Review: Area 42 Game Day @ The Soundry

Guest post by Dave

Logo by Area 42 Games

As a lifetime nerd with a possibly unhealthy interest in the arts, I have to confess that I physically suppressed a squeal of glee when I discovered that board game merchant and gamer community hub Area 42 Games was hosting an afternoon of board gaming at the Soundry.  Ordinarily I have to make plans for any of my interests to converge in such a perfect way.  It’s a rare thing to be able to enjoy multiple things I like at once without the souring ingredient of actual, sincere effort, so naturally I jumped in without a single thought-bubble of hesitation.

A short primer for the decidedly un-hip-and-trendy: The Soundry is an art house, studio space, and coffee bar located in downtown Vienna.  I’ve been there twice in the past, and despite the minor quibbles of minimal signage and a complete lack of air conditioning (relevant, perhaps, if you are a wilting dainty princess), there is one clear message I have taken away from my experiences.  Namely:

The Soundry is cool.

Mind-bendingly, blisteringly cool.

In my gawkier high school and college days, it may have even registered as “too cool” on my personal coolometer.

The venue is a converted auto body shop that has served as a hub for the weird, awesome, and amazing in NoVa for roughly two and a half years.  I won’t get into the details of its weekly activities.  I will only state that there are a lot of them, they run the arts gamut from gallery shows, to music, theatre and more, and they are easily available for perusal at the Soundry’s calendar.  This Sunday, Area 42 Game Day made its debut on this list, and from the sound of things, it looks likely to be coming back regularly.

The inaugural game day was fun and relaxed.  I stepped inside, and was quickly invited into a game of that old eurogame standby, Settlers of Catan.  I spent the afternoon more or less jumping from table to table - everything being played was more than short enough for my ferret-like attention span.  I was introduced to an intriguing bidding game by the name of Ra, however the big winners on my list were party games Dixit and Mad Scientist University.  Fear not, however, there were more than enough crunchy strategy games for those less inclined towards fluffy-headed social tomfoolery.

Attendance was lower than usual, according to Area 42 founder Joseph Hines and staff, but the selection of games was excellent and the people were enthusiastic and enjoyable.  There was a distinct lack of the art scene attending this event, which made me a little sad, but I predict the location alone will turn future events into a fertile garden for artists and gamers to engage in all-purpose interest cross-pollination.

Suggestions and observations: Make sure to get good directions.  Bring your kids, newbies, and non-nerd friends to this event.  It is definitely geared toward getting novices playing and interested in board games.  Rules-light euro-games and party games are the general rule - it’s probably a good idea to leave your copy of Twilight Imperium at home.  Expect a game of Settlers to happen.  Chat with venue owner Jennifer Crawford, chat with Joe and Rebecca of Area 42, they’re cool.  Try the lemon tarts.


Dave is a local artist, gamer, and library aficionado.  He currently has a tumblr for some of his art.  He's awesome.  Check back with us for more interesting posts from him on a variety of subjects.  He may even dance a little jig.  If you wish hard enough and eat all your vegetables.