EMBRACE August With These DC International Events!

Issue No.24 Survey

As always, feel free to take the survey for Issue No.24 to provide feedback to us to help improve future newsletter editions of the Embassy Life in DC project.

Reviewing The Week (Monday, July 24^th - Sunday, July 30^th )

This week ended on a crazy night with two massive thunderstorms that came out of nowhere Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The one on Saturday was the worst though with 80mph winds, sideways rain, and cracks of thunder across the sky. Apparently, it did enough damage to trees throughout DC that branches fell over and impacted both people and cars. Neighborhoods ran out of power as power lines were quickly snapped in the torrential wind. Readers, we hope everyone made it safely to this edition of Issue No.24 ⛈️ ⛈️.

Event Highlight: Swiss National Day (Saturday, July 29th, 2023)

On a warm Saturday afternoon, we stood in line patiently to enter the grounds of the Swiss Embassy while we conversed with other guests. A volunteer from the Swiss Club proclaimed about buying cheap raffle tickets to win a paid trip as time passed. Overhead, the blue sky was being overtaken by ominous gray clouds threatening to unleash a torrent of rain and misery. It was our first time visiting the Embassy of Switzerland and it was such a grand experience visiting the Ambassador’s Residence which was next door.

True to the country, the grounds were lush and green complete with flowering meadows. Families eagerly waited in lines to grab food and drinks that came as part of the ticket including some delicious Swiss sausages. In the courtyard, various performers including the Alphorn trio (Photo 3 down below) performed admirably along with a Swiss flag-bearer proudly displaying the Swiss flag. Finally, it came down like a monsoon in Southeast Asia with mass amounts of rain that threatened to blow away all the set up tents.

Folks had to seek shelter underneath the Ambassador’s Residence roof, the garage that contained items for sale, and various tents in the courtyard. The rain was not enough, however, then the wind picked up clocking in at 80mph in some parts of DC. Tents were flying, objects were scattered, and people were laughing at the sheer sudden downpour. Despite the hardships, both the embassy staff and Swiss Club’s volunteers displayed an amazing resilience in the face of catastrophic events. Thank you to both the Swiss Club of Washington D.C. and Embassy of Switzerland for an amazing day.

International Events List (July 31^st - August 6^th )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, July 31^st to Sunday, August 6^th below!

Note: Events marked with a 👗 indicate a fancier dress code in terms of dressing up for it, just an FYI!

Monday, July 31^st , 2023

1. Africa's Future Series: Global Powers and Multilateralism (FREE!) (8:30AM - 11:00AM)

   • Description: Listen to a lecture about Global Powers and Multilateralism when it comes to the future of Africa.

2. Lecture with Robert Andres "Portuguese Piano Music" ($12.51) (10:00AM - 12:00PM)

   • Description: Lecture on Portuguese piano music by an internationally renowned pianist Robert Andres as part of the Washington Piano Festival.

3. Blowing the Whistle on Covert Warfare & Coercive Economic Sanctions ($28.52) (3:00PM - 5:30PM)

   • Description: To honor the courageous, principled living and past whistleblowers, like Daniel Ellsberg, and those still to surface, CovertAction Magazine will host a panel discussion, webinar and fundraiser on Covert Warfare and the use of illegal economic sanctions.

4. Highlighting the Heroines of the Afghan Female Tactical Platoon (FREE!) (6:00PM - 9:00PM)

   • Description: Join the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, the Afghan Rescue and Resettlement Program by the PenFed Foundation, Paul Hastings, Sisters of Service, and With Honor Action to share their stories and honor their resilience during an exclusive event at the National Press Club.

5. Joint Piano Recital with Misha Tumanov and Nikita Fitenko ($12.51 - $28.52) (7:30PM - 10:30PM)

   • Description: Internationally acclaimed pianists Misha Tumanov and Nikita Fitenko in a joint piano recital.

Tuesday, August 1^st, 2023

1. One Moment Now Murmuration Gallery (FREE!) (11:00AM - 1:30PM)

   • Description: Solas Nua presents One Moment Now - a brand new table-top audio-experience from Dublin theatre collective, Murmuration.

2. Tuesday Concert Series - Mirna Lekić (FREE!) (12:10PM - 1:00PM)

   • Description: Pianist Mirna Lekić presents a collection of sonic illusions, allusions, and transformations that celebrate the piano.

3. Culture Unmuted: A One-Act Play (FREE!) (5:30PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Debuted at the 2022 DC History Conference, Culture Unmuted is a story of joyful resistance that declares: "Our culture will not be silenced".

4. Piano Recital with Murray McLachlan and Kathryn Page ($12.51 - $28.52) (7:30PM - 10:30PM)

   • Description: Internationally acclaimed pianists Murray McLachlan and Kathryn Page in piano recital.

Wednesday, August 2^nd , 2023

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

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

2. Securing American Competitiveness: The Importance of Critical Supply Chains (FREE!) (11:00AM - 12:00PM)

   • Description: Join Hudson Institute’s China Center for a conversation with Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien.

3. Kennedy Center Performance - James Fernando (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Hailed as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” James Fernando creates music that lies at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music.

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

   • Description: - A continuation of Spring 2023technique & choreography. Appropriate for students who have taken class with Magdalena consistently over past few months or with special permission.

5. Evening at the Embassy of Uzbekistan with the New Ambassador ($65) (6:30PM - 9:00PM) 👗 

   • Description: Join us for a very special cultural evening on Uzbek soil as we welcome his Excellency Ambassador Furkat Sidikov to Washington, D.C.

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

   • Description: A continuation of Spring 2023 technique & choreography. Appropriate for students who have taken class with Magdalena consistently over past few months or with special permission.

Thursday, August 3^rd , 2023

1. One Moment Now Murmuration Gallery (FREE!) (11:00AM - 1:30PM)

   • Description: Solas Nua presents One Moment Now - a brand new table-top audio-experience from Dublin theatre collective, Murmuration.

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

   • Description: The exhibition presents an exclusive preview of the UNESCO Italy. Photographs project: photographs aimed at enhancing the incomparable Italian cultural and natural heritage through contemporary artistic languages.

3. Kennedy Center Performance - River Whyless (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: River Whyless is North Carolina-bred folk-rock. Deep in the throes of writing and recording their bold 2018 album Kindness, A Rebel, the four musicians reached a necessary and collective understanding. Namely: this band is their lifeblood, their family, and their love.

4. Evening at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia ($65) (7:00PM - 9:30PM) 👗 

   • Description: Step onto foreign soil and join us for an exclusive visit to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. You will be amazed at the fantastic architecture and elegance of the Embassy.

5. Lecture at JICC | From Kaidan to J-Horror with Dr. Jennifer Yoo (FREE!) (6:30PM - 8:30PM)

   • Description: Dr. Jennifer Yoo will delve into the adaptation of traditional Japanese ghost stories for stage and film.

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

   • Description: Beginner Basics - For brand new students or those needing a refresher. If you are unsure about your level please discuss with Magdalena.

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

   • Description: For brand new students or those needing a refresher. If you are unsure about your level please discuss with Magdalena.

Friday, August 4^th , 2023

1. Piano Master class with Alon Goldstein ($12.51) (10:00AM - 12:00PM)

   • Description: Join as in a master class by a world renowned pianist Alon Goldstein as part of the Washington International Piano Festival

2. NGA STORYTIME: VEO VEO BY ANTONIO RUBIO AND OSCAR VILLAN (FREE!) (10:00AM - 11:00AM)

   • Description: The National Gallery of Art presents the children’s book “Veo Veo” by Antonio Rubio and Oscar Villan as part of their kids series “Storytime” in a bilingual-ready session.

3. 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!

4. Kennedy Center Performance - Fantastic Negrito (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Negrito’s album White Jesus Black Problems is an exhilarating ode to the power of family and the enduring resilience of our shared humanity—and grapples with racism, capitalism, and the very meaning of freedom itself.

5. Embassy Row Rooftop White Night in Havana Under the Stars with Latin Band and Salsa Lessons ($28.52 - $39.19) (6:30PM - 9:30PM) 👗 

   • Description: You are cordially invited to the Ven at Embassy Row, Washington DC’s premiere boutique hotel in the heart of Dupont Circle, for an unforgettable experience of networking and socializing as we present to you a Night in Havana Under the Stars with dancing to Quimbao Latin band.

Saturday, August 5^th , 2023

1. NGA STORYTIME: VEO VEO BY ANTONIO RUBIO AND OSCAR VILLAN (FREE!) (10:00AM - 11:00AM)

   • Description: The National Gallery of Art presents the children’s book “Veo Veo” by Antonio Rubio and Oscar Villan as part of their kids series “Storytime” in a bilingual-ready session.

2. 2023 Fiesta Asia Silver Spring (FREE!) (11:00AM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Fiesta Asia Silver Spring is our flagship celebration in Maryland. Together with our founding partners, Downtown Silver Spring!

3. Performance | Mourning Stutter by Zachary Fabri (FREE!) (3:00PM - 4:00PM)

   • Description: Join The Nicholson Project for a special performance by Zachary Fabri, coinciding with his solo exhibition, "Mourning Stutter".

4. People and The Planet - Opening Reception (FREE!) (4:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: Join us for the opening reception of the international juried exhibition People and The Planet.

5. Summer Sunset Series - Kennedy Center (FREE!) (6:00PM - 11:00PM)

   • Description: Join a Happy Hour with live DJs, dancing, and lawn games, 6-11 p.m.

Sunday, August 6^th , 2023

1. Flamenco Dance Show and Brunch (FREE to attend!) (12:00PM - 2:00PM)

   • Description: Flavors of brunch with the fiery rhythms of flamenco.

2. MOAPIA Presents: 2023 K-Pop Dance Series (FREE!) (12:00PM - 1:00PM)

   • Description: For the first time ever for MOAPIA Summer Series we are hosting the K-Pop Dance Series in July 2023! This fun event is free and open to all. You will learn many popular K-pop dance moves with instructor Michael De Guzman, the renowned dancer who won several K-pop dance competitions!

3. Hybrid Event: Naomi Hirahara, Evergreen, with Cheryl A. Head (FREE!) (6:00PM - 7:00PM)

   • Description: East City Bookshop welcomes Naomi Hirahara to discuss her mystery, Evergreen, in conversation with Cheryl A. Head.

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