Horror Geeks

In May, we're heading into the most dangerous territory of all, desire, with Haley Piper's A Game in Yellow. From Amazon: "Euphoria meets Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke in this latest novel by the Bram Stoker Award–winning author Hailey Piper, following a couple whose search to spice up their sex life leads them down a path of madness. A kink-fixated couple, Carmen and Blanca, have been in a rut. That is until Blanca discovers the enigmatic Smoke in an under-street drug den, who holds pages to a strange play, The King in Yellow. Read too much, and you’ll fall into madness. But read just a little and pull back, and it gives you the adrenaline rush of survivor’s euphoria, leading Carmen to fall into a game of lust at a nightmare’s edge. As the line blurs between the world Carmen knows and the one that she visits after reading from the play, she begins to desire more time in this other world no matter what horrors she brings back with her. Bram Stoker Award–winning author Hailey Piper masterfully blends horror, erotica, and psychological thriller in this captivating and chilling story." Please note: The location is not wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if that's an issue for you. We want everyone to be welcome!

GM Jason will run an Ultraviolet Grasslands session. Stay with me, here: what would happen if we mashed up Oregon Trail with Dying Earth with Mad Max? Well, UVG answers that question (that nobody ever asked) with this heavy metal psychedelic fantascience pointcrawl game. Please the horned catlords by hitching your lime green fox-ocerous pony to your wagon and heading west to see if you can’t trade all this vampire wine for some profit! None of those words will make any more sense to you after playing, probably, but we’ll have an amazing time exploring! This will be way more about the joy of exploration, the tedium of travel, and the thrill of commerce than it will be about battle. If that sounds refreshing, come try something new with us! If you’d like to try to roll up a new character, DM the DM and I’ll get you instructions. New players welcome! No prep needed! **Where**: 1111 Belle Pre Way, Alexandria. Right across the laneway from Lost Dog. Looking for a place to play in-person RPGs and make new friends? Burnt out on internet D&D? Interested in trying games like Shadowdark and Dungeon Crawl Classics? Look no further than DMV RPG - Open Table! Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting started with tabletop role-playing, our group offers a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all gamers to gather and embark on epic adventures together. From Dungeons & Dragons to sci-fi sagas, there's something for everyone here. Join us for regularly scheduled meetups, make new friends, and unleash your imagination in a fun and collaborative setting. Let the games begin! **Rules**: always teachable at the table **Gaming is for everybody**: Welcoming, inclusive, and safe **Pregens**: the GM will have pre-made characters so you can jump right in **Game**: Old School & New School, but likely lightweight **Multiple GMs**: We run games in a rotating GM format, so come to play and make friends, but we'll be looking for your interesting one-to-three shots to try.

We are looking forward meeting up with filmmakers in the DC area! This will be an in-person event. Register to let us know how many seats to save! This coffee is organized by Anna Griesshammer and Melissa Houghton. You MUST register here: https://www.wifv.org/calendar/#id=32496&cid=783&wid=401&type=Cal

Γειά σας! I Hope folks are hanging in there as we all bide our time between our next trip to Greece (September in my case…). We can make that wait feel shorter at our next Greek Language MeetUp on Thursday, May 28th at 7 pm at a new sport, at least for me: Mylos Grill in McLean, VA. We are also approaching Greek Festival Season. Saint Sophia’s GreekFest is this weekend, May 15-17. I’m out of town that week but will be back in time to attend on Sunday, May 17th. And Saint George’s Greek Festival is June 6th and 7th. A festival of events, highlighted as usual by our MeetUp on May 28th at Mylos. Να τα πούμε! - Athan

**Looking for Players New And Old:** Hi y'all, I'm Andrew. I'm looking to jumpstart an Old-School Renaissance (OSR) TTRPG group in the Greenbelt/College Park area. No experience is necessary. Our first session will be a level 1 one-shot designed by me. In it, players investigate a stone tower on behalf of an army looking to occupy the surrounding lands. For those with limited experience with the OSR or Shadowdark, take a look bellow. I'm excited to see you guys there and get this thing rolling! **Shadowdark, Our Old-School Style Rule System:** Shadowdark is a system designed to bring together the principles of early D&D gameplay and the familiar and intuitive nature of modern systems. Those of you familiar with D&D and Pathfinder will find the six attribute/D20 roll-over system familiar, however, the way the game is played is fundamentally different in a few ways: * **Character Survival Not Guaranteed:** In some games, the DM works to ensure characters don't die easily or without a good reason. In Shadowdark, danger lurks in every corner and characters can die at any time depending on how they react to their environment. If they want their characters to survive, players must play carefully, avoiding traps and sneaking past enemies too powerful for them. The more hardcore style of gameplay encourages players to consider their risk management strategy and to develop creative solutions to avoid a perilous fate. * **Player Smarts Over Dice Rolls:** Yes, you'll still roll to see if you can push the door down or cast a spell, but you won't be rolling as many perception checks to search for traps or distract guards as in other games. Players are encouraged to play smart and communicate what they are doing in detail. "I run my hands along the face of the wall, checking to see if there are any strange indents or hidden buttons" is a lot more interesting than "I check for hidden doors, I rolled a 15" * **Rules-Light:** This game is simpler than D&D and Pathfinder in terms of how many rules there are. This opens things up for more creativity in our actions while still giving us a bounded ruleset to keep things fair and interesting.

**Please Note:** This game has limited slots, and you must RSVP. If the event is full, please signup for the Waitlist, and you will be moved up as people update their RSVPs. ***Wingspan*** is a competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building board game from Stonemaier Games. It's designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and features 180 birds illustrated by Natalia Rojas and Ana Maria Martinez. You are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats (actions). BGG - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/266192/wingspan Light Refreshments are provided. Limited Guest Parking is available for Free if notified 24hrs in advance. We are right on the NOMA Red Line Metro Stop. Please RSVP so we can account for Snacks.

Inspired by the creepypasta stories and directed by Youtuber Kane Parsons, it tells the story of a therapist who travels to a otherworldly dimension consisting of endless hallways and empty rooms to find her missing patient. I'll be seated in G5 for the 7:15 showing. We'll meet at Atlas an hour before the movie starts and then we'll go back there after the movie.

Hey everyone! Want to see a black-and-white movie starring Greta Gerwig as a dancer in New York City? If so, join me at the Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City on May 31st for a 11:15 am screening of “Frances Ha”. I’ll be sitting in Row 4, Seat 3 in Theater 4. I’ll be at the Departures bar and lounge 15 minutes before the screening if anyone wants to chat beforehand, and then we can head back there after the screening.

Hey everyone. Anime & Wine has been doing events in the DC area for some time and I thought it would be a great experience to host an in-person meetup. It's a good place to meet and hang out with other people who are not only into anime but enjoy a nice glass of wine as well. This is a ticketed event and tickets for this event usually sell out pretty fast so I'd suggest buying them as soon as you can. Early bird tickets are $10 and regular price tickets are $24. Ticket link: https://posh.vip/e/anime-wine-dc-mha-night Location: Event is just a short walk from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station Event synopsis from the event organizers below: \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- With one of our favorite's My Hero Academia ending this month come join us for an elevated anime experience as we say goodbye at Hall Pass in DC. Wine by the glass, anime on a Saturday night Ticket includes your drink Meet us there. With an eclectic mix of city pop and Japanese R&B thematically paired with anime for a visual, sonic and tasting experience.

Known for its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, Killer Queen is a 5v5 arcade experience that blends the movement of Joust, the chaos of Mario, and the teamwork of Overwatch — all on one screen. This New Player Night is designed specifically for beginners: * Learn the controls 🎮 * Join a team 🤝 * Play in low-pressure matches 😌 * Meet friendly local gamers 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Whether you're competitive or just curious, this is the perfect time to jump in. No experience needed — we’ll guide you through everything. Killer Queen is as much about the community as it is the game. Come meet your neighbors and discover your new favorite arcade night. #MeetThyNeighbors 🐝 Want to Study ahead of time? Heres a quick how to play: [https://youtu.be/TOUybu8A9HU?si=mW23WztCyxg0Q0_u](https://youtu.be/TOUybu8A9HU?si=mW23WztCyxg0Q0_u) [https://killerqueenarcade.com/howtoplay](https://killerqueenarcade.com/howtoplay)

Hands-on learn how to save life & limb, when mired in the wilderness of an urban disaster zone, travel or rural area far from hospital, or natural area miles from an access point, during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance arrival. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites. YOUR SPOT IS NOT RESERVED UNTIL YOU'VE COMPLETELY REGISTERED AT WWW.SOLOWFA.COM \***Spaces are limited. REGISTER: www.solowfa.com or 434.326.4697** Can't make these dates? Check out more course locations and dates on our website. WHO: Open to the general public, adults & teens with solid attention spans. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are. WHY: Mired in a disaster zone, travel or rural area far from a hospital, or natural area miles from an access point ... accidents, destructive weather, and terrorism happen, and all-too-often members of a group are not capable of dealing with the emergency. This leads to improper care of the patient, and endangers the entire group. Many recreational accidents are preventable, and improper care of trauma can compound even simple injuries. Very few first aid programs actually address the issues of providing emergency care in a setting where 911 is overwhelmed or not immediately reachable. In this course, classroom instruction and Q&A are interwoven with practical work and problem-solving exercises. Hands-on experience - a most powerful learning tool - during scenarios comprise \~50% of class. TIMING: This is a 2-day class, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am -7pm each day. Fee: $295 (Earlybird)

Scythe is an engine-building game set in an alternate-history 1920s period. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor. Spirit Island --> Punchbowl Social, 1st Floor (Ballson, VA)

Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c) SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available. PLAN: Details for this event have just been confirmed! We got a later than usual showtime, so we’ll go with ice cream BEFORE the show! Here’s the plan: Meet at Graeter’s at 6:30pm for a pre-show sweet treat! Then, get ready for a fun and wild one! Purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 7:10 and 7:20pm. Advance ticket purchase not required but be sure to mention you’re with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving." The film continues John Carney’s “long run of success with yet another charmer” and “a sharp, hopeful crowd-pleaser that strikes the right notes!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus, this is a perfect early stop on our Summer of Ice Cream! Their menu uses made-from-scratch recipes in an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, crepes, waffle sticks, specialty coffee & espresso, and more! Their specialty shakes are as delicious as they are over-the-top and they offer an extensive vegan menu! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and we’ll meet in the upstairs lobby between 6:25 and 6:35pm! Advance ticket purchase is advised for this opening night showing! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan