The British Embassy and the U.S. Department of State are celebrating the launch of “Try Rugby USA,” a campaign to grow international community outreach and youth development around Rugby in the U.S., with a friendly rugby match.
WHAT: U.S. v UK Friendly Touch Rugby Game
WHEN: 12:30-2:00pm Wednesday 24 February 2016
WHERE: Cooper Field at Georgetown University
3700 O St NW Washington DC 20007
Playing on the UK team is Ken Harvey, a former Washington Redskins player, to help highlight the affinity for sports on both sides of the Atlantic and the NFL international series in London. Other members of the UK team consist of British Embassy staff and British Defence staff. Tosh Askew, who has coached England U19s for 5 years and won Grand Slam in 2004, Nic Rouse, rugby union player for London Irish in the Aviva Premiership, and Caryl Thomas, head coach of the University of Bath Women’s rugby team and has played for Wales Women in the Six Nations Championship and in two World Cups (2010, 2014), will coach the UK team.
Playing on the US team includes Whitney Stowell, President of Washington Irish RFC, and Chris Howard, a Tiger Rugby coach. Other players will include U.S. Department of State staff. James Walker, founder of Tiger Rugby, will coach and play on the US team.
The event is open to the public and media and free to attend. Parking is extremely limited, public transportation is recommended.
Rugby Facts:
- Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the US.
- The UK hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
- Rugby will be part of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, having last been an Olympic sport in 1924. The US won gold that year, so have been the gold medal holders for more than 90 years.
- Famous rugby players include Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, John F Kennedy, JRR Tolkien, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Russell Crowe, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf and Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
History of Rugby:
Rugby lore has the game originating in 1823, when a pupil at Rugby School, William Webb Ellis, picked up the ball during a football match and ran with it. This new game slowly spread around public schools and universities, with the first formal rules inked in 1845. A Rugby Football Union (RFU) followed in 1871, with an inaugural international – England versus Scotland – played that same year. 1883 then witnessed Britain’s Home Nations Championship, the first international rugby competition. By 1908, with the sport having long spread into many former British colonies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had all sent touring teams to compete.
Despite continued growth, rugby union didn’t turn professional until the International Rugby Board (later the IRFB, now World Rugby) removed player-payment restrictions in 1995. Continental club competitions soon followed, including Europe’s much-vaunted Heineken Cup and Super Rugby in the southern hemisphere. Today, World Rugby boasts 117 member countries.
For the first time, Premiership Rugby will host a game in the US. The London Irish v Saracens game will be played at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on 12 March 2016.
Try Rugby USA
Hosted by British Council USA, Friends of the British Council USA, and USA Rugby geographical unions and state based rugby organizations, the coaches from the Aviva Premiership Rugby Clubs will be joined on the road by coaches from US based Tiger Rugby. Together they will deliver a range of coach education sessions, coaching clinics for schools, universities, clubs, youth programs as well as linking with existing rugby based social projects like Play Rugby USA. They hope to build a sustainable network of coaches, clubs and players designed to bring together, develop the skills of and inspire the US rugby community to build pathways to introduce the sports and its values to youth.
Activities will take place in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Texas in the coming months.
For more details: http://www.britishcouncil.us/programmes/society/try-rugby-usa
41st Annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair Returns
March 4-5, 2016
On-Demand Poetry,
Rare Books, Demonstrations, Casual Appraisals, and More
Book lovers rejoice: the Washington Antiquarian Book Fair returns to our nation’s capital! Celebrating its 41st year, the Fair returns thisMarch 4-5, 2016 featuring new and longtime favorite exhibitors and collections. Over the course of two days, the fair will offer a chance for book lovers to celebrate and discover rare books and manuscripts, and connect with fellow enthusiasts for this rare opportunity to share conversations, discoveries, and experiences with the larger community.
Our exhibitors will have specially curated collections to showcase. Some highlights from these collections include:
- Manual of Parliamentary Practice, Thomas Jefferson, First Edition, 1801;
- Seventy Cantos, inscribed by T.S. Eliot, 1950; and
- The Treasury of Ornamental Art: Illustrations of Objects of Art and Vertu, Lithographers to the Queen, 1856.
New to the Fair this year is Typewriter Rodeo, who will bring custom, on-demand poetry written on vintage typewriters. In five minutes or less, this Austin, Texas-based travelling quartet will write ticket holders an original and personal poem as a keepsake.
What: 41st Annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair
When: March 4, 2016; 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
March 5, 2016; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive; Arlington, VA 22209
Website: Additional information can be found at wabf.com.
Social Media: Twitter: @theWABF
Facebook: Facebook.com/thewabf
Hashtag: #WABF16
Event
Information: Tickets available for purchase at WABF.com. $14 for Friday and Saturday, $8 for Saturday only. $5 for students and librarians with valid identification. Members of the public who have questions should call 202-363-4999 or email bcampbell@wabf.com.
Les Dames d’Escoffier is delighted to announce “CELEBRATING FOOD! Cooking-Careers- Communications.” On Saturday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. at the Universities at Shady Grove, Rockville, Maryland, the DC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International will present its tenth Salute to Women in Gastronomy. The $130 fee covers an extraordinary, fun, and educational day-long symposium offering 16 sessions, over 50 speakers, hands-on cooking classes, and a culinary Expo with products, samples, cookbooks, as well as breakfast, lunch, and finale of “Tantalizing Teas and Teacakes.”
Ellie Krieger will serve as keynote speaker with the theme Finding the “Sweet Spot”, Where Delicious and Healthy Meet: Small Changes to Get You There in Cooking and in Life”. Krieger is well known as the host of Food Network’s hit show “Healthy Appetite,” and is a James Beard Foundation and IACP award winner, a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, and a weekly columnist for The Washington Post. Other culinary luminaries will lead seminars, including award winning authors, Joan Nathan and Amy Riolo, food writer David Hagedorn, and Osteria Morini pastry chef Alex Levin, and Cathal Armstrong, Chef/Owner Restaurant Eve, to name a few.
Attendees will learn about tricks of the trade, translating chefs’ recipes, BBQ history, Video storytelling, and the magic of International Spice Blends. Find out about Mastering the 5th Taste through Soy Sauce, uncommon spices and in-depth views on local-sustainable food sourcing. Finally, attendees can participate in hands-on classes in yogurt, sushi, Philippine appetizers, and phyllo dough.
Celebrating Food! is sponsored by the Washington DC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International.
For more information and to register go to www.lesdamesdc.org For further information, please email info@celebratingfood.org or call (202) 973-2168. Find us on Facebook at Celebrating Food! by DC Les Dames or Twitter @LesDamesDC.
Les Dames d’Escoffier Washington, DC. Chapter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) invitational organization of women leaders in the food, beverage, hospitality, and related industries who use their talents and influence for community outreach and through grants, mentoring, scholarships, and educational programs, to help support women to succeed in these industries.
41st Annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair Returns
March 4-5, 2016
On-Demand Poetry,
Rare Books, Demonstrations, Casual Appraisals, and More
Book lovers lovers rejoice: the Washington Antiquarian Book Fair returns to our nation’s capital! Celebrating its 41st year, the Fair returns thisMarch 4-5, 2016 featuring new and longtime favorite exhibitors and collections. Over the course of two days, the fair will offer a chance for book lovers to celebrate and discover rare books and manuscripts, and connect with fellow enthusiasts for this rare opportunity to share conversations, discoveries, and experiences with the larger community.
Our exhibitors will have specially curated collections to showcase. Some highlights from these collections include:
- Manual of Parliamentary Practice, Thomas Jefferson, First Edition, 1801;
- Seventy Cantos, inscribed by T.S. Eliot, 1950; and
- The Treasury of Ornamental Art: Illustrations of Objects of Art and Vertu, Lithographers to the Queen, 1856.
New to the Fair this year is Typewriter Rodeo, who will bring custom, on-demand poetry written on vintage typewriters. In five minutes or less, this Austin, Texas-based travelling quartet will write ticket holders an original and personal poem as a keepsake.
What: 41st Annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair
When: March 4, 2016; 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
March 5, 2016; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive; Arlington, VA 22209
Website: Additional information can be found at wabf.com.
Social Media: Twitter: @theWABF
Facebook: Facebook.com/thewabf
Hashtag: #WABF16
Event
Information: Tickets available for purchase at WABF.com. $14 for Friday and Saturday, $8 for Saturday only. $5 for students and librarians with valid identification. Members of the public who have questions should call 202-363-4999 or email bcampbell@wabf.com.
As authorities in the exploding Korean food movement, Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard spent over two years traveling to Koreatowns all over the U.S. and abroad, researching and interviewing over 100 chefs and businesses. “Koreatown: A Cookbook” features nearly 100 recipes, essays and profiles of Korean food, drink, and culture, including a Kimchi White Chocolate Cookie recipe by chef Erik Bruner-Yang. For more information on the book, visit:www.koreatowncookbook.com.
On Saturday, March 12, DC arts supporters will come together to celebrate the Cathedral Choral Society and its mission of inspiring the community through the joy of choral singing with Gala 1941 at The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. This gala is the Cathedral Choral Society’s most significant annual fundraising event, and supports the organization’s artistic and community engagement initiatives.
In celebration of the Cathedral Choral Society’s founding year, attendees will enjoy a ritzy evening of 1940s fun with big band swing, guest performers, dancing, and a silent auction. This gala will be “reception style,” with an open bar, food stations, and passed hors d’oeuvres. The sixteen-piece Brooks Tegler Band performs.
“Our spring gala is our most important annual fundraising event,” said Ernie Abbott, President of the Cathedral Choral Society’s Board of Trustees. “On the eve of our 75th anniversary season, this gala is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the artistic programming and community engagement initiatives of this organization. Support from our gala attendees will help ensure artistic vibrancy in our 75th season and beyond.”
WHAT: SMITHSONIAN at 8 and Francophonie DC present “La Grande Fête.” Closing celebration of the 2016 DC Francophonie Cultural Festival.
WHEN: Friday, March 18, 7 to 11 p.m.
WHERE: La Maison Francaise, 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC
Get ready for a spectacular #SMITHSONIANat8 party with a French accent. The annual Francophonie Cultural Festival spotlights the music, art, literature, film, cuisine and customs of French-speaking countries and regions from across the globe, and its closing celebration is always magnifique.
Beginning at 7 p.m., guests launch into a world tour of francophone cultures. They’ll sample food and drink from more than 30 embassies as they explore each nation’s unique attractions and traditions. (Watch for a full list of participating countries.) There will be plenty of giveaways for guests to take home as souvenirs.
See a special performance by the “King of Cajun Blue Zydeco” accordionist-guitarist Major Handy. His music is a delicious mix of rousing Cajun blues and modern riffs that will make audiences “jump like shrimp frying in the pan.”
The dance party starts at 9:30 p.m. when DJ Princess Slaya spins music from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and plenty of destinations in between. Guests will experience the best of the French-speaking world—all without leaving home. #NoPassportNeeded
Participating organizations and embassies include but are not limited to: Alliance Francais, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, France, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Haiti, Lebanon, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Quebec, Republic of Congo, Republique de Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, and Uruguay
General admission $40 (includes admission and food and drink samples from 7 to 9 p.m.)
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (no sales at the door).
IDs will be checked at the door. Those under 21 will not be served alcohol.
A cash/credit bar provided by Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille is open throughout the night.
La Maison Francaise does not offer on-site parking. Limited street parking is available on Reservoir Road; public garages are available at Georgetown University Hospital nearby. Metrobus D5 and D6 routes have stops near the event’s location.
For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com
WHAT: SMITHSONIAN at 8 and Francophonie DC present “La Grande Fête.” Closing celebration of the 2016 DC Francophonie Cultural Festival.
WHEN: Friday, March 18, 7 to 11 p.m.
WHERE: La Maison Francaise, 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC
Get ready for a spectacular #SMITHSONIANat8 party with a French accent. The annual Francophonie Cultural Festival spotlights the music, art, literature, film, cuisine and customs of French-speaking countries and regions from across the globe, and its closing celebration is always magnifique.
Beginning at 7 p.m., guests launch into a world tour of francophone cultures. They’ll sample food and drink from more than 30 embassies as they explore each nation’s unique attractions and traditions. (Watch for a full list of participating countries.) There will be plenty of giveaways for guests to take home as souvenirs.
The dance party starts at 9 p.m. when DJ Princess Slaya spins music from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and plenty of destinations in between. Guests will experience the best of the French-speaking world—all without leaving home. #NoPassportNeeded
Participating organizations and embassies include but are not limited to: Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Mali, Republique de Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Slovenia.
General admission $40 (includes admission and food and drink samples from 7 to 9 p.m.)
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (no sales at the door).
IDs will be checked at the door. Those under 21 will not be served alcohol.
A cash/credit bar provided by Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille is open throughout the night.
La Maison Francaise does not offer on-site parking. Limited street parking is available on Reservoir Road; public garages are available at Georgetown University Hospital nearby. Metrobus D5 and D6 routes have stops near the event’s location.
For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com
