Around the World in 31 Days with Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport Dc
Around the world in 31 days with Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport Dc
Journey the Globe with International Activities, Street Festivals, Embassies Open Houses, and much more all in Washington, DC during May
Washington, DC – Passport DC, a month-long celebration of international culture, returns this May to take DC visitors and residents on a global journey though Washington, DC. Now in its fourth year, Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport DC explores the international community that is a vital part of DC culture though street festivals, open houses, embassy events, special performances, and much more. All Passport DC events are open to the public and most are either free or at a low cost.
Last year, more than 160,000 people participated in Passport DC by visiting the 60 embassies that participated in open houses, participating in the two major festivals, or attending the 37 international events of during May. This year’s signature events include: Short Cut to Europe: European Union Embassies’ Open House (May 7), Around the World Embassy Tour (May 14), National Aisan Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia Street Fair (May 21), and Meridian International Children’s Festival (May 21). In addition to its signature events, Passport DC includes international programming including performances, lectures, concerts, and much more throughout the month.A complete list of Passport DC events will be available at www.CultrualTourismDC.org in April.
“Passport DC is a chance to honor and explore the many cultures that are represented in Washington, DC,” said Cultural Tourism DC Executive Director Linda Donavan Harper. “There is no better place to have this grand celebration than in Washington, DC, a truly global city. Washington’s many embassies and international organizations influence the culture of DC. Passport DC serves as a gateway for exploring the world that is located in our own backyard.”
The capstone event of Passport DC, the Around the World Embassy Tour, will be on Saturday May 14, 2011. From 10 am to 4 pm, more than 30 embassies representing six continents will open their doors to DC visitors and residents. Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, and music of different countries. Last year visitors were treated to wine tastings, karate demonstrations, sari wrapping lessons, henna demonstrations, and authentic tea room tours. The Around the World Embassy Tour is free event.
In addition to the Around the World Embassy Tour, Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport DC includes the following signature events:
- Short Cut to Europe: European Union Embassies’ Open House: May 7 – A tour inside the embassies of the European Union member countries and a showcase of the EU countries’ distinctive cultures. Presented in partnership with the European Union Delegation to the USA.
- National AsianHeritage Festival: Fiesta Asia Street Fair: May 21 –The National Asia Heritage Foundation, in partnership with Passport DC, presents this street festival honoring the diverse cultures of Asia.
- Meridian International Children’s Festival: May 21 – This festival introduces the next generation of global travelers to cultures around the world. Presented in partnership with the Meridian International Center.
- Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport DC sponsors include Rosetta Stone; DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; Coca-Cola; DAIMLER; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Sports Authority.
For more information or high resolution images, please contact Jessica Marlatt at JMarlatt@CulturalTourismDC.org or 202-626-1133
About Cultural Tourism DC
An independent nonprofit coalition of more than 230 culture, heritage, and community-based organizations, Cultural Tourism DC and its members help residents and visitors experience DC’s authentic culture and heritage. For more information, visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581.
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City:
Washington, DC
Date:
February 23, 2011
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“The DC Jazz Jam has provided a tremendous boost to DC’s indigenous jazz scene. [The] cadre of fine musicians at Dahlak have managed to create a warm, inviting, encouraging, and creative environment at their weekly jam sessions, which is no small accomplishment. Experienced professionals, like myself, attend the jam to relax, stretch out musically, and network with other players. But at the same time, the DC Jazz Jam has proved to be the perfect setting for younger talent to come out, and have some of their first experiences playing in front of an audience and to learn their craft in the laboratory of a nurturing jam session. In this manner, the DC Jazz Jam is but the latest chapter in Washington’s long history with America’s classical music, jazz.”