Political Philosophy

### **Session 1 (Valentine’s Day Edition)** ## **Fear, Vulnerability & the Courage to Be Seen** *** Valentine’s Day often celebrates romance. This gathering explores something more fundamental: **the courage to be truly seen.** We long for connection — yet instinctively pull back when it becomes possible. Why does intimacy feel so close… and so threatening? This session opens a **5-part philosophy-based series** exploring love, self-worth, freedom, and authentic connection — not as ideas to consume, but as experiences to inquire into together. *** ### ✦ What we’ll explore Through guided inquiry and reflective dialogue, we’ll explore: * Why vulnerability feels risky, even when we crave closeness * How fear often disguises itself as independence, busyness, or detachment * The difference between emotional exposure and genuine presence * What it means to meet another without armour or performance This is **not therapy**. This is **not a dating event**. And it’s **not a lecture**. It’s a **thoughtful, guided philosophy experience** — calm, grounded, and dialogical. *** ### ✦ About the series **The Art of Being Seen** is a bi-weekly series of 5 intimate sessions: 1. Fear & Vulnerability 2. Self-Worth Beyond Performance 3. Freedom & Living Beyond the Script 4. Love as a Mirror 5. Power, Polarity & Play Each session can be attended independently, yet together they form a deeper arc of exploration. *** ### ✦ Who this is for This space is designed for people who value: * Depth over performance * Curiosity over certainty * Honest inquiry over advice Participants are typically **25–50**, internationally minded, and comfortable engaging with meaningful questions about life and relationships. To preserve the quality of dialogue, **participation is limited**, and the group is **curated to remain balanced**. If you’re seeking quick fixes or surface-level socialising, this may not be the right space. If you enjoy reflection, presence, and real conversation, you’ll likely feel at home. *** ### ✦ Format * Gentle grounding to arrive into presence * Guided philosophical inquiry * Small pair or triad dialogues for depth * Group reflection and integration Speaking is always optional. Listening is participation. *** ### ✦ Practical details * **Date:** Valentine’s Day * **Duration:** \~90–120 minutes * **Spots:** *Strictly limited* to preserve intimacy * **Group:** Curated for balance and quality Once the group is full, registrations will close. *** ### ✦ A final note Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be loud or performative. It can be **quiet, honest, and meaningful**. If this resonates, trust that pull. Cheers, Dev, https://maisonmagnetique.com/

Link for tickets: https://hipsy.nl/event/168483-authentic-dating-find-your-valentine About this event: After the huge success and sold-out editions our last Authentic Dating events, we're back with a new edition! If you don't have a Valentines-Date, come join us! WHAT TO EXPECT? We offer playful ways of interacting, partially sensual, partially with meditative presence. You will skip the small-talk and learn how to approach other human beings in an open, authentic and playful way. In this event we combining dating and light tantric & touch-based exercises. You will learn how to communicate your desires and boundaries and enjoy finding out if there is a match! Here’s your chance to connect more authentically. As the afternoon unfolds, you'll engage in a series of thoughtfully guided encounters. These experiences encourage you to embrace your true self, communicate openly, and delve into various dimensions of connection. By the end of the day, you'll depart feeling nourished, truly seen, and deeply connected. Plus, you'll acquire practical tools applicable to your everyday (dating) life. To make this afternoon even more festive, you will be welcomed with a glass of bubbles ❤ TESTIMONIALS "It was a very nice and inspiring event! Instead of online dating you spend an afternoon with a bunch of nice people, get inspired and get impression of each other ;)) Recommended" "The event was very well planned and allowed me to be me with less pressure. I would recommend this event to people who haven't have had success with the app based superficial platforms and seek an authentic 1-1 interaction" 'What a nice way to meet people, out of your normal dating routines, people really surprised me and now I'm happy to say I'm dating one of the guys from your event!' PRACTICALITIES When: Saturday February 14th. You're welcome to arrive at 13:15, please be on time! We will close the door at 13:30, no coming in once we start the event, so please be on time! Location: We've rented a beautiful space for this event in Utrecht North East, 10min from the central station, paid parking in front of the building. Participants & Age: We welcome max 30 participants between ages 21 - 45. Dress code: For a relaxed and festive afternoon: dress to impress - of course while being Authentic. The invitation is to dress up just like you would do for a first date or fun party! Health: Please be mindful of yourself and others: if you're not feeling well, are having a cold and/or a positive covid test, we ask you to stay at home so you can take your rest, and avoid infecting others. LAST BUT NOT LEAST The afternoon will be guided in a way that makes everyone feel safe, inviting everyone to treat each other respectfully. You get to choose yourself with who you want to practice. This event is facilitated in English, of course we can translate and/or you can interact in your own language during an exercise if that’s desired. We don’t play an active role in matchmaking. You can set your boundaries at any time. You are responsible for your own needs, yet we are always available to help and support you in taking care of them. We provide nice snacks & drinks - all vegan-friendly :) If you buy a ticket you agree with our cancellation policy: Cancellation & Ticket Transfer Policy 1. No Cancellations All ticket purchases for the Authentic Dating Event are final. Once a ticket has been purchased, it cannot be cancelled. 2. No Refunds We do not offer refunds under any circumstances, including inability to attend, scheduling conflicts, or personal reasons. 3. Ticket Transfer Allowed If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another person. • You are responsible for finding a replacement. • The ticket may be gifted or sold at your own discretion. 4. Mandatory Notification of Ticket Transfer If you transfer your ticket, you must inform the organisation. Please provide: • Your full name • The new ticket holder’s full name • Their email address and phone number This is required so we can update our guest list and ensure a smooth check-in. 5. Failure to Notify If you do not notify us of a ticket transfer, entry to the event cannot be guaranteed for the new ticket holder.

A fun evening full of oooohh's and aaahhh’s and this is why: https://youtu.be/9Usnkt4mEvM It’s all about having fun, so don’t worry if this is your first or second time playing. We will help you and we always cheer every player to victory so everyone has a great experience. Pls be aware - paid event - read all information! I reserved 4 lanes for 1,5 hrs, so we play from 20.00 - 21.30 Since I have to pay in advance I ask anyone that joins to pay their part as well in advance. If you join the list for this event, please transfer 15 euros immediately or make someone on the waiting list happy by giving your spot to him or her. I will sent a tikkie or publish it in the comments. Your spot is only confirmed after payment. No pay. No play. Please note that there is no refund for cancellation, since I have reserved bowlinglanes and have to pay full price wheter we are with 10 people or 3 people. In case you can't make it, I suggest you find someone to take your spot and he or she pays you the money back. If someone on the waiting list takes your spot then a refund is possible. If someone takes your place, pls let me know in advance. Pls be on time. We start bowling at 8 pm sharp. So be there at least 15 minutes early since u need to change shoes and maybe want to get a drink at the bar. After the bowling we usually go to a café in the city for drinks but if u feel like going home this is ofcourse also okay.

💘 This Valentine’s Day, come share community love 💘 For us — as Latinxs, as Argentinians — love is friendship, community, shared music and dancing as if there were no tomorrow. At Cumbipeña we celebrate love in all its forms 💃🕺 ✨ Live music by Amorcites ’n’ The Gangsta An eclectic, playful mix of latin rock, boleros and danceable grooves, made for singing along, moving the body and laughing together. 🎶 Bolero workshop by Celia Barradas 🇲🇽 🎤 Open Mic ❤️‍🔥 Latin Vibes 📍 Café Averechts, Utrecht 🗓 Saturday Feb 14 \| 20:00–23:00 💰 Donations welcome! Come love life with us ✨ Lxs esperamos! 💙

Let's meet up for a round of beers and snacks as usual. There's a table booked for us under my name (Adam Vadas) from 5pm, but of course you can join later if you want. See you soon! ;)

🌸 Valentine’s Day Special Workshop🌸 February is one of my favourite months to slow down, soften, and paint flowers together. This Valentine’s season, the workshop will be floral - gentle, expressive, and made with love. What could be more meaningful than gifting yourself time to create… or sharing that experience with someone you love? You can come paint side by side with a friend, gift a voucher, or simply enjoy a quiet, creative day for yourself. At the end, you’ll take home not just a painting-but a memory and a new skill. 💖 🌸 Acrylic Painting Workshop -“I Brought You Flowers”
 📅 14 February
 🕚 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
 💶 €75 🔗 Book your space:
https://eventix.shop/jwj79yxy ✨ Use discount code SAVE15 to avail €15 off your ticket. ✨ All artist-grade materials are provided ✨ Free tea, coffee and snacks We will paint a vibrant floral painting with acrylic paints.
Multiple reference images will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own inspiration. If you would like to enjoy an early bird discount for the upcoming workshops, please join my WhatsApp channel for: \* special discounts \* workshop announcements \* first access to bookings Access to WhatsApp Chanel - https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCi44QHFxP64fZB1R1s I can’t wait to paint flowers with you this 14th February 💖 See you soon,
 Pooja Artist Profile - https://www.instagram.com/poojavermastudio/

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. ## Tot de Gamenight! Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

## **Making Smart Money Decisions in Relationships** *Live expert discussion + facilitated breakout circles on 'Love & Money'* RSVP (**https://luma.com/b3dphgts)** Money is rarely just about numbers. It’s about who decides. Who carries responsibility. Who plans ahead — and who assumes things will work out. This Valentine’s FinFit Circle session is ***for women who want to build relationships — new or ongoing — that are loving, fair, and financially secure***, without being naïve, pessimistic, or afraid to ask real questions. Whether you’re dating, in a long-term commitment, separating, or starting again, this conversation helps you think clearly about money before emotions or circumstances decide for you. *** ## **What this session is really about** This live FinFit Circle session explores how money shapes relationships in practice — through everyday decisions and conversations. Together, we’ll look at: * **Where money decisions actually get made** (often earlier than we think) * **Which assumptions tend to create tension or imbalance over time** * **Which questions, financial and legal arrangements, and boundaries matter most across different stages of relationships**, while you still have room to choose differently *** ## **Three expert lenses, one grounded conversation** Money in relationships doesn’t sit in one domain — which is why this session brings together emotional, financial, and legal perspectives: * **[Stephanie Clifford-Kroon](https://clifford-kroon-coaching.lovable.app/about)**, Certified Relationship Coach * **[Nadam Schmidt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadamschmidt/)**, Certified Financial Planner * **[Siham Maachi](https://silkadvocaten.nl/en/team/siham-maachi/)**, International Family Lawyer & Solicitor *** ## **What you’ll walk away with** * **Clarity on your money patterns** and how they show up in relationships * Key questions and **practical tips** **to discuss money constructively** with a (future) partner * ​Ways to think about **shared vs individual finances**, including what’s smart, why, and tradeoffs * **Legal realities** worth knowing early (agreements, rights, timing) * **Perspective and connection** from women navigating similar questions *** ## **How the session works** * **60-minute live fireside conversation** * **30-minute interactive breakout circles** (4–6 women) **Location:** FinFit Circle · Online *** ## **Contribution** This session is **€30**. If you’re able, you can **pay it forward** by sponsoring another woman’s place at the same introductory rate, helping keep these conversations accessible in the FinFit community. *** 👉 **Reserve your spot: https://luma.com/b3dphgts**

Come and join us for an evening of Buddhist meditation with like-minded people. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and meditation begins promptly at 7:15 PM. The meditation will last between 30 to 40 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits for anyone who would like to stay and chat. On some evenings, there will also be a short Dharma talk to provide some Buddhist context. The meditation space is down at the canal. To get there, you can take the stairs down. The meditation is offered on a donation basis. See our [website](https://utrechtbuddhistcentre.nl/) for more information.

Join in for a morning of crafting & chatting over a drink. Just bring your own project and payment for drinks. Meet fellow crafting enthusiasts, whether it's knitting, crocheting, stitching, origami, or something more unique! We talk about our projects, exchange tipps, but also just get to know each other and enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning in good company. All ages, levels and crafts welcome! And don't be shy, we have newcomers most weeks! **We have limited space at the café, so if you've RSVPd and can't make it, please cancel as early as possible so another person can join!** We now also have a WhatsApp group, where we want to organise get-togethers and other events. Ask one of the organisers at the next Meetup you join for more information and access.

**☃️ Weekly Anime Night - Winter Season ☃️** Your friendly neighbourhood anime club is there to get you through those cold days. We are starting this season with **Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2**! 📅 **Event Series Details** **Dates: February 15th** **Time: 19:00–21:00** **Location:** Buurtcentrum De Speler, Thorbeckelaan 18, 3551 BR, Utrecht 🎬 **What’s the Plan This Week?** 1. Before we start watching, enjoy chats with other joiners, meet new people and get comfortable to start the show! 2. **Frieren: Beyond Journey's End S2 - episode 1** 3. Break – Grab a drink, chat, and stretch those legs. 4. **Frieren: Beyond Journey's End S2 - episode 2** 5. Short break 6. **Frieren: Beyond Journey's End S2 - episode 3** 7. Closing & Hangout – Let’s talk reactions, highlights, opinions, hot takes, and everything in between! **🎒 What Should You Bring?** Your favorite snacks and drinks (not provided) Your love for anime Friends, or just your awesome self – all are welcome! 🎟️ **Free & Open to All!** This is a non-commercial, community-driven event created by fans, for fans. Whether you’re new to anime or a seasoned otaku, there’s a seat on the couch for you. 🎌 **About Utrecht Anime Club** U.A.C. is an ever-growing group of collaborative and diverse people. Our goal is to bring people together from all across Utrecht (and beyond!), to create cozy and inclusive events in which we share our love of anime. 🔍 **Questions?** Drop them in the event chat – we’re happy to help! Come for the anime, stay for the laughs, finale vibes, and great people. See you there! ✨🎥🍿

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. Tot de Gamenight!Spellenclub Maarssen --- Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS] Travel / Parking info: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS]

This is the first of several meetings on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read the first three chapters (pages 1-129 in the paperback). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I hope to see you there! Fred

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Come join us for in-depth discussions on topics relating to moral and political philosophy. This is a group for members who are comfortable discussing topics that are often anxiety producing and controversial. *"Aristotle was a realist who believed that reality and knowledge are found in the physical world, accessible through sensory experience and logic. This led to contrasting views on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality itself. Plato emphasized abstract, ideal concepts, while Aristotle prioritized empirical observation and the study of the natural world."* \- Google Gemini Following Aristotle's lead, this group will lean heavily on empirical data to make arguments. The Socratic method is still the preferred way to engage in conversation, and Platonic Idealism is still relevant to the conversation as points of reference.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no door tickets will be available.** [Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Love and Monsters,”** on the inescapable bond between romance and horror, with Joshua Barton, scholar of horror and lecturer in English at Virginia Commonwealth University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-love-monsters](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-love-monsters) .] Romance and horror might seem like opposite genres, but they share a deep emotional core, and the combination of them has captivated audiences across time and culture. Put even your worst Valentine’s Day in perspective by hearing this strange relationship discussed by Joshua Barton, who has earned a big following among Profs and Pints fans with his past talks on cryptids, American horror, and Christmas ghosts. He’ll explore the undeniable and unsettling intersection of romance and horror and examine how and why love and fear intensify each other and combined to create tension, drive narratives, and explore human vulnerability. We’ll look at works that have blended passion and terror, including Gothic literature like the vampire novella *Carmilla* and modern films like *Spring* and *Crimson Peak*. We’ll study the fine line between obsession and adoration running through Stephen King’s “I Know What You Need,” Adrian Lyne’s *Fatal Attraction*, and the timeless *The Phantom of the Opera.* We’ll discuss the seeds of monstrous love that were planted with *Beauty and the Beast* and *Creature from the Black Lagoon* and bloom ferociously in works like *Twilight* and *The Shape of Water*. Through it all, we’ll find the threads of otherness and the taboo that intertwine horror, love, and reflections on identity. Join us for a journey through storytelling that combines the grotesque and the scintillating as we uncover why romance and horror are a match made in the dark. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From the original 1954 advertising poster for *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (Artist: Reynold Brown / Public Domain).

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Hidden Cleopatra,”** an excavation through myth and slander to uncover the real Egyptian queen, with Jacquelyn Williamson, an Egyptologist and associate professor of archaeology and ancient art at George Mason University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra) .] Depictions of Cleopatra are abundant in popular culture. A long list of painters have depicted her, Marilyn Monroe and Kim Kardashian have posed as her, and Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor famously portrayed her in Hollywood films. At the end of the day, however, what most of us think we know about Cleopatra is wrong, the product of the ancient Rome’s “fake news” and anti-Egypt propaganda. Learn about the real Cleopatra—and how our understanding of her came to be so distorted—with Professor Jacquelyn Williamson, scholar of women and power in ancient Egypt, teacher of courses on ancient Egyptian art and archaeology, and author of *Nefertiti’s Sun Temple: A New Cult Complex at Tell el-Amarna.* Dr. Williamson will walk us through how the first Roman emperor, Octavian, created the distorted image of Cleopatra as seductress that we know today as part of his political scheming to defeat his rival Antony and end the Roman Republic once and for all. Cleopatra has been the subject of debate and controversy ever since. William Shakespeare later relied on ancient Roman sources such as Horace and Plutarch in writing *Antony and Cleopatra*, and his play helped give rise to countless other works offering a distorted picture of her. Professor Williamson argues that “Cleopatra was a human being, like you and I,” and “deserves the dignity of being represented as accurately as possible.” Her efforts to set the record straight have met frustration, however—after being extensively interviewed for the recent Netflix historical docuseries Queen Cleopatra, she concluded that it, too, had missed the mark. You’ll gain a much deeper appreciation of the challenges of researching and accurately depicting the ancient past from Dr. Williamson, who also has taught at Harvard, Brandeis, and the University of California at Berkeley and is involved with an ongoing archaeological investigation of Queen Nefertiti’s sun temple. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Layla Taj portrays Cleopatra VII as part of an Egyptian Cultural Performing Arts Society production. (Photo by Amos Gvili / Wikimedia Commons.)

**Join the BreadBreakers community for an evening of connection and comradery over the timeless art of boardgaming!** BreadBreakers is a community where people of all different belief systems and backgrounds create community and have meaningful conversation. Usually we do that over the dinner table, but sometimes you've got to change it up a bit! Here's what to expect: * A kind, welcoming atmosphere and community * Several familiar, and several novel boardgames. * Snacks :) * We'll be gathering in Meeting Room 1 at the Reston Regional Library. * Feel free to bring a board game to share if you'd like! **I've never attended a BreadBreakers event before - what is BreadBreakers?** BreadBreakers is a community where neighbors from all different beliefs and backgrounds can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** Most frequently, we do this through the ancient practice of breaking bread around a common dining table. But we're more than just a discussion group - we're a movement to heal our world's broken discourse and forge togetherness in a time of isolation and loneliness. **Through the sacred act of just "being" together, we're working to rebuild the town square, one table (or game night) at a time.** BreadBreakers is a religiously inclusive by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA. All faiths, beliefs, and stripes are welcomed, and our leadership and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.