Esports Los Angeles

AWS GameDay (With HashiCorp + New Relic)

Join us for an official **AWS GameDay** experience! **🎮 What is AWS GameDay?** Think hackathon meets workshop. It's a hands-on, interactive, team-based experience where you solve real-world cloud challenges in a live AWS environment. You earn points, and the top teams will win prizes courtesy of AWS, HashiCorp, and New Relic. You and your team will: * Deploy and troubleshoot live AWS workloads * Solve architecture and operational challenges * Earn points on a real-time leaderboard * Compete in a friendly but intense cloud showdown **Who’s Involved?** AWS and industry partners HashiCorp and New Relic power this GameDay. The official AWS GameDay team will stand up and manage the entire environment, provision accounts, and guide the experience. Additionally, we’ll have local AWS employees supporting throughout the night. **What to Expect** * 2–3 hours of immersive, competitive cloud challenges * Food & refreshments Whether you’re an AWS professional, developer, cloud enthusiast, or simply curious about AWS we’d love to have you join us! **💻 What You Need** Bring your charged laptop and a government-issued ID. **Visitor Parking & Arrival — Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to park, check in and secure your parking validation.** **NOTE: To ensure your parking can be validated, please arrive before 5:00 PM. Due to building policies, Amazon will not be able to provide parking validation after this time.** **Amazon LAX10 Building** 1620 26th Street Suite 3000N Santa Monica, CA 90404 **Parking** Park in the garage located beneath LAX10. Enter from **26th Street** at **Pennsylvania Avenue**. Get into the far right garage entrance lane, and follow the orange "**Automated Parking Facility/Visitor**" parking sign to the **right** to access parking on level P1 (first floor). Once you enter the garage, visitors will need to pull a parking ticket. Park on level P1 and walk over to the **Orange** elevator encasement with 26th STREET labelled on the side. Take these elevators (and your parking ticket) up to the Building **Lobby ("L") floor.** Once you exit the elevators, make an immediate right (towards City National Bank) and walk past the lobby desk until you get to the **North Tower**. Take the North Tower elevators up to **level 4**, and check in at the Amazon reception desk. **Please ask the reception desk to validate your parking ticket (in the form of a chaser sticker) so that you do not need to pay for parking**. Then take the elevator **down** to the **3rd floor conference rooms, 3.105-3.106**. After the event, drive up to the exit gate and scan the original parking ticket followed by the chaser sticker validation (opposite side of the ticket) to exit.

Support each other.

The Rooftop Throwdown

Hello, fellow gamers! **The Rooftop Throwdown** is an inclusive gathering of gamers open to gamers and games of all varieties! The premise is simple, come lounge with us, enjoy the sunset over the city, and meet some of the most passionate gamers this side of California! **Games provided by host:** There will be Two console gaming stations with Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Play Station 4 with games such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Overcooked, Gang Beasts, and more! Additionally, there will also be board / card games such as Rivals of Catan, Taco-Cat-Goat-Cheese-Pizza, Joking Hazard, and more! **Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite games to share!** Anyone may set up their own gaming console / game at any station not being used. Due to limited power access, if you wish to bring your own display, please reach out to the host for approval first. Anyone who provides a game, console, or equipment to share with others is encouraged to establish their own rules for the safe handling of their items and all participants are expected to respect and abide by those rules. If you are not bringing a console system or game, please bring a controller just in case! **Did someone say POTLUCK??** The host will be providing water, chips, and other snacks. All participants may bring any food items they wish and are encouraged to bring something shareable. Vegan friendly and allergen safe food items can be kept separate if necessary. Ice chests, compostable plates, and reusable cups and utensils will be available. **RSVP lists fill FAST so be sure to get your spot now!** **RSVP Policy:** 45-participant maximum. If you RSVP and do not show you will be noted and will be removed from future RSVP lists until otherwise determined by the host. **IMPORTANT:** For more details about our policies and practices, please read our House Rules by clicking or copy and pasting the link below. ([https://1drv.ms/b/c/11719e91f44edfca/IQB4HNO3YVLfQ7Jr7cbU1FziARIBwxb4TIt1kFUPcbh71oM?e=nQ6miq](https://1drv.ms/b/c/11719e91f44edfca/IQB4HNO3YVLfQ7Jr7cbU1FziARIBwxb4TIt1kFUPcbh71oM?e=nQ6miq)) By participating in any of our events you agree to abide by the policies outlined in this text and in our house rules. Any questions? Please reach out! Donations: We never charge an entrance fee. The joy of bringing people together is priceless! Each event is an opportunity to elevate the experience, and we want to manifest all that limitless potential! We ask all members of the community to consider donating to this effort. With your help we can make each event as fun and memorable as we can handle! Let’s fly! Thank you for reading! -A Flock of Gamers <3

Discussion and mutual support regarding divorce and separation.

Going through a divorce is most often a very challenging process - financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Your way of life may change dramatically as you are faced with legal and relationship conflicts, endless discussions, heated arguments, complicated negotiations, and a myriad of choices and decisions to make. Communication between you and your spouse, often difficult under any circumstances, may become excruciatingly painful as you argue about the custody and care of your children, how much time you'll each have with them, and who is going to pay for what. While you're in the divorcing process it is hard to be vulnerable and attempt to heal and complete the past. You are angry, your spouse is angry and fighting comes all too easy. And yet, just as you must resolve your legal issues, healing and completing is exactly what can and should take place. At this time it is important to have a positive support network - good friends, family and professionals who will listen patiently and give sound advice sparingly. You do not need someone egging you on with unrealistic expectations and hurtful strategies of punishment and revenge. The Marina del Rey Divorce, Separation and Mediation Group is a resource for support as you go through this challenging life transition. The group is facilitated by Dennis A. Cohen an attorney and mediator. Using a combination of education, exercises, group encouragement and sharing, participants receive support in coping with the divorce process, learning about the law, improving communication skills, and getting the perspective of others who are also going, through the challenging process of ending a marriage. Come join us.

Gateway 2026 - Labor Day Weekend Strategicon - LAX Hilton

Forte Animal Rescue Volunteer Orientation

Attention all dog lovers! If you’re interested in volunteering with an animal rescue organization, please consider Forte Animal Rescue, a 100% volunteer group. We need volunteers to help with our weekly adoption event, dog walking and dog transportation. We also need fosters for our dogs, so they don’t have to stay in a kennel until they’re adopted. We’re also looking for an experienced Grant Writer and a Videographer who can video and post our dogs on social media. And, of course, we're always looking for fresh fundraising ideas, too. Our volunteers are asked to attend an orientation on the west side of LA before they can volunteer with us. Orientations are held the second Saturday of each month from 12 to 4pm. If you think you’d be interested in helping us, please send an email to volunteer@FARescue.org for the application form and more details. You will also need a photocopy of your driver's license or other government issued identification. http://farescue.org

Potluck, board games, karoke

Mahjong Madness @ Clifton's Sanctuary DTLA

DTLASIA, a project of the DTLA AAPI Alliance, is throwing a community mahjong night at Clifton’s Sanctuary—full of friendly games, great conversations, and a little healthy competition. Beginners, veterans, spectators, and night-owls are all welcome. Come learn a hand, meet your next game-night crew, and celebrate community over the tiles. 10 Open Play Tables 4 Advanced Tables 4 Learning Tables

August 2026 - Playtest games at Geeky Teas!

**Players and game designers wanted for this open house style event!** Please read the event schedule, and all members, new and old, should check out the Code of Conduct at the bottom of this text. **FEE:** $8 to play at Geeky Teas - payable at the event to Geeky Teas at front desk. Once paid, you're covered to play games ALL DAY. **DESIGNER SIGN UP**: If you have a game to test during session one or two we have a new sign up protocol: **Fill out the form here- [First Play Designer Signup](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/1c9a3d4ed35b8034b34ced27ef3d1c40)** Please read the descriptions of each time to determine if your game is appropriate for a scheduled session. *Note: new members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game. If this is your first time showing your game at FPLA, please introduce yourself to either Damon or Cassandra (one or both will be near the front of the room) before your session for a quick explainer on how to get your game to the table and what to expect from playtesting.* **SCHEDULE:** Game days have 3 segments. **You do not need to come for the whole day!** However, it is good etiquette if you are testing your own game to stay and test at least one other designer's game as well. 11:00am - 1:00 pm **OPEN PLAY TESTING** This is unstructured play time, ideal for short games (45min or less), 2 player games, and games that require a quieter environment. If you're a designer, grab an available table and let people know you are looking for players. If you're a player, just sit down at a game and play! **SESSION ONE** 1:15pm - 3:15pm **SESSION TWO** 3:30pm - 5:30pm Scheduled sessions are the core of First Play! This event we have three scheduled sessions, with about 4-6 games running during each time slot. Following moderator announcements, each designer running a game will have the opportunity to do an 'elevator pitch' to players. After which, players decide which game they want to play. Two hour sessions are ideal for games that are 60-90 minutes, and have been playtested multiple times before. After play, be sure to leave time to give and receive feedback. Oh, and sometimes we give away prizes! 5:30-6:30pm **DINNER BREAK** 6:30-10pm **THE SKUNKWORKS** This is unstructured time to test your wildest ideas. Bring the game that may break in 5 minutes, the one that requires 10 people, or the one that may involve crawling on the ground. Bring objects that *could* be games, half baked ideas, and untested print and plays. Take risks, be silly, and most importantly, have fun! **SPECIAL NOTES**: No outside food is permitted but there are snacks/drinks sold at Geeky Teas. Also, FYI - There are cats at the store, roaming but keep to themselves. Please read these guides, especially if you are new to design or playtesting- **[How to do better playtesting!](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/How-to-do-better-playtesting-1c9a3d4ed35b807b9f6ff643b5635885)** **[How to explain rules for your confusing game prototype!](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/How-to-explain-rules-for-your-confusing-game-prototype-1d3a3d4ed35b80c683e7e4f6953e8545)** **Code of Conduct Rules** 1. Be kind. 2. Seriously, be even more kind than you think you need to be. 3. Read the guidelines for giving and receiving feedback. 4. Respect the rules of our venues (Geeky Teas, Paper Heroes, Odyssey, etc). We will continue to be welcome as long as we continue to be good guests. 5. New members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game. 6. If you have RSVP'd to run a game, show up for your time slot. If you do not show up for your time slot, you will get a strike against you. Two strikes and moderators will discuss next steps with you about if you will be allowed to continue running games. 7. Be respectful of other community members- give as much as you receive. Playtest other peoples' games, not just your own. 8. In the case of an unresolvable or continuing conflict, please let a moderator know so we can determine next steps. 9. You will receive a warning if a legitimate complaint is lodged against you. In the case of a continuous issue, a group of at least 3 moderators will discuss and determine next steps. Consistent bad behavior will lead to a group ban. **See you soon!** **Have questions?** For FAQ's, please see here - [First Play FAQ’s](https://gorgeous-mule-37d.notion.site/First-Play-FAQ-s-1d5a3d4ed35b809eadb7c5c72359521b) For a specific question please email *cassandra@ixiongameworks.com* For community conversations join the Cardboard Alchemy Discord: [https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT](https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT) \- find the \#first\-play\-la\-chat channel\!

UX & Content Los Angeles: Aug 2026 Meetup

Our monthly coffee meetups are back: bringing together UX designers, UX researchers, content designers, content strategists, UX writers, and other product professionals to connect and build community. This month, we're returning to Central LA as part of our ongoing rotation across East, Central, and West Los Angeles. Best of all: this event is **FREE**! We'll be gathering on the outdoor patio at Coffee MCO. Just look for the UX & Content Los Angeles group when you arrive. As always, we'll have Sharpies and name tags on hand to help everyone learn each other's names. The name tags will be color-coded so you can easily identify whether someone is a product/UX designer, content designer/content strategist/UX writer, or UX researcher. **By attending this event, you agree to our Code of Conduct. [Our Code of Conduct can be found under the UX & Content Los Angeles Meetup About section.](https://www.meetup.com/content-strategy-los-angeles/)** **Parking:** Small private lot behind Coffee MCO off Eden Ave. Other than that, it's street parking. Coffee MCO's parking lot can fill up on weekends, so I recommend arriving a few minutes early and utilizing nearby street parking if needed. *** As I begin planning the next chapter of UX & Content Los Angeles, I'd love to hear your feedback. I've put together a short midyear survey to better understand how you'd like to engage with the community, what types of events you'd like to attend, and what topics you'd like to see covered in future programming. The survey takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete, and your feedback will directly influence future events. **[Take the 3–5 minute survey here](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/95QMHSX)** Please submit your responses by **Friday, August 7th**. *** **Community Perks** Our friends at Button and LavaCon have generously offered discount codes for the UX & Content Los Angeles community: **Button 2026** — Save $100 on individual passes with code **CSLA100**. **[Learn about Button](https://www.buttonevents.com/2026-conference)** **LavaCon 2026** — Save $100 on in-person tuition with code **CSLA**. **[Learn about LavaCon](https://lavacon.org/)** Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones!

Los Angeles Interactive Personality-Matched Local Singles

An inviting virtual speed dating night tailored for Los Angeles singles, held over Zoom. We are a friendly neighborhood group where folks gather to connect with authentic people nearby. Look forward to brief individual conversations, organized by age range, all while relaxing in your own space. Sign up here: [Reserve your place](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=616.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Los%20Angeles&groupurlname=court-crushers-squash-and-social-club&face_v=4.0) Selecting RSVP indicates your interest. To participate in the sessions, please complete your registration via the link provided above.

Strategicon Gateway 2026

Strategicon is Los Angeles' game convention that runs 3x / year. (Note: This event is not sponsored by our meetup, but is listed here because some of us go and game there.) About Strategicon: "Our conventions offer the chance to play, watch and buy a variety of board games, card games miniatures, roleplaying, collectables, and computer games. Convention opens on Friday at noon and runs continuously until Monday at 6 p.m." Going to Strategicon to game? Saturday includes RPG Games on Demand at various times, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions include an RPG Games on Demand - Kids Edition. There's also tons of scheduled RPGs and games of all types. Check the Events schedule at the website for more details (it gets updated as the convention comes closer to running). There is an entry fee (full weekend or individual day passes), but individual games are free. For more info: http://www.strategicon.net/. Also there is the ability to volunteer for the convention to get free entry (and I can always use help at Games on Demand). Get in touch with Tomes on the Story Games LA Discord for volunteering information. Even if you don't volunteer, you can get a discount during registration by mentioning you are with **Story Games LA**, see: https://www.strategicon.net/?registration. For details on Strategicon's Covid-19 policy, see https://www.strategicon.net/?covid19_policy