MAY 2026 CALENDAR | LETTER 001

I’m Alexya. This is Form & Function’s very first email. Thanks for being here.

In the weeks since finally putting up the website and Instagram account, I’ve had so many conversations that have helped me both double down and expand the meaning behind doing this project in the first place.

There are so many events roundups in this town. I’ve followed many throughout my 10 years living around D.C. and even hosted some myself.

Hosting events has been the job of a lifetime. I’m a big proponent of a production; some will say it’s the residual theater kid in me. I’m an even bigger fan of watching community take form. I won’t go off today about how fortified community is the most important tool we have toward building the collective resilience we need at this present moment (though I’m really hyped to write a newsletter all about that soon). But events are nourishment — they remind us that we have a place, that there’s some context for the capitalistic aesthetics of this life, and our friends need to feel our energy to keep them going, too.

If purposeful gatherings leads to strong communities, then why do so many event roundups feel unfocused and unreliable? A sewing club meetup here, a river cleanup there, an embassy open house across town, a bluegrass concert at the park — all in one newsletter? Events reporting is kinda all over the place. I’m not trynna be all over the place on any given week. I want to make my place — in one place, with people who get me.

Of course there will always be the people who are looking to scratch a surface or find a way to just pass the evenings during the workweek. But at the end of the day, does D.C. actually have an events outlet supporting grounded, contextual community building?

If you subscribe to this newsletter, what you see here will be written with you in mind. Expect to read about genuinely interesting, highly connective things to do spanning food, wine, coffee, art, music, writing, activism — and more importantly, the way that these things intersect in D.C. and for the people who find themselves in the event crowds.

I hope that by getting out to the events we share, you’ll meet recurring characters, experience the things you like, meet creators and organizers with new and urgent perspectives, and have a reliably good time with even better people.

So here it is! The first letter of Form & Function. Read below to see a few things:

As always, I’m on the hunt for more events to feature in the newsletter, on the calendar, and on Instagram and beyond. Send details for a D.C. event you want to share with Form & Function by email or on Instagram @formandfunctiondc.

See you out there,

Alexya ☆

Brinda Penmetsa leads events and marketing at Mount Pleasant’s Bold Fork Books. I personally love to cook but didn’t see myself becoming a regular at the cookbook store — maybe just coming a few times a year to pick up quick gifts for friends and family. But in the last six years, Brinda and the team have turned what could be mistaken for a novelty shop into a lively gathering space for everyone who is touched by food. If you haven’t stopped in yet (or in awhile), I implore you to keep Bold Fork Books’ events page up as a tab on your browser so you don’t miss an event. Author talks, cookbook clubs, fundraiser bake sales — Brinda can plan it all.

I found a chance to chat with Brinda (no doubt one of the busiest event planners in all of Uptown) about her path to Bold Fork Books and what makes the shop a community spot. Edited lightly for clarity!

Alexya: So first, how did you get into the events job at Bold Fork Books?

Brinda: I’ve been working at [Bold Fork Books] since March of 2023. Initially, I was interviewing for a part-time bookseller job because I was a barista at the now-defunct The Wydown. I knew I still wanted to stay connected to food and beverage but not be waking up at six in the morning to open a coffee shop.

A: Fair!

B: So I interviewed for a bookselling role and really fell in love with the shop and the community. Then I started helping out with events and social media in a limited capacity. Then Liz Hottel, who was the [events] director at the time, left and took on a role at New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association. I had experience building community in other jobs and was getting to know the Bold Fork community. So I took on the events role in August 2024, but really [started] building this thing in 2025.

A: How many events have you touched at Bold Fork?

B: I think over 100 at this point. I don’t know the actual number but we’ve got so many types of events. We’re most known for our cookbook club and author talks, but we also have book club and bake club. And we do offsites with partners like Thip Khao and things like craft nights.

A: I’m also impressed with how many hands are involved with the event production. Do you usually take the same level of ownership over events or do other staff members take the lead at times?

B: We have a small staff at the shop. Most of the things that I’m planning at the shop I’m leading, but we’ve now got some part-time event staffers who will lead cookbook club. For those who have been excited, committed, and helping us to bring our events to life, we want to bring some of their talents in while also maintaining what the Bold Fork brand is. We’ll have staff bring more of themselves to the space.

A: Is there anything that you might see as the event planner that tells you that you created something worthwhile?

B: What makes [an event] special is when people have questions and people want to linger. When we open up the floor to questions during our author talks, it’s always interesting to hear what questions people have for the talent. Not only are people taking time off on a work night to explore a niche interest, but you’re there for the conversation, you’re engaged, and you want to know more. You’ve taken so many steps out of your home to be there. And there are other signs of curiosity that aren’t necessarily verbal but instead look like lingering. When people are excited to be there and it’s their first time, and yeah, maybe it’s a late night but they stay and they take in the space.

It’s always a big honor to see someone at an event, maybe even their first one, but then they stop by another time and bring a loved one the next time.

We always want to sell books. It’s great when we can offer food and beverage at events. But when people say, “Thank you. I had a good time. I will be back.” That feeling is really what makes me like my job.

A: What about if you’re going to an event, why would you go in the first place? What makes it feel like something to remember?

B: Events so often conflict with when I’m at the shop. I do occasionally go to things. Convenience is a big factor, especially in my event seasons of spring and fall. If there’s wine involved, I’m curious. It’s nice if there’s a space where I can sit. I love going to the movies and art-focused events.

Having the opportunity to learn about something I already care about in a place where I can linger … and having advanced notice!

A: I resonate with that! Especially working in a customer-facing job, I do sometimes have low capacity for engagement outside of work and I like going to places where I can reliably know someone I know will be there and I can decompress.

B: Oh yeah, I will be at Porchfest! I am working all weekend but when I get off on Saturday I will be there. I love outdoor events where I can bop around. That’s why I love the farmers’ market.

A: Now a few years into this, is there anything that still surprises you about putting on events at Bold Fork?

B: When I see food and beverage industry people attend an event…like yes, I understand, they think the subject matter is interesting, but it’s usually on one of their only nights off and they choose to spend it with us.

Something that’s kinda funny, and very sweet … some people are big fans of the authors or talent for that event. They’ll drive from Pennsylvania or Ohio to meet their favorite culinary author and make things for them.

A: Well yeah, you guys do a really unique thing of giving your audience a real-life touchpoint with the people who write the books that enter their homes and influence their thoughts and ideas around cooking.

B: Thanks, that’s a really good point. Yeah, I love this job, it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love what I get to do.

Bold Fork Books has so many events in May – keep reading to get the download on a special one happening next week.

Many events require tickets or RSVPs. Find everything you need to know about the May calendar lineup here.

I’m actually gagged to say that the inaugural Form & Function calendar is here! Print it, keep it on your fridge, in your journal, put it up on a community bulletin board, send it in the group chat, or fold it into an airplane and send it off.

Every month you’ll get the F&F printable calendar, and I’ll dig out some highlights of the events that you need to plan to be at ASAP.

A CONVERSATION WITH ASHANTÉ M. REESE FOR ‘GATHER’ @ BOLD FORK BOOKS — WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 AT 7PM

This event came up rather quickly on Brinda’s docket, and I’m so glad they’re able to pull it off. Ashanté recently released her book ‘Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness’ that asks really smart questions about what we can learn from the ways Black communities use food to propel local resilience and positive change. Reese will be chatting with D.C. food scholar and fellow author Anela Malik.

Grab the book and tickets for the author talk at Bold Fork Books (and tell Brinda I sent you!)

THE WARM UP: PRE-PRIDE COZY CORNER @ CREATIVE GROUNDS — WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 AT 6PM

Fela Taliaferro is someone I’m always grateful to run into during my day. She’s a wellbeing cultivator who’s always looking out to make sure people can access caring spaces to refresh. It comes as no surprise to me that Fela brings us a super thoughtful project ahead of Black Pride weekend: a “cozy corner” to have some grounded gathering. Flash tattoos, chill games, and space for breathwork and stillness — all at Creative Grounds, one of the most human-centric spaces in the neighborhood.

HEAR + THERE w/ MAKE A DANCE @ TIGRES DE LA NOCHE — FRIDAY, MAY 8 AT 10PM

If you see me in there acting a fool, just know I’ve been waiting for this one. FINALLY Union Market is getting sexy. I’ll be at Hear + There’s first D.C. installment featuring vinyl DJs familiar and new. Of note, local darling My Friend Jack and co-conspirator behind last year’s absolutely bonkers absolutely infamous two rounds parties Nikolo are on the bill. Also: no phones allowed.

ON THE GEAUX COFFEE @ SCOOBY DOO MANSION — SATURDAY, MAY 9 AT 11AM

So much to say about Margeaux — one of the friendliest faces in D.C. She’s spent the last few years helping to build thoughtful coffee programs like Lost Sock and is so deeply knowledgeable. And then I realized how none of the coffee pop-ups I support at the moment are ran by women.

Margeaux debuts her new (and unbelievably cute) experience On The Geaux at this month’s market at the Scooby Doo Mansion featuring new creative talent. Stop by and send her some good vibes.

ANY WINE NOW @ ANY DAY NOW NAVY YARD — SUNDAY, MAY 24 AT 4PM

Speaking of Women Who Slay™ the way sommelier Sarah Pillow gets people genuinely hyped to drink wine with strangers at multi-hour tastings blows me away. Her monthly tastings at the beloved Any Day Now in Navy Yard culminate at ANY WINE NOW. It has the makings of an iconic wine festival: unlimited pours from a great selection of distributors and gorgeous bites of Chinese dumplings.