Disney set to Open in National Harbor

Disney in National Harbor

According to reports, Walt Disney Co. has decidedly purchased a 15-acre spread of land intended for a 500-room resort hotel in expansive National Harbor overlooking the Potomac River. Although previous reports had falsely identified the plans as an ambitious theme park (an idea previously revoked by the good people of Maryland, down with commercialism), the property is actually said to mimic similar plans made in Hawaii for a large scale Disney inspired hotel.

Many Washingtonians ask the question, what does this new development mean for blossoming National Harbor? Perhaps some minor Disnification of our nation’s greatest monuments and treasures is not such a bad thing. It will not only teach our children to become more involved in the field of historical accuracy or perhaps it will simply scar the youth of our country.

Currently, National Harbor is home to a number of attractions, including the Gaylord Resort, home to OnBoard D.C. Tours, six hotels, countless restaurants and is a prime conference destination rivaling that of the District. With the addition of the Disney hotel, National Harbor will continue its journey to a top spot for family and company tourism.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival

Reston Town Center; 05/16/2009 - 05/17/2009; 10a.m.-6p.m.

The 18th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival to be held on May 16th & 17th is a festival which includes performances by Cirque-Tacular, 225 artists, music, food and fun. The 2 day street festival expects to attract more than 50,000 people who get a chance to purchase, view and experience amazing art directly from the unique and talented artists who have created it. Be sure to check out this amazing festival which is rated as one of the top fine art festival on the East Coast by ArtFair SourceBook. Visit www.restonarts.org for more information.

ZooFari- National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C.

5/14/2009

Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, ZooFari combines the classic makings of a perfect evening with more than 100 of the DC Metro's finest restaurants, 15 wineries, live entertainment, and guests who support animal conservation. This year’s ZooFari is themed “An Elephant Affair,” commemorating the National Zoo's commitment to Asian elephants and will feature cuisine from acclaimed restaurants like Vidalia, 1789, BLT Steak, Poste, and many more. For all you oenophiles, the wineries included in the mix will be Benziger, Clos du Bois, and Kendall Jackson. Musical acts will range from jazz and R&B to country western and rock and guests can also participate in a silent auction which include amazing items like research with zoo scientists, cooking classes and more.

D.C. Happenings

Pan American Symphony Orchestra DC Tango Festival
(05/08/2009; Trinity University, 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington DC 20017; www.dctangofestival.com; $20)
Tango workshops with Alicia and Claudio (Wed. April 29 & Thurs. April 30)
Tango workshops with Annatina and Orlando (Friday May 1)
Tango workshops with Carolina and Anton (Sunday May 3)
Tango workshops with Carina Losano (Friday May 8)

22nd Annual Evening of Comedy
(05/02/2009; The Barns at Wolf Trap; 1635 Trap Rd.; $24)

D.C. Yoga Week
(May 2-9, 2009)
Time to shape up for less during D.C. Yoga Week which offers participants free & $5.00 classes at certain yoga studios. Hopefully after a class or two, people will be more aware about the amazing benefits that yoga provides. Check out the list below for participating locations.
Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill
Bikram Yoga Dupont
Bikram Yoga Tenleytown
Capitol Hill Yoga
Circle Yoga/Budding Yogis
Cleveland Park Yoga
Flow Yoga Center
Georgetown Yoga
Inspired Yoga
Shakti MindBody Studio
Somafit
Spiral Flight Yoga
Tranquil Space
Unity Woods Woodley Park
Unity Woods Tenleytown
Unity Woods St. Columba¹s

Cinco de Mayo Celebration in D.C.
(May 3, 2009, noon to 6 p.m.; Sylvan Stage, National Mall at 15th St. and Independence Ave.; Free)

The annually held Cinco de Mayo Festival in Washington, D.C. is a great celebration which features dance, arts & crafts, food, games, workshops and plenty of live music for the entire family. The annual festival is designed to showcase the rich and vibrant culture and history of the Latin American community. The festival will also feature performances from the Maru Montero Dance Company.

Passport D.C. 2009 (April 30-May 9, 2009)

Passport D.C. is the annually held showcase presented by Cultural Tourism D.C. which helps visitors and locals both celebrate the international culture of some of Washington’s most impressive embassies. The fête includes varied performances, lectures and exhibits as well as embassy open houses and events.

The Embassy Open Houses showcases embassies from a wide range of countries like Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Americas, with artists and artisans, performers, lecturers, professors etc. (May 2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Enjoy the International Children’s Festival at The Meridian International Center which introduces people to the customs, dress, and traditions of certain countries in a fun and educational fair. (May 9; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

D.C. Get Cultured

Films at the Avalon: Harvard Beats Yale 29 - 29
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Location: Avalon Theatre

Performance - American College Theater Festival: Tongues
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Friday, April 17, 2009
Location: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Gallery Talk - The Brush Stops Here: Presidential Portraits by Gilbert Stuart
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Location: National Gallery of Art

Concert - The Atrium Series: Bringing Music to the People
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 12:00 noon
Location: American University's Battelle-Tompkins Atrium

Gallery Talk: Emancipation Proclamation
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM
Location: The Library of Congress

Gallery Tour: Surface Beauty
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 2:15 PM
Location: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Lecture - Cathedral History Talk: How in the World Did They Build It?
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Washington National Cathedral

Music - Take Five!: JAM Fest Performance: Bemcha and Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum

Face to Face Portrait Talk: Ben Click on the Portrait of Mark Twain by John White Alexander
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: National Portrait Gallery

Music - The Rhythm Road: The Brian Horton Quartet / Rosanna Vitro
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM
Location: National Geographic Live!

Social Event: Open Arts Nights
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Katzen Arts Center at American University

Author Lecture - Cottage Conversations Speaker Series 2009: Daniel Epstein
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM
Location: President Lincoln's Cottage

Author Lecture and Book Signing - Evenings at The TM: That's a Quilt?! Tracing the Lineage of Contemporary Quilt Art
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM
Location: The Textile Museum

Lecture - Spotlight on Design: Andropogon Associates
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: National Building Museum

Workshop: A Meditation on Morandi
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Phillips Collection

Film - Lincoln: Trial by Fire / Small World
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The Library of Congress

Lecture - Valerie Fletcher on Louise Bourgeois: The Past as Present
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Walking Tour: The Most Haunted Houses
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Friday, April 17, 2009; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Lafayette Square

Lecture - TradInnovation: New Trends in Contemporary Korean Architecture
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:30 PM
Location: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Filmfest D.C. 2009

The 11 day affair, D.C. Filmfest will premiere this year on April 16 and will continue through the 26th. The annually held event features an extensive range of films, international, foreign as well as local that represents movies from over 30 different countries. In addition to the films themselves, the festival features workshops, discussions, premiere activities and free programs. A few of the participating locations are: Regal Cinemas, 701 7th St., NW, Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St., NW, Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut, Ave., NW. For more information visit www.filmfestdc.org. (General Admission is $10 although some events are free on a first come, first serve basis.)