Sci-Fi/Fantasy

***Nucleum*** is a heavy euro board game in which players take role of industrialists trying to succeed during the economic and technological boom of 19th-century Saxony, fueled by the invention and spread of the Nucleum (a nuclear reactor). https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396790/nucleum 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.

Sara Su Jones, a professional violinist and native Esperanto speaker from Chicago, will present a free 45-minute concert with Tatyana Stepanova, pianist. She has invited us to meet with her immediately after the concert so we can all chat together in Esperanto! Washington Esperanto Meetup members who wish to extend the meetup will walk to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Sara Su Jones, profesia violonisto kaj denaska parolanto de Esperanto el Ĉikago, prezentos senpagan 45-minutan koncerton kun Tatyana Stepanova, pianisto. Ŝi invitas nin renkonti ŝin tuj post la koncerto por babili kune en Esperanto! Poste, tiuj membroj de Washington Esperanto Meetup kiuj deziras daŭrigi la renkontiĝon piediros al proksima restoracio por tagmanĝi kune. Additional details: Violinist Sara Su Jones and pianist Tatyana Stepanova present a free lunchtime recital (at 12:15 PM Eastern) in the heart of DC as part of the Music at Midday concert series at the beautiful, historic National City Christian Church. Free admission; freewill offering. Free parking at the church ([https://nationalcitycc.org/directions-parking/](https://nationalcitycc.org/directions-parking/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA)). Livestream: [https://youtube.com/@friendsofnationalcitychristian...](https://youtube.com/@friendsofnationalcitychristian?si=qnUXMPk1B1K7Q8Jt&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA) Program: Clara Schumann (1819–1896): Romances, op. 22 (1853) I. Andante molto III. Leidenschaftlich schnell Elena Kats-Chernin (b. 1957): Butterflying (2003), Slicked Back Tango (1995) Marguerite Canal (1890–1978): Lied (Song) (1913) Florence Price (1887–1953): Elfentanz (Elves’ Dance) (undated) Lili Boulanger (1893–1918): Nocturne (1911) Clarice Assad (b. 1978): Emotiva (2020) Cecile Chaminade (1857–1944): Capriccio, op. 18 (1890) Artist Bios: As duo partners for nearly two decades, Chicago-based violinist Sara Su Jones and Ukrainian-American pianist Tatyana Stepanova have given recitals at the Harvard Club of New York as well as in Reykjavik, Iceland; Washington, DC; and Andover, Massachusetts. Their Chicago-area appearances include the Driehaus Museum's Third Wednesday Concert Series, the Noonday Concert Series at Fourth Presbyterian Church, and the Charles Gates Dawes House, as well as sold-out concerts at Glessner House, the Cliff Dwellers Club, and Newberry Library. The duo has appeared multiple times on “Live from WFMT,” the flagship recital-and-conversation series of Chicago’s classical-music radio station. Their eclectic, creative programming often highlights striking but little-known works, and Sara Su’s insightful commentary and storytelling enliven the duo’s performances. Hailed as a “violinist of enviable gifts” by a Chicago Sun-Times music critic, **Sara Su Jones** was the 2022 winner of the American Prize (instrumental soloist) and has been a featured soloist on WFMT, WBEZ, and BBC Radio. A top prizewinner in competitions in both the US and UK, including that of the Harvard Musical Association, Sara Su has given numerous recitals abroad, including with her partner, longtime WFMT host and pianist Dennis Moore, in London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik. She earned an A.B. (Economics) and J.D., both with honors from Harvard, where she served for three years as concertmaster of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. Sara Su worked as a consultant at McKinsey and as a lawyer at Ropes & Gray before founding her educational-coaching business. She performs on a violin made for her in 2017 by the Icelandic luthier Hans Johannsson. **Tatyana Stepanova** is a noted performer and teacher, praised as a “fine” and “persuasive” pianist (Chicago Tribune). A Kyiv native and graduate of the Tchaikovsky (Kyiv) and Rimsky-Korsakov (St. Petersburg) State Conservatories, she has performed with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Tatyana teaches at Midwest Young Artists and has also served as a faculty accompanist at Northwestern. She is a sought-after teacher and chamber-music coach; her piano students and chamber groups have won prizes in the CSO Young Artists and Walgreens National Concerto Competitions, as well as in the Fischoff, Discover, Barnett, and M-Prize national chamber music competitions. [https://nationalcitycc.org/friday-music-at-mid-day/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalcitycc.org%2Ffriday-music-at-mid-day%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA&h=AT6lZ59rj6taqeWG13-QBP6-pQM9LOqSOvvoWbEYlpIc0uso96jskbZzC33PN0rU31v__VzOOx5yTUN28Uo_BNfljYWrE-7dsaFmBfwknJ3cqpgqGBSQuEfT4isiaubCzgzhEkFkMhEpdQADA6o&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT72X25ERQ1XgWWqa-VbCb3ceoXBk8qKQJGiPKo8M0U257nUWr3EpPN5QnQsWkBnlBEJwgBA9drX9C6dI4JYtPIt1tNDRo54bg9YKtVbemmy_X16t-9GU0qXSrAW-VhG)

What does it look like when ideas come to life? Join NOVA Scribes and MAFN for a full-day, in-person open house where the public is invited to step inside the world of facilitation. This is a come-and-go experience designed for curiosity, exploration, and conversation. Whether you are new to facilitation groups, you are welcome. The space will be set up as a "theater in the round," (see the image) with facilitators working live around the room. Throughout the day, you will see different techniques, styles, and modalities demonstrated in real time, from visual templates, facilitation tools, and decision-support methods. You can observe, ask questions, and engage directly with the practitioners as the work unfolds. **What you can expect** * Live demonstrations of facilitation techniques * Multiple practitioners working simultaneously, each with their own approach and style * Short, informal demos and tiny teaches that explain how and why specific techniques are used * Opportunities to talk one-on-one with experienced facilitators * A chance to see how facilitation can support sensemaking, alignment, and group dialogue **What you might explore** * Methods and templates for planning, strategy, and reflection * Facilitation methods that support participation and decision making * Tools, materials, and setup considerations for live work This open house is designed to be accessible, hands-on, and inspiring. You do not need to stay all day. Come for 20 minutes or stay for hours. Watch ideas take shape. Notice how facilitation can change the energy in the room. Ask the questions you have always wanted to ask. If you have ever been curious about how facilitation works and supports groups, this is your chance to experience it up close. **Open to the general public. No prior experience required.** We’re not charging for this workshop, but we will be asking for donations!

Come exchange Asian Languages that you speak! ***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. We will assign tables for represented languages. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. As you all remember well, this event used to bring out hundreds of people every week. However, it was discontinued last year for obvious reasons and we couldn't gather that many people now, because of restrictions. Hence, we are downsizing and caping the number of attendees. We have super limited spots and advance ticket purchase is required. ***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. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 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\. You ought to have register on Meetup for a free entry\. Otherwise\, you will be subject to a cover charge\. 11. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speaker\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. 12.

Looking for a fun way to meet your fellow DMV geeks outside of game nights and conventions? Well come join us on May 8th for our next Nerds Night Out event with our friends over at DC Gaming Group! Nerd Nite Out is bar crawl that brings together geeky folks in a casual setting. Each bar crawl we will explore a couple of bars (all within walking distance from each other) in a different neighborhood. Whether you’re new to the city or someone who has been here for a few years, this is the perfect event to make some new friends (or catch up with old ones!) Our next Nerds Night Out will take place on May 8th at 7PM ET and start at Metrobar in the NoMa area! **Want to stay in the loop? No worries! Join the [DMV D&D Group](https://discord.gg/xhEJ7V3uvu) to stay aware of all future events!**

Get started! Whether you are experienced or a complete new thisdrum class offers fun for you. Learn the basics of popular Brazilian rhythms: samba, samba reggae, axé, ijexa and more. We provide the drums in a fun atmosphere to learn. Drop in:$15

Join us for the world premiere of the musical ***Aguardiente: Where Magic Transcends Borders,*** commissioned by GALA and conceived by Helen Hayes multi-award winner Luis Salgado from Puerto Rico and Colombian artist Daniel Alejandro Gutiérrez. Blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as bomba, currulao, and cumbia, and Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, Aguardiente is a bold new musical about the messy, urgent act of making art in a world on fire. As a group of artists race to finish a new show, their rehearsal room becomes a battleground of ideas, ambition, and lived experience—especially for a composer whose undocumented status makes the dream of success anything but simple. As the team wrestles with what story they should tell, the line between reality and imagination begins to blur, until—like two currents meeting in the same river—the artists’ own struggles spill into the story they are creating: a vibrant tale set in a river town on the brink of environmental collapse, where two young lovers must decide whether to stay and fight for their homeland or leave in pursuit of a dream, making Aguardiente a theatrical journey about migration, memory, and the complicated act of transforming real lives into art. **PERFORMANCES:** ***Aguardiente*** is a bilingual production with surtitles in English and Spanish, and runs April 30 through May 24, 2026. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. The show is approximately 160 minutes long and includes one intermission. Community Night is Thursday, April 30. Noche de GALA, which includes a post-performance reception with the cast and creative team, is Saturday, May 2, under the honorary patronage of His Excellency Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo, Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S. **TICKETS:** Regular tickets for ***Aguardiente*** are $60 Premium, $55 Orchestra Standard, $45 Orchestra Value, and $35 Balcony Value; $35 Seniors (65+), Military, Teachers, and Groups (10+); $25 25 and Under; Community Night tickets are $25 each and Noche de GALA: Chosen ticket price + $5 (per person). **[GET TICKETS HERE](https://ci.ovationtix.com/35923/production/1245626)** **CAST:** ***Aguardiente: Where Magic Transcends Borders*** features an 18-people multicultural cast that includes Samuel Garnica (Venezuela) as Alberto, Sebastián Treviño (Colombia and Mexico) as Alejandro, Vin Ramos (Puerto Rico) as Azuquita, Ana Luisa Martínez (Mexico) as Anís, Shayla Hernández (Puerto Rico) as Kiara, Emy Ramos (Dominican Republic and United States) as Beta, Eric González (Spain) as Eve, Machirán (Cuba) as Pepe/MC, and Leanna “Leah” Finol (Venezuela and Hungary) as Mamá/Mom. The ensemble includes Ralphie Rivera (Puerto Rico, Dance Captain), Álvaro Medina Molina (Puerto Rico and Colombia, Alberto U/S), Santiago Ayala (Colombia, Alejandro U/S), Brianna Ríos (El Salvador and Puerto Rico, Anís U/S), Ana Daniela Pérez (Panama, Beta U/S), Bibi Sánchez (Mexico, Mamá U/S), Julia Neveu (United States, Eve U/S), Zaramaría Fas (Puerto Rico, Swing), and Rodrigo Calderón (Peru, Swing, Azuquita U/S). **CREATIVE TEAM:** This enthralling new musical is written, directed, and choreographed by Luis Salgado, with music and music direction by Daniel A. Gutiérrez, and lyrics by both Salgado and Gutiérrez. Scenic Design is by Clifton Chadick, Lighting Design is by Colin Bills, Projections Design is by Milton Cordero, and Madeline “Mo” Oslejsek is Sound Designer. Costume Design is by Jeannette Christensen, Properties Design is by Chelsea Dean, and Hair and Makeup Design is by Andre Hopfer. Sorany Gutiérrez is the Dramaturg, Valeria Cossu is Associate Director, and Ralphie Rivera is Associate Choreographer. Cody Von Ruden is Assistant Costume Designer and Elias Hall is Assistant Properties Designer. The band includes Daniel Gutiérrez (Music Director, Conductor, Keys), Sebastián Natal (Assistant Music Director, Multi-instrumentalist), Juan “Juancho” Gómez (Guitar), Iván Navas (Multi-instrumentalist), Jaime Rodríguez (Percussion), Roger Torres (Trumpet), and Michael “Mike” Ventura (Saxophone). Ester Teixeira Vianna is Stage Manager, Rbekah Nogueira is NYC Assistant Stage Manager, Brian Martínez is DC Assistant Stage Manager, Ilyana Rose-Dávila is Production Manager, Amanda Leyva is Assistant Production Manager, Anson Stevie is Technical Director, Delbis Cardona is General Manager for Rehearsal Space, and Lorena Suárez is Company Administrator. Gustavo Ott is the Producer and Rebecca Medrano is the Executive Producer. The production is made possible in part with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Paul Angell Foundation, the National Latinx Theater Initiative, and the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Additionally, GALA Hispanic Theatre is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Mark Edelman Theater Fund and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the National organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.

Let's meet at Springfield Mall to see the movie Sheep Detectives, we will buy the seats and tix there, so we can all sit together, and then after, go out to lunch at Silver Diner. I'll be wearing a super hero t-shirt. Mike T

Playtesting Agent and Battle-scale of the Zone-17 role-playing and miniatures game.

Do you want to sacrifice little children/pets in order to summon your favorite demons? Are you interested in creating monstrosities/crimes against nature and passing them off as "dates" for sexy singles? Do you want to pretend to be a human while actually being a robot bent on the destruction of humanity? Join me in playing hilariously dark party games including but not limited to Let's Summon Demons, Master Dater (yes, that name is on purpose 😅), Human Punishment, and many more! I will also have Mortal Kombat 11 available.

We will be playing **Arcs** with up to 8 players. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. Arcs is a sci-fi strategy game of galactic struggle set in a dark yet silly universe. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv_aXuTTil8&pp=ygUEYXJjcw%3D%3D) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0106/0162/7706/files/Arcs_Base_Rulebook.pdf?v=1713374179) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. By updating your RSVP when you can't make it other players on the waitlist will have a chance to attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

TICKET LINK: [https://bit.ly/YolksMay2026-meetup](https://bit.ly/YolksMay2026-meetup) Join veteran Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey clown Jim Dandy and award-winning burlesque performer Delilah Dentata for Yolks on You, a brunch-time romp that celebrates the funniest, strangest, and most delightful variety performers they can find. Over the show's 8 year run, we’ve welcomed burlesque, clown, live music, flow arts, drag, mime, pole, puppets, and a few things we still don’t quite know how to describe … and we’re doing it all again in May! Settle in with the DC Comedy Loft's rotating lineup of beers, mixed drinks, and brunch menu while you marvel at the cast’s phenomenal (and occasionally baffling) talents.

***Septima*** is a competitive, highly interactive strategy game of witchcraft. As the leader of your coven, you must prove your worth in the town of Noctenburg to become the successor of Septima, the High Witch. Practice your craft and gain Wisdom by collecting herbs, brewing potions, healing the townsfolk, mastering charms and rescuing your brothers and sisters from the trials. But beware: magic, even if used for good, invokes suspicion in the townsfolk...

Set after the events of the last movie, Hollywood action star Johnny Cage joins up with the heroes of Earthrealm and are forced to battle to the death with dealing with the rising threat of Outworld Emperor Shao Khan, who threatens to conquer all of Earthrealm. This will be the IMAX showing at 7:00 pm at the Hoffman Center. I'll be seated in H13. Prior to showtime, I'll be arriving an hour early at Atlas. After the movie, we can all go back to Atlas to talk about the movie.

Join us as we kick off Summer Movie Season with a Happy Hour & a movie event to see the sci-fi action-adventure, THE MANDOLARIAN AND GROGU! The sci-fi action-adventure follows a lone bounty hunter and his apprentice Grogu (Baby Yoda) embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In the film, Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are enlisted by the New Republic during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy. The film is written/directed by Jon Favreau (the mastermind behind the early MCU films) and stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwild1rw7Aw HAPPY HOUR PLAN: For Happy Hour food and drinks before the show we’ll meet in the bar area at nearby Bravo at 5:15pm! We’ll have a section reserved for the group, so keep an eye out for us and we’ll keep one out for you! CMG Pro Tip: If you can, bring cash as it helps make for a quicker exit from the restaurant. MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and meet in the lobby area at 6:30pm! Tickets on sale now and advance purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list you seat number in the Comments section of this event. Happy Summer and See You Soon, Dan

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

The theme for May is Thriller. • The book we will be discussing is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. (determined by votes from April Book Club. Let me know if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the main library. Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

Join us for TheMercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey. How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx - part empire, part hive - have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin. Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to learning to understand - and manipulate - the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins.