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Meet James Bond’s villains, uncover their evil schemes, and explore their exotic lairs and weapons in this special exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bond films. See over 100 film artifacts from the archives of EON Productions, the 007 series film producers, in Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains on display now at the International Spy Museum through December 31.
(In the meantime from our audio player located to at the upper left corner of this post, listen to Michael Sulick, former director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, discussing his book Spying in America — which presents a history of more than thirty espionage cases inside the United States. This event took place at the International Spy Museum on January 15, 2013.)
On Sunday at 4 pm, the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum welcomes native Washingtonian and author Breena Clarke, who will read from her novels River Cross My Heart and Stand the Storm.
River Cross My Heart is set in DC and was selected as one of Oprah’s books in her club.
The event is part of DC by the Book.
The Fortress — presented on Tuesday by the Karabakh Foundation at West End Cinema — tells the story of a film crew that arrives in a remote border village in the mountains of Azerbaijan to shoot a historical account of war, heroism, and love when a real war erupts. This moving tale of life imitating art was selected to represent Azerbaijan in the Foreign Language Film category at the 81st Academy Awards. The film is in the Azerbaijani language with English subtitles.
The Embassy of South Africa invites you to “The Ubuntu Art Exhibition”
The Embassy of South Africa celebrates the life and legacy of a man who inspired his country, Nelson Mandela. A leader of his people, Mandela was the first black president of South Africa. Mandela helped bring an end to apartheid and devoted his time to bring peace and social justice in South Africa and around the world. To honor his legacy, The Embassy of South Africa plans to unveil a statue of Mandela in September 2013.
The Ubuntu Art Exhibit brings together works from South Africa’s most emerging and established artists to create pieces that reflect the spirit of their country. Selected pieces from the exhibit are on display at the Ronald Reagan Building through June 12, 2013. You can even get the chance to own one of the magnificent pieces by bidding online here. All auction proceeds will benefit the Mandela statue.
You can also join The Embassy of South Africa for a live auction and reception on June 13, 2013. For more information email: henriquezj@dirco.gov.za.
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At a time when incendiary rhetoric and personal attacks characterize culture war debates, Chris Stedman — author of Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious — works to build bridges across some of our deepest differences. How does a self-described “queer atheist” find common ground between faith communities and the nonreligious, between gay and straight? Find out on Thursday at 7 pm inside the Newseum when Charles Haynes, director of the Religious Freedom Education Project, interviews Stedman about his efforts to promote understanding, religious liberty, compassion and pluralism in our crowded and often hostile public square.
Listen to this clip of Stedman speaking to Minnesota Public Radio in advance of tomorrow’s talk.
On May 4, 2013, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia welcomed guests as part of our annual Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour. This is the fifth year that the Saudi Embassy has participated in our event and opened its doors to the public.
This year, visitors were thrilled with their experience at the Saudi Embassy. Taking pictures in traditional Saudi clothing, getting a FREE henna tattoo, seeing a traditional dance by Saudi children, and eating delicious Saudi cuisine for lunch, visitors had the chance to explore Saudi culture like never before.
Check out what took place at the Saudi Embassy and make sure you visit the embassy next year!
Memorial Day City Hop
Did you know that Memorial Day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season? Get out and enjoy the summer breeze with a city hop around DC in celebration of Memorial Day. Honor all the men and women who have served in our military for the United Sates with these exciting Memorial Day weekend activities and events.
Start your celebration this Friday and join the Memorial Day Downtown Shabbat with Chazzan Larry Paul and Musician Robyn Helzner. Enjoy a Carlebach-inspired service, dinner and Shabbat singing at the Historic 6th and I Synagogue (600 I Street NW). Come honor the Jewish fallen heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Over the weekend, honor our veterans and well-known Americans by taking a guided tour of the National Mall with Bike and Roll. See the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the new Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, and more. Stop and take a walk to explore the memorials in depth. Reserve your tour here.
On Memorial Day, head down to the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery (21 Harewood Road NW) and participate in a FREE wreath laying ceremony to remember our fallen soldiers. Stick around to take a FREE tour of the cemetery and President Lincoln’s Cottage. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the beautiful grounds and cool breezes on this historic hilltop after your tour.
Although seldom discussed, gays and lesbians have always been a presence in Latin music: on stage, behind the scenes, and in song. Join Jim Byers (host of WPFW 89.3 FM’s Latin Flavor) for a discussion ranging from such pioneers as Johnny Rodriguez and Chavela Vargas to Ricky Martin and Albita.
The talk takes place on Saturday from 2 to 4 pm at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum.
After a six-year absence, Brooke Wyeth returns to her Reaganite parents’ Palm Springs enclave for the holidays. But the warm desert air turns chilly when news of her upcoming memoir threatens to revive the most painful chapter of the family’s history. Perception and reality grapple with love and mercy as old family wounds are opened, childhood memories are tested, and the Wyeth clan learns that some secrets cannot stay buried forever. Full of surprisingly touching moments, Pulitzer Prize nominee Jon Robin Baitz (A Fair Country) brings dysfunctional family drama to new heights in this witty, deeply enjoyable work NY1 called “one of the best new plays of the decade.”
Other Desert Cities is playing now through May 26 at Arena Stage.
Festivities Celebrating Haiti’s Flag Day Kicks off This Saturday!
The Embassy of Haiti kicks off two weeks of events on Saturday, May 18, Haiti’s Flag Day. Haiti’s Flag Day is a celebration of the nation’s history and independence. “Our flag is a symbol of the country’s revolution and freedom,” said Paul G. Altidor, Haiti’s ambassador to the United States.
The Embassy is offering a series of events to showcase Haiti’s history and culture. “We want to share the best parts of Haiti,” said Ambassador Altidor, who along with a team from the Embassy chose the participating chefs after reviewing nominations:
Festivities include storytelling, crafts, and children’s activities at the Embassy, discussions about the flag’s significance and design, an evening to sample sumptuous delights prepared by chefs flown in from Haiti, and a week to taste Haitian cuisine at Chef José Andrés’s local restaurants!
Chef Stephen shares his views on Haitian food:
What should people know about Haitian food?
We have such an incredible variety in our gastronomy and an incredible array and variety in Haitian cuisine. It has stayed in its artisanal state.
What are some staples of Haitian food?
Fresh thyme, garlic, green peppers, peppers similar to habanera—which are called pimenc bouk—they have a much stronger flavor and are a little more spicy, parsley, onions are staples that go into any Haitian cuisine. And red beans and rice is the national rice.
Click here to learn more and make a reservation for any of the events!
Art Museum Day at the Corcoran Gallery
Celebrate Art Museum Day at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design this Saturday, May 18… for FREE! Art Museum Day is a celebration of the museums in our world and participating museums offer free admission and special events.
To add more excitement, join the Corcoran on Facebook and Twitter and share why you love art museums to get 15 percent off in the Corcoran Shop all day Saturday. Tag #ArtMuseumDay to be part of the museum-loving community.
Don’t stop there, we have something even better. This summer, enjoy FREE Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran. Admission to the museum will be free every Saturday, May 25-August 31, 2013. Come out and explore Gallery tours, workshops, demonstrations, and performances!
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Jane Freundel Levey is a historian and writer specializing in the history of Washington, DC. This native Washingtonian loves oral history and has a fondness for radio, setting the tone for Jane About Town — her regular audio podcasts on local arts, culture, and heritage found in our nation’s capital.
In this episode of Jane About Town, Jane shares her thoughts on historical drama The Mountaintop, closing Sunday at the Arena Stage.
Talking TERMINATORS w/ NoPlace + t r a n s f o r m e r
Transformer has partnered with the Office for Contemporary Art Norway and the Royal Norwegian Embassy to bring Oslo-based arts collective NoPlace to DC for a six-week exhibition titled Terminators — in which all of the work is created to deconstruct and terminate.
The show opens this weekend, but we had lunch on Wednesday with NoPlace curator Karen Nikgol and Transformer director/co-founder Victoria Reis at the Corcoran Gallery of Art to get an insider’s perspective on the making of Terminators.
No Place started in February 2011 and since organized 75 exhibitions in six different countries.
One story’s ending is another’s beginning. On Sunday, the Urban Corps transatlantic hip-hop festival produced by Alliance Française will launch with Flow, in association with Urban Artistry.
At this park jam event featuring live painting, skate-boarding, dance, Capoeria, parkour, music, and more, urban artists and urban artophiles will be able to experience Garfield Park as a haven for urban culture before it closes for construction in June. This park, renovated and rejuvinated by Albus Cavus as part of the Open Walls program, features wall-paintings by legendary visual artists such as Pop Master Fable, Scotty76, HKS181, and others.
Participation will include French dancers from the Company De Fakto and KLP.
The Alliance’s Urban Corps transatlantic hip-hop festival comes back to DC in its second edition with a powerful compilation of urban dancers, musicians, and speakers. Their distinct backgrounds in arts such as mime, acrobatics, DJing, video and, of course, American urban tradition come together to present an all-around unrivaled vantage point on metropolitan culture and identity. A week packed with performances, this year’s Urban Corps features film, dance, music, and discussion as mediums for the exploration of urban art.
Did you enjoy last Saturday’s Around the World embassy tours, which kicked off our month-long Passport DC international cultural programming?
Well, get ready to take a Shortcut to Europe this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm with the EU Open House — featuring 28 embassies of European Union member nations highlighting their country’s culture!
Holly Morris of Fox 5 News gives you a sneak-peek at the fun from inside the Embassy of Sweden.
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