Beyond Borders: September's Embassy Events in DC

Event Highlight: Around The World Cultural Food Festival (Saturday, August 26^th )

After marching through Old Town Alexandria, we arrived at Oronoco Bay Park where a large swathe of people were gathered for the Around the World Cultural Food Festival. Many tents had been erected for different countries including China and Egypt selling foods for varying prices. The lines were too long to grab food and we were not feeling the most patient on a warm, summer day. As usual, the humidity was tough on the skin and the sun was beating down on everyone as even the coldest of slushies melted onto the grass.

Seeking refuge, we sat near the main tent where the performances were happening with a large banner screaming “Around The World Cultural Food Festival 2023”. Fun fact, this festival has been going on for 7 years! Previously, it was in the DC Proper area but it had been moved to Old Town Alexandria for a different location. The performances were joyful from Middle Eastern North Africa (MENA) representative belly-dances to Irish dancing.

After watching some of the performances, we explored the nearby Potomac River with a walkway passing through Goose Island. Like the name suggests, there was a plethora of geese minding their own business and wearily watching the crowds moving along the bank. Check out the Around The World Cultural Food Festival if you are curious for more details.

Cultural Center Dive: Italian Culture Institute (IIC)

Based in Washington DC, the IIC is an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian government. Their mission is to promote Italian culture in the United States through the organization of cultural services and events in different areas including the arts to the humanities to the sciences. Examples of this include the development of academic exchanges to the organization of visual art exhibits such as the recent UNESCO Italian Photography exhibit.

The IIC also offers Italian language learning courses for those that are interested as well as certifications to prove Italian language fluency. If you are a book lover, the IIC also hosts book presentations and author talks with famous Italian authors. With Italian holidays such as Festa della Repubblica (Italian National Day), the IIC will typically celebrate these holidays with events that are open to the DC public on occasion.

You can find out more information about the IIC through their website and times as well as address below:

Location: 3000 Whitehaven St NW, Washington, DC 20008

Times: Monday-Friday (9AM - 5PM); weekend (closed).

International Events List (August 28^th - September 3^rd )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, August 28^th - Sunday, September 3^rd .

Emoji Notes

👗 = Fancy dress code.

Monday, August 28^th, 2023

1. Jeremy Eichler — Time's Echo: The Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance - with Anne Midgette (FREE!) (7:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Join chief classical music critic of The Boston Globe, Jeremy Eichler, and Anne Midgette of the Washington Post for a book talk.

2. 50/50 Salsa and Bachata Class ($33.85) (8:00PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Designed for the more experienced dancer, this class builds upon the fundamentals learned in the Basics and Beyond progressive class series.

Tuesday, August 29^th, 2023

1. Flavors of D.C. - Four Course Meal ($268.61) (6:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join Top DC chefs Tim Ma, Kevin Tien and Jerome Grant design a memorable meal to benefit the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

2. Celtic Aire - U.S. Capitol West Lawn, D.C. (FREE!) (8:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join Celtic Aire at the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a free concert on the West Lawn as part of our Summer Concert Series!

Wednesday, August 30^th, 2023

1. DC Jazzfest Festival (Price varies depending on what you want to do!)

   • Description: Enjoy DC’s JazzFest Festival with a bunch of different jazz performers over many days!

2. Expanding Tradition: Ayodele Owolabi - Kennedy Center (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Ayo—an artist whose music transcends the hearts and minds of her audiences—is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Washington, D.C. who began her journey as a jazz vocalist at Howard University.

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

   • Description: A continuation of Spring 2023 technique & choreography with classes!

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

   • Join a class for the beginner technique and choreography when it comes to the Flamenco art style.

5. Jazz Jam Sessions at Metrobar (FREE!) (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

   • Description: Celebrate jazz every Wednesday at metrobar - with all day happy hour prices!

Thursday, August 31^st, 2023

1. DC Jazzfest Festival (Price varies depending on what you want to do!) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Enjoy DC’s JazzFest Festival with a bunch of different jazz performers over many days!

2. KanKouran 40th Anniversary Conference and Concert ($33.85) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Hundreds of participants from across the country will visit the nation’s capital August 31 – September 3 to partake in four days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.

3. The Constitutional Crisis in Israel: Analysis and a Path Forward (Waitlist!) (3:00PM - 4:00PM)

   • Description: Listen to Professor Netta Barak-Corren speak on Israel's constitution, followed by a Q&A session where attendees may ask questions.

4. Spy Tour of Georgetown ($37.10) (6:00PM - 7:30PM)

   • Description: Talk a 90 minute, spy-themed walking tour of Embassy Row developed and delivered by a former intelligence officer.

5. Expanding Tradition: George V. Johnson - Kennedy Center (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Native Washingtonian, jazz vocalist-songwriter, and recording artist George V. Johnson Jr. will perform (alongside his bandmates) excerpts from the “jazzical” Jazz Iz Really Classical Music, a.k.a. Ah-Leu-Cha, a spirited tribute to Charlie Parker featuring Johnson’s original lyrics.

6. 'Once in a Blue Moon' Full Moon Forest Bathing (Pay what you can!) (Waitlist!) (7:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Take some guided mindfulness and meditation in the moonlit Ellipse Meadow at the National Arboretum.

7.  DC Jazzfest: Corcoran Holt Group featuring Marquis Hill ($28.52) (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

   • Description: The virtuoso trumpeter joins the virtuoso bassist for this DC Jazzfest event.

8. Networking Event - International Grad Student & Early Career Professional ($55.20) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Join a networking event where international grad students and early career professionals can connect with company leaders.

9. Sip, Swirl, & Savor - Wine Dinner ($205) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Come, raise your glass, and join us on this enchanting journey through the world of Château Auguste wines as you swirl, sniff, and savor 7 different wine pairings.

Friday, September 1^st, 2023

1. DC Jazzfest Festival (Price varies depending on what you want to do!) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Enjoy DC’s JazzFest Festival with a bunch of different jazz performers over many days!

2. KanKouran 40th Anniversary Conference and Concert ($33.85) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Hundreds of participants from across the country will visit the nation’s capital August 31 – September 3 to partake in four days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.

3. 2023 Jazz Hop in Historic Anacostia (FREE!) (12:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Free outdoor concerts presented by the Anacostia BID, the Art to Go-Go Arts and Culture District and DC JazzFest.

4. First Friday ArtWalk: Opening of QAIC’s Expanded Perfumery Museum (FREE!) (5:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for First Friday and the opening of our expanded Perfumery Museum!

5. ArtWalk Dupont (FREE!) (6:00PM - 8:00PM)

   • Description: Join the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District on the first Friday of every month from 6-8 PM for ArtWalk Dupont!

6.  Expanding Tradition: The Landon Paddock Group - Kennedy Center (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Landon Paddock is a stylish and charming vocalist, with a smooth but powerful voice reminiscent of the American Songbook’s great crooners—from Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman to Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr. .

7. Extraordinary Cinema: Washington Jazz and Art Institute: In Their Own Words (FREE!) (7:30PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Join us for FREE film screenings outdoors on the REACH Video Wall at the Kennedy Center.

8. Metrobar Jazz Week: Vibe Collective Event (FREE!) (8:00PM - 11:00PM)

   • Description: Celebrate DC Jazz Fest at metrobar's Jazz Week!

Saturday, September 2^nd, 2023

1. DC Jazzfest Festival (Price varies depending on what you want to do!) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Enjoy DC’s JazzFest Festival with a bunch of different jazz performers over many days!

2. KanKouran 40th Anniversary Conference and Concert ($33.85) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Hundreds of participants from across the country will visit the nation’s capital August 31 – September 3 to partake in four days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.

3. DC Black Food & Wine Festival ($57.33) (2:00PM - 9:30PM)

   • Description: Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of African-American food, wine, and community!

4. Frequency: Art Gala Event (FREE!) (2:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: The primary goal of the Frequency gala is to raise funds to support the inaugural youth campaign of Free Lunch Youth Academy Non- Profit Organization.

5. Plunky & Oneness - Kennedy Center (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Music critics have hailed legendary saxophonist James “Plunky” Branch as an essential part of the “vanguard of Afro-centric jazz, funk, house music, and go-go.”

6.  D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire FC - Swiss Night ($22 - $30) (7:30PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for our annual Swiss Night as we take on the Chicago Fire, whose roster includes Swiss start Xherdan Shaqiri.

Sunday, September 3^rd, 2023

1. DC Jazzfest Festival (Price varies depending on what you want to do!) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Enjoy DC’s JazzFest Festival with a bunch of different jazz performers over many days!

2. KanKouran 40th Anniversary Conference and Concert ($33.85) (Multiple days)

   • Description: Hundreds of participants from across the country will visit the nation’s capital August 31 – September 3 to partake in four days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.

3. Festival Boliviano (FREE!) (11:00AM - 2:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for the Bolivian Festival at the EagleBank Arena in Northern Virginia’s George Mason University.

Rate Issue No.28!

😁 😁 😁 😁 = Well done! You nailed it!

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

😁 😁 = Okay-ish issue.

😁 = Terrible, do better next time.

Follow, Like, and Share!