Fireside Diplomacy and Winter Warmth in DC

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Following the requests from a couple of readers, we decided to go ahead and set up a Patreon for the Embassy Life in DC project. Let us be clear: subscribing to the Patreon is not obligatory in any way.

Subscribed readers will still have access to the newsletter and all of its features. The Patreon is for those that just wish to support the newsletter one step further beyond. We also got creative with it as well since it is going to add a more personal touch to the project.

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Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and we will keep adding more and more benefits as we grow in time. This is our first time doing something like this so please have patience as we learn how to navigate this new world.

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Event Highlight: Artisan Caribbean Event (November 9^th )

Organized by Global Couture U.S., this fashion show was held at the Colombian Ambassador’s Residence in Dupont Circle on a rainy afternoon. It was our first time visiting the deceptively large building as we circled the perimeter of the residence confused on where to enter. Once we made our way into the building, we were stunned to see a fancy interior complete with multiple floors, various rooms, vaulted ceilings, and a jardin or outside patio strewn with lights.

This fashion show showcased 4 designers from the Caribbean region and beyond, each complete with their own styles and themes. For example, we had high couture designers from Puerto Rico Gantier and Berrios make an appearance to artists from Ghana, Africa. We sat in the back of the room on purpose to be closer to the catwalk where the models were walking by. Our trusty Google Pixel 7 Pro phone revealed later on amused models looking at our camera as we attentively took hundreds of photos.

The night was abuzz with conversations about fashion in multiple languages as the designers discussed their motivations behind their unique styles. We received an education in fashion design all night which you could argue makes us a potential fashion consultant! Jokes aside, a special thank you to Raiza Antonia Gonzalez for inviting us to the event and the one on Saturday as well.

Looking Ahead! 👀 

1. Alliances Françaises: A 140 Years Journey of Cross-Cultural Dialogue (FREE!) (Monday, November 20^th, 7:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Film Description: Join us for a special event on Nov 20, celebrating 140 years of Alliance Française. Exclusive documentary screening and cross-interview!

   • Host Organization: French Embassy

2. Rozálie: A Musical One-Woman Show (FREE!) (Wednesday, November 22^nd, 6PM - 7PM)

   • Description: Multi-talented artist Rozálie captivates audiences with her unique blend of music and performance. As well as being a charismatic singer, accordionist, actress and dancer, Rozálie’s songwriting skills were recently recognized with a nomination for the prestigious Czech music award, Ceny Anděl, with her debut album Korzetiér.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

3. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer: Big Family Ukulele Jam and Sing-Along Performance (FREE!) (Friday, November 24^th, 6PM - 7PM)

   • Description: Grammy® winners Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer will lead and all ages sing-along, strum-along ukulele jam session. Come strum, come sing, come join the fun community and the joy of uke! Other small instruments welcome. Join the chorus, join the band.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

4. Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony Tour 2023 ($29+) (Friday, November 24^th, 8PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman complete with the majestic sound of the National Symphony Orchestra.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

5. Realizing Futures: Short Films (FREE!) (Saturday, November 25^th, 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

   • Film Description: Centering joy, gratitude, and resilience acts as a powerful reminder of the potentials for narrative change in storytelling, and in the creation of Indigenous futurisms.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

6. The Night Is Long But Light Comes In The Morning Book Talk (FREE!) (Sunday, November 26^th, 6:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Book Description: The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing offers keen insights for anyone struggling with issues of racial injustice.

   • Host Organization: Busboys and Poets

International Events List (November 13^th - November 19^th )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, November 13^th until Sunday, November 19^th .

Emoji Notes:

👗 = Fancy dress code

Monday, November 13^th, 2023

1. IEW23: Movie Night: Mosul Documentary (FREE!) (5:30PM - 7:00PM)

   • Film Description: Join the IEA and REAL to watch a special screening of Mosul: The Mother of Two Springs for IEW23

   • Host Organization: Elliott School of International Affairs

2. José González Performance ($45 - $60) (8PM - 10PM)

   • Description: José Gabriel González is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg.

   • Host Organization: I.M.P

Tuesday, November 14^th, 2023

1. Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific (FREE!) (10:00AM - 11:30AM)

   • Description: Join us for a discussion accompanying the launch of Strategic Asia: Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific.

   • Host Organization: The National Bureau of Asian Research

2. The Political Economy of Food System Transformation (FREE!) (3:00PM - 4:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for a discussion concerning the political economy of food system transformation in a polarized world.

   • Host Organization: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

3. Flow Into Arabic Calligraphy: Introduction with Nuria Garcia Masip ($65.87) (5:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Flow Into Arabic Calligraphy: Introduction for Beginners with Nuria Garcia is the perfect place to try your hand at the art of Arabic calligraphy.

   • Host Organization: Reed Society for the Sacred Arts

4. Celebrating French and American Military Resilience in Style ($150+) (6PM - 11PM) 👗

   • Description: Join us as we celebrate French and American wounded veterans while encouraging sustainable fashion as a modern means of self-expression.

   • Host Organization: Resources USA Inc

5. Say Sue Me Performance ($20) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Cited as one of 2018’s ‘break-out bands’, Say Sue Me are a Surf inspired Indie-Rock/Pop act from Busan, South Korea. Members consist of Byungkyu Kim on lead guitar, Sumi Choi on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jaeyoung Kim on Bass and Sungwan Lim on Drums.

   • Host Organization: The Atlantis

6. IEW23: Lual Mayen: Gaming for Peace (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for an evening of Tech & Talk featuring video game designer Lual Mayen for IEW23

   • Host Organization: Elliott School of International Affairs

7. Lifting Up Marginalized Voices: Reading and Discussion (FREE!) (7:00PM - 8:30PM)

   • Book Description: Join social justice activist Sunu P. Chandy, author Jeffrey Dale Lofton, and debut author Jody Hobbs Hesler for a reading and discussion!

   • Host Organization: The Potter's House

8. Hybrid Event: Walt Hickey, You Are What You Watch, with Dave Levinthal (FREE!) (7PM - 8PM)

   • Book Description: East City Bookshop welcomes Walt Hickey to discuss his book, You Are What You Watch, in conversation with Dave Levinthal.

   • Host Organization: East City Bookshop

Wednesday, November 15^th , 2023

1. The Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Lecture (FREE!) (12PM - 3PM)

   • Description: The National Interest Foundation invites you to join us on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, for our event "The Israeli-Palestinian Crisis."

   • Host Organization: National Interest Foundation

2. In Biblioteca in Italiano - November Meeting (FREE!) (4:30PM - 6:00PM)

   • Description: Story telling on Italian books for young readers (ages 4 through 10). This month's encounter is dedicated to Italian cuisine.

   • Host Organization: Italian Cultural Institute

3. IEW23: UNESCO Fellows Presentation (FREE!) (5PM - 7PM)

   • Description: Join our returning UNESCO Fellows 2023 cohort for a presentation of their time abroad for IEW23.

   • Host Organization: Elliott School of International Affairs

4. “German Traces – Lithuanian Encounters”: Film Screening and Discussion (FREE!) (5:00PM - 6:30PM)

   • Film Description: Join us for a special screening of a documentary “German Traces – Lithuanian Encounters” and a discussion that will follow.

   • Host Organization: Embassy of Lithuania

5. Hungarian Dance Workshop (FREE!) (8:00PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for a Hungarian dance workshop at the Kossuth Foundation, no prior experience necessary.

   • Host Organization: Multiple event organizers

Thursday, November 16^th , 2023

1. Cultural Leadership Breakfast: Hayley Finn ($41.54) (8:00PM - 9:30PM) 👗

   • Description: Hayley Finn, who became Theater J's fifth artistic director earlier this year, will speak at The Georgetowner's Nov. 16 cultural breakfast.

   • Host Organization: Sand Fiddler Marketing

2. Capital Book Fest (FREE!) (10AM - 5PM)

   • Description: Downtown DC’s outdoor, pop-up bookstore returns to Wilson Plaza!

   • Host Organization: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

3. AI and the Workforce: An International Economic Outlook (FREE!) (2PM - 3PM)

   • Description: BPC, in partnership with UMD, welcomes Stefano Scarpetta, OCED Director on how AI is reshaping labor markets.

   • Host Organization: Bipartisan Policy Center

4. Third Thursday - The Phillips Collection (FREE!) (5PM - 8PM)

   • Description: Visit America's first modern art museum for free during our extended hours on the Third Thursday of every month.

   • Host Organization: The Phillips Collection

5. IEW23: Careers in the Field of International Education (FREE!) (5PM - 7PM)

   • Description: Join us for our annual Career Panel featuring professionals in the field for IEW23.

   • Host Organization: Elliott School of International Affairs

6. Béla Horvath, Violin Performance ($156.57) (7PM - 10PM) 👗

   • Description: Distinguished, award winning, Hungarian violinist joins us for an event at the Hungarian Embassy.

   • Host Organization: The Embassy Series

7. Madame Gandhi Performance (FREE!) (6PM - 7PM)

   • Description: “Going deep, bravely into the pain” is how activist-artist Madame Gandhi describes Vibrations, her third studio album—and could easily double as a subtitle for it. Vibrations is just as effervescently escapist as its name implies. Because when the vocalist-percussionist (real name: Kiran Gandhi) came out of isolation, she was a different person: uplifted, vivacious, content.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

8. Mujeres de Cine 2023: Secaderos (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: The 2023 edition of Mujeres de Cine presents Secaderos by Rocío Mesa at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain.

   • Host Organization: SPAIN arts & culture

Friday, November 17^th , 2023

1. Umbrella Art Fair (FREE!) (Friday, November 17^th , 12PM - Sunday, November 19^th , 8PM)

   • Description: Join us for three days of art, culture and convening. Umbrella Art Fair 2023 will feature works by over 150 artists from the DMV and beyond.

   • Host Organization: Usan Usan

2. Mark Rothko: A Conversation with Arne Glimcher, Kate Rothko Prizel, and Christopher Rothko  (FREE!) (10:30AM - 11:30AM)

   • Description: Join us for a conversation about Mark Rothko’s life and work with three people who have contributed significantly to the public accessibility and understanding of his art: Rothko’s children, Kate Rothko Prizel and Christopher Rothko, and gallerist Arne Glimcher.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

3. Le Festin Des Mots: Un Déjeuner-Causerie Avec Kim Thúy (FREE!) (1:00PM - 2:30PM)

   • Description: World-renowned author Kim Thúy will join us for a luncheon at Georgetown University. Please note that the event is in French.

   • Host Organization: Georgetown University Department of French and Francophone Studies

4. GWIKS Special Film Screening: Paradise (FREE!) (3PM - 5PM)

   • Film Description: Paradise revisits South Korea’s era of authoritarian development through the lens of queer livelihood discussion and Q&A with Todd A. Henry

   • Host Organization: Elliott School of International Affairs

5. Covington Jazz Quartet Performance (FREE!) (6PM - 7PM)

   • Description: Join the Covington Jazz Quartet in a concert that’s a tribute to the great pianist Art Tatum, and the musicians inspired by him. Featuring Nassar Abadey, Herman Burney, Charles Covington, and Sandy Crawford.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

6. IEW23: International Thanksgiving (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Culminating our IEW23 is our annual IEP International Thanksgiving where we are highlighting the diversity among our students and program! Sign up to bring your cultural dish.

   • Host Organization: George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs

7. Defining Death — Cultural, Scientific and Legal Complexity (FREE!) (8PM - 10PM)

   • Description: Join PSW Science on November 17th at 8 PM as we welcome Robert Truog, Director Emeritus and Distinguished Professor at Harvard.

   • Host Organization: PSW Science

8. SAPAN Music Presents: Lights Up 2023 ($32.52+) (8PM - 10PM)

   • Description: Join the SAPAN Institute resident musicians for a fun evening of music as we celebrate Diwali!

   • Host Organization: Busboys and Poets

Saturday, November 18^th , 2023

1. Umbrella Art Fair (FREE!) (Saturday, November 18^th , 12PM - Sunday, November 19^th , 8PM)

   • Description: Join us for three days of art, culture and convening. Umbrella Art Fair 2023 will feature works by over 150 artists from the DMV and beyond.

   • Host Organization: Usan Usan

2. DC Punk Rock Flea Market (FREE!) (12PM - 5PM)

   • Description: Join us at the St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal’s Church for the DC Punk Rock Flea Market.

   • Host Organization: St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church

3. Conversation and Presentation of Bolivian Studies Journal (FREE!) (10:30AM - 1:30PM)

   • Book Description: The Bolivian Studies Journal is a publication that responds to the interest in understanding the past and present of historical and cultural.

   • Host Organization: Embassy of The State of Bolivia and Bolivian Studies Journal

4. Love and Fury Film Screening (FREE!) (2PM - 4PM)

   • Film Description: Join us for an introduction by film series co-curator Anpa’o Locke (Húŋkpapȟa Lakota and Ahtna Dené) in person.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

5. Hannelie Coetzee Solo Exhibition: In Mid-Loping Gait (FREE!) (2PM - 4PM)

   • Description: Morton Fine Art is pleased to present an exhibition of ink on paper drawings from an ongoing eco-queer focused series by Johannesburg, South Africa-based transdisciplinary visual artist Hannelie Coetzee.

   • Host Organization: Morton Fine Art

6. Hungarian Bazaar ($10 in advance, $12 at the door) (12PM - 8PM)

   • Description: Join the Hungarian Scout Troop of DC for the annual Hungarian Christmas Bazaar.

   • Host Organization: Hungarian Scouts of DC

7. The Heart Of Ryukyuan Dance ($25) (12PM - 2PM)

   • Description: Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Ryukyuan dance, as we celebrate its vibrant heart on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

   • Host Organization: Senjukai Hawaii

8. Coming To America Washington DC (FREE!) (3PM - 5PM)

   • Description: Coming to America is a riveting cultural event that delves into the lives of Kenyan girls who overcome human rights challenges.

   • Host Organization: I Can Fly International

Sunday, November 19^th , 2023

1. Umbrella Art Fair (FREE!) (12PM - 8PM)

   • Description: Join us for three days of art, culture and convening. Umbrella Art Fair 2023 will feature works by over 150 artists from the DMV and beyond.

   • Host Organization: Usan Usan

2. Introduction to the Exhibition: Mark Rothko—Paintings on Paper (FREE!) (12PM - 1PM)

   • Description: Join us for an introductory presentation on Mark Rothko: Paintings on Paper by Adam Greenhalgh, exhibition curator and associate curator at the National Gallery.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

3. Gush Film Screening (FREE!) (2:00PM - 4:30PM)

   • Film Description: The film presents a deeply personal and intimate perspective of experimental Indigenous filmmaking, using a non-linear approach to storytelling and an innovative use of layering and repetition of images and sounds.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

4. South American Wine Tasting with Sol Febus ($39.19) (3:00PM - 4:30PM)

   • Description: Travel through South America to explore the rich and its diverse wine regions with Sol Febus.

   • Host Organization: KAMA DC

5. St. Ann DC Concert Series 2023-2024 Performance (FREE!) (3PM - 4PM)

   • Description: Join Sofya Gulyak, the famous pianist as he performs at the St. Ann Catholic Church.

   • Host Organization: St. Ann Catholic Church

6. Kishi Bashi Presents His Song Film: Omoiyari ($45 - $55) (7:30PM - 9:00PM)

   • Film Description: The event will be the screening of the documentary film, ‘Omoiyari’, followed by a conversation and live set by Kishi Bashi performing the album in its entirety.

   • Host Organization: Lincoln Theatre

Rate Issue No.39!

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