Winter Blah Buster

♠️😲♠️ W.O.W. Spades Night ♠️😲♠️ Washington on Wednesday (W.O.W.) - 3rd Wednesday Spades in DC 🌟Spades in DC! 😀 Hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! ✅️ No partner needed! Find one onsite. All skill levels are welcome. 📌 Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken - Navy Yard 300 Tingey St SE #150, Washington, DC 20003 ❤️ **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚌 One block from Navy Yard Metro Station 🚗 Street and Garage Parking available. 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! 🍗 Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. 🌟 The fun starts at 5:30pm! RSVP today.

The Glen Echo Folk Dancers will be meeting in-person every Wednesday evening at Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Blvd). **7:30 pm: beginning/intermediate/advanced teaching** **8:30-10 pm: open request dancing** Admission: $10 We strongly urge everyone to be vaccinated and fully boostered, but do not require it. If you have not done so already, please send your email address to [dancingplanet@erols.com](mailto:dancingplanet@erols.com). Note: if you are having symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or may be positive, please attend the class via Zoom for the next week or 2. If you attend the class and then test positive, please let me know immediately, so I can inform those who attended the class (without identifying you). See the website for more information and for Zoom link: [dancingplanetproductions.com/folkdance](http://dancingplanetproductions.com/folkdance)

Social Sips & Bites crew - Spring is here… and we’re bringing the energy with a dance party you don’t want to miss. Fresh vibes. Great music. Your favorite people all in one place. We’re turning up the night with: • Fernando on the decks, spinning nonstop hits all night • Dance floor ready all night • Drinks flowing and good vibes everywhere • That signature SSB atmosphere , fun, social, and electric Whether you come to dance, mingle, or just soak it all in , this is where you want to be. Come ready. Come social. Come make it a night. Let’s welcome spring the SSB way 🌸🔥

Join us for the soooo good Abura Soba at ***Kajiken*** in Annandale! ***What is Abura Soba?*** Abura Soba is a soupless noodle, mixed with house special sauces - chili oil, souy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic and pepper powder. It is the ultimate noodle where you can fully enjoy the taste. Kajiken is the pioneer of Nagoya-style Abura Soba, serving bold, brothless noodles since 2010. Baltimore Magazine: If you’ve never been to a ramen shop, Kajiken would be an excellent place to start. And if your idea of fun is a big bowl of noodles drenched in porky goodness, you have someplace to be. A long counter bar fronts the stoves, helmed by cooks tending vats of boiling water. Low weather systems move above the pots, into which the noodles are dropped and lifted with impressive dexterity. The entire crew will call out as you enter and exit—cries of “Irasshaimase” (welcome) and “Arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much) like cheerful incantations. And then there are the bowls of noodles, in this case an iteration of ramen called abura soba or mazesoba, which is not soba at all but the thicker version of ramen noodles, served with a variety of accompaniments and without broth. Kajiken (Baltimore) is the first U.S. location of a popular Japanese abura soba chain that began in Nagoya and which now numbers some 100 locations worldwide. Ramen and its variations have been essential for a long time in Japan; tsukemen, or dip ramen, became popular about 10 years ago in American cities, and abura soba has also made the jump, especially to college towns. Kajiken specializes in various toppings for noodles, so you can experiment with things like mentaiko (fish roe), umeboshi (Japanese plum), and menma (bamboo shoots), or add what you especially like (tomatoes, cheddar, soft-boiled eggs) to make an idiosyncratic mash-up. This can be a lot, especially as the restaurant doesn’t allow substitutions, and the abura soba versions—a basic, with chashu (discs of roast pork), menma, scallions, and nori; curry; carbonara; beef and onions; a cold version; and a vegan iteration—already come with plenty of ingredients. You will be instructed to stir everything up with your chopsticks, as the absence of soup means that the tare, which is the concentrated sauce, has been installed at the bottom of your bowl. Be sure to dose your bowl with rice vinegar and chile oil, which give some extra flavor and, more importantly, a hit of acid to counter all the pork, pasta, and oil. There are other items on the menu, notably more traditional tonkotsu ramen, made Hakata-style, as well as donburi rice bowls, and an impressive list of appetizers. Kajiken has very good versions of gyoza, or pork dumplings; and karaage, or fried chicken. And best of all, there is takoyaki, fried balls of dough embedded with octopus and topped with shaved bonito, curls of dried fish that wave in the heat and make the dish look disconcertingly like a terrarium. (Don’t be deterred—it’s delicious.) There’s no booze or hot tea, but there is salted plum soda, a sour-salty-sweet drink that’s worth trying. There is also a very cute little desert shop attached (Kyo Matcha) that has a surprisingly robust dessert menu, including ice cream, yuzu cheesecake, and wondrous slices of deep green matcha crepe cake. Check out Kajiken menu [here ](https://www.kajiken-usa.com/) Check out Kyo Matcha menu [here](https://www.kyotomatcha.us/menu) **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we would like to keep the group small. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. In the future, we will vary the days of the week, geography and the cost of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding.Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will have their own tab to avoid any confusion. \*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with Meetup platform ($360/year) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate attendees. Thank you in advance for your understanding!\*\* If you are unable to join us in April, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to seeing you at Kajiken in Annandale!

Yes, it's already approaching that special time of year... time for the Massanutten Death March! After consulting Jen and a few others, I'm putting up this placeholder with dates, and more details can be added or amended later. To quote Michael: "DCUL's annual spring lap around Massanutten... is always a good test of your backpacking chops and your fitness coming out of the winter." To quote me, "You might cry. You might develop the largest blisters you ever had! Aaaaand... you might come back next year for more torture..." I'm sticking with the classic version. So, we'll do the trip clockwise, Elizabeth Furnace to Veach Gap on Thursday (roughly 10m), Veach Gap to Waterfall Mountain on Friday (24m). Waterfall to Edinburgh Gap on Saturday (21m), and then back to the Signal Knob Parking lot (15m). NOTE: These splits are copied from last year's event and they do not match the Caltopo below, partly because the Sat/Sun splits show camping at Mudhole Gap but I'm going with Edinburgh Gap. We can make an updated Caltopo later. And, I know not everyone likes the Edinburgh campsite, but I don't want to add an extra 5 miles to Mudhole Gap on Saturday. We'll tag a few volunteers to reserve spaces. If anyone would like to post a complementary Half-a-nutten (is that canonical language?) or LM trip for the same weekend, feel free! I'll start group size at 10 plus myself, as Michael did last year. But we may add more spots later. You should be a veteran member to undertake this! It's always a memorable weekend! Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/HNED

Join us at the Chess Center offices (Suite 118, entrance on 2nd Avenue) on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 – 5:00pm ET for open play. Players of all abilities and ages are welcome. * Non-Members: $5.00/player table fee for the day. * Chess Center [Members](https://chessctr.org/membership/) always play for FREE ($0.00). Check our social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/uschess) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/USChessCenter)) for closure announcements: The Chess Center is closed on major holidays. We also have chess sets, clocks, and [used chess books](https://chessctr.org/usedbooks/) for sale.

Food has always been one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. Join Interfaith Connections at the Table, a relaxed multi-faith meal where participants from different spiritual and cultural backgrounds gather to share food, conversation, and stories. We willl explore how food, tradition, and hospitality shape our identities and values — all in a warm, welcoming environment. There will be light facilitation and optional reflection prompts, but the focus is on connection, not programming. What to Expect: * Shared meal at a local restaurant * Interfaith-friendly, inclusive atmosphere * Conversation about culture, faith, and community * No speeches, no pressure — just presence Important Notes: * Attendees cover the cost of their own meal * Space may be limited based on reservations Location: [Dolan Uyghur Restaurant](https://www.dolanuyghur.com/), 3518 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix) To find more fun events: Follow: [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283) Join: [https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/](https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/) Click: [https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/](https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/)

♠️ Spades in Virginia! ♠️ Nando's Peri Peri, Mosaic District 2987 District Ave Ste 100, Fairfax, VA 22031 🌟 3rd Friday Spades in Virginia! 🕕 6:30pm to 10:30pm 😀 **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚗 Parking is FREE!!! 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. ✅️ No partner needed! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome. ❤️ Come hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! 🌟 The fun starts at 7pm! RSVP today.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Dinner and dancing

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

**✅ Bachata Mondays with Todd Smith!** **👉 Beginner Bachata Class** **$15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** . 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm … Registration 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm … Beginner Class . **👉 Intermediate Bachata Class** **= $15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** . 8:15 pm – 8:30 pm Registration 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm Intermediate Class . **👉 If You Take Both Bachata Classes** **= $25 In Advance / $35 At the Door** . **👉 Buy Advance Tickets Now at:** . https://columbussalsadancing.com/bachata-mondays-dance-class-tickets/