Georgetown’s Thai Village
• September 26, 2011

The Royal Thai Embassy will be bringing a Thai village to the center of Georgetown on Oct. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. There will be performances and exhibits of Thai regional demonstrations and traditional food and drink for the attendees. Admission is free, while food and drink will be for sale. All are invited to attend.

There will be various performances, such as a Muay Thai demonstration, long drum dance, Thai musical tunes using traditional instruments and a Thai fencing baton dance. These performances will be held on Grace Church’s front lawn, which is across the street from the embassy.

Nipatsorn Kampa, a first secretary at the Thai Embassy, said there are going to be two types of Thai traditional performances available to see. One will be from the more mainstream style, originating in central Thailand, and the other one will represent the northeast region of Thailand.

“One of our purposes of holding this event is for cultural promotion. We want to reach out to the community, and that’s why we are hosting the performances at Grace Church,” said Kampa. “They are our neighbor, and we want to let the community know we are here.”

While Grace Church will be hosting the performances on its front lawn, the embassy will be opening its first floor to present the various dishes. They have gathered the Northern Thai Association, the Thai Isan (north east) Association, Washington, D.C., the Southern Thailand Association, Washington, D.C., and the Thai Ambassador’s Kitchen to provide the food dishes from the four respective regions of Thailand — North, Northeastern, Central and South.

Other activities will be taking place inside the embassy to acknowledge the ongoing relationship between Thailand and the U.S. There will be a drawing exhibit to show how American children look at Thailand, and their completed drawings and paintings will appear on display in the embassy. Chitaphan Barnes, a cultural project assistant working at the embassy, said there are many entries of drawings and paintings, and they have appointed judges to select the best content to display.

“They are still in the process of selecting the drawings, but they will be ready for the event,” Barnes said.

Digital Bookmobile National Tour Coming to D.C.
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Learn how to download free eBooks, audiobooks, music and video when D.C.-area libraries and the National Book Festival host Digital Bookmobile National Tour Event Sept. 20 through 21 and 24 through 25.

According to The Digital Bookmobile’s website, DigitalBookMobile.com, the Bookmobile is a 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor-trailer which tours the country to promote public libraries’ digital download services. The high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile offers an engaging experience with the host library’s digital download service, said a press release from OverDrive, which operates Digital Bookmobile and powers download websites at more that 15,000 libraries worldwide.

If you own an iPhone, an Android, a tablet or any other similar gadget, this is the time for you to explore digital download possibilities. According to the press release, the Digital Bookmobile holds a gadget gallery featuring different devices, which will help visitors discover portable devices that are compatible with the digital download service.

The Digital Bookmobile will visit George Mason University Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 1 to 7 p.m. and the Arlington Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 1 to 7 p.m. During the weekend, you will find the Digital Bookmobile at The National Mall visiting the National Book Festival, Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25 from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

These free events will offer interactive demonstrations to readers of all ages, showing how to use the digital download service from your local library. The same press release states that the download service is available 24/7 on the library’s website. From there, you can browse and download digital titles, transfer them between your mobile devices and enjoy. At the end of the lending period, the titles will automatically expire without any late fees. Anyone with a library card can find a digital library by visiting Digital Bookmobiles’ website, DigitalBookMobile.com, and typing in a local zip code.

Trunk Show at Everard’s Clothing
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Saturday, Sept. 24, Everard’s Clothing on Wisconsin Avenue will be hosting a trunk show for men and women featuring Romanian-gone-New-York-designer Yoana Baraschi and Italian designer Daniel Dolce. 10 percent of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the USO, a non-profit organization dedicated to “lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families.”

Everard’s Clothing is an upscale, full boutique, serving both women and men with designers from all over the world. According to his website, Louis Everard has 15 years of experience in the clothing industry and has won numerous industry awards for his work.

Daniel Dolce, according to his website, aims to design timeless and unique pieces that complement the well-dressed gentlemen. His latest campaign features model Shane Duffy, a U.S. military veteran. Duffy was scouted by a model agency in New York and quickly signed to work for Daniel Dolce. At the trunk show, both Dolce and Duffy will make an appearance.

Yoana Baraschi has been in the industry for 20 years working for designers like Betsey Johnson, and for the last nine years she has been designing her own line of women’s wear including dresses and jackets. Baraschi’s New York Fashion Week show featured androgynous Serbian-Australian model Andrej Pejik, famous for his feminine looks. Representatives from Yoana Baraschi will also be at the trunk show to showcase her Fall 2011 and Holiday 2011 collections.

The trunk show will take place on Sept. 24 at Everard’s Clothing on 1802 Wisconsin Ave., NW, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Daughters of Politics: Kara Kennedy and Eleanor Mondale
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The children of American politicians — especially those politicians who loom large in the public imagination and history books — are always bathed in a kind of reflective light that lasts longer than perhaps it should and is more intense than it might be for the children of less famous parents.

When those children pass away unexpectedly and too soon, memories are recalled. When we lose two in the space of a weekend, the memories are larger and thicker. The deaths of Kara Kennedy, oldest child of Sen. Ted Kennedy, and Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former vice president and presidential aspirant Walter Mondale, both at the age of 51, come as a shock and invoke memories of their families, historical and political times, and most of all each of the women’s singular spirits.

Kara Kennedy, who had apparently beaten back the threat of lung cancer with tough, draining treatments, reportedly died after working out at a health club. Her brother, Patrick, acting as the family’s spokesman, was quoted as saying “her heart gave out.” She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003.

Kara Kennedy was a filmmaker, a video and television producer, a board member of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, and a director and national trustee of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

She is survived by her brothers Patrick and Edward Kennedy, Jr., her mother Joan Kennedy, her husband Michael Allen and two teenage children, Grace and Max, and the rest of the extended Kennedy family.

There is no escaping that part of her story — she was born in 1960 when her father was campaigning for his brother John F. Kennedy in his heated race against Richard Nixon for the U.S. Presidency, and not too long thereafter her father won a tough Senate race. She was born to a life where politics and history were only a breath away. She and her brother Edward helped run her father’s senate campaign in 1988.

Her battle with illness and her deep interest in Very Special Arts, which was founded by her aunt Jean Kennedy Smith, speak to the Kennedy name and its triumphs, tragedies and compassionate efforts.

Ted Kennedy, who had a failed presidential run but was deemed the “Lion of the Senate,” was the last of the four great brothers – Joe, John, and Robert. Joe was killed in World War II, and John and Robert were assassinated while Ted died of a brain tumor. Kara Kennedy accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her father in 2009, shortly before he passed away.

Those facts don’t begin to tell the Kennedy saga: They’re like its sharpened, jagged outline. It seems every time we lose a Kennedy, we mourn them all again and reflect on their achievements and lives as individuals and as part of the family.

Eleanor Mondale was in her twenties, vivid and as sparkling as a glass of champagne when her father, a huge political figure in Minnesota and former vice president under Jimmy Carter, decided to challenge Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Mondale won the nomination and made Geraldine Ferraro his running mate, the first time a woman had been so picked. The choice was a ground breaking event, and enlivened what sometimes seemed like a doomed result, which was a crushing defeat for Mondale.

Eleanor Mondale, blonde, smart, charming and lively, gamely campaigned for her father and in the aftermath carved out her own career in the media as a radio show host and entertainment writer. She also did some acting including small parts in “Dynasty” and “Three’s Company” as well as being a constant focus for paparazzi. She was one of those people who seemed to attract the light without trying too hard — she was witty and photogenic, and more than one media type had dubbed her a “wild child.”

That may have had something to do with her personal life. She was married three times and tended to be attracted to athletes and rock stars, marrying Chicago Bears lineman Keith Van Horne, DJ Greg Thunder and Chan Poling of the rock group The Suburbs. She and Poling, whom she married in 2005, lived on a farm in Prior Lake, Minn.

Eleanor Mondale was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2005.

‘Tosca’ at the Washington National Opera
• September 22, 2011

There are at least three good reasons to see the Washington National Opera Company’s production of “Tosca” at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House.

They are Patricia Racette, Alan Held and Frank Paretta, the principals in this hugely popular and classically melodramatic opera. The fourth is Giacamo Puccini once again displaying all the reasons why he’s up there with Wagner, Verdi and even Mozart as composers of enduring operas.

“Tosca”— one of Pucinni’s three great operas that includes “La Boeheme” and “Madame Butterfly”—is probably the least familiar among his works, maybe because of its less comfortable setting (Rome in the time of the Naoleonic forays into Italy in the early 19th century) and because it isn’t stuffed with long arias or overly crowded with secondary characters. It’s Tosca, her boyfriend and her nemesis, and the rest are window dressings with lesser functions.
But Tosca, an almost feverishly passionate and direct woman, volatile as a volcano, is the main show.

She is an artist, a renowned singer (from whence we get the word diva, apparently), who’s in love with another artist, the appealing painter Cavaradossi, who sings like an angel on top of everything else. But then there’s Count Scarpia (a villain by any other name, but especially this one), the chief of the secret police, relentless, cruel, completely amoral, who’ll torture and kill anyone who gets in the way of what he wants. In this case, he wants Tosca and he’s got Cavaradossi, who’s hiding a rebel in his estate.

Scarpia puts Tosca in an impossible situation—he promises to let Cavaradossi go—staging a “fake” execution” if she succumbs to his advances, although he’s already come closing to raping her. But Scarpia has underestimated his prey even as she’s appearing to agree to the devil’s bargain.

And so it goes—love, murder, passion, betrayal and it all ends very badly, about as badly for all concerned as you get. “Tosca” puts the T into operatic tragedy to say the least. But this is what we want in tragedy—the fun and the kind of feeling and music can you get out of a happily-ever-after. Imagine if Romeo and Juliet had lived and gotten married. Not so much.

Puccini is every the innovator here: the arias—including the famous duet in the last act—are nothing less that focused, concise and powerful, not leaving room for anything less than powerful emotions. “Tosca,” like the upcoming “Lucia di Lammermoor,” is of course in the grand tradition of high dudgeon melodrama, full of improbabilities not the least of which was someone charging on stage announcing that “we’ve lost the battle.” “What battle?” you might ask, but never mind. A little thing like that never stopped lust, lost love and mayhem.

And Racette—who’s known far and wide for her “Tosca”—justifies the acclaim with her beautiful soprano voice, singing strongly and clearly, with very little, if any, showboating and a consistent acting performance that makes Tosca a full-bodied, full-blooded character.

Held, a bass—baritone who’s building a solid resume with Wagnerian performances, makes an imposing Scarpia, a man with giant appetites and a fierce, dangerous quality. He’s bigger than life and casts a huge presence. He’s answerable to no one, and you get a good idea of that when he sings of his plans and desires for Tosca wile a “Te Deum” can be heard in the background.

Tenor Frank Paretta, mainly through his gorgeous singing and his chin-out stances of bravery makes Cavaradocci a heroic, romantic figure.

You can also get a glimpse of opera legend Placido Domingo, no longer the man in charge at the WNO, but conducting for this production.

“Tosca” is the first WNO production in its new affiliation with the Kennedy Center and it’s a popular choice and a focused execution that delivers the considerable virtues of the work, it roars with melodrama, and affecting singing and performances.

Between Rain Drops, Fashion’s Night Out Parties On
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The show went on Sept. 8 despite the seemingly endless rain. Fashion’s Night Out in Georgetown involved businesses up and down Wisconsin Avenue and east and west along M Street. From Urban Chic down to M29, from a book signing at Appalachian Spring to fashion shows at Betsey Johnson and at the Latham Hotel, and over to the PNC parking lot for a photo booth and the Georgetowner office for a model shoot by Patrick Ryan, fashion fun-seekers checked out the scene. Dean & Deluca offered food and wine along with a deejay, and L2 Lounge was the place for the pre-party to kick off the night.

Started two years ago in New York, Fashion’s Night Out came to Georgetown last year with the help of the Georgetown Business Improvement District and other businesses. The Georgetown BID took the lead again this year. The co-hosts involved some favorite, fashionable usual suspects: Mary Amons, Annie Lou Bayly, Katherine Boyle, Kelly Collis, Marie Coleman, Rachel Cothran, Jeff Dufour, Lynda Erkiletian, Angie Goff, Walter Grio, Philippa Hughes, Samy K, Svetlana Legetic, Kate Michael, Sarah Schaffer, Janice Wallace, Andre Wells and Paul Wharton.

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Fall Arts Preview at The Ralls Collection
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The Georgetowner would like to thank everyone who came to our Fall Arts Preview event last Monday at The Ralls Collection. Our beautiful venue was made even better by a night filled with wonderful company. A special thanks to Marsha Ralls for hosting the event and to all the companies and organizations who donated prizes for our raffle drawing. [gallery ids="100289,107432,107453,107437,107449,107442,107446" nav="thumbs"]

Weekend Roundup August 25, 2011
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War of 1812 Commemoration: Self-Guided Themed Tours

August 27, 2011 | 11-3PM |

Washington in flames could be seen as far away as Baltimore on August 24, 1814. Honor the anniversary of Dolley Madison’s flight, first to “Belle Vue” (today known as Dumbarton House), as the British advanced on Washington. Learn about the capital city during the War of 1812. After touring the museum, enjoy a sampling of “Dolley Cake,” Mrs. Madison’s favorite, a delicious caramel confection – while supplies last! Regular admission fee applies.

Address

The Dumbarton House

2715 Q St NW

Telephone: 202-337-2288

Sunday Community Yoga Class

August 28, 2011

Leanne Davis, our quarterly instructor and local yoga guru, leads a Vinyasa flow class, this and every Sunday in our in-store studio. Everyone is welcome; class is suitable for beginners and those more experienced in their practice. Bring a mat. Bring some water. And join us!

Address

Lululemon Athletica

3265 M St NW

Heidi Martin Sings George Gershwin!

September 1, 2011

Join us for a seated concert in the contemporary Belle Vue Room ballroom at Dumbarton House for our first-ever Gershwin concert. Chanteuse Heidi Martin will delight with classic Gershwin standards such as “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” and many more! Two sets of different music, and you are welcome to attend one or stay for both! Fee,concessions cash sales only.

Address

The Dumbarton House

2715 Q St NW

Telephone: 202-337-2288

Wine in the Water Park

September 2nd, 2011 at 07:00 PM | Free Admission |

Wine in the Water Park brings the mood-setting, ambient music of DJ Adrian Loving, wine and beer carefully selected by the Washington Wine Academy, and free snacks from Jaleo to the Crystal City Water Park (across from 1750 Crystal Drive). Taking place every Friday in September (September 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th) from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the event gives residents, office workers, and visitors a great place to unwind after the work week.

Address

Crystal City Water Park (across from 1750 Crystal Drive)

International Salute Gala Dinner
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On August 24, 2011 at the National Building Museum, the National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. has created the International Salute Gala Dinner to honor global leaders for peace. This formal dinner will initiated five days of Dedication events and commemorates the men and women who continue to pursue the dream of global peace and social equality, a goal championed by Dr. King in his universal message. [gallery ids="100277,107099,107115,107111,107107,107104" nav="thumbs"]

Obama’s Georgetown Visit Upsets Some Residents
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Yesterday evening, President Obama attended a fundraiser for the Democratic Party in Georgetown. The fundraiser was in the home of Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, former ambassador to Portugal, in northeastern Georgetown. Visits by Obama are usually welcomed in the area, but yesterday surrounding streets were closed for a long period of time, preventing people from getting home. One of the residents in the area, Ronda Bernstein, expressed her discontent in a Georgetown forum saying, as quoted in the Georgetown Patch, that “…it is UNACCEPTABLE for them to close off the sidewalks to those of us who live here and need to get home because the President is being entertained.”