Taking over the National Mall Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1, the 2023 World Culture Festival is expected to be the largest gathering in the nation’s capital this year, featuring the largest stage area ever built on the historic National Park property.
Over 250,000 visitors from every corner of the globe are expected to travel to Washington, D.C. to be a part of the World Culture Festival. Today, organizers already report 184,513 registered attendees who will join in-person along with an estimated broadcast audience of over one billion worldwide. Registrants to date represent:
- 60% from the capital region
- 91% from the United States representing all 50 states
- 4% from India
- 5% from 121 other countries, including Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Thailand and South Africa.
Free registration and full Festival information can be found at https://wcf.artofliving.org.
Program Schedule
*All schedules are subject to change
Friday, September 29
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Festival Village
- A one-mile stretch between 7th St and 14th St NW, featuring over 75 cultural pavilions, activities including fashion showcases, and 80+ food trucks serving international cuisines.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Main Stage World Culture Festival Showcase
Saturday, September 30
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Festival Village
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Main Stage World Culture Festival Showcase
Sunday, October 1
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Yoga Festival
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Festival Village
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Main Stage World Culture Festival Showcase
Performances
An initial lineup was announced today including over 8,000 individual stage performers representing an array of human cultural art forms from around the globe. The program features all U.S.-based artists presenting music, dance, and performance art from diverse Native American and American immigrant cultures. Among them:
LOCAL
- The acclaimed Showtime Band from Howard University
- A melody performance from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC
- Pulsating beats and infectious energy of Washington’s iconic go-go bands including Junkyard Band, DJ Cool and Bela Dona Band.
- Traditional Gospel Choir with 1,000 singers – a performance by musicians from church and university choirs of 1KVoiceChoir
- Native American dance by 100 artists representing various tribes from the region perform to the powerful beats of live drums and other traditional instruments
- Traditional Mongolian Dance & Music with 100 Dancers – A vibrant and energetic dance highlighting the heritage and nomadic traditions of Mongolia
- Indonesian Dance by 100 Artists – A “wonderland dance of Indonesia” representing the country’s five main islands
- Irish Step Dance with 100 Dancers – Lively Irish dancers in traditional dress showcasing the rich traditions of the Emerald Isle
- Bolivian Folk Dance with 200 Dancers – Vibrant folk dancers of Bolivia present 4 kinds of traditional dances
- Nepalese dance with 150 artists in vibrant costumes, representing the spiritual traditions of Nepal
NATIONAL
- Global Guitar Ensemble with 1,000 guitarists playing popular sing-along classics with renowned lead guitarists, including Grammy-award winner Micki Free.
- Rhythms of reggae with Skip Marley, grandson of the legendary Bob Marley, and dancers representing the cultures of the Caribbean islands.
- One World Family Invocation – A 200-artists choir with Grammy nominated artist Chandrika Tandon
- Pop influencer Jini June performing alongside 200 children, spreading a message of harmony in song
- Amadou Kouyate and his djembe and kora orchestra, accompanied by 200 African dancers
- Kurtis Blow and other hip hop legends accompanied by 200 breakdancers, MCs, DJs and graffiti artists
- 10,000 Garba Dancers – representing a traditional folk dance of western India circle the National Mall in a spirit of celebration.
- Traditional Afghan Music & Sufi Whirling with 150 Artists – 130 musicians playing traditional instruments and singing captivating melodies along with 20 whirling dervishes
- Indian Classical Dance & Classical Symphony with 1000 Artists – Symphony of 300 instrumentalists including sitar, veena, tabla, mridangam, flute, ghatam and violin, plus 700 dancers performing a variety of classical Indian dance styles
- Latin American Dance Fusion with 200 Artists – Vibrant folk dancers representing the unique traditions of Colombia, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela
- Chinese Cultural Choir & Dance with 1,000 Artists – Chinese classical choir, classical dancers, dragons, & kung-fu in a fusion of music & movement
- Bulgarian Folk Dance by 300 Artists – 300 artists dance to the soul-stirring melodies of Bulgarian singers
- Ukrainian Dance by 200 Dancers and Choir – Exhilarating acrobatics and vibrant footwork of the hopak, a traditional Ukrainian dance
Activations
- The largest ever yoga event to take place on the National Mall, with over 2,000 instructors from various schools of yoga demonstrating a flow to more than 25,000 yoga enthusiasts. The event will be followed by a meditation led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
- Over 80 food trucks will serve culturally expressive food and beverages from around the world. Some of the cuisines include Middle Eastern (Koshary Corner), French (Taste of Montreal), Latin-American (Arepa Zone), South Asian (Rangoli), Vegan/Plant Based (Soultarian), Indonesian (Sambal), Caribbean (Patty Party), West African (Kuks Tribute), Italian (Ciao Roma), Mexican (Mexicocina), Thai (Thai Pinto), British (Salt Pot Kitchen).
Please join the DC Public Library Foundation in the MLK Jr. Lirary Great Hall as DC’s Neighborhood Librarians battle it out for the title of best Banned Book Art Installation!
We will also honor inspiring community advocates with our second Power the Dream DCPLF awards:
-TRANSFORMER AWARD
-SPOTLIGHT AWARD
-IGNITING THE COMMUNITY AWARD
October 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM VIP
7:00 PM General Admission
MLK JR. Memorial Library
The Big Broadcast Presents: War of the Worlds 85th Anniversary Listening Party
What: WAMU and The Big Broadcast are hosting an in-person listening party of Orson Welles’s acclaimed “War of the Worlds” production with The Mercury Theater of the Air, to mark the 85th anniversary of the original 1938 broadcast. We are inviting fans and their families to cozy up by Ed Walker’s restored 1932 RCA radio to hear Welles’s thrilling masterpiece, the way it was meant to be heard. This exclusive event promises to be a wonderful evening for the entire family – and kicks off an upcoming series of fun family events at the WAMU studios.
Who: Tony Award winner Murray Horwitz, host of The Big Broadcast, will be emceeing this event. Prior to the listening party, Murray will be holding a meet and greet for a small group of WAMU listeners.
Why: With the Halloween season approaching, what more perfect time to host a listening party of “War of the Worlds”? If you’re looking for something to do to kick off the Halloween weekend for you and your kids, look no further!
Who should attend: This event is designed specifically for the whole family. The event will also feature Halloween themes activities for all ages.
When: Listen to this terrifying classic – no screens, just screams on Friday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: WAMU Black Box Theater and Community Room; 4401 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. Street parking is available. Metro accessible via the Red Line (Van Ness).
On November 1, 2, and 3, join us as Picnic Theatre Company returns to Dupont Underground with an original parody of the Day The Earth Stood Still! In this celebrated 1950s classic, a UFO lands in Washington DC on the National Mall, with a message and an ultimatum for the White House and for the people of Earth that forces the world to wrestle with the most profound existential choice possible. Picnic Theatre Company imagines what happens the day after, as superpowers and developing nations, corporations, activists, and religious movements fight to determine the Earth’s response. How will they react? Vote for the ending of the play – the audience chooses the fate of humanity!
Enjoy this historic urban landmark and cultural space at 19 Dupont Circle NW. 6pm cocktails, 7pm performance (90 minutes)
TICKETS ($20):
Wed, Nov. 1: https://dupontunderground.org/
Thurs, Nov 2: https://dupontunderground.org/
Fri, Nov 3: https://dupontunderground.org/
[Proceeds benefit the preservation of Dupont Underground]
A Picnic Theatre Company Parody
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Circle NW, Washington DC
Wednesday November 1
Thursday November 2
Friday November 3
6pm Cocktails
7pm Performance
Written and Directed by Steve Rochlin
Cast:
Sara Cook * Nova Daly * Ali Dukakis * Chris Fowler * Robert Gerber * Chaitan Jain * Emily Lenzner * Alexa Newlin * Daniela McInerney * Antonio Olivo * Kevin Rooney * Edward Roman * Adam Ruben * Christina Sevilla * Hugo Verges * David White
On November 1, 2, and 3, join us as Picnic Theatre Company returns to Dupont Underground with an original parody of the Day The Earth Stood Still! In this celebrated 1950s classic, a UFO lands in Washington DC on the National Mall, with a message and an ultimatum for the White House and for the people of Earth that forces the world to wrestle with the most profound existential choice possible. Picnic Theatre Company imagines what happens the day after, as superpowers and developing nations, corporations, activists, and religious movements fight to determine the Earth’s response. How will they react? Vote for the ending of the play – the audience chooses the fate of humanity!
Enjoy this historic urban landmark and cultural space at 19 Dupont Circle NW. 6pm cocktails, 7pm performance (90 minutes)
TICKETS ($20):
Wed, Nov. 1: https://dupontunderground.org/
Thurs, Nov 2: https://dupontunderground.org/
Fri, Nov 3: https://dupontunderground.org/
[Proceeds benefit the preservation of Dupont Underground]
A Picnic Theatre Company Parody
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Circle NW, Washington DC
Wednesday November 1
Thursday November 2
Friday November 3
6pm Cocktails
7pm Performance
Written and Directed by Steve Rochlin
Cast:
Sara Cook * Nova Daly * Ali Dukakis * Chris Fowler * Robert Gerber * Chaitan Jain * Emily Lenzner * Alexa Newlin * Daniela McInerney * Antonio Olivo * Kevin Rooney * Edward Roman * Adam Ruben * Christina Sevilla * Hugo Verges * David White
On November 1, 2, and 3, join us as Picnic Theatre Company returns to Dupont Underground with an original parody of the Day The Earth Stood Still! In this celebrated 1950s classic, a UFO lands in Washington DC on the National Mall, with a message and an ultimatum for the White House and for the people of Earth that forces the world to wrestle with the most profound existential choice possible. Picnic Theatre Company imagines what happens the day after, as superpowers and developing nations, corporations, activists, and religious movements fight to determine the Earth’s response. How will they react? Vote for the ending of the play – the audience chooses the fate of humanity!
Enjoy this historic urban landmark and cultural space at 19 Dupont Circle NW. 6pm cocktails, 7pm performance (90 minutes)
TICKETS ($20):
Wed, Nov. 1: https://dupontunderground.org/
Thurs, Nov 2: https://dupontunderground.org/
Fri, Nov 3: https://dupontunderground.org/
[Proceeds benefit the preservation of Dupont Underground]
A Picnic Theatre Company Parody
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Circle NW, Washington DC
Wednesday November 1
Thursday November 2
Friday November 3
6pm Cocktails
7pm Performance
Written and Directed by Steve Rochlin
Cast:
Sara Cook * Nova Daly * Ali Dukakis * Chris Fowler * Robert Gerber * Chaitan Jain * Emily Lenzner * Alexa Newlin * Daniela McInerney * Antonio Olivo * Kevin Rooney * Edward Roman * Adam Ruben * Christina Sevilla * Hugo Verges * David White
The Outrun Gravity Games are coming to The Boro on Black Friday, the perfect chance to work off the Thanksgiving feast with friends and family, and much more fun than a Turkey Trot!
The OG Coaches will lead teams through a series of challenges testing your knowledge, teamwork, balance and coordination skills.
No need to worry about forming a team beforehand – Outrun Gravity will handle all of the logistics. The challenges are inclusive and welcoming for participants of all levels; just bring a water bottle and get ready for 90 minutes of fun, camaraderie and friendly competition!
WHEN: Friday, November 24th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Boro Park (8350 Broad Street, Tysons, VA 22102)
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has announced its 2024 family festival commemorating Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The event takes place Feb. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
This year’s Lunar New Year festival will celebrate the year of the dragon. It will consist of performances, talks, tours, hands-on activities and more. The full schedule is available online. The museum also offers many resources to learn about Lunar New Year on its website such as virtual tours of related collections, lesson plans and webinars.
About Lunar New Year
Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The 15th and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the dragon. Different regions across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. Many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do not observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac.
For the second year in a row, Lulu’s Winegarden is celebrating the 150th Kentucky Derby (also known as the “Run for the Roses”) with a pink wine-fueled viewing party – “Run for the Rosés.” On Saturday, May 4 from 3-7pm, the U Street wine bar will offer $40 rosé bottles, rosé magnums, frozen mint juleps, and will air “the most exciting two minutes in sports” on its five outdoor and indoor TVs with sound.
The U Street wine garden recently expanded its rosé program for the spring, and will offer all eight of its rosés by the bottle at just $40 for the afternoon. And groups can share large-format RUMOR Rosé magnums at special pricing. There’s a pink wine for every palate, ranging from several classic Provence rosés, a slightly effervescent Txakoli rosés, a unique Greek rosé made with the native Agiorgitiko grape, and even a fun Mexican rosé of Grenache.
For those who can’t watch the Derby without a little Kentucky bourbon, Lulu’s will offer bourbon specials and the bar’s frozen cocktail machines will dispense Mint Julep Slushies.
Lulu’s will air the big race with sound on its five outdoor and indoor TVs.
The party is free to attend with food and drinks sold a la carte.
WHO: Lulu’s Winegarden
WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2024
3-7pm
WHERE: Lulu’s Winegarden
1940 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
You are invited for a special evening with David Baldacci, New York Times Best-Selling Author for a literary conversation on his new book, A Calamity of Souls, followed by a reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, wine, champagne, and book signing.
David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world’s favorite storytellers.
His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television.
Along with his wife, David is also the cofounder of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy programs in the United States.
David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law. David and his family live in Virginia.
(Books will be available for purchase and are not included in ticket price.)
