Comedians

**Happiness is a Decision** Happiness does not come from outside, it comes from inside, and when you radiate a happy energy, you'll be amazed by what it attracts into your life. Wed., Jan. 21st, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free event - Register at: [https://shorturl.at/9BR5y](https://shorturl.at/9BR5y)

This group was originally started by Chad Keith who created and hosts a podcast by the same name in Charlotte, NC. I am hoping to continue his legacy here in NoVa as I recently moved to this area. This group is all about finding community around self-improvement and exchanging ideas on how to be your best self and get the most out of life. This group is for anyone who is interested in overcoming average in all areas - career, ambitions, relationships, hobbies, health, everything. I am so excited to meet driven individuals in the NoVa area so please reach out if you have any questions at all. EVERYONE is welcome so please sign up for an upcoming meetup!

Gaming, AdTech, EdTech, Media Streaming, and FinTech are just a few of the workloads where high-availability cloud infrastructure matters. Whether you’re doing battle daily in one of these spaces or are just curious about ways to improve performance, meet us in Reston for an in-person discussion on bare metal cloud architecture. You’ll meet our product lead, James MacKenzie, who will walk through how modern bare metal serves as a control plane for hybrid and private cloud architectures. **What we will cover** * Ways to leverage bare metal, containers, and orchestration for better performance and predictable economics; * Real-world hybrid, disaster recovery, and data-intensive architectures; * Our approach to eliminating ingress and egress fees. **Who should attend** * Cloud architects and platform engineers; * DevOps professionals and infrastructure leads; * FinOps stakeholders managing data-heavy or hybrid workloads. **Why attend** This is a technical, architecture-first conversation. You will leave with a clearer understanding of high-availability cloud infrastructure and how organizations are scaling cost-effectively. Food and drinks will be provided. Space is limited to keep the discussion interactive.

We are now Meeting at ResQ BBQ in Leesburg \*\*help us track guest attendance, please register here please: https://www.bniconnectglobal.com/web/open/visitorRegistration?chapterId=16801 \*\* *** Thanks for visiting our meetup group for information for BNI Potomac Business Alliance where I am honored to hold the Title Insurance seat. During this meeting you will meet other local business professionals from a wide variety of industries who commit to providing excellent service to people within our shared networks. We will pass over 1.5 million dollars of business in 2022-2023. and we want you to consider applying to be a part of our referral network. So come out, enjoy an excellent breakfast, learn a little more about me and Title Insurance, and consider being a part of a fantastic group of business professionals. Be prepared to tell everyone about your business in about 30 seconds or less. We want to know what you do but have to keep it short so we can complete the meeting's agenda, we want to honor your time! • 30 second elevator speech? What do I say?! Your Name Your Company's Name What your company does (in basic form) One key difference maker (deliver on-time, on budget. or We close complicated cases. or We can sell your home quickly and for top dollar. Etc...) Who you would like to meet in the room or in the area (so we can refer you business :-) ) Keep it short and sweet, there will be plenty of time after and before the meeting to get to know other people in the group and even opportunities to schedule "one to one/1:2:1" meetings. We love to grab our coffee and go out to a spot in the lobby afterwards in one on ones to discuss how we can work together, get to know each other, get business done! So plan a little extra time to meet if need be.

Start at the old train depot. After the run, we'll meet at Mile 20 for a drink! Run starts at 6:45 pm we will head toward Sterling tonight. Run at your own pace out and back. 2 mile runners turn around at Crestview Drive. 3 mile runners turn around at Tamarack Court. 3.5 & 4 - No cross streets in this stretch. You're on your own. :-) 5 mile runners - turn around at Sterling Blvd.

Location: Crossroads 13891 Metrotech Dr, Chantilly, VA Let’s meet at 7 to grab seats and chat before the comedy show at 8pm. 7pm - meet and greet 8pm - comedy show 9pm - King Moon Racer band The duo from Black & White Comedy Productions Ace Jackson and Conner Williams are coming to take the stage together for an all-out improvised standup comedy crowd-work show packed with laughter! 🎤💥 And it’s FREE! Join us at Crossroads in Chantilly on Friday January 23rd at 8PM sharp to enjoy some killer standup comedy! 🤩 Witness two professional comedians take the stage and take turns on the mic going back and forth with each other and the crowd for a deep-dive into the hilarious aspects of life, the world, and everything in between. Hosted by one of the areas absolute favorite comedians, the one & only Angela Robinson! With a special guest to warm up the show, featuring the hilarious Hannah Erin Coyne! If you haven’t had the opportunity to see these extremely unique comedians and the energy they bring to the room, this is your golden opportunity to take a night out and witness a spectacle of standup comedy! We’ll see you there! 😉🫵 Be sure to grab your seats by 7:30pm and the show will start at 8 o’clock sharp! Please feel free to donate after the show to support the comedians! 🤝 About the comedians: Conner Williams is a West Virginia native, Navy veteran, husband, father, standup comedian and co-producer of Black & White Comedy Productions and the United By Comedy Podcast. Conner has created a stage presence that comes with an unwavering ability to connect with any crowd in any setting. He embeds his unique experiences throughout life, both positive and negative, into a non-stop ride of laughter and enjoyment for the audience members that could only be described as “hilarious story telling, a few dirty dad-jokes, and a healthy mixture of crowd-work”. He has produced and performed in hundreds of shows in the most popular comedy venues all across the DMV area, alongside some of the best in the biz. Conner has earned a spot opening or hosting for David Jolly, David Lucas, Hans Kim, Ari Shaffir and Tony Woods. Ace Jackson was born and raised in the Northern Virginia area, but has traveled near and far gaining an array unique perspectives on life along the way (Probably because he almost lost his several times). Reserved in public but lively on the mic, Ace is not afraid to address any elephant in the room, or to say whatever may come to his mind for the sake of a good joke. He shares his upbringing and uses the stage to find humor in both the positives and negatives of every aspect in life, leaving you laughing and thinking throughout the show and even on the ride home. Ace Jackson has produced and performed in hundreds of shows across the DMV area alongside some of the best in the comedy game, including featuring for Tony Woods at the DC Improv, and spots at The Church of Satire Comedy Club and The Cellar Door. About King Moon Racer: We are excited for our debut at Crossroads in Chantilly VA!! Come join us for a night of power pop infused rock with covers by Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Cheap Trick and John Mellencamp!

# Happy Birthday, You’re Dead Written and Directed by Terry Smith Produced by Jerri Wiseman ***You are invited to a surprise birthday party for Candy Crush, a D-list actor. She’s the hottest ticket in town. But her birthday party isn’t the only surprise she will get tonight! Someone’s about to be murdered. Only you can prevent this from happening before it’s game over. To miss this would be a crime.*** January 24 at Ono Offshore in Chantilly (with dinner) ONO Offshore, 4515 Daly Drive, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151 5:30pm Doors and Beverage Tabs open 6:00pm Dinner starts 6:45pm Show starts There will be a 15-20-minute intermission. Tickets: $57 plus ticketing fee and sales tax includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Odd BBQ. Menu: Choice of smoked pulled pork or smoked chicken thighs and bun. Assemble your own sandwich with choice of BBQ sauce. (A Beyond Brat will be available for those who select a Vegetarian/Vegan Meal.) Macaroni and cheese. Grilled Vegetables. Baked Beans. Cookies for dessert. Beverages are not included in the ticket price. Guests will be able to open a tab for the self-serve beer wall with 4 craft beer options from Ono Brewing Company. There will also be hard seltzer available for purchase in addition to assorted sodas, tea, and bottled water. ### **[Buy tickets for ONO Offshore.](https://www.stagecoachtc.com/happy-birthday-youre-dead/)** You must buy a ticket to attend. An RSVP here will not save you a seat. This venue sells out quickly!

[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://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics) .] 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.

**Looking for a group you can write with *whilst sipping your fave coffee*?** ☕✍️ Then come join **Shut Up & Write!** on **Saturday, January 24th from 1:30pm to 4:00pm** at **Ridgetop Coffee & Tea**! Whether you're cranking out a novel, journaling, looking for new friends, or just trying to get that stubborn paragraph right—we’ve got a cozy seat and a supportive group waiting for you! **No critiques, no peer review, no pressure—just a chill space to get words on the page.** 📝 **What to expect:** 1:30–2:00pm – Grab your coffee or tea, find your seat, and meet your fellow writers. 2:00pm–3:30pm – Silent, focused writing time 3:30–4:00pm – Debrief, celebrate any writing wins, commiserate on any obstacles, and head out feeling accomplished. **RSVP Info:** The room seats only 8 people comfortably! RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot!! If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation **ASAP** so those on the wait list are able to RSVP and attend!!! **Meeting Room:** Enter the coffee shop, walk straight towards the play area and on your left you will see a meeting room just past the bathrooms. The room has a TV, white board, and walls are painted green. **What to Bring:** Whatever helps you focus, and be productive. There is a wall outlet at each end of the room, so you're able to bring your laptop to write. You're welcome to bring headphones if you enjoy listening to music while working. **Parking & Accessibility:** there is a large parking lot out front and it is free! There are no stair cases when entering the coffee shop or when inside. This coffee shop is incredibly spacious with many seating options. If you have any questions, please message me through MeetUp. I'm happy to help. **Dietary Information:** many GF, Vegan, and SF options. Just ask your barista when ordering for specifics! Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

Live music every Thursday night at Jimmy’s. [Jimmy’s upcoming events.](https://www.jottnew.com/upcoming-events.html)

"**Besides — laughing together is good for the church — *and* for people who have no interest in the church. Just come. It’s good."** The Emcee is the Pastor of the church who just so happens to be an improv comedian that has performed across the country. Improv is about telling stories - the highs and lows - and learning to see the humor, and maybe you'll even find some faith in the process. Read more: https://www.thevineva.org/worship/improv-church/ Cost is $10, buy directly from the church: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/9TEZQJ4VZ75X5/checkout/UFLOGDN65GU5CHJPI6QFSFKJ

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Live music every Thursday night at Jimmy’s. [Jimmy’s upcoming events.](https://www.jottnew.com/upcoming-events.html)

Let’s get together and fellowship at this open mic night! It’s a chill event and a great place to meet new people. Feel free to share your talent or even a testimony if you’re moved to 🤗. After the event ends, we’ll head over to the Wegmans in Reston for games on the second floor.

If you're looking for something to do before the snow starts, join us for the 5th Annual Gary Ryan Chili CookOff at Lost Rhino 2-5PM with Live Music from Something's Brewing. Proceeds benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief. Gregory said there will be a line, so get there early! Something's Brewing will be hitting the stage 4-7pm to support our great friends at Lost Rhino for their annual Chili Cookoff! Join us inside and warm up with some tasty tunes and tasty brews and tasty chili! Chili Tasting tickets are $10 each at the door and can be paid via cash or our POS system for credit card. Tasters will use a ticket to vote for their favorite chili. This year, ALL Tasting Ticket sales will be donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief! Lost Rhino will be collecting non-perishable food donations for Loudoun Hunger Relief during the event.

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 7pm-7:15pm: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 7:15pm-8:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 8:45pm-9pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. Can't wait to see you! :)