Global Grasp: September's International Research in DC

Event Highlight: 202Creates Meetup (August 30^th , 2023)

If you were like us, we had never heard about 202Creates before this event. 202Creates is an initiative launched by Mayor Muriel Bowser to highlight DC’s creator economy. As the city is a hub of entrepreneurship and creativity, this program was founded in September 2016 with the idea of uplifting DC’s creative culture. On the night of August 30th, they hosted their Kick-Off Celebration at the restaurant known as The Point in Southwest (SW) DC.

To be honest, we were not exactly sure what we were rolling into since this was the first time we had ever gone to a 202Creates event. Our dear friends, @curious_caravan and @urbansafaridc111, had recommended going since it was like a networking event for creators in the city. We saw a variety of things such as performances from bands to folks on stilts in costumes. There were also a ton of people that knew each other mingling and exchanging pleasantries.

We ended the night with exploring a lot of SW DC noting the rapid development of the area with tall, high-rise buildings and restaurants. The supermoon event was also happening on the same night with the sky looking like it was painted on fire. Check out some of the photos of the event and sky down below if you are curious. Also, be sure to check out our friends @curious_caravan and @urbansafaridc111 for amazing events and activities in DC.

Cultural Center Dive: Korean Cultural Center (KCCDC)

Established in October 2010, the Korean Cultural Center in Washington DC (KCCDC) is a branch of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea dedicated to sharing Korean culture with the American public. The center offers a multitude of Korean cultural activities to experience including exhibitions, performances, films, K-Pop, literature, education, outreach programs, and Korean language learning lessons. In 2023, the 70th Anniversary of the Korea-U.S. Alliance was celebrated with a performance at the Martin Luthor King (MLK) Jr. Memorial Library.

The KCCDC partners with key local institutions including the Smithsonian Institution and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to host events in addition to their own regular cultural programs. One such example includes the ArtWalk Dupont program that occurs on the first Friday of each month. The KCCDC offered an in-depth look into one of their current exhibits titled “Landscape of the Mind” created by contemporary Korean artists Lim Hyunjeong and Jung Seok Hee. The exhibit focused on resonating with the lived experiences of your own audience and shedding light on important social issues with over 20 pieces.

You can check out the KCCDC here!

Location: 2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008'

Times and Hours: Monday-Friday (9AM - 6PM); Saturday-Sunday (closed)

International Events List (September 4^th - September 10^th )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, September 4^th - Sunday, September 10^th .

Emoji Notes

👗 = Fancy dress code.

Monday, September 4^th, 2023

1. Mabiba Baegne - Congolese Dance Workshop ($28.52) (7:30PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join us in welcoming Mabiba Baegne to teach Congolese dance and culture.

Tuesday, September 5^th, 2023

1. Chamber Music with The United States Navy Band (FREE!) (12:10PM - 1:30PM)

   • Description: Join the United States Navy Band for an afternoon of chamber music at the Church of the Epiphany!

2. Gendering Geopolitics Book Club (FREE!) (4:00PM - 5:00PM)

   • Description: Join the New Lines’ Gender Policy Portfolio for a bimonthly book club series.

3. America Meditates - Free Yoga & Meditation Sessions (FREE!) (6:30PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Come join us for free meditation sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, where you can relax, unwind, and find inner peace in person.

Wednesday, September 6^th, 2023

1. Capital Arts Collective (FREE!) (10:00AM - 2:00PM)

   • Description: Come visit the Capital Arts Collective, a downtown DC’s pop up arts market located at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

2. India: Rising Geo-Economic Power and Internal Changes (FREE!) (10:00AM - 11:00AM)

   • Description: Join the New Lines Institute for a conversation with prominent India experts in the Washington policy space.

3. Geopolitics of Sustainable Finance with Eurasia Group's Shari Friedman (FREE!) (12:00PM - 1:00PM)

   • Description: Join the SFS Energy Club for a discussion on sustainable finance with Eurasia Group's Shari Friedman!

4. Gardener's Focus Tour: Japanese-Style Garden (Check ticket amount) (2:30PM - 3:00PM)

   • Description: Join Michael Rollinson, gardener, as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the intricately manicured, yet “naturally wild,” Japanese-style garden.

5. Ethiocolor - Kennedy Center Performance (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Founded in 2009 by the charismatic Melaku Belay, who has made his Fendika Cultural Center in Addis Ababa a global gathering place, Ethiocolor draws deeply from the bardic well of Ethiopia’s diverse heritage.

6.  Yoga at The Washington Monument (FREE!) (6:30PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for an invigorating and relaxing yoga session at the iconic Washington Monument! This in-person event is perfect for yoga enthusiasts of all levels.

7.  Language Exchange Happy Hour ($27.72) (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for an interesting happy hour exchange filled with common threads of language and culture.

Thursday, September 7^th, 2023

1. Market Concentration in the Grain Industry: Implications for Food Security? (FREE!) (9:30AM - 11:00AM)

   • Description: Join us for a lecture on the market concentration in the grain industry and implications for food security.

2. TV Series and the Public Memory of Colonia Dignidad (FREE!) (6:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for an interdisciplinary conversation and screening about the German-Chilean TV Series “Dignity”.

3. Book Launch: The Chronicles of Fernão Lopes translation into English (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for a conversation with part of the team who translated into English "The Chronicles of Fernão Lopes".

4. Uzbekistan's Independence Day Concert (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Join Uzbekistan's Independence Day Concert by SAFO Ensemble and Sabina Mustaeva.

5. DASER: Art/Science Collaborations and Ocean Research (FREE!) (6:30PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join us in celebration of the exhibition Blue Dreams by Rebecca Rutstein and the Ocean Memory Project.

6. Lecture at JICC | Exploring the Shakuhachi with Kojiro Umezaki (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Professor Kojiro Umezaki will introduce the shakuhachi, its origins, practice, and modern role in the global music scene.

7. Comedy Show hosted by Immigrant Food and KAMA DC ($17.85 - $64.21) (6:30PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Please join us for a night of laughter featuring comedians who are immigrants, refugees, and 1st-generation Americans!

Friday, September 8^th, 2023

1. 1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions Symposium (FREE!) (September 8th, 11:00AM - September 9th, 6:00PM)

   • Description: The year 1898 was a flashpoint—for the lands involved, for residents of the United States—and for the course of modern history.

2. Gardener's Focus Tour: Japanese-Style Garden (Check ticket amount) (2:30PM - 3:00PM)

   • Description: Join Michael Rollinson, gardener, as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the intricately manicured, yet “naturally wild,” Japanese-style garden.

3. Mabiba Baegne - Mandeng Drum Workshops ($33.85) (7:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join us in welcoming Mabiba Baegne to teach Congolese dance and culture. She will also instruct a special Mandeng drum class!

4. Liza Treyger - Comedy Performance ($25 - $40) (7:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: After crushing it in our lounge showroom in 2022, Liza is playing the main showroom in 2023! Hilarious, honest and with a distinct perspective -- her family emigrated from Ukraine when she was a child.

5. Ethiopian New Year’s Celebration at the Embassy of Ethiopia ($69) (8:00PM - 11:00PM) 👗

   • Description: Tonight, you can join the ambassador and the diplomats as we travel to Ethiopia and partake in an authentic Ethiopian New Year Celebration.

6. Liza Treyger - Comedy Performance ($25 - $40) (9:45PM - 10:45PM)

   • Description: After crushing it in our lounge showroom in 2022, Liza is playing the main showroom in 2023! Hilarious, honest and with a distinct perspective -- her family emigrated from Ukraine when she was a child.

Saturday, September 9^th, 2023

1. 1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions Symposium (FREE!) (September 8th, 11:00AM - September 9th, 6:00PM)

   • Description: The year 1898 was a flashpoint—for the lands involved, for residents of the United States—and for the course of modern history.

2. Public Conversation and Mapping Workshop with artist Tiffany Chung (FREE!) (10:00AM - 12:00PM)

   • Description: Join a public dialogue with Tiffany Chung focusing on the interconnected stories of diverse diasporic refugee and immigrant communities.

3. The Wharf Ecuador Event (FREE!) (11:00AM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Experience the sights, sounds, and our flavors, and be part of a showcase of the best products, culinary delights, and entrepreneurial spirit.

4. Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2023 (FREE!) (1:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for the Rosslyn Jazz Fest at Gateway Park.

5. Mono Lake and Last Things Film Presentation (FREE!) (2:00PM - 3:15PM)

   • Description: Join us to view two films exploring the mysteries of time, followed by a post screening discussion with filmmaker Deborah Stratman and author Corina Copp.

6. Washington Jazz Arts Institute 25th Anniversary Gala ($108.05) (6:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for a rousing 25th Anniversary Gala featuring our alumni stars in an amazing big band performance!

Sunday, September 10^th, 2023

1. Takoma Park Folk Festival (FREE!) (ALL DAY!)

   • Description: Join us for the 2023 Takoma Park Folk Festival (TPFF) is excited about presenting an in-person festival with multiple music performances.

2. Yoga + Crystal Bowl Sound Bath at National Building Museum ($34.10) (9:00AM - 10:00AM)

   • Description: Join us for an all-level Yoga flow accompanied by a full session sound bath with crystal alchemy singing bowls at the National Building Museum.

3. DC State Fair (FREE!) (10:00AM - 5:00PM)

   • Description: Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair honors the things that make the District of Columbia unique.

4. Sweet Water Gallery DC: Water in the African Sky Exhibit (FREE!) (12:00AM - 6:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for an afternoon filled with captivating art, live music, delicious cuisine, and an atmosphere of pure inspiration.

5. Ghambastegi: Therapy Through Art ($31.80) (1:30PM - 3:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for a workshop that focuses on wellness and mindfulness through therapeutic art directives.

6.  This Asian Hates Asian Hate - Joe Wong Stand-Up Comedy Special ($43.45 - $49.87) (1:30PM - 3:30PM)

   • Description: Joe is one of the most influential Asian American Standup Comedians and has appeared on Letterman, Colbert, and Ellen shows, as well as headlined the 66th Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. where he roasted the then vice president Joe Biden.

7.  Silver Spring Arts and Crafts - End of Summer Celebration Festival (FREE!) (2:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for the end of summer celebration festival at Silver Spring.

Rate Issue No.29!

😁 😁 😁 😁 = Well done! You nailed it!

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

😁 😁 = Okay-ish issue.

😁 = Terrible, do better next time.

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