Sci-Fi/Fantasy

What can be a more geeky night out than spending an evening solving puzzles in a pub, especially after a pandemic? Yes, Puzzled Pint is returning to being in-person! See www.puzzledpint.com This free event works like this: On the website puzzledpint.com is a puzzle. Solve it and find out where we'll be puzzling on Tuesday -- it'll be at a pub near a metro station. Go there and do free puzzle sets! The puzzle sets are meant for teams of three or four people -- if you don't have a team and want one, you can form a team here on Meetup, or the kind Puzzled Pint people will likely help. Some notes: -- These are "puzzle hunt" style puzzles, which have an interesting style of their own. If you are new to this kind of puzzle, DON'T PANIC when you first see the location puzzle, and don't hesitate to get hints. After all, the point is to have fun, not be frustrated! -- Also, for new people, a basic guide is available here: http://www.puzzledpint.com/files/3513/8254/7894/2013_10_22_Puzzling_Basics_Infographic.pdf -- Note that this event isn’t hosted by GNO, but by Puzzled Pint. Feel free to post here to form groups etc, but don’t expect the kind Puzzled Pint Organizers to have read any messages here. -- If people come late, they can either form their own group, or join a pre-existing group. However, since the event is designed for groups of 3 or 4 people, forming a new group will probably work out better. The 7:00 time is just when they start handing out the puzzles -- if your group wants to start later, that'll be fine

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Nightmares and Creativity,”** on the relationship between frightening dreams and real creative achievements, with Bernard Welt, emeritus professor of arts and humanities at George Washington University, former member of the board of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, and contributing editor of *DreamTime*. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at[ https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-nightmares-and-creativity]( https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-nightmares-and-creativity).] Nightmares are associated with creativity—but how, exactly? Why do so many famous accounts of genius in the arts and sciences originate with a frightening dream? Explore such questions with the help of Bernard Welt, who has taught courses on recalling dreams and dream journaling and written extensively on the relationship between dreaming and the arts. Using excerpts from texts, illustrations of artworks, and clips from classic films derived from nightmares, Professor Welt will look at the relationship between bad dreams and celebrated innovations and creative accomplishments. You’ll learn why psychologists consider the nightmare to be a key to understanding the creative power of the unconscious mind. We’ll consider sleep scientists’ definitions of the nightmare, asking why it still remains controversial, and explore contemporary theories about the relationship between nightmares and creativity from psychoanalysis, Jungian archetypal theory, evolutionary psychology, and other sources. Though dreams have special authority in many cultures, in the western world it’s only among the nineteenth-century Romantics that we began to see personal accounts of creativity inspired by dreams—curiously, preponderantly bad ones. We’ll look at how *Frankenstein* arose from Mary Shelley’s famous dream of a scientist confronted by his own fearful creation, and how art’s Surrealist movement taught us to value our nightmares. You’ll learn how dreams of all kinds can result in sudden inspiration because they relax inhibitions, transcend habitual trains of thought, and permit ideas that would be rejected by the thought processes of waking life. You’ll even come to see why we may welcome our nightmares as opportunities to expand our vision and our understanding. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From Francisco Goya’s 1799 etching “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters” (public domain).

**Please read the full description** Hi all! We have 20 free spots for an early screening of Is God Is (2026) on Tuesday, May 12th at 7pm before it premieres to the public. **Please only RSVP if you are sure you can attend and arrive 25-30 minutes early as admission is not guaranteed for later or late-comers. Please use your full first** Washington, DC Advanced Screening May 12th – 7:00 PM Alamo Drafthouse 630 Rhode Island Ave, NE, Washington, DC 20002 FILM SYNOPSIS: In *Is God Is*, two sisters embark on an epic quest for revenge, confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths. The film is Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut and is based on Harris’ adaptation of her award-winning play of the same name. [Click here for trailer](https://youtu.be/pgtdkuNFoKk?si=vl2AftzOcYsAzGhi) **This invitation is non-transferable and** **RSVP does not guarantee admission. Early arrival strongly suggested as seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis.** This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. Any attempted recording (audio or video) will result in your immediate removal from the theatre. RSVP names will be used for validation at the theatre.

It's Burger night at Bar Louie for $8 craft burgers WITH fries! Grab a seat, order a burger, and join the conversation as much or as little as you like.

**[CRUSHING WHEELCHAIRS](https://givebutter.com/crushing-wheelchairs-afisilver)** is a powerful new social justice film that follows a group of poor people living in a homeless community as they struggle to find hope amid gentrification, domestic violence and the growing brutality of the State. Starring the talents of POOR Magazine—the prominent California arts & activism collective—this revolutionary film features a cast and crew of currently and formerly unhoused residents of the San Francisco Bay Area who brought their real-life stories to the screen. [TRAILER](https://vimeo.com/946860766?fl=pl&fe=sh) Runtime: 1h 56m Year: 2025 Director: Lisa “Tiny” Gray-Garcia and Adrian Diamond **5:30 Check in, Food** **6:00pm: All-nations prayer** **6:30pm: Crushing Wheelchairs Film** **8:30pm: Q&A, Poetry and closing words** **[Tickets](https://givebutter.com/crushing-wheelchairs-afisilver)** are sold with tiered pricing to make this film accessible. Please consider what is truly possible for you, and purchase the appropriate ticket.

Two Swedish sisters find themselves in extreme danger when a rock slide tumbles down on them while they’re diving on vacation in Norway. The two have a bit of history: the younger one nearly drowned as a teen in a diving accident for which the elder was blamed. Years later they’re extremely experienced and capable divers, so when one is trapped under a boulder, they immediately execute a plan to get her free. The plot moves in an everything-that-can-go-wrong-does-go-wrong direction, but all the events are connected and believable. The movie was remade in 2023 as The Dive, and both features offer plenty of nail-biting scares and thrills. Swedish dialogue with English subtitles ■ Title — Breaking Surface ■ Director — Joachim Hedén ■ Cast — Moa Gammel, Madeleine Martin, Trine Wiggen ■ Unrated, suitable for teens and adults ■ ©2020 \| 1h 18m \| Adventure\, Drama\, Horror\, Thriller ■ Watch it free with ads on Fandango: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Breaking-Surface/1599166 ■ Watch it free with ads on Fawesome: https://fawesome.tv/movies/10677399/breaking-surface ■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100016061/breaking-surface ■ Available free without ads to Amazon Prime subscribers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.94badb74-fa96-1c1d-7481-c53230c5a18c ■ Available free without ads to Hoopla subscribers: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/15804433 ■ Available free without ads to Kanopy subscribers (details below): https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/13250549 ■ Kanopy streaming service is available free to holders of DC library cards. DC libraries will issue cards to residents of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and other nearby areas. Visit any branch to obtain your card. Kanopy is also provided free to Loudoun County library card holders who live, work, or study in Loudoun County. ■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention. ■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com

We will be reading "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel. We will be meeting at GameOn Bar. So, please come join us for some discussion and a drink and/or food. [Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20170404-station-eleven) As per usual we are crowd-sourcing book ideas and voting on the top books. We encourage you to add votes to the books [DC Science Fiction Book Club Suggestions - Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mprXaa6bcEW5EL_uprN16-RBcetO6pbqA4vHDTjtowI/edit?gid=0#gid=0)

**Star Trek Adventures: "Lightning In A Bottle" One-Shot RPG** **RSVP Sign-up: [https://3gearstudios.com/products/star-trek-adventures-lightning-in-a-bottle-one-shot](https://3gearstudios.com/products/star-trek-adventures-lightning-in-a-bottle-one-shot)** * **Description** Star Trek Adventures: "Lightning In A Bottle" is a Lower Decks adventure. Players will choose one of four pre-generated characters (the main characters from the show) In this mission, the ensigns need to initiate second contact with a group of quantum singularity life-forms who need to be transferred to robot bodies in order to negotiate with senior staff. What could go wrong? This mission is more focused on technological and social skill checks. There are opportunities for combat but it is not a main focus.... * **Date:** Thursday, May 14, 2026 * **Time:** 6PM-10PM (EST) * **GM:** Karen H. (She/Her) * **Cost:** $10 (FREE for VIP Gold Patreon Patrons) * **Characters:** Pre-generated characters available. * **Spots:** 4 * **Rating:** PG -13 * **Place:** 3 Gear Games/ Studios 25 C Street, Laurel, MD 20707 **Play Games \| Make Friends** **Follow Us On:** [Join Our Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/3gearstudios/groups) [Join Our Discord](https://www.3gearstudios.com/3-gear-games-events-community/community/) Website:[ www.3geargames.com](https://www.3gearstudios.com)

**ALIEN RAPTURE PROTOCOL - Two-Shot RPG** **Sign-Up:** [https://3gearstudios.com/products/alien-rpg-rapture-protocol-two-shot](https://3gearstudios.com/products/alien-rpg-rapture-protocol-two-shot) \*\* Please RSVP using the link above to ensure your spot! **RAPTURE PROTOCOL:** "It's the year of our Lord 2185. The mining station Jeremiah VI, on a frozen moon in the Hydrae System needs its resupply this year, and you are the lucky roughnecks who got the job. A crew had to be assembled quickly to make the deadline, but if this all works out, you'll get your money and maybe even a permanent crew contract with Weyland-Yutani. Easy peasy."...... * **Date:** Wednesday, May 13th & 20th * **Time:** 6 PM-10 PM (EST) * **GM:** Alex A. (He/They) * **Cost:** $20 For both days (FREE for VIP Gold Patreon Patrons) * **Characters:** Pre-generated Characters with their own agendas will be available, and their motivations will sometimes put you in line or at odds with the other players. * **Spots:** 5 * **Rating:** R for Adults Only * **Place:** 3 Gear Games/ Studios 25 C Street, Laurel, MD 20707 **Play Games \| Make Friends** **Follow Us On:** [Join Our Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/3gearstudios/groups) [Join Our Discord](https://www.3gearstudios.com/3-gear-games-events-community/community/) Website:[ www.3geargames.com](https://www.3gearstudios.com)

**Paranoia, Team Carbon, Power Tech One-Shot RPG** **RSVP [Get Tickets: https://3gearstudios.com/products/paranoia-team-carbon-power-tech-one-shot](https://3gearstudios.com/products/paranoia-team-carbon-power-tech-one-shot)** \* Please use the link above to get tickets to ensure your spot * **Description** "Team Carbon, Power Tech". In Paranoia, players are Troubleshooters; disposable assets for shooting at trouble, being shot at by trouble, or enlisted by other service groups to handle any number of odd jobs. Within Sector TUV, the service group, Power Services, has enlisted the Troubleshooters for assistance. At the same time, Technical Services, a different service group, has enlisted the same Troubleshooters for their assistance. The Troubleshooters will need to complete the missions they're given all while displaying proper Alpha Complex levels of loyalty to their superiors, while dealing with potential conflicts of interest..... * **Date:** Saturday, May 16, 2026 * **Time:** 6PM-10PM (EST) * **GM:** Lucas P. * **Cost:** $10 (FREE for VIP Gold Patreon Patrons) * **Characters:** Pre-generated characters available. * **Spots:** 6 * **Rating:** T ( This game is good for Teens and older) * **Place:** 3 Gear Games/ Studios 25 C Street, Laurel, MD 20707 **Play Games \| Make Friends** **Follow Us On:** [Join Our Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/3gearstudios/groups) [Join Our Discord](https://www.3gearstudios.com/3-gear-games-events-community/community/) Website:[ www.3geargames.com](https://www.3gearstudios.com)

Nemesis is a 1-5 player space survival game with incredible miniatures and clever, immersive rules that include cooperation, bluffing, backstabbing, and all other elements of an iconic science-fiction horror adventure. The crew Wakes up from hibernation. The damage report States there is a critical system failure and the ship cannot continue its cruise. The task to find the damage, repair it and safely return to earth. The problem: one crew member is dead. Somebody ripped open his hibernation pod and pulled his body out. To make matters worse, you can hear noises in the vast corridors of the ship. I'm not saying its aliens...

Hey all, thought I'd screen the classic movie Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle! Bring your popcorn and your friends.... Thought it would be a good idea to watch these irreverent cult classic movies 😎 I figure we should turn this into a double feature where I show the first And second Harold and Kumar films. Come stoned and enjoy 😅

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 3–6 (subtiers 3–4 and 5–6). The Pathfinder Society begins a perilous trek through the swamps and jungles of the Mwangi Expanse, searching for the location where the founding members of their organization formed the Open Road Pact. The clues the Pathfinders must follow are centuries old, however, and their best lead is the final logs of an ancient Pathfinder whose true fate may be markedly different than the world has been led to believe. Written by: Chris Sims Scenario tags: Metaplot

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

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.

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

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