Native American Heritage Day: Family Fun Day
Friday, Nov. 29; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
The museum’s unique family celebration of Native American Heritage Day showcases Native culture through interactive dancing, games, storytelling, hands-on activities and make-and-takes, as well as music and dance presentations. The program features the Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers throughout the day. Join the museum in recognizing the many contributions of Native Americans to all aspects of life in the United States.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Hall of Union Station, a consortium of partners, including the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce—Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Washington Performing Arts, Union Station, and exclusive media partner WHUR 96.3 FM, will present the annual Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting to the people of Washington, D.C. This beloved holiday event, which attracted 5,000 guests in 2018, is presented free to the public and will feature performances by The String Queens, whose members have collaborated with artists such as Ledisi, Janelle Monáe, and Common, and the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir.
In one of Washington’s most popular holiday traditions, which began in 1997, Norway will present a Christmas tree to the people of Washington, D.C., in recognition of the strong friendship between Norway and the United States, and in gratitude for America’s assistance during and after World War II. The theme for this year’s tree is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals address the challenges we face as a global community and the 2030 target for achieving them. Specially designed ornaments and signage will represent the goals.
Complete Schedule of Events
Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting (6:00 p.m.)
Featuring The String Queens, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The 30-foot tree is decorated with 20,000 lights and ornaments representing all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Norway’s ambassador to the United States, Kåre R. Aas, will light the tree with a special guest, Member of the Norwegian Parliament Linda Helleland.
Free, registration encouraged | Family-friendly
Location: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) is hosting the 8th Annual Embassy Showcase, Winternational, from 11 AM – 3 PM, Thursday, December 5, 2019. Presented by World Trade Center Washington, DC (WTCDC), over 50 embassies will be participating in this year’s event.
Last year, more than 4,000 guests attended this lively midday celebration of international culture, travel, tourism and trade. This year, there will be many opportunities for 1:1 interviews with diplomats, embassy exhibitors, sponsors and attendees. The free festival features a bustling global marketplace with more than 50 embassies promoting their countries through vibrant and interactive displays of visual art, food, handcrafts as well as travel and tourism.
The RRB/ITC is a preeminent forum in the heart of the nation’s capital advancing international commerce and cross-cultural dialogue. As a seamless, unifying framework, it provides a platform for building connections, fostering diplomacy, growing businesses, and creating a more prosperous U.S. and global economy. WTCDC oversees the trade mission of the RRB/ITC, exclusively managed by TCMA (A Drew Company). The event is free and open to the public.
WHAT: Winternational – 8Th Annual Embassy Showcase
WHO: WTCDC and the following Embassies:
Afghanistan, African Union, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’lvoire, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts & Nevis, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2019 11:00am – 3:00pm ET
WHERE: Atrium and Atrium Hall
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC
HOW: Free & Open to the Public. Ticket registration requested here.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, “toast” food journalist Charlotte Druckman and her new book, Women on Food! From 7-9pm, guests will enjoy a glass of Prosecco and specialty toasts from Washington DC’s female culinary leaders, Chef Amy Brandwein (Centrolina + Piccolina), Chef Ann Cashion (Johnny’s Half Shell + Taqueria Nacional), Rose Previte (Maydan + Compass Rose), Yamrot Ezineh (Letena) and Chef Cagla Onal (Green Almond Pantry) to celebrate women in the industry and the success of Charlotte’s book. Each guest will receive their own copy of Women on Food.
Date: Tuesday, December 10th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Piccolina
963 Palmer Alley NW
Tickets: $40, includes a glass of champagne, toasts, and a copy of the book
Click here to purchase
Eric Nuzum – Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling — in conversation with Scott Simon — at Politics and Prose at Union Market
Friday, January 10, 2020 – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In his comprehensive guide to creating and distributing podcasts, Nuzum, who as former head of NPR podcast development oversaw shows including TED Radio Hour, Invisibilia, Sincerely X, and The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson, goes beyond just the basics. Offering practical information, insider’s advice, and tips on the big picture, he identifies core principles, such as thinking like the audience while staying focused on your own message; establishes best practices for interviews and for developing character, story, and voice; shares strategies for refining ideas and developing an audience; and shows how to use audio effectively as a means of expression. Nuzum will be in conversation with Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
This event is free to attend with no reservation required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Politics and Prose at Union Market 1270 5th Street NE Washington DC 20002
Prachi Gupta will be discussing her first book AOC: Fighter, Phenom, Changemaker at Solid State Books, 600 H Street Northeast Washington, DC, 20002, Monday, January 13 at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public and books will be available for purchase and signing.
AOC: Fighter, Phenom, Changemaker is among the first biographies of one of the most talked-about women in politics and is written by Prachi Gupta, a freelance journalist who previously worked at Jezebel, covered the 2016 election for Cosmopolitan.com, and has interviewed figures like Hillary Clinton, Ivanka Trump, and Michelle Obama. It’s an inspiring holiday gift that shares Ocasio-Cortez’s remarkable life story and a clear and compelling look at who she is, what she stands for, and the movement that she’s energized. Booklist called AOC a “beautiful tribute to a contemporary firebrand,” praised Gupta’s reporting, and recommended the book for both adult and YA readers.
Winter Blast: A Family Day of Native Games
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
This free family-friendly event celebrates Indigenous games from the Arctic to Argentina. Visitors can meet Talibah Begay (Navajo) as she shares a traditional Navajo shoe guessing game. Leihua Stewart (Native Hawaiian) teaches traditional Hawaiian games. Participants can learn to play Bolivian games with Julia Garcia (Aymara). The day features hands-on activities and “make-and-takes.”
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.
This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.
Opening and Screening
Thursday, Feb. 20
The annual Mother Tongue Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian’s Recovering Voices program, celebrates the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day by showcasing recently produced feature and short-length films about the cultural richness of Indigenous and endangered languages. Recovering Voices, a collaboration of the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, partners with communities around the world to revitalize and sustain endangered languages and knowledge. Full schedule will be available https://mothertongue.si.edu/
