WHAT:  SMITHSONIAN at 8, in collaboration with Francophonie DC and the Embassy of France, presents La Grande Fête, the closing celebration of the 2018 DC Francophonie Cultural Festival.

WHEN: Friday, March 23, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE: La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC

Get ready for a spectacular 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. Its closing celebration, La Grande Fête, is always magnifique, and this year’s bash is no exception.

Beginning at 7 p.m., guests will 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. DJ Princess Slaya spins music from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and plenty of destinations in between. Experience the best of the French-speaking world—all without leaving home. 

General admission $40

Tickets must be purchased in advance (no sales at the door).

For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit http://s.si.edu/2ocUayg.

Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. will host a spring 2018 Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary & beverage experience on Saturday, April 14, focused on Japanese treasures.  Spring is cherry blossom season, merging two cultures, as these magnificent trees were a gift from Japan to the nation’s capital.  It is the ideal time for Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. to present the art of the Japanese tea ceremony with the seasonal bounty of the mid-Atlantic region.  On this particular afternoon, guests will have the unique opportunity to savor a “Washoku” inspired food menu prepared by Executive Chef Troy Knapp featuring American rice, Chesapeake seafood, and locally sourced vegetables, followed by a traditional tea ceremony, also known as Chano-yu, conducted by Sobin Koizumi, a Urasenke professor from Japan.  The Urasenke tea school teaches the history, importance, and practical knowledge behind this centuries-old tradition.

As a tenured senior professor of the Urasenke tea school, Koizumi has traveled the world teaching non-Japanese people about the heart and soul of Chano-yu.  Learning about Matcha and the tea ceremony with Sobin Koizumi is a unique and rare opportunity, both here and in Japan.  Tickets for this special event are priced at $100 per person, and available for purchase on Eventbite.  Guests will enjoy a presentation covering the history and proper manners for Chano-yu, followed by a tasting of two different rare Matcha teas from the same grower that have limited availability in the United States paired with seasonal confections from Kyoto.  Space is limited and reservations are required.

Additionally, guests of the event will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase 30 grams of Kyoto Uji Matcha, a high-end green tea powder, prepared from young first flush green tea leaves at Uji in Kyoto, the birthplace of the Japanese tea ceremony.  

HOW:             Tickets are available for purchase at: https://parkhyattmasters-tea.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited for this one-of-a-kind event and advance reservations are required.

Purchase your ticket today to secure your spot at FGIDC’s next workshop, Impact of Advertising. Set up your brand for success with the newest, most impactful advertising tools.

 In its 11^th year, Cultural Tourism DC will produce the hugely popular Around the World Embassy Tour, part of Passport DC, a month-long celebration of worldwide cultures.

Both visitors and local residents can travel the world in one day, visiting more than 40 embassies to learn about culture, food, fashion and more during the Around the World Embassy Tour open houses. In the past, embassies have treated visitors to karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, police dog training, henna art and more.

WHEN:            Saturday, May 5

                        All participating embassies will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

                        Admission is free, but some embassies may ask to see a government-issued ID. There is also a smart phone app and web-based phone app available to help visitors better plan their day. More information:https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/signature-events

WHERE:           Embassies will celebrate their cultures’ food, fashion, arts and artisans, music, and dance by hosting DC residents and visitors inside their embassies. Embassies participating to date include Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Thailand, and Uganda.

HOW:              “So far, we received commitments from more than 40 embassies to open their gates and doors to participate in this year’s Around the World Embassy Tour,” says Steve Shulman, Executive Director, Cultural Tourism DC. “Now in its 11^th year, we expect nearly 30,000 people to visit embassies during a single day to learn about countries from across the globe. It is a wonderful, uniquely Washington experience for families, individuals and groups.”

The British Embassy will open its gates to the public for our 11th annual Open House Day on Saturday 12 May. Media are invited to cover the event, which offers visitors a rare look inside the Embassy as well as other unique activities celebrating British culture.

The Open House Day is special this year, as it is exactly one week before the Royal Wedding. During the event, visitors will be able to congratulate Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle on their upcoming wedding by creating a card and placing it in the mailbox to be sent to Kensington Palace.

During Open House Day, visitors will get a rare look inside the embassy and access to the Ambassador’s Residence and Gardens, home to several trees planted by members of the Royal Family. The Residence ballroom will be set up as it would be prepared for a State Dinner with Her Majesty the Queen.

Other highlights of the day include:

• Special appearances by the Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Eagles Drumline and Eagles mascot, SWOOP, ahead of their NFL game in London
• A fleet of British luxury vehicles from Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus and Rolls-Royce
• British food and drink, including whiskey and wine
• Performances from Shakespearian players and the British International School of Washington
• A tennis serve cage to see how fast you can serve at the Residence tennis court
• Displays of the most iconic British scenery for selfies

On Saturday, May 12, the award-winning Hay-Adams, located steps from the White House at 800 16th Street, NW, 20006, will launch its Stylish Entertaining Series, at the legendary Top of The Hay, a historic setting directly overlooking the White House. Participants will enjoy a seasonal selection of pastries from Pastry Chef Elizabeth Weinberg and indulge in Domaine La Rocalière Tavel Rosé and Scharffenberger Brut while learning about emerging trends in floral design and composing a spring arrangement to take home. Tickets are priced at $65 per person (all inclusive), which includes flowers, vase and afternoon tea. Reservations may be made here: https://www.hayadams.com/meetings-events/stylish-entertaining-series

This quarterly series of events will feature industry experts sharing ever-evolving insights about entertaining with ease, in a way that reflects each host’s personal style and creativity, in order to make guests feel treasured whatever the occasion. Next up is a Champagne tasting class in September, details may be found at www.hayadams.com in the coming months.

WHO:            Sidra Foreman (www.sidraforman.com) is a florist, chef and gardener who plans, sources and arranges flowers for weddings and other events large and small. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Foreman was named one of the top floral designers in the United States by this national publication as well. As a former restaurant chef, she approaches arrangements the same way she cooks: by seeking out the best sources, gathering ingredients and pairing seasonal and organic items, that she either grows or has supplied by local producers, most of whom she has known for decades.

WHEN:          The afternoon tea will be held on Top of The Hay on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.(doors open at 12:45)

WHERE:       The Hay-Adams is located at 800 16th Street, NW, Washington DC, 20006, across Lafayette Square from the White House. The historic Hay-Adams offers guests Washington’s most prestigious address with views overlooking the White House, Lafayette Square and St. John’s Church, the “Church of the Presidents.”  Ranked the No. 1 Top Hotel in Washington, DC and the No. 5 Best Hotel in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards in 2017, the hotel is just minutes from the Smithsonian, the Museums, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, as well as convenient to Metro stations and the convention center.  For reservations or more information call (202) 638-6600 or visit their website at www.hayadams.com.

Career Contessa, the only career site built specifically for women, and Trunk Club, a personal styling service, are teaming up for the second time on an epic event series, “Women Who Mean Business,” with this year’s focus on female leadership.

The events will take place Trunk Club Washington D.C. (May 16), and and will feature empowered women celebrating their careers through a night of panel discussions, networking, and other career focused advice.

Last year’s inspiring panel speakers included female leaders from some of the country’s most
buzzworthy and influential brands, including Instagram, Cupcakes and Cashmere and Dollar
Shave Club. This year, the panel will feature powerful women from Google, Beauty Bioscience,
Joss & Main and, of course, Career Contessa, who will explore topics such as how to build
resilience as a leader, serve as a mentor to other women, and cultivate effective teams through
insight from real women’s experiences.

Beyond the panel discussion, the night will be an ideal opportunity for attendees to connect with
likeminded women through curated networking sessions and mutual inspiration. Guests can expect professional photographers on hand to take LinkedIn headshots, as well plenty of foodie-
friendly treats, delicious drinks, and a surprise gift for the first 50 attendees.

“Last year, we met countless, inspiring women with powerful stories to tell so we’re beyond
thrilled to bring back this in-person experience focused on female leadership with our partner,
Trunk Club” said Lauren McGoodwin, CEO & founder of Career Contessa.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Career Contessa, working toward our common
goal of inspiring and empowering female leaders” said Jill Lynn of Trunk Club. “Last year brought
about a wave of positive conversation, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue again this
year with the Women Who Mean Business series.”

“Women Who Mean Business: A Night for Women Leaders—And
Leaders to Be,” will take place at Trunk Club’s Washington D.C. Clubhouse (525 9th St NW
#700, Washington, DC 20004) on May 16, 2018.