saturday with us. **Event Details You Should Know:** 📅 **Date:** Saturday, January 24, 2026 ⏰ **Time:** 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 📍 **Location:** Moonlight Studios in Beltsville, MD 💸 **Cost:** $40 **What to Expect:** 🎨 Hands-on clay fun with guidance (Take home what you create) 🍷 Wine to sip while you sculpt 💖 A cozy, safe space for queer creativity **Who This Event Is For:** Queer BIPOC folks who want a chill, artsy Saturday full of laughter, new Lesbifriends, and feel-good vibes. ✨ Lesbifriends Travel invites you to create art, feel joy, and be connected. Learn more details and claim your spot here: **[Shape & Sip](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/shape-sip-a-queer-clay-social)**! **Booking deadline is January 14, 2026.** **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

Greetings from the capital! Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people from all walks of life — students, diplomats, travelers, locals — gather to unwind and connect. [[[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gf89PPYe3RMAK6Z7SGf5or)]] Our age range is mostly 20s to 30s. If you enjoy discussing culture, politics, travel, or just want to practice a new language, this group is for you. A perfect blend of diversity and dialogue, right in the heart of D.C.

**Zen & Zest: Japanese Art & Culture Workshops** **Unlock the secrets to perfectly whisked, delicious Matcha!** **When:** Sunday, 8 Feb 2026, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM **Where:** Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 **Registration** is **Online Only** at: [https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6471015](https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-6471015) **Details:** This immersive class teaches you the precise techniques for brewing, along with proper care for your tools. You'll leave with your very own Matcha set and the knowledge to find peace and flavor at home. While we sip, enjoy quiet mini-discussions on intriguing Japanese cultural mysteries. Master the art of Matcha and bring daily tranquility into your life! This class includes the Kit. Children are welcome but must be registered and accompanied by a parent or guardian if under 12. Hope to see you there!

This is an easy level hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail with views of the Potomac River. We weave in and out of the forest with scenic views of Maryland and Virginia The meeting location for this program is at the parking area of Fort Marcy along the GW Parkway. Directions below. *** WHAT TO WEAR: * Comfortable, well-broken-in, sturdy walking shoes or ankle-high boots. * Protective clothing should include: * Long comfortable loose fitting pants * A cotton blend shirt provides for better perspiration and comfort * Dress in layers for warmth and comfort *** WHAT TO BRING: * Water canteen or bottle filled with water (at least 1 quart, bring what you feel you can carry or need to drink) *** WHERE TO MEET: Meet in the Fort Marcy Parking area onloing the GW Parkway. Please note you can only get there on the northbound side. It is approx. 4 miles from Roosevelt Island and the right turn into the parking lot comes up very quickly once you see the sign for Fort Marcy from the GW Pkwy. Marcia, 301-352-5272 IMPORTANT: Your RSVP to this hike assumes the following Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility, and Release of Liability. Fresco Adventures, a program of Fresco Enterprises, LLC is the sponsor of arrangements for this activity and is not responsible for any damage, loss, injury, or accident due to any act by the participants. Note: There are elements of risk in any activity associated with the outdoors and the use of any related equipment. Although precautions are taken to provide proper organization and suitable equipment so that you have a safe and enjoyable experience, there can be no guarantee of absolute safety against injury and accident. Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility and Release: I recognize the apparent risks of this activity which I and any minor children for which I am responsible, will engage in and confirm that I am mentally and physically capable of participating in the activity. I participate willingly and voluntarily, and I assume full responsibility for any personal injury. I hereby release Fresco Enterprises, LLC, its principals, agents, or volunteers from all liability and waive any claim for damage arising from any cause whatsoever.

Let's chat! The purpose of this event is to meet and connect with like-minded investors and to grow our network. Great opportunity to network with investors, lenders, brokers, operators and business leaders. We can all share what we want and need as well as help and bring value to the rest of the community. We will meet at the Ono Brewing Company, 4520 Daly Dr. Ste 102 Chantilly, VA 20151

**\*\*\*This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:** **https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/\*\*\*** Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure! Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value. Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever! ***We visit:*** * Stockholm * Kiruna (Lapland) * Helsinki * Copenhagen (optional extension) ***The trip includes:*** \* 2 nights in Stockholm \* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment \* 4 nights in Kiruna \* 3 nights in Helsinki \* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki \* Arrival and departure transfers \* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki \* Boat ride in Stockholm \* Food tasting in Helsinki \* Breakfast daily \* 2 dinners and 3 lunches \* Northern Lights Tour \* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour \* Full-Day Reindeer Tour \* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride **Price per person, double occupancy: $4770** (we match roommates for those wishing to share) **Price for single room: $6320** ***Not Included:*** x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that) x Meals not listed above x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses x Optional extension to Copenhagen The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit **\*\*\*Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 [HERE](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/) \*\*\*** Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).\*\*\* Final payment due 60 days before departure\*\*\* ***[Click Here](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37)***[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37) For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. \*\*\*Airfare from/to the US not included\*\*\* **OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) SOT 2000318-10