Vietnamese Culture

May is a great month for Asian festivals in the DC area, so let's pay a visit to another local one that we enjoy! Old Town Fairfax Business Association (OTFBA) partners with local business owners and the City of Fairfax to bring you the 6th Annual Asian Festival on Main 2026! This special event was created to bring the community together and celebrate our cultural diversity through food, arts & crafts, entertainment, and education. 60+ Food Vendors and 60+ Non-Food vendors and exhibitions will also be showcased to highlight Asian food, culture, and traditions from local and out-of-state Asian business owners, as well as some business owners from Old Town Fairfax, Virginia. Here's the website for further info: [https://asianfestivalonmain.com/](https://asianfestivalonmain.com/) Let's meetup around 1:00 PM in front of Courtside Thai and then enter together. Try not to be late! Free parking is available in the ["Old Town Plaza Fairfax Public Parking"](https://goo.gl/maps/AxHiegd2r1MDGuwq9?coh=178571&entry=tt) garage (and maybe on the street if you get lucky). You don't necessarily need a ticket, but if you find a site for it and want to register for one, it'll help with their planning if you do. As always communicate through the message boards if you're trying to find us! We'll try to post up at certain times so you can catch up with us, but of course, being on time is highly advised! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

# Ethical Culture's 150th Year - Looking Back and Forward When: Sunday, May 17, 2026. 11AM, Doors open at 10:45 for coffee Where: Green Hedges School, 415 Windover Ave NW, Vienna, VA 22180 Felix Adler founded Ethical Culture 150 years ago as a non-theistic religion dedicated ethics and seeking to improving the human condition.Randy will read excerpts from his founding address and see how they resonate in the world today and present Ethical Culture's unique ideas. Ethical Culture may be small but we are mighty. Randy Best, NoVES Leader This is an in-person only meeting. Come early get coffee!

Come Learn to play DnD 5.5 Edition with us at the Asian Festival! We'll go through the basics of playing the game and then jump into a short self contained adventure themed around Asian culture. If you have any questions feel free to ask it in the comments below or message @MagicalKuyo on Discord FAQ. **Do I need to bring anything?** Nope! We will provide pre-made characters, dice, writing utensils amd scrath paper, but feel free to bring something to write notes on.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 **How Bad Were Bad Roman Emperors?** Josiah Osgood – Georgetown University Nero fiddling while Rome burned, Caligula appointing his horse as consul, Commodus fighting as a gladiator: Rome’s worst emperors live on in popular memory as few other figures from the past do. Just how bad were these men? Modern historians have often dismissed ancient accounts as unreliable and also have suggested that it didn’t matter who the emperor was. A re-examination of the evidence, including recent archaeological finds, however, argues that an emperor could put his stamp on a whole age and affect the lives of millions for good and for bad. Come and meet anew these notorious rulers and learn how their abuse of power generated a literature of protest that has shaped culture to the present day. Luncheon at 2 pm; Lecture at 3 pm This event will be held at: Tandoori Fairfax 10312 Willard Way / Fairfax, VA 22030 How Bad Were Bad Roman Emperors? Reserve your spot: [https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html](https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html)

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/la-prensa-cooking-class)]** Good food has a way of bringing people together and we're leaning all the way into that. Lesbifriends Travel invites you to Pa' La Cocina, a private hands-on cooking class hosted at La Prensa Tacos & Tapas. This one is personal. We stumbled into La Prensa after a spa day, fell completely in love with the food, and knew right away we had to bring our community here. So, we made it happen. This is two hours of real cooking, real connection, and a full meal waiting for you at the end of it all. No experience needed, no pressure, just good energy, bold flavors, and a room full of people who feel like yours. **Event Details You Should Know:** 📅 **Date:** Sunday, May 17, 2026 ⏰ **Time:** 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 📍 **Location:** La Prensa Tacos & Tapas, 21305 Windmill Parc Drive, Unit 140, Sterling, VA 20166 💸 **Cost:** Early Bird Tickets are $95 (until May 8th). Regular Tickets are $110. (Starting May 9th) 📋 **Registration Deadline:** May 14, 2026 **What to Expect:** * Make tortillas from scratch with La Prensa's culinary team guiding every step * Prepare your own salsa to take home * Sit down together and enjoy tacos and a cocktail * Two full hours of cooking, laughing, and eating with your community Your ticket covers hands-on cooking instruction, a full taco meal, a cocktail, your take-home salsa, and gratuity. Everything is taken care of, you just show up and enjoy. **Spots are capped at 30** to keep things intimate. Don't wait on this one. **Who This Event Is For:** Black queer women and non-binary people who are interested in learning bout Mexican cuisine, cooking from scratch, and enjoying bold flavors with new friends. ✨ Lesbifriends Travel invites you to roll up your sleeves, get into it, and leave with a full plate and a few new Lesbifriends. **Claim your spot here: [Pa' La Cocina](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/la-prensa-cooking-class)!** **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

Come Learn to play Daggerheart (A storytelling focused ttrpg) with us at the Asian Festival! We'll go through the basics of playing the game and then jump into a short self contained adventure themed around Asian culture. If you have any questions feel free to ask it in the comments below or message @MagicalKuyo on Discord FAQ. **Do I need to bring anything?** Nope! We will provide pre-made characters, dice, writing utensils amd scrath paper, but feel free to bring something to write notes on.

**Join us for Soul Coffee, an informal gathering where we can connect a bit deeper, check in on each other, and share some real soul conversation together - as always, across beliefs and traditions.** Soul Coffee is a gathering by BreadBreakers, a community for people of all stripes to build meaningful relationships and have curious conversations. **Our mission in BreadBreakers is to be a place of compassion and belonging in a time of division and isolation; to rebuild the town square, one table at a time.** Usually we do this by breaking bread and having facilitated conversations over dinner, but sometimes it's good to just meet over coffee and spend some unstructured time talking about the deep stuff. At each Soul Coffee, we'll keep it simple and talk about three questions: - How's your soul doing? - How have you experienced wonder lately? - What do you need right now? No matter your religion, or if you even are religious; no matter where you are spiritually; no matter if you even think souls exist - come to be seen and known, to just be humans together in a crazy world, to talk about those things of the spirit that are so central to the human experience but rarely get discussed. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of being in community with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by[ Restoration United Methodist Churc](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers)h in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community, a collaboration between the church and those of all different beliefs. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Whether you're Deaf, HoH, an interpreter, an ASL student, or just want to learn or practice American Sign Language (ASL), we welcome all levels of signers to come join us for an evening of ASL socializing and practice. This event occurs on the first and third Sundays of every month, in the heart of Fairfax County at the Fairfax Wegman's (corner of Route 29 and Monument Drive). We can be found on the upper level, typically near the stairs. We generally start around 7 pm. ASL beginners are welcome, but you should know the ASL alphabet and some basic signs - this is not an ASL class, but the more experienced signers are generally happy to help beginners learn and improve. There is no better way to develop your signing skills than by joining the conversation with other signers. There is a place for everyone to join, learn and practice. Regardless, we are always welcoming so don’t be discouraged to attend; this is very informal and new folks are always welcome. Note, some attendees arrive early and grab some of Wegman’s food for dinner, so you can combine a shopping trip with the ASL practice.

Let's go for a hike along the C&O Canal Trail! It's been a while since our last hiking event, so this is a great way to get outside and enjoy the spring scenery. Although certain sections of the C&O Canal Trail present moderate to challenging terrain, this event will primarily utilize the more accessible, easier paths. Nevertheless, we are open to adjusting the route based on the group's preference for a more adventurous experience, including steeper inclines or longer distances. It's recommended to bring hiking boots, a water bottle, and snacks like trail mix or granola bars to keep your energy up. The entrance fee is $10-20, so it is recommended that you carpool if needed. We will rendezvous at Vienna Metro Station Parking Lot at 9:30 AM to discuss the carpooling situation before heading over. \*If the weather calls for rain that day, we will postpone it to a later date.

Please follow this link for up to date details: [https://www.meetup.com/NoVaPracticalTarot/](https://www.meetup.com/NoVaPracticalTarot/) The annual deck swap is back! Do you have a deck that no longer works for you, a deck that might be looking for a new home? Bring it to the deck swap this month! This is an opportunity for enthusiasts to swap or sell decks so that they can not only make space for new acquisitions but maybe find a new deck as well! All transactions are cash (unless seller and buyer can agree on a payment app). See you there! We are a group of tarot practitioners and enthusiasts who are looking to practice and expand our tarot skills through both collaborative discussion and hands-on practice. Everyone is welcome regardless of skill level, even if you've never picked up a deck in your life! Having a tarot deck is not required. (If you're looking for recommendations for a first deck, we'll be more than happy to help!) Some have found it helpful to bring pen and paper for notes as well. If you are new to the group or to tarot, come get some hands-on experience, and if you've been reading tarot for years, come help out your brothers and sisters. If you are a tarot lover, join us here: https://www.meetup.com/NoVaPracticalTarot/ - This is a completely informal meetup and people with all levels of experience are welcome to attend. Your meetup host this month is Darjeeling, who has been studying tarot since 2011. She came to it in a rather roundabout fashion; her original interest was Jungian mandala creation and interpretation for self-analysis. The transition to tarot came naturally when she began looking for a tool that was more dynamic, responding to questions and operation on a more moment by moment basis. The more that Darjeeling worked with the tarot, the more she realized that this was an open-ended tool with the capability to help people not only reflect on how to move forward in life, but how to get to know themselves better as well. Teaching others about and through tarot is something that she enjoys a lot and has felt called to for a long time. Darjeeling is here the third Sunday of the month for the Tarot meetup, sometimes followed by one of her Tarot classes. No fee, however snacks, donations for the tea fund, and gifts of practical items for the shop (toilet paper, paper towels, etc) are always welcome. Use of workshop space agreement at Sticks and Stones: 1. Feel free to arrange and decorate the space before your event, and make sure before you go to leave it as you found it. 2. Hot water and tea are provided by the store and you are welcome to help yourselves. We accept donations in the form of money, tea, paper products (tissues, paper towels, toilet paper) dish soap, etc, to help pay for this free service. 3. You are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to your event (no alcohol.) It is suggested that you bring any utensils and plates if needed, however we might have some available from previous donations if you forget. 4. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, in all areas of the store. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to take any of the workshops/classes. 5. Sticks and Stones respects each and everyone’s spiritual path; we do not discriminate based on race, religion, sexuality, political views, etc. Please be kind and respectful with your discussions, as we have many people from all faiths entering our store during business hours.

**Note: You must register on Vedic Health's website to sign up for the sessions. Please register at: [https://www.vedichealth.org/free-clinic](https://www.vedichealth.org/free-clinic)** Experience the wisdom of Ayurveda and discover natural ways to support your health and well-being at Vedic Health’s **Free Ayurvedic Clinic Day**. During this special event, you will receive a personalized introductory assessment from expert **Vaidyas (Ayurvedic practitioners)**, who will offer guidance on your **dosha balance, diet, and simple lifestyle practices** to help you feel your best. Bring your questions and explore how Ayurvedic principles can support greater balance, vitality, and long-term wellness. Each participant will have **10-minutes with each Vaidya (total 30 min)**, including time with each Vaidya for a general dosha assessment, dietary recommendations, and practical well-being strategy. Please arrive **15–20 minutes early** to check in and be ready for your session, as late arrivals will lose their reserved spot. Join **founder Amita Jain and her team** for an eye-opening experience that may transform the way you think about health and self-care. This event is **free and open to the public of all ages**, but **space is limited** and advance registration is required. Reserve your spot at **[www.VedicHealth.org/free-clinic](http://www.vedichealth.org/free-clinic)**. We recommend bringing a **notebook and pen** so you can capture helpful insights and recommendations from your visit. Come early and step into the Meditation Museum’s **Meditation Immersive Room** to **relax, reset, and enjoy a calming meditative experience that prepares your mind and body for greater peace, clarity, and healing**. **Disclaimer:** This offering is not a medical or health evaluation. Vaidyas will not discuss specific health conditions. The session is intended for general educational purposes only and as an introduction to Ayurveda. For in-depth consultations, please visit the **[Vedic Health Ayurvedic Center](http://www.vedichealth.org/) in Rockville**. Vaidyas are trained experts in Ayurveda and are **not licensed medical physicians**. Sun., May 17th, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register in advance at: [https://www.vedichealth.org/free-clinic](https://www.vedichealth.org/free-clinic)

Join The Charleston Coach for Mahj & Mimosas, a Troop Mahjong DMV social. Spend the afternoon playing, sipping, and meeting new Mahjong friends in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Your ticket includes one drink. ✨ Troop Perks ✨ Each new attendee gets a Troop Mahjong Society Merit Book, merit stickers, and a bingo card to track your Mahjong milestones. Returning TMS players will have the opportunity to earn merit stickers! Seats are limited, so grab yours early. Tickets must be booked using this link: https://bookwhen.com/thecharlestoncoach/e/ev-smju4-20260517120000 Please note: This is a social play event for players who already know the basics of American Mahjong. If you’re brand new, start with a Mahjong 101 lesson first.

**Chantilly Carb Crawl: Asian Breads & Pastries** **🍞** **Whether you’re a long-time member or this is your very first event, come with us on a mini-tour of 3 of Chantilly’s hidden gems. It’ll be a fun chance to reconnect, meet new members and enjoy some amazing breads and pastries!** **The Game Plan** ***11:00 AM — Café Moment*** **We’ll kick things off at this new cafe specializing in** **Korean Salt Bread. If you’ve never tried it, imagine eating a warm, buttery, fluffy cloud (yes, I am drooling as I write this)** **Next, we’ll head over to Mahiwaga for some warm, freshly baked** **Pandasal. If you’ve never had this Filipino classic fresh from the oven, this father/daughter team** **make** **some of the best!** **We’ll wrap up with a stop across the hall at Toimoi Bakery for their famous** **pandan and banana pudding filled croissants** **🥐.** **Can't wait to see you there! RSVP to save your spot!** [Cafe Moment](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX-C-Hmhg7g/?igsh=dHd4N2RodWwwaHo1) [Mahiwaga](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXiCy0Gz0P5/?igsh=Mm45a2c3ZWJtM2pv) [ToiMoi Bakery ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX0O-2KuRiT/?igsh=MWh2bjN4cHE1am55eg==)

Come and celebrate Filipino Independence with us as we make our first trip together to the Fil-Am Fest! With plenty of good food, crafts, apparel, and stage performances, there are enough good times to go around for everyone. The festival website: [https://filamfestinc.org/](https://filamfestinc.org/) We'll do our best to pick a good Meetup spot, but this is generally situated in an area of the Fair Oaks Mall parking lot near Macy's Furniture, so we'll likely have to post our location on the message board once we arrive. Be on the lookout for it! Extra tip: I don't know if they allow camping or other portable chairs, but it may not be a bad idea to have that and possibly a little rain gear in your vehicle just in case. Bring a friend to share! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

Welcome to Casual Dining Out, the event series where we explore counterserve establishments, food halls, and other venues for quick bites of Asian, "fusion", and other fare! As in the past, the field for these events will typically be limited, so please RSVP quickly if you know you're coming (or drop out quickly if you can't make it to give others a chance). RSVPs will close at 4 PM the day of the event and anyone who drops afterwards may be subject to the dreaded "no show" designation. This edition: Hunan specialties and other delectable Chinese fare. As always, a bonus activity could follow if the mood is right. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunch-and-karaoke-all-you-can-eat-bottomless-mimosa-tickets-162982427829). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT. DUE TO COVID. ABOUT THE EVENT Join us for a Brunch filled with food and hair of the dog drinks! The Brunch is All-You-Can-Eat Buffet and All-You-Can-Drink Bottomless Mimosa, including tax & gratuity! This is UNBEATABLE! For foodies, this doesn’t get any better as we throw this party! Please be on time for the grand festivities! It is accompanied by Karaoke! Come and have some fun, food, music, and cocktails! Song Book is available online, but we provide tablets as well. Signing up to sing is contactless via internet. It can be done through a person's smart phone or our tablets. We have a 3 step sanitation process which involves disinfecting the mics, giving them an ultraviolet bath, then applying a disposable microphone cover. EAT, DRINK & SING! This is ideal for a birthday celebration. Ticket Price : $ 45 (will increase soon) BRUNCH : Session Two : 2PM - 5PM Brunch Includes: Starter choices : Spring roll, or shrimp summer roll; (Vegan option - Vegetarian Spring roll, or Tofu summer roll) Entree: Steamed Rice with choice of Pork, Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Vegetarian Fried Rice with choice of Pork, Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Vegetarian Rice Vermicelli (dry noodle) with choice of Pork, Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Vegetarian Pho with choice of Chicken, Beef, Seafood or Vegetarian Pad Thai with choice of Pork, Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Vegetarian Drinks: Soft drinks choice of soda (coke, diet coke, spite, ginger ale) Tea (green, jasmine, black tea) Thai Tea Vietnamese coffee Drink Responsibly - Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in your life with us - For bottle specials and table reservation email (info@merevents.com) OR text 202-368-1878 - Event is 21+ - Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! - Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member #Epicbrunch presented by #merevents As per VA and local Governments guidelines, this is a sit down dinning event. Maximum of six people will be seated per table. We have super limited spots! Get your tickets soon and in advance. So that we reserve your seat. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED. DOUBLE MASK IS THE NEW MASK! THE VIRUS IS STILL AROUND, WITH DIFFERENT VARIANTS AND LET US NOT DROP DOWN OUR GUARD. EVEN THOUGH, WE ARE VACCINATED. - Come one, come all - YOU CAN FLY SOLO TOO; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! - Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member - Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us - Event is 21+ We are at 50% capacity. So, please drink for two:) - Temperature check for staff and patrons. Refund & Ticket Resell Policy All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to ticket holders advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizers a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET. IT RULES**

Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!