The Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will present its seventh annual “Nowruz: A Persian New Year Celebration” free family festival Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can learn, play and feast at a celebration encompassing both museums to mark Nowruz, the beginning of the new year of 1394 in Iran, Afghanistan and many other countries, coinciding with the first day of spring.
At 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., visitors can relive the Iranian music scene of the 1960s and 1970s with updated versions of classic songs made famous by the likes of Googoosh, Hayedeh, Pari Zangeneh and Parva, along with mesmerizing bandari-beat tunes by Zia Atabi. The band Mitra Sumara, based in New York, features Iranian American vocalist Yvette Perez (pictured below), and re-energizes Persian pop with influences ranging from salsa and disco to Nigeria’s Fela Kuti and Middle Eastern rhythms.Visitors will be able to hear storyteller Xanthe Gresham weave tales from Persian literary classics, learn about the Freer and Sackler’s rich collection of 19th-century Persian photographs, discover the meaning of colorful “Haft Sin” table displays and then make their own, watch a master calligrapher at work and dress up in traditional costumes for photos recreating a Persian painting. Other activities include “fire” jumping for good luck in the new year, backgammon and chess matches, face painting and a hands-on workshop in the ImaginAsiaclassroom for families to make crowns and shields inspired by the Shahnama (Book of kings). Docents will elaborate on important works in the exhibitions “Nasta’liq: The Genius of Persian Calligraphy” and “Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran” to offer glimpses of Iran’s rich artistic traditions.
Persian literature enthusiasts can enjoy book-signing sessions at the Sackler store for Two Parrots–a children’s book adapted from the poet Rumi’s celebrated work–signed by illustrator Rashin from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies, signed by author Najmieh Batmanglij from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Persian cuisine by Moby Dick and thematic greeting cards will be available for purchase.
The annual event, celebrated in advance of the true holiday March 21, regularly draws crowds of 10,000 visitors, and is made possible by a gift from Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar.
On March 19, the new year celebration will continue with a free concert by Grammy-nominated artists Kayhan Kalhor and Shujaat Khan. In “Ghazal: Indian and Persian Improvisations,” the musicians will reunite for the first time in more than 10 years to perform their unique blend of Indian and Persian classical music.
The annual Nowruz lecture will take place March 29, co-sponsored with the Foundation for Iranian Studies. This year’s distinguished speaker will be Azar Nafisi, the best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran and Things I’ve Been Silent About. In the lecture, Nafisi will discuss her latest work, The Republic of Imagination: America in Three Books.
FEATURED COLLECTIONS
On view at the Sackler until May 3, “Nasta’liq: The Genius of Persian Calligraphy” is the first exhibition to focus on one of the most aesthetically refined forms of Persian culture developed during the 14th-16th centuries: nasta’liq, a type of calligraphy so beautiful that for the first time the expressive form of the words eclipsed their meaning. Also on view will be “Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran” featuring one of the largest collections of luxury metalwork from ancient Iran. In the Freer Gallery, visitors can enjoy one of the finest holdings of Islamic art in the United States, with particular strengths in ceramics and illustrated manuscripts.
Iranian photographs from the Freer and Sackler Archives’ collection of more than 1,100 original 19th-century prints and glass-plate negatives by Antonin Sevruguin and other Persian photographers will screen for visitors throughout the day. The collection–the largest public holdings of Sevruguin’s photographs outside Iran–was recently digitized and cataloged in its entirety.
An estimated 100,000 people live with Sickle Cell Anemia in the United States and millions are affected globally.
Join Policy TakeOver as they raise money in support of Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s (SCDAA) mission for saving lives and increasing sickle cell disease awareness and advocacy. All proceeds will go to SCDAA. Policy TakeOver, is an organization and blog dedicated to improve, educate, and involve communities in health issues.
Cost: Your $33 Bowl for a Cause ticket purchase will include 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental and light hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are nonrefundable.
Tickets can be purchased athttp://www.policytakeover.even
Whisky Live, the annual, internationally renowned tasting event held in dozens of cities around the world, announced today that it’s bringing the show to the Grand Hyatt Washington DC on March 7. Produced by Whisky Magazine, Whisky Live DC offers Washingtonians an opportunity to taste some of the world’s best whiskies and learn the stories behind them from master distillers, brand ambassadors and industry experts.
VIP Tickets to Whisky Live DC are $129 and include unlimited tastings from 6:00 to 10 PM, a lavish dinner buffet, live entertainment, a souvenir Glencairn tasting glass to take home and a one-year subscription to Whisky Magazine. Master classes include The Glenlivet and a special class to be announced by Diageo. Additionally, Balblair will unveil a new release and introduce four new vintages to the US in its master class. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.whiskylivena.com/event/whisky-live-dc-2015/.
The growth of the whisk(e)y category in the US has been staggering. 2014 statistics reported by Euromonitor show that for the first time since 2007 US consumers spent more on whiskies than they did on vodka. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the highest price level is the fastest-growing: From 2002 to 2013, super-premium sales for American, Scotch and Irish whiskies rose 299 percent, 448 percent and a whopping 1878 percent, respectively.
Whisky Live DC is a prime opportunity to sample premium single malt Scotches, bourbons, ryes and Irish whiskies as well as a chance to talk to distillers about their work and the industry in general. Titan brands like Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Oban, Lagavulin and Maker’s Mark will be featured side by side with dozens of spirits from boutique distilleries and award-winning world whiskies from producers in the US, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere.
All told, Whisky Live DC will showcase more than 200 whiskies. Top whisky bars’ bartenders will be on hand mixing up special whiskey cocktails. Master distillers and global brand ambassadors will also be in attendance, pouring their products and meeting fans. Updates on the show’s lineup will be broadcast on Twitter (@WhiskyLiveDC) and Facebook (WhiskyLIVE USA) in the weeks leading up to the show.
“Whisky Live DC provides the opportunity to taste some of the world’s best whiskies in one place,” says event president David Sweet. “On top of that, the event is a fantastic experience and complete Saturday night out.”
Host: Black Bride and Completely Yours Events
Music: DJ Classix
Event Details: The Bridal Brunch is a unique wedding planning experience for brides who are ready to plan their dream wedding. Brides and guest in attendance have the opportunity to mix and mingle with professional wedding vendors in an elegant relaxed atmosphere at the beautiful Palomar, Washington, DC. Dine on delicious brunch fare while being serenaded by DC’s finest musicians, and sip on bottomless complementary mimosa’s. Top industry insiders and wedding experts will be on hand to offer tips, and guidance in creating not just a wedding, but a lifetime experience. Enter to win fabulous prizes and giveaways from notable bridal brands and services and at this unprecedented, exclusive bridal event!
Venue: Hotel Palomar
Address: 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Crowd: Engaged brides, brides-to-be, and grooms-to-be
Dress Code: Sunday Best
Cover: $50
Purchase Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/a-wedding-
Contact Information: 678.587.5273 or info@blackbride.com
Twitter: @BlackBride
Hashtag: #BlackBrideBrunch #TheBridalBrunchDC #BlackBride1998
RSVP to the facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/
Enjoy wine specials, Bachelor Themed Cocktails and $1 Taco night during the show.
A lucky guests will win pearl earrings while door prizes will be handed out all night!
Who will take home the final rose? Are you #TeamBecca or #TeamWhitney?
The First J. Paul’s Icons of Georgetown Awards Dinner
What: J.Paul’s 2015 Icons of Georgetown Awards dinner will be hosted by Thomas L. Gregg, the newly appointed chief executive officer of Capital Restaurant Concepts to honor two individuals who have contributed greatly to Georgetown.
When: The dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: J. Paul’s, located at 3218 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, http://jpaulsdc.com/
Why: J. Paul’s has been serving Georgetown for over 30 years as an iconic dining saloon, and Capital Restaurant Concepts recognizes the importance of honoring members of the community who have taken great strides to support and improve Georgetown, Washington DC’s oldest neighborhood. The first 2015 Icons of Georgetown award will recognize two remarkable people, The Honorable Jack Evans and Mr. Paul J. Cohn, for their contributions to Georgetown over the last 20 years of service. Proceeds raised from the evening’s ticket sales will benefit Georgetown Heritage, a new nonprofit dedicated to promoting and presenting the history of Georgetown, http://georgetownheritagesociety.org/ . The funds from the March 11 award dinner are earmarked to help rebuild the Georgetown canal boat that services the C&O Canal National Historic Park.
How: Tickets for a buffet dinner including drinks are priced at $60 per person (all inclusive) and reservations must be made byMarch 6, 2015. Online ticketing http://shop.capitalrestaurants.com/j-pauls/ or by phone at 202.339.6806
About the two iconic award-winners for 2015:
Paul Cohn, started J. Paul’s Dining Saloon at M Street in 1983, and was a co-founder of Capital Restaurant Concepts which was established in 1984 that grew to include J. Paul’s, Paolo’s, Neyla, Old Glory and Georgia Brown’s as well as the since-closed River Club and Club Zei. Cohn, originally from Baltimore, started out as a manager for singers Peaches and Herb in the 1970s. With his restaurants in Georgetown and downtown D.C., he became influential in local politics as well as instrumental in establishing the Georgetown Business Improvement District and other business and non-profit initiatives.
Jack Evans, Councilmember for Ward 2, was first elected to the Council of the District of Columbia in a 1991 special election and re-elected in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. As the Ward 2 Councilmember, Jack represented 11 distinct neighborhoods including Georgetown. At the Council, Jack serves as Chair of the Council’s Committee on Finance and Revenue, which oversees the District’s finances and tax policy. He also serves on two standing Council committees – Economic Development and Public Safety and the Judiciary.
A native of Pennsylvania, he received an economics degree with honors (cum laude) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1975, and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law in 1978. Jack began practicing law at the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Enforcement and currently serves as Of Counsel at Patton Boggs law firm. On September 18, 2010, Jack married Michele Price. They live in Georgetown with their six children (Katherine, John, & Christine – age 15; Sam – age 20; Maddy – age 18; and Jack – age 15) and their golden retriever Kelly.
The Rock and Roll for Children Foundation is proud to support the Children’s Inn at NIH. The party will unite music icons and fans for a night of incomparable rock n’roll, dancing and amazing auction items for rock legends.
Memorable performances will include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s newest inductee, Ricky Byrd, of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as Simone Kirke of Bad Company, award-winning TV composer Snuffy Walden, Christine Ohlman of the Saturday Night Live band, singer/songwriter Sarah Niemietz, D.C.’s True Gravity, among others.
Not only will rock fans enjoy a night of live performances, they will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items including memorabilia and guitars signed by the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, and many more. Other donated items include exciting vacation packages to destinations around the world such as Africa, Maui, and Scotland.
WHEN: Saturday March 14, 2015
7:00 PM
WHERE: Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club
7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
COST: VIP admission – $400 – Sound check access, performer autographed memorabilia, photo opportunity access at sound check, stage front access during event, buffet and open bar included.
Preferred admission – $175 – Stage front access during event, buffet and open bar included.
General Admission – $75 – Stadium seating, cash bar & buffet.
