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).
U.S. Dream Academy’s POWER OF A DREAM GALA – Celebrating 25 Years of Cultivating Dreams
Monday, October 2
5:30-10:30P p.m.
Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC
Link
The U.S. Dream Academy, a Maryland based, 501(c)3 nonprofit that inspires and invests in the lives of children of incarcerated parents, will host its Annual “Power of A Dream” Gala in honor of the charity’s 25th Anniversary on Monday, October 2nd at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, presented by Amway. In celebrating its 25th year, the U.S. Dream Academy gala is held to benefit our nationally recognized after-school programs for children. The event attracts some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, corporate executives, and VIPs, as well as political and community leaders, who support and invest in the future of those children most at risk. The annual event also honors those who are making a difference in young people’s lives with their philanthropic efforts.
Alumni Keynote Speaker: Withney Simons Entertainment: Jennifer Holliday, GRAMMY and TONY Award winning Broadway Actress, Recording Artist and Gospel Singer
Special Performance: Wintley Phipps, GRAMMY nominated Gospel Singer, and Founder and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy, with the Takoma Academy Chorale
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 Boro in Tyson’s is excited to host Cushman & Wakefield’s annual chili cook-off! This year’s competition benefits the Boulder Crest Foundation and will feature 15 to 20 teams vying for the grand prize. Cushman & Wakefield employees will judge the competition.
All are welcome to stop by and enjoy
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chili tastings
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lawn games
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a bar
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live music from acclaimed singer-songwriter Brian Dunne and his band
WHEN: Saturday, October 7th from 12:00–4:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Sandlot at The Boro (1640 Boro Place, Tysons, VA 22102)
HOW: The event is free and open to the public.
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Fall Fête A Charity Gala Benefiting My Sister’s Place
Join the Madison of Washington DC in inaugurating the annual Fall Fête – a charity gala benefiting My Sister’s Place, and a celebration of its 20th anniversary.
The night will feature a silent auction, whiskey tasting, open bar, raffle prizes, & more to raise funds for our philanthropic partner.
Location: City Tavern Club | 3206 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 Dress Code: Black-tie optional |
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The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation – the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization – and prominent food writer David Hagedorn announce the return of Chefs for Equality on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the National Building Museum. Now in its 10th year, the evening of extraordinary food, drink, and entertainment, in addition to live and silent auctions, supports the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s nationwide educational work and its fight for full LGBTQ+ equality.
“At Chefs for Equality, over 150 of Washington D.C.’s greatest chefs, bakers and mixologists create spectacular food and drinks in the name of full LGBTQ+ equality. This year’s theme, Plate of Emergency, calls attention to the state of emergency that the Human Rights Campaign has officially declared because of intensified attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender and non-binary people. The chef community stands at the ready to turn up the heat and fight even harder to protect and promote equality,” said David Hagedorn.
“It is so exciting to have DC’s top culinary and mixology talents come together in support of HRC Foundation’s work,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “LGBTQ+ Americans are navigating a national state of emergency, facing an all out assault on our basic rights. From access to necessary health care to feeling safe and supported at work and in our communities, anti-LGBTQ+ extremists are working to limit our freedoms and push us back into the closet. We need to fight back with full force against these injustices and continue to support impactful initiatives that expand equity and equality for all.”
As they have since the event’s inception in 2012, Christopher Vazquez and Rick Davis of Amaryllis Floral + Event Design will transform the Chefs for Equality venue into a wonderland that will feature 40 savory tasting stations and 20 crafted cocktail bars headed by renowned chefs and mixologists from the Greater D.C. area. The jewels of the Chefs for Equality crown are the 13 personal chef tables — each decorated to the hilt with a unique theme and providing an opportunity to dine with celebrity chefs for a lavish five-course meal in the middle of the action. The DMV area’s top pastry chefs prepare stunning show-piece cakes that will adorn the museum, and guests can sample these delectable pastries towards the end of the evening before heading out with a curated limited-edition goody bag chock-full of culinary goodies. In addition to impressive fare, live and silent auctions are also held.
New additions this year:
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Speed Diner meets Drag Brunch – An interactive entertainment experience where guests can purchase a time slot for a seat at the diner where they’ll enjoy brunch-inspired bites, a specialty cocktail, and an exclusive drag performance curated by Crazy Aunt Helen’s.
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Queerlada Shop – A cafe in the middle of the action featuring Latin-inspired savory dishes, pastries and libations curated by the popular D.C.-based Colada Shop Cuban Cafe & Bar.
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Private Upper Tier Champagne & Caviar Lounge – This exclusive Chefs for Equality activation, on the second floor of the Building Museum, features select restaurant partners, Champagne, caviar, lounge seating and more.
All proceeds will benefit the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s nationwide educational work for LGBTQ+ equality. The HRC Foundation works to educate the public and provides training and model policies that alter the fundamental nature of the institutions governing the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
Tickets for Chefs for Equality can be purchased at hrc.im/ChefsTickets. The full list of participating chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, and mixologists can be found at ChefsForEquality.org.
Whitman-Walker 37th Annual Walk To End HIV & Open House of New Max Robinson Center
Saturday, October 21, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Gateway DC Pavilion
2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20032
The Walk to End HIV is more than just a fundraiser at Whitman-Walker. The Walk symbolizes our continued efforts to find a cure for HIV and to stop the stigma surrounding HIV. This fight will take the entire community’s support and commitment.
This year’s walk attendees will also be able to take a tour of our brand-new Max Robinson Center. Named for acclaimed TV anchor Max Robinson, our new Max Robinson Center will be a healthcare home and state of the art research center where we will be able to serve an additional 10,000 patients per year. The New Max will bring much needed health and wellness services to the residents of DC and we’re so excited to share it with you. LINK
National Children’s Museum, the preeminent combined children’s museum and science center, will hold its Dreamers Soirée, an evening that celebrates and reflects the joys of childhood: imagination, play, and, of course, dreams!
Taking place on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, the evening will bring together individuals and corporate supporters, public officials, and prominent figures in Washington’s business and cultural communities in support of the Museum’s mission of inspiring children to care about and change the world.
The evening will begin with an elegant seated dinner, held in honor of one of the Museum’s founding Trustees and former Board Chair, Dick Snowdon, a champion of the National Children’s Museum for nearly 50 years. Snowdon has been an integral part of the National Children’s Museum’s journey to provide children with the opportunity to experience the joy of play-based, STEAM learning in our nation’s capital, serving as a past Board Chair of the Capital Children’s Museum on H Street in northeast D.C. and an instrumental force behind the Museum establishing its current home in downtown D.C.
Following the dinner, the evening will progress into a celebratory soirée, featuring signature cocktails, culinary delights, dancing, music, and more.
“The Dreamers Soirée is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate the joy and impact being made at the National Children’s Museum,” said Crystal Bowyer, Museum CEO and President. “Without the generosity of our supporters, the work we are honored to do would not be possible, and we’re so thankful to be inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers inside the Museum every day.”
Hosted by Abby Phillip, Anchor of “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” the Dreamers Soirée will include Honorary Chairs Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Chris Van Hollen, who have provided tremendous support to the institution for years. Additional event chairs include Museum Board of Trustees member Heather Zimmerman and her husband, former Washington Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman, and John Legittino and Lauren Pratapas.
The event’s host committee includes Elizabeth and Paul Bonner, Brooke and Fritz Brogan, Ashley and Matt Bronczek, Kristin and John Cecchi, Andrea Dykes and Jeremy Fishelberg, Michelle Fields and Jamie Weinstein, Rae Ann and Jermaine Johnson, Traci and Robb Micek, Beth Newburger Schwartz, and S. Scott Stewart.
Event sponsors include the Embassy of the State of Qatar, Mrs. Jacquline Mars, Geico, PNC, American Airlines, American Beverage Association, Capitol Seniors Housing, VPC Inc., as well as Andrea Dykes and Jeremy Fishelberg, Elizabeth and Paul Bonner, Brooke and Fritz Brogan, Ashley and Matt Bronczek, S. Ross Hechinger, Stephanie Beyer Kirby and Trey Kirby, Traci and Robb Micek, Beth Newburger Schwartz, and Joseph Wright.
Limited tickets are still available for $500 for both the dinner and soirée, or just the soirée for $200 ($150 for Museum members). Additional event details, tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org/dreamers-soiree-2023/.
Dinner
6 pm reception
7 pm dinner
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Soirée
8 to 11 pm
National Children’s Museum
Creative cocktail attire
Capital Food Fight returns to The Anthem on Thursday, November 9th for the 19th installment of DC Central Kitchen’s raucous night of fighting hunger. Tickets to this year’s event, presented by Instacart, at capitalfoodfight.org.
First hosted in 2004 by DC Central Kitchen’s long-time volunteer and Board Chair Emeritus José Andrés, Capital Food Fight has long been the must-attend event of food lovers, TV stars, and philanthropists alike. Executive Chef & Co-Owner of Money Muscle BBQ/All Set/Fryer’s Roadside Ed Reavis, Chef Rachel Bindel of 101 Hospitality Group (Michele’s, Gravitas, Bakers Daughter), Executive Chef of dLeña Carlos Camacho, and Estuary’s Chef de Cuisine Ria Montes join a storied list of notable chefs who have faced off in head-to-head culinary challenge on the main stage featuring a spotlighted ingredient. Each dish will be judged by a panel of culinary icons, including Top Chef’s lead judge, restaurateur, and James Beard award-winning chef Tom Colicchio; restaurateur, Iron Chef America champion, and star of truTV’s Fast Foodies Justin Sutherland, retired Washington Nationals All-Star Ryan Zimmerman, and more!
Celebrity chef and DC-based restaurateur, Spike Mendelsohn, Chef Andrés, and local media personality Tommy McFly return as the evening’s hosts and emcee, respectively, to keep things rocking from the main stage with one of DC’s most in-demand performers, DJ Neekola, on the decks all night long as attendees feast on delicious bites from more than 80 of the DMV’s best restaurants.
Tickets are available for purchase at www.capitalfoodfight.org General admission tickets are $325, with VIP access going for $550. VIP ticket holders will have exclusive access to the second floor with balcony seating and full open bar. All proceeds from the event, including donations and silent auction, go to support DC Central Kitchen’s award-winning solutions to hunger and poverty in Washington, DC, from providing culinary job training to serving scratch-cooked school meals to delivering fresh fruits and vegetables at deep discounts to small corner stores across city.
Special thanks to the 2023 Capital Food Fight Presenting Sponsor, Instacart, along with Showcase Sponsors CoBank, Lineage Logistics, and Wegmans, which will also be stocking this year’s on-stage pantry. The battling chefs will be highlighting special ingredients provided by Wegmans, Keany Produce, and AUI Fine Foods. Further appreciation goes to our Executive Chef Sponsors Bloomberg Philanthropies, Clark Construction, RTX, Wells Fargo, Vox Media, and Appliances A Better Way (ABW), and Sous Chef Sponsors Bank of America, DoorDash and Geico. For a full list of 2023 sponsors and information on remaining availability, please visit capitalfoodfight.org/sponsors.
Capital Food Fight is a 21 and older event. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.capitalfoodfight.org
Whitman-Walker 50th Anniversary Gala
Thursday, November 9
6:00-10:00 pm
Salamander Washington DC
1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Whitman-Walker, a leader in LGBTQ health, research, education and policy with special expertise in HIV care, will host its 50 th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, November 9 th at the Salamander Washington, DC. The “Fabulous Cocktail” Event will run from 6:00-10:00 pm, and feature special guests: Tim Gunn (Author, Critic and TV Personality) and DJ Tryfe (Celebrity DJ).
As of 2023, Whitman-Walker has been part of the fabric of Washington DC and nationally for 50 years – as a first responder and care-provider for those living with HIV; a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment; and one of DC’s most trusted partners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all people are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and
wellbeing.
Within the nation’s capital area, Whitman-Walker provides stigma-free care to anyone who walks through their doors. Just last month, they opened the Max Robinson Center in Southeast Washington DC, a brand-new state-of-the-art building on the campus of Saint Elizabeths East in the Congress Heights neighborhood, transforming healthcare and community research in the District of Columbia. This year’s event fundraising goal is to raise $550,000 in which funds will support Whitman-Walker’s care and research programming. Gala Details: Special guests Tim Gunn (Author, Critic and TV Personality) and DJ Tryfe (Celebrity DJ), along with cocktails, great food, surprises, storytelling, live auction and music. Gilead Science, Inc. will also be recognized for their $2 million commitment to the new Max Robinson Center with a special Community Philanthropy Award. LINK
