Smithsonian Folklife Festival (photos)

July 19, 2012

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an exposition of “living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, DC, by the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.” This year’s event took place between June 27 and July 8.

View our photos by clicking on the photo icons below.

View additional photos by clicking here. [gallery ids="100892,128109,128117,128125,128134,128142,128150,128158,128166,128175,128183,128101,128093,128226,128039,128217,128049,128208,128057,128201,128067,128076,128085,128192" nav="thumbs"]

“A Capitol Fourth” Independence Day Concert (photos)

July 12, 2012

“A Capitol Fourth” is the free annual Independence Day concert extravaganza on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year’s concert was hosted by Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron, of the hit TV series, “Dancing With the Stars”; and an all-star cast featuring Megan Hilty of TV’s “Smash”; four time Toni nominee Kelli O’Hara, Javier Colon winner of “The Voice”; R&B superstars Kool and the Gang and other’s. Olympian Apolo Ohno appeared in a tribute to Team USA and five-time Academy Award winner John Williams conducted his “Olympic Fanfare”.

We got some great close-ups at the dress rehearsal which you can view by clicking on the photo icons below.

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Carniverous Plants Featured at US Botanic Garden (photos)

July 6, 2012

The United States Botanic Garden’s exhibit on carnivorous plants will run through October 8, 2012. Savage Gardens: The Real and Imaginary World of Carnivorous Plants “tells the story of carnivorous plants and their astounding adaptations to inhospitable habitats. Combining science, botany and hands-on activity, the exhibit demonstrates the wonders of these unique plants and the importance of preserving the delicate environments in which they live.”.

On Saturday June 16, the Botanic Garden hosted a family festival on the Conservatory Terrace featuring ativities designed to educate and investigate the amazing world of plants that need to eat bugs to survive.
The Garden is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays. The Conservatory’s main entrance is located at 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001, on the National Mall just a block from the Capitol.

View our photos from the US Botanic Garden by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100862,126917,126925,126936,126944,126953,126961,126971,126979,126908,126900,126889,127011,126853,127006,126861,127000,126870,126995,126880,126987" nav="thumbs"]

All Eyes on Planet Venus at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (photos)

June 19, 2012

Hundreds of astronomy enthusiasts, young and old, turned out on the front porch of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on June 5 to view a rare astronomical event which occurs when the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun. It is something that won’t happen again for at least another 100 years. Though the show in the skies over Washington, D.C., was largely obscured by cloudy skies, the sun did peek out on a few occasions. A large video screen was on hand to show Venus as a black dot gliding across the disc of the sun in real time from an observatory in Hawaii. Smithsonian staff and volunteers were on hand with free viewing glasses and a variety of devices for observing the celestial event.

View our photos from the porch of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum by clicking on the icons below. [gallery ids="100836,126088,126080,126073,126065,126057,126103,126049,126108,126041,126115,126034,126121,126096" nav="thumbs"]

National Memorial Day Concert – Up Close (photos)

June 18, 2012

The annual National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday May 27 was interrupted about half way through due to a weather emergency. But we were able to grab close-up photos of the entire performance at the full dress rehearsal a day earlier inlcuding performances by Joe Montegna, Gary Sinise, Daughtry, Natalie Cole, Trace Adkins, Jessica Sanchez, Ellen Burstyn, Dennis Franz, Selma Blair and Russell Watson.

You can view our photos by clicking on the photo icons below.

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National Memorial Day Parade (photos)


The Annual National Memorial Day Parade, took place along Constitution Avenue in Washington DC on May 28, 2012. Consisting of a lineup of entertainers, veterans units, marching bands and patriotic floats, the parade honors those who have served and died to protect our liberties. The reviewing stand was symbolically positioned directly opposite the National Archives Building, the home to this nation’s most hollowed documents including The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. The parade as always began with the marching platoons of each of our armed services. It was televised around the nation and to our troops serving around the world.

View our parade photos by clicking on the photo icons below.

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Obamas Host 134th Annual White House Easter Egg Roll (photos)


The 134th annual White House Egg Roll attracted over 30,000 visitors to the White House South Lawn for a day of racing, reading and fun on Monday, April 9, 2012. The theme of this year’s egg roll was “Let’s Go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move!” which was modeled after the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” campaign. View our photos by clicking on the icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

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Komen Race for the Cure Draws 27,000 to the National Mall (photos)

June 11, 2012

The Susan G. Komen Foundation said that 27,000 walkers and runners participated in the Annual Komen global race for the cure for breast cancer on the National Mall in Washington D.C., on June, 2. The event drew about 30 percent fewer participants than last year due in large part to the organization’s controversial withdrawal of funding from Planned Parenthood. Komen quickly reversed the decision, but it left many wondering whether politics influenced its decision-making. That did not seem to diminish the enthusiasm of those that did turn out on a beautiful spring day. The Komen website estimated that $1.8 million was raised from Saturday’s walk.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation raises awareness and funding for breast cancer research and services. The opening ceremony was held at the Washington Monument. It is one of the largest 5K runs and fitness walks in the world.

View our photos of the event by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="100834,125857,125866,125874,125884,125892,125900,125908,125917,125925,125933,125941,125949,125958,125966,125849,125841,125998,125753,125993,125988,125761,125981,125770,125778,125787,125798,125808,125816,125824,125832,125974" nav="thumbs"]

Rolling Thunder Celebrates its 25th Year (photos)

June 4, 2012

For the 25th year, the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally thundered through Washington calling attention to veterans and those missing in action, on Sunday May 28. View our photos from the National Mall by clicking on the icons below. [gallery ids="100831,125650,125659,125667,125677,125685,125695,125705,125713,125641,125633,125748,125742,125735,125597,125729,125605,125614,125623,125722" nav="thumbs"]

Fiesta Asia Street Fair Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Pennsylvania Ave. (photos)

May 24, 2012

In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the National Asian Heritage Festival’s Fiesta Asia held their 7th annual street fair covering three full blocks on Pennsylvania Ave. near the Capitol on May 19. The event displayed various aspects of Asian art and culture featuring over 90 acts and 600 performers including musicians and dancers, the martial arts and a lion dance demonstration.

View our photos from the cultural stage by clicking on the photo icons below.
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