First Lady Michelle Obama Praises CityDance and Others at Arts Awards Ceremony (photos)
• November 30, 2015

First lady Michelle Obama presented the 2015 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C. on Nov. 17. Each year, the NAHYP award recognizes the nation’s leading after-school programs for their use of arts and the humanities to increase academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment. She honored programs that teach ceramics, dance, music, writing, science and more. It is the highest honor a youth arts and humanities program can receive. “The evidence is crystal clear. We know what arts means to kids. Kids who get involved in the arts or humanities have higher grades. They have higher graduation rates. They have higher college enrollment rates,” said Michelle Obama.

CityDance, a Washington, D.C., non-profit dance organization, was one of the 13 awardees for its after-school DREAM program. CityDance DREAM is an after-school program that provides dance classes and performance opportunities, mentoring, and tutoring to students in Washington, D.C.’s most underserved communities. CityDance DREAM uses dance as a pathway for youth to graduate high school and discover and pursue their full potential. In 2018, the DREAM program will anchor a new arts center in downtown D.C., The DREAM Center for Dance. It will contain dance studios, a black box theater and study rooms. The first lady presented the award to DREAM director Kelli Quinn and student Valeria Cruz. To learn more about the CityDance DREAMBuilders campaign, visit http://citydance.net/ or Click Here. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

View our photos of all the awardees from the White House East Room by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102361,124827,124835,124842,124850,124857,124865,124873,124881,124888,124895,124900,124820,124812,124914,124752,124768,124736,124744,124775,124761,124781,124789,124797,124805,124907" nav="thumbs"]

African American History Museum Holds First Event Before Its 2016 Opening (photos)
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The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture held its first official event on Nov. 16 with a special ceremony beginning a countdown to its grand opening later in 2016 in Washington, D.C. Monday’s celebration included performances by the Grammy Award-winning singer BeBe Winans, readings of works by historic figures and remarks from legislators. At the conclusion of the event, the facade of the new building turned into a five-story-tall, 3-D screen, displaying images from moments in black history. By this time next year, the museum dedicated to telling the history of black Americans will be welcoming visitors on the National Mall.

View our photos of the very first official event for the new museum by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102362,124728,124677,124684,124691,124698,124705,124713,124721,124733,124739,124625,124655,124669,124661,124639,124609,124646,124561,124568,124576,124585,124593,124601,124632,124746,124617" nav="thumbs"]

‘Breaking Bad’ Memorabilia Donated to the Smithsonian at Special Ceremony (photos)
• November 16, 2015

Several members of the cast and key production personnel from Sony Pictures Television’s award-winning TV series “Breaking Bad” donated memorabilia to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in a special signing ceremony on Nov. 10.

“Breaking Bad” (2008–2013) follows the downward spiral of a terminally ill, financially stressed chemistry teacher as he begins to make and distribute methamphetamine. The series, which aired on AMC, uses Walt’s trajectory from family provider to drug kingpin to reflect the moral ambiguity of contemporary society and the dark side of the American Dream, according to museum curator Dwight Blocker Bowers.

The show and its cast received numerous accolades, including 12 primetime Emmys, four creative arts Emmys and two Golden Globes. The “Breaking Bad” props will officially go on display in a large-scale American culture exhibit in 2018. Series lead actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul took a turn at the podium. Vince Gilligan, who both created and executive produced the series, also spoke along with Steve Mosko, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television. Cranston’s latest work includes “Trumbo,” a biopic in which he plays blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

View our photos from the donation ceremony by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="102358,125397,125389,125382,125375,125368,125360,125352,125344,125336,125328,125320,125411,125405,125417,125423" nav="thumbs"]

Washington International Horse Show in Photos
• November 9, 2015

The 2013 Washington International Hose Show traditionally features some of the world’s top equestrian athletes in a week of events and activities culminating in the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (a World Cup qualifier) Saturday night. This year’s event at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. took place between Oct. 22-27, featuring international riders competing in jumper classes, hunter classics, dressage, sidesaddle, and ponies. This year’s Grand Prix was won by Kent Farrington on his horse, Blue Angel. Earlier in the evening, junior rider Meredith “Maddy” Darst won top prize during the Hermès-sponsored Equitation Finals. On Friday main event, the $25,000 Puissance (high jump) for the Armed Forces Cup was taken by Great Britain’s Tim Gredley on Unex Valente, clearing the imposing to a height of 6’11”. In between events, fans were entertained by celebrity barrel racing, terrier racing and a demonstration by the USMC Silent Drill Team.

View our photos from the Washington International Horse Show by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

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Washington International Horse Show (2015) in Photos
• October 29, 2015

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) celebrated its 57th year on October 20-25, 2015 at the Verizon Center. The show advertised itself as the country’s leading metropolitan indoor equestrian event, while attracting leading horses and riders from around the world. Friday’s main event, the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance was won by 19 year old Belgian rider Jos Verlooy who cleared a wall only an inch short of 7 feet with his top mount, Sunshine. Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands and his horse Emerald were victorious in Saturday’s $125,000 President’s Cup – World Cup feature event.

View our photos of the action at the Washington International Horse Show by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

Thousands Gather for Million Man March 20th Anniversary in Washington, D.C., Declaring ‘Justice or Else’ (photos)
• October 22, 2015

Thousands of black men and women from around the nation gathered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10. The march was organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and called for policing reforms and changes in black communities. The theme of the rally was “Justice or Else!”

View our photos of the event by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102325,126217,126225,126165,126173,126181,126189,126200,126208,126233,126240,126248,126254,126262,126269,126153,126141,126097,126089,125995,125987,125978,125970,126005,126016,126025,126122,126114,126105,126039,126048,126055,126063,126072,126081,126130" nav="thumbs"]

Activists Rally Against Gun Violence at White House (photos)
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Activists against gun violence demonstrated in front of the White House North Gate in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17. The protest was organized by the group, “A New Routine for America,” in support of safe communities and freedom from gun violence seeking common-sense rules of the road for guns (such as background checks) and for those who choose to own them.

View our photos of the protest at the White House by clicking on the photo icons below (all photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102328,125877,125885,125893,125901,125909,125916,125924,125932,125940,125870,125863,125817,125952,125959,125965,125825,125833,125840,125847,125855,125947" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Football Hoyas Fall to Dartmouth 31-10 Before Sold-Out Crowd (photos)
• October 1, 2015

The Georgetown Hoyas (1-2) lost 31-10 to the Big Green from Dartmouth in football action in front of a sold out crowd at Multi-Sport Field on the Georgetown University campus in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. It was Dartmouth’s first game of the season.

Dartmouth quarterback Dalyn Williams (10) led his team with 138 passing yards and a TD, plus 43 yards rushing and another score. Hoyas senior quarterback Kyle Nolan completed 31-of-53 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown, but two interceptions led to a pair of early touchdowns for the Big Green.

The Hoyas got on the board first at 4:57 in the first quarter when Nolan fired a touchdown pass to tight end Matt Buckman from the Dartmouth 31 yard line. But from then it was all Dartmouth aided by a 65 yard kick return by All Ivy League receiver and return specialist Ryan McManus immediately followed by a 9 years scamper into the end zone by quarterback Williams. On the Hoyas’ following possession, All-Ivy defensive back Troy Donahue jumped in front of a Georgetown receiver and picked off Nolan near midfield, returning the ball 35 yards to the Hoyas’ 13-yard line. Dartmouth running back Brian Grove immediately followed up with a 13 yard run for the go ahead TD. For the rest of the game, the Big Green defense would only surrender a second quarter Henry Darmstadter 30 yd field goal. Despite the lopsided score, the Hoyas maintained an edge in both first downs and total yardage. But a minus three turnover margin was a critical factor in the loss.

Georgetown University junior linebacker Ty Williams, who had suffered a sever injury in the team’s opening game, was remembered. His jersey number “2” was emblazoned on Hoyas player’s helmets and written on cheerleaders faces.

View our photos from the game by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet).

[gallery ids="102312,126620,126627,126634,126573,126581,126589,126597,126605,126613,126531,126546,126564,126513,126491,126507,126464,126474,126481,126499,126555,126522,126539" nav="thumbs"]

The Pentagon Observes 9/11 in Solemn Ceremony for Family Members of Those Who Perished (photos)
• September 18, 2015

View our photos from the 9/11 Pentagon Observance Ceremony for family members of those who perished 14 years ago on the date and hour when a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter delivered the keynote address.

The ceremony took place at a the Pentagon Memorial. To honor the 184 victims, 184 illuminated benches have been arranged according to the victim’s ages. Each bench is engraved with the name of a victim. A shallow lighted pool of flowing water is positioned under each memorial bench. The memorial is open seven days a week, year-round. It is also the only place on the Pentagon grounds where photography is permitted.

View our photos from the ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102311,126741,126833,126781,126807,126798,126854,126845,126825,126838,126773,126765,126757,126749,126817,126717,126709,126647,126631,126622,126640,126655,126661,126789,126735,126725,126677,126685,126693,126701,126671" nav="thumbs"]

Book Lovers Gather for the 15th Library of Congress National Book Festival (photos)
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Book lovers of all ages rubbed shoulders with 175 prominent authors, poets and illustrators at the 15th Library of Congress National Book Festival Sept. 5 in Washington D.C. David McCullough, Jane Smiley, Al Roker, Tom Brokaw, E.O. Wilson, Kate DiCamillo and Buzz Aldrin were among the featured speakers. The year also marked the 200th anniversary of the library’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library and the festival used a quote from Jefferson himself—“I cannot live without books”—as its theme. For the second year in a row, the festival took place indoors at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, away from its former home on the National Mall and its newly installed watering system.

View our photos from the National Book Festival by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet) [gallery ids="102306,127158,127175,127168,127181,127189,127201,127212,127221,127232,127242,127272,127278,127255,127284,127291,127149,127133,127125,126989,127007,127017,126998,127026,127037,127049,127061,127073,127084,127093,127104,127113,127264,127141" nav="thumbs"]