Latest News

Gary Tischler •

Every year for 45 years now, visitors to Washington and the rest of us who live here have had a chance to come down to the National Mall and let the contours of the world—its music, its food, its songs and poetry and smells and clothes and sounds—come in, along with our own memories of what’s what in our souls.

They call it the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, a summer treat and tent and dog and pony and sheep and llama and guitar and memory show that occurs every summer wrapped around the Fourth of July.

This year, it’s more about us than them—the three-section festivals features the arts, music and food of Colombia, a memory train of the history and celebration of the Peace Corps and a lively, deeply rich festival of Rhythm and Blues. It’s “Colombia: The Nature of Culture;” it’s “The Peace Corps: Fifty Years of Promoting World Peace and Friendship;” it’s “Rhythm and Blues: Tell It Like It Is.”

But look what was on the menu in 1967, a veritable smorgasbord with no visible category except crafts and performance: American basket makers, doll makers, needle workers, potters, blacksmiths, spinners and weavers, fife and drum groups, string bands, gospel singers, shouts and spirituals, Puerto Rican music, New Orleans jazz, Cajun music, cowboy songs, the King Island Eskimo dancers, the dancers of Galicia, polkas and ballads, Irish dancers and Chinese New Year’s pantomimes.

Since then, over the years, the smorgasbord has become specific, focusing on states and regions, American style from Texas to Pennsylvania, to countries and continents, to Native Americans from everywhere, to the African Diaspora, to Kentucky, to the cultures of Britain and Yugoslavia to topics like Family Farming in the Heartland, the Music of Struggle, France and North America, Russian Roots, Metro Music, the Bahamas.

On summer days, you could see a Welshman shear a sheep or cook one, hear bluegrass music from the nearby mountains, dance to Reggae or Rap, see artists from Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, here, there and everywhere, watch the work of the cultural institutions and pioneers of the world.

This time, you can watch what’s often a reunion of Peace Corps Workers, catch all things musically and foodie positive about Colombia, and listen to, watch and dance to the soul music of our souls.

Friday, I stayed for a snippet, walking by the big tent of Motor City to see the Funk Brothers rip through my past in a special way.

I saw a man who danced with his wife.

That’s a supposition. They looked alike, smiled alike, and moved alike. They were thin and looked to be together for quite a while, almost like a twinned couple. She had curly hair, a smile to kill a rainy day, she was thin and sporty looking and moved like silk, and he led her, followed her, gray hair, big just-glad-to-be-here-with-her grin on his face and they twirled and stalked the way couples do.

They were singing to the Funk Brothers and their leader, wearing a white-suit from when guys in white suits could dazzle you, named Bob Babbitt. He was saying something like “Back then, like now, people were worried, what with the economy and wars, and senseless stuff, and Marvin Gay, he was singing what he could be singing now, he was askin’….

Mother, Mother, What’s goin’ on, what’s goin’ on…”

And the couple twirled into dizzy, and a mother was dancing with her little girl, and other couples swayed and some people did the same by themselves to “What’s Goin’ On.”

And earlier they were “Dancing in the Streets” and Kim Weston, who sang with Gaye back in the day on “It Takes Two,” was singing that afternoon and it was like that, the people were singing it, dancing it, and telling it like it was and is.

And you can catch a whole lot of groups still now till Monday at the 45th Annual Folklife Festival, and there’ll be people like the Jewels, the Monitors and Fred Wesley and the New JBs and you can get funky, soulful or happy as you please. Just check the Folklife Festival website and see:

What’s goin’ on.

Georgetowner •

Check out what’s happening around town this weekend with The Georgetowner’s interactive calendar. Looking for an excuse to get out of the house, or know of an event so exciting you just have to share? You can do both at the Georgetowner.com Calendar.

Preview Party for the 2011 DC Design House
April 8th, 2011 at 06:00 AM
$125
sherry.moeller@mokimedia.com
Tel: 301-807-0910
Join the Executive Committee, countless volunteers and the designers of this year’s house benefiting Children’s National Medical Center. Designers include: Scott Brinitzer, Jeff Potter, Iantha Carley, Nancy Colbert), Barbara Franceski, Samantha Friedman, Jason Hodges, Liz Levin, Lauren Liess, Gary Lovejoy, Allie Mann/Case Design, Cindy McClure, Erin Paige Pitts, James Rill/Rill Architects, Camille Saum, Whitney Stewart, Nadia Subaran/Aidan Design, Patrick Sutton and Denise Willard.
3134 Ellicott St. NW
Washington DC 20008

Art & Live Jazz Saturday
April 9th, 2011 at 02:00 PM
free
liveanartfullife@verizon.net
Tel: 540-253-9797
Join us for live jazz, refreshments and “New Work” by jewelry artist Sara Rivera. Sara works in the old Japanese technique of Mokume-gane which is a layering of metals to achieve a wood grain effect in different metals. Sara will be in the gallery from 2 – 6 PM. Live Jazz 5 – 8 PM.
Live An Artful Life
6474 Main Street
The Plains, VA 20198
Civil War Georgetown Tours Commemorating 150 Years
April 9th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Tel: 202-965-0400
In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, Tudor Place introduces two new specialized tours about life in Georgetown and the Federal City during this critical test of American democracy.

Beginning in April, these tours will be offered on the second Saturday of every month.

There will be a specialized house tour at 10:30 a.m. and a separate walking tour of Georgetown at 12:30 p.m.
Tudor Place
1644 31st Street, NW
Georgetown between Q &R
Washington, DC

Thai Restaurant Week, April 11-17
April 11th, 2011 at 12:00 PM
|Discounts and special dishes
tanidas@thaiembdc.org
Tel: 202-338-1545

Celebrate the festival of Songkran – the traditional Thai New Year. Each year, as the cherry blossoms start to bloom, the D.C. Metro area celebrates Songkran with Thai Restaurant Week. Many Thai restaurants offer diners a discount or a special menu in honor of the traditional Thai New Year Festival. For the list of participating restaurants, please visit www.thaiembdc.org.
For the list of participating restaurants, please visit www.thaiembdc.org.

For more events this weekend visit the Georgetowner. calendar and click on the date your interested in!

Robert Devaney •

“First, to become president and then a Supreme Court justice,” said Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, of her high goals at a Capitol Hill Club reception, March 29. And you believe her.

Miss America brought her campaign to the nation’s capital this week, joined by her cabinet of 16 other state title-holders from the Miss America Pageant, where Scanlan was crowned Jan. 15 in Las Vegas at the age of 17. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, her tour expanded to include fellow contestants who have formed a powerful sisterhood and made the scene from the halls of the U.S. Congress, to a Potomac River cruise and restaurants around town.

At the Miss D.C. Scholarship Organization fundraiser, hosted by Lisa and Charlie Spies in the GOP gathering place, two blocks from the Capitol building, a former Miss D.C. Sonya Gavankar of the Newseum and Miss D.C. 2011 Stephanie Williams introduced the “astounding, accomplished women,” who are easy on the eyes as well as easy to speak with. Former Misses D.C. Jen Corey and Kate Michael were also there.

Miss Oklahoma Emoly West said it was “great getting to meet more people around D.C.” Miss Arizona Kathryn Bulkley found it was “awe-inspiring” to be on the floor of the House and Senate. Miss Florida Jaclyn Raulerson loved the tour of the U.S. Capitol and walking through the Rotunda, after the women had lunched there.
But it was the now 18-year-old Miss America from Gering, Nebraska, who was the star of the show.

Homeschooled until her junior year at Scottsbluff High School, Scanlan has enrolled at Patrick Henry College, a conservative Christian school in Purcellville, Va., less than 40 miles from D.C. “I will be staying around and do internships,” she said, as she posed with and easily charmed everyone — future voters, no doubt — who wanted to say hello.

While the other 16 women were down at the Tidal Basin that afternoon, admiring the cherry blossoms and posing for pictures, the mature-for-her-age Scanlan was three blocks north at the White House Council on Women and Girls, a federal watchdog in matters of public policy, especially equal pay, family leave and child care. The presidential board relates to her Miss America Platform on eating disorders, which was prompted by one of her best friend’s bulimia. “It is also important to be encouraging women in science,” Scanlan said of the education campaign. (In October, she will be meeting the man himself, President Obama.)

Other places and events felt the Miss America magic: a gala at the Kennedy Center, the Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner and the Embassy of Croatia (her maternal grandparents are from there). At a lunch at Cafe Milano, Franco Nuschese presented her with Ann Hand’s Liberty Eagle pin, made famous by such wearers as Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, both Secretaries of State. All well and good, but, as you know, Scanlan is aiming for the White House. And those who know her well, especially in Nebraska, fully expect her to get there. [gallery ids="99637,105239,105246,105243" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

With the sun shining, there’s no reason not to hit the town. Here is what’s going on this weekend, straight from the Georgetowner’s online events calendar. And as always, we encourage you to get involved with your community by uploading your own events or any we may have missed.

Family Fair in Georgetown!
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Members: $8 (per child), Nonmembers: $10 (per child),
Adult Chaperones: $5
Youth@DumbartonHouse.org
Tel: 202-337-2288
Kids on spring break? Celebrate spring at two of Georgetown’s historic house museums, Dumbarton House and Tudor Place! Children of all ages make their own delicious treats at both houses, including ice cream sundaes and chocolate houses! The family fun continues with children’s games and crafts. This program serves as a great introduction to our great Summer Camp Program, Georgetown Summer History Weeks.
2715 Q Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

SMJO – A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald featuring Kim Nazarian & Phil Woods
April 23rd, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra featuring vocalist Kim Nazarian and saxophonist Phil Woods.
Tickets: $55 Gen. Admission.
Blues Alley Jazz Supper Club
1073 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

VINIFERA WINE BAR & BISTRO EASTER SUNDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
April 24th, 2011 at 11:00 AM
$45 per person for adults
$20 per person for children 12 and under
mquinn@sheratonreston.com
Tel: 703.234.3550
This Easter, Vinifera continues its tradition of inviting families to enjoy a petting zoo provided by the Leesburg Animal Park and Sunday brunch. Guests can visit the baby lambs, ducks, bunnies, goats and beloved long haired llama on Vinifera’s front lawn. Executive Chef Bo Palker will serve a delicious three-course meal of classic dishes and gourmet twists. There will be three Easter egg hunts for children ages 12 and under at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.
11750 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, Virginia 20191

Georgetowner •

Here is what’s going on this weekend, straight from the Georgetowner’s online events calendar. And as always, we encourage you to get involved with your community by uploading your own events or any we may have missed.

Georgetown House Tour Hospitality Suite
April 30th, 2011 at 10:00 AM
FREE For All To Attend

Join The Georgetowner Newspaper for our Hospitality Suite to Benefit the The Georgetown House Tour on April 30th. From 4-6PM, enjoy cocktails, Hors d’ oeuvres, and a day full of special events.

Hosted By
Canal Group Builders
The Georgetown Social Editor, Mary Bird
Address

Boffi Studios
3320 M Street NW
Washington DC 20007

Dataklysmos: Multidimensional Sculptures
April 30th, 2011 at 06:00 PM

Irvine Contemporary announces Dataklysmos, an exhibition of new multimedia sculptures by [dNASAb]. [dNASAb] (who goes by “Disney”) is a Brooklyn-based artist who constructs complex, multidimensional works that visualize the world of data and the materiality of digital technology in new ways.Opening reception 6-8 p.m.

Address

Irvine Contemporary
1412 14th Street, NW

Family Stories: Daughters, Mothers, and Bubbes
May 1st, 2011 at 01:00 PM
mwestley@jwv.org
202 265 6280

We invite to you portray your beloved daughters, mothers, and bubbes in skits, scrapbooks, videos, song and dance routines, or whatever your imagination can conjure. Exhibits will be open from 1-5pm. Treasure hunts for the kids.
Address

National Museum of American
Jewish Military History
1811 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Corrie Dyke •

President Obama set ambitious goals for the future of America’s dependency on foreign supplies and moving the country in a more energy efficient direction. The President stated that the problem will not be solved with quick fixes, calling for a one-third reduction in U.S. oil imports by 2025.

Obama’s speech Wednesday at Georgetown University lasted nearly an hour as the President restated many energy solutions previously proposed.

President Obama looks to boost domestic oil production, noting his administration’s recent approval of both shallow and deep water drilling permits. Obama mentioned the ongoing effort of energy independency, which the country has struggled with for decades.

“Presidents and politicians of every stripe have promised energy independence but that promise has so far gone unmet,” Obama said. “That has to change. We cannot keep going from shock to trance on the issue of energy security, rushing to propose action when gas prices rise, then hitting the snooze button when they fall again.”

In his speech Obama set another dated goal, this time calling for government agencies to ensure that by 2015 all new vehicles purchased are alternative-fuel vehicles, including hybrid and electric. This accompanies Obama’s previously set a goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads in the same year.

Obama’s expansion of oil alternatives include natural gas and advanced biofuels, fuels made from non-food sources such as wood chips, switch grass or plant waste.

According to administration officials, Obama’s plans would require significant spending on research and development, though no cost estimates have been made.

Lisa Gillespie •

On Monday evening, March 28, Mayor Vincent Gray delivered his first State of the District speech after three months in office and weeks of stormy resignations, allegations and negative approval ratings.

His 8,000 word speech did not address the recent firing of former health administration employee Sulaimon Brown who accused Gray of a pay-to-play and nepotism and D.C. City Council’s probes into those allegations, nor did it address repercussions for City Council chairman Kwame Brown’s two fully-loaded SUVs that ended up being illegally procured.

However, after a reporter asked about the admittance in a press conference after the speech, Gray said, “I wanted to talk about the issues affecting the city. The reason I ran in the first place was to advance the educational outcome for children and provide opportunities for self improvement.”

He also mentioned that he had not wanted the main topic of headlines to be his troubles, but the “real” issues affecting the city, and that there would be accountability to those who violate the public trust: “If people violate the public trust they will be fired. There are missteps that have been made and at the end of the day I’ll take responsibility for them. And if I’m going to take the weight for them, I intend to bring the weights back to where it belongs.”

The speech, titled “One City…Rising to the Challenge,” did focus heavily on unifying the city, and Gray addressed the challenges that he’s faced since taking office. Last week, for instance, the Census released statistics that showed the District’s African American population down to 50 percent.

“The facts are troubling, but they bear acknowledging: there are parts of this city where over half of our high school students do not graduate. In some neighborhoods, one out of every three adults is unemployed.”

Tammy McKinney, 41, attended the speech and said she felt he’d addressed the issues facing her home in Ward 6.

“We’ve seen the development on H Street Northeast and a few good things come through, but we don’t hear as much about Wards 6, 7 or 8 than we do the others,” said McKinney, who was born in DC. “Why would people come out here? There are not restaurants and no shopping. I’m hopeful, but unsure.”

Gray spoke of the dividing line between the Anacostia River and the hope that it would one day resemble other notable rivers in the world: the Thames in London, the Charles River in Boston or the San Antonio River Walk in Texas.

“At its widest, the Anacostia River spans barely half a mile —but when you pass over it, it can feel like you’ve left one continent for another…it should be a unifying force between the east and west.”

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton praised the Mayor for not glossing over the $322 million budget gap that will lead to budget cuts, to be released on Friday.

“I appreciate that he didn’t gloss over the tough issues. People will be very disappointed when they see these cuts, though we’ve seen it come worse to other parts of the country.”

Gray delivered his speech at Eastern High School in Ward 5, where the poverty rate stood at 20 percent in 2009.

“If I have been repetitive on this topic, it’s because it is vitally important for us to be honest about how things will change,” Gray said. “Some of the agencies that we depend upon will be asked to make do with less. We cannot and will not use budget gimmicks to close the gap.”

He compared the city government after the cuts to, “a lean athlete after a period of intense training: with a government that is leaner, but also one that is stronger.”

Samantha Hungerford •

In a box, in a corner of an office, in the Tudor Place in Georgetown, an antique collection of wax figurines lays largely untouched and unseen by visitors to the historic home.

The 228-year-old dolls, once the treasured belongings of first First Lady Martha Washington, were brought to their home at Tudor Place by Martha’s granddaughter and looked after for two centuries by her descendants and then museum curators.

Years of heat, mishandling and bugs have obviously gotten to figures; many are missing legs or arms, and the silk clothes are torn and faded of their color. But Leslie Buehler, the executive director of Tudor Place, believes that there is life yet to breathe back into these charming wax characters, and she is currently working to restore them.

The figurines make up a tableau set that was a gift to Martha Washington from Samuel Fraunces in 1783. The scene depicts the story of the military hero, Hector, and his wife Andromanche, whose romance was endearing to George and Martha, mirroring their own story of love and separation during wartime.

The scene was removed from public display in an effort to conserve the figurines and spare them any further damage.

The steps taken by Tudor Place to make the figurines more aesthetically pleasing have been more challenging than expected. The pins and dowel rods that hold the dolls together are from unidentifiable years, making it difficult to determine which ones are the originals, and details such as what the faces and clothes originally looked like are unknown. Buehler stated that it will be at least another year before the figures are ready to go back on display.

The restoration is being funded by private donors, including a remarkably generous donation which covered the initial analysis of the figurines.

“All of these objects tell extraordinary stories that relate the times these people lived in a visceral way,” Buehler said to the Post. “The more one understands about the beginnings of this country – how people lived, how they spent their time – it just informs our sense of history.”
[gallery ids="102509,120179,120169,120173" nav="thumbs"]