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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out influence events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the influence events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find influence events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Influence Events Today
Join in-person Influence events happening right now
Doubles Volleyball, BB+ Level @ Bluemont
Let's get together to play some fun BB level Doubles games at Bluemont.
**Format**: Doubles
**COST**: FREE
**Court Type**: Outdoor grass
**Minimum Skill Requirements**: Intermediate-BB (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details)
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**Smiley Social documents:**
1. [Group Rules ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg)
1. [Liability Waiver ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco)
1. [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/)
Kickback and Connect
Join us on **Thursday, June 4th** for Kickback & Connect in **Washington, D.C.** From magazines to motion graphics and from newsrooms to nonprofits, if you make things in D.C., you’re invited. This is a low-key happy hour bringing together designers and creatives across disciplines in the DMV to kickback, connect, and share ideas—no panels, no pitches, no pressure. We hope to see you there!
**Music by: Friends on Mars**
Hosted by Good People DC and **[SPD](https://www.spd.org/)**, a nonprofit design community rooted in publishing and creative excellence.
No cover charge = no excuse not to come
Must be 21 to enter. Please drink responsibly.
The Blues Lab
**Do you want to learn some blues standards? We teach a new blues standard every other Thursday right before our weekly Blues Jam.**
* You'll jam with the house band
* Work on chops with a focused goal (solos, rhythm, listening and playing off others)
* Learn some Blues Standards you can take anywhere
\*\*$20 at the door\*\*
**\*Members Get in free and receive other benefits\***
**[Become a Member](https://patreon.com/DoctorStrings?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)**
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What we're working on this week: **[Have you ever loved a woman](https://youtu.be/CiUPyrMA78Q?si=gV0Q-IzsR3oOeVri)**
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**Beginner to Pro Blues jam right after the Blues Lab 21+ only**
This is a smaller more practice focused event at my shop.
**Open to everyone and is a learning experience for most.**
Just bring your instrument(Electric), no need to bring an amp we have all of that.
Do not bring a pedal board with a bunch of pedals. The amps are dialed in for blues, trust me it's all there.
Drums are here already, very basic kit. If you want to bring cymbals or any other drum gear, please show up early to set up. Also please be aware that other people are going to play the kit as well.
Join Biggest Community | Investors Founders | Washington | Online
Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link :
**Reserve**
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-washington-online-tickets-1972272305558?aff=meetup
**QUESTIONS ?**
Pls Reach out to;
Ridhi - [+971504724873](http://wa.me/971504724873) ( WhatsApp Only)
The Shop Blues Jam
**Do you want to play and grow with a band, without the commitment of starting a band? Join us for our Blues Jams. Great place to network with other musicians.**
\*\*$10 for at the door\*\*
\*\*Free for Singers and Drummers\*\*
**\*Members Get in free and receive other benefits\***
**[Become a Member](https://patreon.com/DoctorStrings?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)**
**Beginner to Pro Blues jam 21+ only, BYOB. Every Thursday.**
This is a smaller more practice focused event at my shop.
**Open to everyone and is a learning experience for most.**
Just bring your instrument(Electric), no need to bring an amp we have all of that.
Do not bring a pedal board with a bunch of pedals. The amps are dialed in for blues, trust me it's all there.
Drums are here already, very basic kit. If you want to bring cymbals or any other drum gear, please show up early to set up. Also please be aware that other people are going to play the kit as well.
The Gilded Age 2.0
**Location:** Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD)
The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults.
**Topic: The Gilded Age 2.0**
It was estimated by contemporary sources at the time that John D Rockefeller's wealth passed the $1 Billion in 1916, becoming the first [Billionaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billionaire?). This immense wealth was built from his firm, Standard Oil, which he grew from a small operation to one that eventually controlled 90% of the US oil refinery business. This occurred during a period many now refer to as "The Gilded Age". The Gilded Age was a time during the Industrial Revolution boom where unregulated capitalism and non-existent anti-trust laws allowed for the consolidation of immense wealth by individuals like Rockfella in Oil, Carnie in Steel, and JP Morgan in Finance. The age came to an end with progressives like Teddy Roosevelt coming to power, breaking up the big trusts, and instituting reforms to regulate industries and limit the influence corporations and the ultra-wealthy can have on politics.
Fast forward to 2026, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, is projected to become a Trillionaire (With a T) after his company SpaceX launches its IPO on June 12th. There are 16 other Americans who can be classified as "Centibillionaires" ($100 Billion), and this number has been increasing every year. Having such extreme wealth in the hands of a few gives credence to the notion that we are now living in the Gilded Age 2.0.
**Questions to Consider:**
1\. Is it necessarily bad to have so many billionaires?
2\. Are there lessons we can draw on from the first Gilded Age?
3\. Will we see our own "Progressive" backlash against mega\-corporations and the ultra\-wealthy?
On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ every Thursday at 6 pm
• What we'll do
On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....
Influence Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
French Happy Hour
Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez débutant ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle.
Enjoy a French convo with half-priced appetizers, glass of wine and rail drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from beginners to native fluency.
***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.
***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***
PARKING INFO :
Street Parking might be a challenge and the event involves drinking. We highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service.
BEGINNERS FRENCH CONVERSATION CLASS
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/b/3/8/event_83263832.jpeg
NOTES
1. The conversation course is a continuing education, designed to excel students' French conversation skill.
2. The course runs for twelve weeks.
3. Class cancelled due to 'Force Majeure', will be recovered at the end of the course.
4. Arriving by Metro: The closest metro stations are Farragut West and Farragut North.
5. Meter parking is also an option. It is about $ 0.25 for 8 minutes.
6. The school entrance is at the end of the parking lot of the United Church.
7. The payment for each class is $ 15.00 per person per hour. It will be $ 20 per person per hour for walk-ins. However, it is depending on availability.
8. Students can bring friends and pay $ 20 for 2 persons per hour. But it has to be an advance payment.
Please, don't hesitate to contact the organizers, if you have any questions.
Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials.
[Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .]
Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion.
Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer.
She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change.
Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes.
Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)
Image by Canva.
Friday French HourS [PLEASE READ🙏]
Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez intermédiaire/avancé ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle.
***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE 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.
It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with a glass of wine, appetizers and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from intermediate to native fluency.
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 HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***
The Power of the Subconscious Mind
**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU**
You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments!
At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as:
What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind?
How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you?
What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person?
What exactly is the goal of the subconscious?
This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time.
And the most important topic:
**HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!**
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.
Meaningful Conversation and Coffee: Northside Social Arlington
Higher Grounds – Arlington is part of a growing network of gatherings where we create space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room.
There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you you (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique.
MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech.
Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Arlington who are also seeking deeper conversations.
Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
* What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
* When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
* What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?
Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles
* Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
* What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
* How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?
Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human
* What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
* If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
* What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?
Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning
* What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
* How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
* What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?
Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche
* What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
* Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
* What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?
Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose
* When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
* What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
* How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?
Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection
* What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
* When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
* What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?
Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality
* What are you running out of time to say or do?
* How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
* What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?
Suggested Questions: Society & Culture
* What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
* Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
* What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?
Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy
* What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
* When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out?
* What paradox about life have you learned to live with?
Influence Events Near You
Connect with your local Influence community
Data & Analytics Wednesday - Finding Product Insights
**The Behavior Gap: Where Products Win or Lose**
Teams today have more data than ever, and yet many still struggle to understand why customers adopt, engage with, or abandon their products. Teams sprint, ship faster, and chase more signals… all while metrics stall and confidence drops. The missing piece isn’t more data. It’s often the behavioral insight between the metrics, explaining why the numbers move in the first place. Dashboards can tell you what customers did, but understanding why they did it (and how to influence what they do next) requires a deeper blend of insights. This session is about closing that gap.
Drawing from real-world experience designing and scaling products as [ZoCo Design](https://zocodesign.com/)’s CEO, [Lacey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) will share how to cut through the noise and identify the insights that actually change behavior—moving people, and moving metrics. You’ll learn:
* Why understanding customer behavior is a quant and qual challenge
* How to spot the signals that actually predict behavior change
* Where AI accelerates insight, and where it creates distraction
* How to get meaningfully closer to customers, without adding more tools
This talk reframes how to evaluate performance and identify what levers actually improve it, helping your team to make smarter bets with greater confidence. Every meaningful outcome is driven by behavior change. And when you know how to design for behavior, you stop guessing, and start building things that work.
**About Our Speaker**
[Lacey Picazo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) is the Founder and CEO of ZoCo, a healthcare product studio that turns complex, high-stakes ideas into products that drive real-world adoption. She partners with healthcare organizations to uncover critical care delivery insights, focus product strategy through behavior design, and build solutions that patients and providers actually use.
Thanks to our 2026 sponsors:
[Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro)
More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)
Saturday Morning French Club
Bienvenue! We host a twice-a-month French conversation club at La Chatelaine on Lane. All levels welcome! Whether you're new to French or running for Président de la République you are welcome here! We often read plays together, play vocabulary games, and generally enjoy the delicious food available at La Chatelaine! We will be at the long table in the back of the restaurant. A bientôt!
Feel Good Friday: POWER BALLAD at the Gateway Film Center + SHAKE NO. 8!
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
French Conversation Meetup
Hi everyone!
I'm looking for people who would like to meet regularly and practice speaking French in a relaxed and friendly environment.
All levels are welcome, from complete beginners to native speakers.
The goal is simply to practice, and enjoy good conversations together.
Stop Guessing: A Product Person's Guide to AI Adoption
## 🤝 Host Information
A co-hosted event by ProductTank Columbus & Women in Product Columbus
💡 About the Workshop
AI adoption is stalling across organizations — not because of a lack of motivation or tools, but because it's fundamentally a behavior design challenge.
This hands-on workshop applies proven Behavior Design models and methods to help you move from a vague organizational wish to boost AI adoption to 3-5 concrete, testable interventions you can act on starting tomorrow.
Whether you're a product manager, on a product team, or just someone trying to get AI to actually stick at work, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's worth focusing on, what to ignore, and how to drive real, sustained adoption — no guesswork required.
🛠️ What to Bring
Laptop: Fully charged and ready to go.
AI Assistant: Have your favorite AI assistant pulled up. (Dom will be using Claude, but feel free to use whichever assistant you prefer!)
🍕 Logistics & Perks
Food & Drink: Pizza and drinks provided!
Parking: Plenty of free spaces available on-site.
###
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
Now in its 26th year, [The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/), in Gahanna, gathers world famous groups and performers at a single place for you to enjoy the best Blues & Jazz in Ohio. *SATURDAY NIGHT features: The Urban Jazz Coalition with Special Guest Brian Simpson, North Mississippi Allstars, The Deal Breakers & More.* The three-day cultural celebration features musicians on 3 stages, local food trucks and beverage stations, treats, artisans, and more. **Tickets are $15 for adults online.** Link to purchase tickets: [Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival Tickets](https://tickets.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/e/2026-creekside-blues-jazz-festival). $20 at the door. Military are free.
WHAT: Here's the festival [EVENT MAP](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Event-Map/). Also, here's the [SCHEDULE](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Schedule/) map to help you determine who to see.
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**Parking -** The Creekside Parking Garage will be open throughout the festival weekend. Entrance is located near the intersection of Mill and North Streets; accessible only by traveling south on Mill Street.
**Event parking rate is $5 and collected at entrance to garage. Cash ONLY is accepted at garage entrance for parking.** Although off street parking in the Creekside District is permitted, it is very limited and not recommended.
**Shuttle Service** pickup will be at the following location:
[AEP Ohio 700 Morrison Rd., Gahanna, OH](https://goo.gl/maps/K9GgvgEdxCHaXsKDA)
**Shuttle Service Hours:** Saturday: 1 PM - 12 AM
**BRING**: *Be sure to bring a **chair** since there is limited available seating. Also $ or paycard for food and drink.*
Join Biggest Community | Investors Founders | Columbus | Online
Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link :
**Reserve**
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup
**QUESTIONS ?**
Pls Reach out to;
Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)




















![Friday French HourS [PLEASE READ🙏]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/3/a/2/highres_531505506.webp?w=640)









