Global Extravaganza: Embassy Delights in DC

Event Highlight: CityFest DC (August 19th, 2023)

Located in Southwest DC, the Culture House stood mighty and tall bedazzling the local community with an array of painted colors on the former church building. The venue was alive with vendors setting up shop, food trucks parking, and a curious crowd brewing for CityFest DC. Reputed to be DC’s largest creator festival, CityFest DC features local vendors, artists, DJs, food vendors, and far more in and outside of the building. We had the privilege of attending the event and also meeting up with one of DC’s most underrated creators Curious Caravan who was also curious about the event.

We were amazed at the sheer creativity when it came to the art colors on the Culture House. It was like Picasso himself had rolled up with his board of colors and decided to go crazy on the interior and exterior walls. Once we got used to the sheer activity of the buzzing crowd, both of us went inside and examined the multiple goods that these DC vendors had. We are were amazed by the entrepreneurship spirit that folks had from 3D printed art pieces to entire fashion clothing lines. There was also a ton of food that we sampled which was amazing in itself.

Check out CityFest DC for next year, the Culture House, and Curious Caravan’s entire resources for finding off the beaten path, unexpected activities in DC.

Cultural Center Dive: Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center

The Congress Heights Art and Culture Center (CHACC) is dedicated to exposing, inspiring, and educating the youth and adults to the rich arts and cultural opportunities of Wards 7 and 8 from a historical and modern perspective. The CHACC was established to explore the arts and culture of people related to the African Diaspora and communities of African-Americans who reside east of the Anacostia River.

At the same time, the CHACC represents a home full of legacy being the former residence and business space of the Executive Director’s father. This arts and culture center serves as an amazing example of generational success, cultural legacy, and black ownership. Among its many uses, the CHACC features rotating art exhibits, classes as well as workshops, and “paint-n-slips” events for kids to adults.

Nestled in Congress Heights, the CHACC is located at 3200 MLK Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20032 with the following times: Monday-Friday(11AM - 6PM), Saturday (11AM - 2PM) , and Sunday closed.
LK

International Events List (August 21^st - August 27^th )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, August 21^st - Sunday, August 27^th .

Emoji Notes

👗 = Fancy dress code.

Monday, August 21^st , 2023

1. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (FREE!) (1:00PM - 2:00PM)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

2. Embassy Row/Dupont Circle Tour ($27.45) (5:30PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Take a walk into the exciting past and alluring present of this world-renowned locale, spy-neighborhood.

3. Brando Skyhorse — My Name is Iris - with Lisa Page (FREE!) (7:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: My Name Is Iris is an all-too-possible story about family, intolerance, and hope, offering a brilliant and timely look at one woman's journey to discover who she can't--and can--be.

Tuesday, August 22^nd , 2023

1. Traces of Us: Etched in Wood with Artist Lianna Zaragoza (FREE!) (4:00PM - 6:00PM)

   • Description: Join Alexandria's office of Arts and artist Lianna Zaragoza at Chinquapin Park Pavilion for summer art activities.

2. Max Impact Band Performance (FREE!) (8:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join the Max Impact band at the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a free concert on the West Lawn.

Wednesday, August 23^rd , 2023

1. Assessing Taiwan’s Soft Power: Cultural Policy and its Implications Abroad (FREE!) (10:00AM - 11:30AM)

   • Description: Join the “Assessing Taiwan’s Soft Power: Cultural Policy and its Implications Abroad” lecture.

2. Deitsch - Traditional Folk Music, Made in Germany Performance (FREE!) (12:00PM - 1:00PM)

   • Description: Join a livestream of the Deitsch band playing traditional songs and dance tunes from Germany.

3. Heidi Martin Ensemble - Kennedy Center Performance (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Watch a performance with Heidi Martin applying folk influences from the 60s to a whole different genre of music.

4. Evening at the Embassy of Cambodia ($64) (7:00PM - 9:30PM) 👗 

   • Description: Enjoy a truly beautiful and unique embassy night designed in traditional Cambodian art and style.

5. Period Film Series of 2023: "The Signal" (FREE!) (6:30PM - 9:30PM) (Waitlist)

   • Description: Join the Embassy of Argentina in the Period Film Series of 2023, with the screening of "The Signal", a 2007 Argentine production.

6.  Advanced Beginner Sevillanas w/Castanets (Price depends on number of classes) (6:30PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Join an advanced beginner Sevillanas class learning how to utilize the Castanets.

7.  Shakti: 50th Anniversary Tour ($35 - $115) (7:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join the quintet’s seamless hybrid of Eastern and Western musical tradition performance tonight at the Wolf Trap.

8. Tango and Champagne Soiree: Argentine Tango Lessons and Dance Soiree ($32.78) (7:00PM - 9:30PM) 👗 

   • Description: Join us on your own or with friends to enjoy an evening of champagne and Argentine Tango dancing with lessons at the Gallery at the Ven at Embassy Row, in the heart of DuPont Circle.

9. Advanced Beginner Technique & Choreography (Price depends on number of classes) (7:45PM - 8:45PM)

   • Description: Join an advanced beginner class focusing on the technique and choreography of the Flamenco art style.

Thursday, August 24^th , 2023

1. Book Talk with Dr. Robert Watson: When Washington Burned (FREE!) (12:00PM - 1:00PM)

   • Description: Join the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for a special in-person and live-streamed event with author and Historian Dr. Robert Watson.

2. UNESCO Italy Photographic Exhibit (FREE!) (3:00PM - 4:00PM)

   • Description: Come to this exhibition dedicated to the Italian sites most recently added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

3. The Annual British Conquest and Burning of Washington Tour ($27.45) (5:30PM - 7:45PM)

   • Description: This unique walking tour will detail the conquest of the D.C by the British, and their burning of the Capitol, the Treasury Building, War & Navy Departments, and the White House, military actions in Alexandria and Baltimore, and the general course of “America’s Second War of Independence”.

4. Intro to Flamenco Dance & Rhythm (Price depends on number of classes) (6:30PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for an introduction to Flamenco dance and rhythm.

5. Intro to Sevillanas & Castanets (Price depends on number of classes) (7:45PM - 8:45PM)

   • Description: Join us for an introduction to Sevillanas and the utilization of Castanets.

Friday, August 25^th, 2023

1. Syngman Rhee and the US-ROK Alliance Conference (FREE!) (8:30AM - 5:30PM)

   • Description: Attend the GWIKS Conference in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the US-ROK Alliance & the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the ROK.

2. Taste of Bahia & Samba Festival ($28.52 - $49.87) (5:00PM - 9:30PM) (Multiple events)

   • Description: Attend the Festival Afro Bahia which celebrates the wonderful culture of the Brazilian state of Bahia.

3. Paul Burch - Kennedy Center Performance (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: For over two decades, Paul Burch’s thoroughly modern and instantly classic songs have attracted fans and collaborators from rock to bluegrass. Join for a performance tonight at the Kennedy Center.

4. Sunset Salsa and All Night Latin Party ($100) (August 25^th 6:30PM - August 26^th 8:00AM)

   • Description: Join us for a Fiesta experience at the largest multi-genre Latin dance festival in the world!

5. Extraordinary Cinema: O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Kennedy Center Performance (FREE!) (7:45PM - 9:45PM)

   • Description: Loosely based on Homer’s epic Odyssey, the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? follows with the picaresque adventures of Ulysses Everett McGill and his companions Delmar and Pete in 1930s Mississippi. Come watch this free movie at the Kennedy Center.

Saturday, August 26^th , 2023

1. The March on Washington: 60th Anniversary (FREE!) (9:00AM - 5:00PM)

   • Description: Join with unity friends as we continue to work for democracy, social justice, and civil rights.

2. 2023 Around The World Cultural Food Festival (FREE!) (11:00AM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Join the Around The World Cultural Food Festival at the beautiful, waterfront Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

3. ARTRAVEDC Venues (FREE!) (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

   • Description: Come to this gallery for emerging & established artists & handcrafts. ArtRave has been a facilitator, mentor & advocate for the artisan community.

4. "Overexposed" - Art Event for Timoteo Murphy hosted by Commonwealth Proper (FREE!) (6:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Come speak with Artist Timoteo Murphy as he takes over the CMMP Showroom for a special event presenting his works and endeavors in multiple disciplines.

5. Indian Muslims and their Contemporary Challenges ($20.00) (6:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Meet the award winning Journalist Arfa Khanum for a benefit dinner with Indian Muslims and their contemporary challenges.

6.  Sounds of Africa Concert (FREE!) (6:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for Sounds of Africa, our summer evening concert series celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop!

7. Evening at the Residence of the Ambassador from Zambia ($64) (7:30PM - 10:00PM) 👗 

   • Description: Journey into the heart of Africa as we experience the mysteries and the culture of Zambia for a night at the Zambian embassy.

8. Wax Motif Performance ($35.00+) (9:00PM - 11:00PM)

   • Description: Join the 9:30 Club for a night celebrating the Australian-born, LA-based producer as he unleashes a cacophony of music.

9. "Bollywood AZAAD" -- Official INDO-PAK Independence Day Celebrations ($18.92 - $35.88) (August 26th, 9:30PM - August 27th, 2:30AM)

   • Description: Join hundreds of men and women, dressed up, will sing and dance to the popular tunes of Bollywood and Hollywood at Washington DC's Mainstream Venue "Hard Rock Cafe"

Sunday, August 27^th , 2023

1. Sweet Water Gallery, DC Wharf Belleza’s Cubanas Exhibit (FREE!) (12:00PM - 6:00PM)

   • Description: Join the first exhibit, "BELLEZAS CUBANAS" or Cuban Beauties, that will showcase the stunning works of talented Cuban artists, celebrating the unique beauty and richness of Cuban culture.

2. Author Talk with Former NPR journalist Sean Carberry ($37.05+) (2:00PM - 4:00PM)

   • Description: Join Sean Carberry as he will be talking about his new book "Passport Stamps: Searching the World for a War to Call Home".

3. Taras Yanitskiy Bandura Concert (House of Ukraine) ($40.00) (4:00PM - 6:00PM)

   • Description: Join one of Ukraine's most talented bandurists - virtuoso Taras Yanitskiy in Washington DC!

4. Vibrational Healing from Tibetan Singing Bowls ($39.19) (4:30PM - 5:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for an immersive experience of vibrational healing through the ancient practice of Tibetan Singing Bowls.

5. Journey Within: Meditation & Wisdom with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ($28 - $99) (5:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Experience an unforgettable evening of Meditation, wisdom, and the Art of Living joyfully with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

6.  ARTRAVEDC Venues (FREE!) (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

   • Description: Come to this gallery for emerging & established artists & handcrafts. ArtRave has been a facilitator, mentor & advocate for the artisan community.

Rate Issue No.27!

😁 😁 😁 😁 = Well done! You nailed it!

😁 😁 😁 = Good job overall, could use some work.

😁 😁 = Okay-ish issue.

😁 = Terrible, do better next time.

Follow, Like, and Share!