Storytelling

Join us on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 Eastern at Busboys and Poets Takoma; or, for out-of-towners, via Zoom. Our featured tellers this month are Jessica Piscitelli Robinson and Chetter Galloway! Register or learn more: [https://fsgw.org/event-6452023](https://fsgw.org/event-6452023?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYmJidk1nRERPWGM3dVFZWXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45cyhwEfbx5cEQS85IVTzAM11Z9X0-qXNgay83bgLV1MB2aKtnvB-igMjc7A_aem_TJLVE9-uvHmaFP2zNXKhVw) You will get emails with reminders on the date, time, and location, as well as Zoom information. We ask for donations to support our tellers, suggested $20 per person (feel free to give more!). Donations can be made in person or online before, during, or after the show, at: [https://fsgw2.org/grapevine.html](https://fsgw2.org/grapevine.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYmJidk1nRERPWGM3dVFZWXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45cyhwEfbx5cEQS85IVTzAM11Z9X0-qXNgay83bgLV1MB2aKtnvB-igMjc7A_aem_TJLVE9-uvHmaFP2zNXKhVw) The Grapevine is spoken word performance for adults and teens, celebrating the timeless art of the story, hosted by storytellers Renée Brachfeld and Tim Livengood.

We've been waiting for this one with great anticipation. Aaron Posner has been one of the best theater makers in DC for a long time. Master illusionist Dendy and acclaimed playwright/director Posner reunite after their smash-hit collaboration on *The Tempest* for a spellbinding new one-man show. **To buy tickets, go to [this link](https://www.roundhousetheatre.org/on-stage/explore/nothing-up-my-sleeve/). Click on "Buy Tickets" in the upper right. Click on arrow for Feb. 11 to join us. (Feb. 14 matinee is also PWYC.) Then choose a Zone - they're all good - and the Pay What You Can dollar choice will come up. Follow through to the end. I think these tickets will go quickly.** Part dazzling magic act, part deeply personal journey, *Nothing Up My Sleeve...Simple Deceptions for Curious Humans* pulls back the curtain on the history of magic while exploring Dendy’s own path to becoming a magician. Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and transported into a world where the impossible becomes reality. Featuring captivating storytelling, audience interaction, jaw-dropping tricks, and mind-bending surprises, this exhilarating experience will leave you believing in magic again.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Single Lesson,”** a debunking of myths and misconceptions about singlehood and a look at research and advocacy efforts focused on the unmarried, with Craig Wynne, a professor of English at the University of the District of Columbia and pioneer in the growing field of Singles Studies. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at[ https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-the-single-lesson]( https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-the-single-lesson) .] All around us are messages that being “coupled up” is the norm. Shows like *The Bachelor*, 90-Day Fiancé, and *Indian Matchmaking* have people rooting and fawning for marriage. Yet, despite its supposed unpopularity, the rate of singlehood is increasing. By 2030, the Pew Research Center has projected, 25 percent of 45- to 54-year-old adults in the United States will never have married. What’s the real picture when it comes to singles? Is a growing share of the population missing out on marital bliss, or are single people on to something? Hear such questions tackled by Professor Craig Wynne, co-editor of *Singular Selves: An Introduction to Singles Studies* and author of *How to be a Happy Bachelor.* Dr. Wynne will discuss how stereotypes of singlehood are perpetuated in the media and how they influence laws, policies, and our daily social interactions in ways that harm not just single people but those who are married, cohabitating, or in a relationship. His talk will explore the concepts of “singlism,” the stereotyping and stigma around people who are not married or otherwise unpartnered; “matrimania,” over-the-top societal obsession with marriage and weddings; and “amatonormativity,” the assumption that a romantic relationship must be prioritized above all other kinds. Finally, Dr. Wynne will discuss the emergence of Singles Studies—a field devoted to granting singlehood validity in an academic context—and look at recent advocacy intended to secure single people equity in a world that still privileges being married or coupled. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

The **Reston-Herndon Toastmasters club** is the place to be if you want to improve your public speaking, communication, listening, and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive environment. By joining Toastmasters, you'll learn to relax, plan, and present great speeches, whether you have ten days to prepare or just 10 seconds. Our club meetings are held every **2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM** at Herndon Fortnightly Library located at 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170. The library is closed, so please contact us for directions. Guests are always welcome at our club meetings! If you are interested in joining the club or would like to attend as a visitor, please fill out the form at [https://3550.toastmastersclubs.org/?contactus](https://3550.toastmastersclubs.org/?contactus). We will reply with directions.

Ready to build something amazing without writing a single line of code? Or want a front-row seat to watch it all come together? Join us for an AI-powered hackathon where you’ll create an app using **Lovable** – the no-code platform that turns plain English prompts into real products. This will be an interactive, high-energy event – not a sit-down lecture. Builders will be hands-on and products will be built! How it works: * We’ll form small AI building groups – no need to come with a team. * Bring a laptop to help your team build by adding features or testing your product. * Each group will collaborate to build an app and share it at the end. * The product brief will be revealed at the start – no prep required! * All Lovable credits are covered – no fees involved. Whether you’re curious about AI tools, eager to experiment, or just want to see how others build fast, this is your chance to experience the future of app creation. Since group spots are limited, please RSVP **only if you’re sure you can commit**. **Agenda:** * **5:00pm - 5:30pm – Arrival / Networking** * **5:30pm - 6:00pm – Hackathon brief** * **6:00pm - 7:00pm – Build time** * **7:00pm - 7:20PM – Networking / Shortlist** * **7:20pm - 7:50pm – Finalist demo, voting and prizes** * **7:50pm - 8:30pm – Wrap-up / Networking** This event will be held at Amazon’s HQ2 in National Landing, Arlington. Please bring a photo ID that matches your registration name to check in with security. There are metro stops (Pentagon City, Crystal City) and parking garages within convenient walking distance. There is also some street parking available in the vicinity.

# Blood on the Clocktower: Trouble Brewing **RSVP** [https://www.3gearstudios.com/blood-on-the-clocktower-trouble-brewing-69250487.html](https://www.3gearstudios.com/blood-on-the-clocktower-trouble-brewing-69250487.html) **\*\* Please get your ticket using the link above to ensure your spot\***\* **Description:** Step into a world of lies, logic, and deception. It’s a pure social deduction game - no dice needed, and there are many ways to play even the storyteller can lie. Some characters passively receive information, some need to take action to learn who is who, while some simply want to bait the Demon into attacking them. Both good and evil can gain the upper hand by making well-timed sacrifices. Trouble Brewing is a relatively straightforward Demon hunt, but evil has a number of dastardly misinformation tricks up their sleeves, so the good players had better question what they think they know if they hope to survive. ([ Learn More](https://bloodontheclocktower.com/editions/trouble-brewing)) * **Date: Wednesday, February 11th** * **Time**: 7:00pm - 10:00pm EST * **Slots:** 15 * **Cost:** $10 per person/ per session * **Characters**: Beginner - Friendly * **Rating:** 13+. * **Storyteller**: Megan A. (She/ They) * **Place: In Person at 3 Gear Games** (25 C Street, Laurel MD 20707) --**Refund Policy**-- Refunds will be issued should we have to cancel this event, and are unable to reschedule it. They will not be issued for no-shows. --**Game Room Code Of Conduct**--[https://www.3gearstudios.com/service/code-of-conduct/](https://www.3gearstudios.com/service/code-of-conduct/?fbclid=IwAR054LDLzN5OeBImBfQpND1a_83AGAxPeFHwMO303UD3Z7rggbPn-TRYH64) Email questions to 3geargames@gmail.com

Come join us for an evening of live storytelling with a table read of three original shorts, written by local writers and performed by our cast of talented actors. Whether you’re a lover of live performance or just someone looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine's, this event is perfect for anyone interested in the art of storytelling via scripts. **What to Expect:** * A live read-through of three original shorts. * A chance to experience new works in progress as they’re brought to life for the first time * A welcoming space to connect with local creatives and fellow enthusiasts Come support original storytelling and enjoy an evening of suspense, scares, and seasonal fun. **Perfect for:** Writers, theater lovers, or anyone who enjoys discovering new stories and supporting local creativity.

We will discuss two short stories from Tobias Wolfe's "The Garden of the North American Martyrs": "The Garden of the North American Martyrs" (title story) "The Liar"

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

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

Note: RSVPs for this meetup open when our last meetup ends. For February, we are reading Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah. The book was first published in 2025 and the hardcover version runs 296 pages. The GoodReads blurb is In his first new novel since winning the 2021 Nobel Prize, a master storyteller captures a time of dizzying global change. At the turn of the twenty-first century, three young people come of age in Tanzania. Karim returns to his sleepy hometown after university with new swagger and ambition. Fauzia glimpses in him a chance at escape from a smothering upbringing. The two of them offer a haven to Badar, a poor boy still unsure if the future holds anything for him at all. As tourism, technology, and unexpected opportunities and perils reach their quiet corner of the world, bringing, each arrives at a different understanding of what it means to take your fate into your own hands.

We are collaborating with CAASM for an exciting event. Join us for an afternoon of live storytelling, featuring a table read of three original shorts written by local writers and performed by a talented cast of actors. Whether you’re a lover of live performance or just someone looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine's, this event is perfect for anyone interested in the art of storytelling via scripts. **What to Expect:** * A live read-through of three original shorts. * A chance to experience new works in progress as they’re brought to life for the first time * A welcoming space to connect with local creatives Come support original storytelling and enjoy an evening of suspense, scares, and seasonal fun. **Perfect for:** Writers, theater lovers, or anyone who enjoys discovering new stories and supporting local creativity.