Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup

Please join us in closing out Veganuary with a delicious brunch at the all-vegan Pow Pow's H Street location. To secure your seat, you must reserve your time slot here--space is limited.
Note: RSVP'ing on this meetup page alone does not get you a seat at Pow Pow.

We will celebrate while enjoying classic American diner favorites—reimagined 100% plant-based by Chef Riccio.

Get ready for:

• Fluffy Pistachio and Nutella Creme Pancakes
• Crispy Fried Chick’n & Belgium Waffles
• Classic Diner “Egg, Bacon & Sausage” Sunrise Breakfast
• Home Fries & Crispy Hashbrowns
• Loaded Breakfast Burritos
• House-made Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
• Bubbie’s famous Milkshakes
• Drip Coffee, Juice, Hot Chocolate and Nitro Cold Brew Lattes
• Bloody Mary Mocktail Bar
• Plus more

Space is limited & they do sell out → RSVP REQUIRED
Reserve your spot now!

Everyone will order what they want and pay the restaurant directly.

About Veganuary
Since Veganuary was started in 2014, millions of people have signed up to take the vegan pledge for the month of January, and now Veganuary has participants in almost every country in the world.

Throughout the year, Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people.

Signing up provides a celebrity cookbook, 31 days of recipes, and vegan coaching emails! Please share with friends and family.

Update Your RSVP
Out of respect for the restaurant and others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes..

VSDC: More Than A Meetup
We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits?

With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.

The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Join today!

Ways to Stay In Touch with Us
Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to:

• Become a VSDC member to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
• Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with us.

Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?
VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, please visit our website.

Only Vegan Food, Please
While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Join the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) for Veganuary's pro-animal/vegan-themed Movie Watch Party on Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 pm in Fairfax VA. Socializing with vegan food beforehand and discussion about the movie afterwards is planned. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION FOR DETAILS OF HOW THIS MONTH'S MOVIE WATCH PARTY WILL BE DIFFERENT, INCLUDING A 3 PM START TIME.

This month's movie is Wicked Part 1. (The next Movie Watch Party will screen Wicked Part II, which should be available on streaming by then). Wicked has a strong animal rights theme, portraying Elphaba's fight against the oppression and silencing of talking animals in Oz, mirroring real-world animal exploitation and systemic injustice. The movie is 2 hours and 40 minutes long.

About Veganuary: "Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction." Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 – with participants from almost every country in the world. They have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through their work with national and international media.

The VSDC member hosts’ home in Fairfax has a small home theater that can accommodate around 20 people. This regular event is a fun way to learn, discuss, and meet vegans and vegan-curious people (Thanks to Mindy Kursban and David Kwiatkowski for hosting!).

FEE: The $10 fee will cover the hosts' expenses for the event, including food, beverages, and other associated costs. If there are any proceeds beyond these costs, which we don't expect, they will go towards VSDC's work to fulfill its mission. In order to ensure the success of the evening and limit late cancellations, the fee is refundable until 5 days before the event.

BECAUSE THERE IS A FEE FOR THIS EVENT, MEETUP DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A WAITLIST ONCE THE RSVPs ARE FULL. IF IT IS FULL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHECK MEETUP OCCASIONALLY TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS CHANGED THEIR RSVP.

FOOD: For our afternoon movie watch party, we’ll have mostly snack-style foods. And to kick off the year on a healthy note, this month’s spread will be mostly—though not entirely—raw. Feel free to bring any vegan food or beverages to share; your contribution doesn’t need to be raw.

WHO: All VSDC and Meetup members are invited. Bringing a non-vegan friend is encouraged.

WHEN: Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 pm***. Because of the length of the movie, we will start the movie at 3:00 pm and watch the first 1 1/2 hours. Then we will have a short break for food and socializing and watch the remainder of the movie.

WHERE: The home is in Fairfax VA 22033, near Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. It is 8 miles from the closest metro at either Vienna or Reston (Uber or Lyft would be necessary). For safety and security reasons, the exact location will be emailed privately via Meetup about 2 days in advance to those who have rsvp'd Yes. Please make sure your email is current in Meetup, your Meetup settings allow organizer messages, and check your spam if you don't receive the message.

PARKING: There is plenty of free parking within a 3-minute walk of the home.

*You must register via this page to attend the event.* A Pay Pal account is required to pay the $10. Because there is a cost for the event, Meetup doesn't have a waitlist for the movie.

VSDC: More Than A Meetup
We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits?

With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.

The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Join today!

Ways to Stay In Touch with Us
Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to:

• Become a VSDC member to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
• Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with us.

Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?
VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, please visit our website.

Only Vegan Food, Please
While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Veg Society of DC (VSDC) is pleased to join with The Ark of Compassion (AOC) to co-host Compassionate Conversations™ on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Siena's Vegetarian Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant.

Talk Title: Tu B’Shvat - Jewish New Year for Trees
Speaker: John Netzel, founder of Peaceful Fields Sanctuary

Event Description
Our guest speaker is John Netzel, founder of Peaceful Fields Sanctuary and longtime vegan advocate. John’s work is grounded in Jewish values such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), compassion for all living beings, and mindful stewardship of creation. His story bridges faith, ethics, and action, offering a powerful reflection on how plant-based living connects with Tu B’Shvat’s deeper spiritual themes.

In this uplifting conversation, John will share:
• How Jewish teachings inspired him to build a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals

• The connection between compassion, environmental care, and Tu B’Shvat’s call to honor the earth

• What we can learn from animals about responsibility, community, and kindness

• How plant-forward choices can deepen our practice of tikkun olam

No prior knowledge of Judaism or veganism is required. This event is open to everyone who enjoys good food, meaningful conversation, and learning from diverse perspectives.

Why This Event Matters
Tu B’Shvat invites us to reflect on:
• Our relationship with the earth

• Our responsibility to protect creation

• Our gratitude for the abundance of the natural world

By pairing this holiday with a plant-based meal and a conversation led by a sanctuary founder living out Jewish compassion in action, we hope to create a meaningful bridge between tradition, ethics, and modern food choices.

About the Venue
We’ll gather at Siena’s, a beloved kosher vegetarian Italian-Mediterranean restaurant and community gem. Attendees may order directly from Siena’s extensive vegan menu.
.
Questions? Contact info@theaoc.org or Aashish Bhimani at 703-231-0291 (text preferred).

• Cost/Food: Order at the counter (no set ticket price)

Update Your RSVP
Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes.

The Ark of Compassion (AOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through education, outreach, and partnerships that inspire beneficial change for all life. Founded on the belief that compassion should extend to every living being, The Ark of Compassion bridges faith-based and secular communities to explore how our choices, traditions, and systems impact animals, people, and the planet.

It creates inclusive spaces for conversation and action, helping launch events and ideas that bring people together. By turning meaningful moments into sustainable movements, AOC amplifies compassion into lasting change.

Its mission is inspired by faith, shaped by empathy and reason, and powered by a vision of a future in which animals, people, and the planet flourish together.

VSDC: More Than A Meetup
We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits?

With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.

The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Join today!

Ways to Stay In Touch with Us
Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to:

• Become a VSDC member to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
• Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with us.

Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?
VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, please visit our website.

Only Vegan Food, Please
While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Please join the Veg Society of DC Animal Rights Discussion and Education Group for another great discussion.

The next event will be the third and final event in our series on Theories of Change in the Animal Rights movement. We will apply theory to practice and discuss the campaign to prohibit the sale of foie gras in DC through a ballot initiative. We are excited to welcome a speaker who is on the forefront of this effort and to hear from them firsthand how this initiative fits into their organization’s theory of change! Afterwards, we hope you’ll join us for dinner at DC Vegan.

*What is the Animal Rights Discussion and Education Group?
If you’ve been looking for a way to educate yourself on animal rights and issues affecting animals in our world today with the support of a like-minded community, then this group is for you. The VSDC Animal Rights Discussion and Education Group will discuss thoughts, questions, concerns, and news related to animal rights. It seeks to provide a safe space for discussions around issues affecting captive animals, farmed animals, animals used in research, wild animals, companion animals, and more.

All are welcome, from those well-versed in animal rights philosophy and issues to those who are just starting off on their journey and are curious to learn more. Please come with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to engage with diverse opinions with curiosity and respect.

The plan is for the group to meet every month, alternating between Zoom and in person. The topic of each meeting and any accompanying materials will be planned in advance and posted in event announcements via this VSDC meetup group. Participants are encouraged to offer topic ideas and materials for discussion at subsequent meetings.

Date / Time: Saturday, February 7th, at 4:15 pm.

Location: Pea Street Yoga Studio (right above DC Vegan, where we will eat dinner afterwards!)

Email 'ARdiscuss@vsdc.org' for further information.

VSDC: More Than A Meetup
We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits?

With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.

The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Join today!

Ways to Stay In Touch with Us
Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to:

• Become a VSDC member to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
• Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with us.

Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?
VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, please visit our website.

Only Vegan Food, Please
While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.