From our friends at Passport DC...
Events DC Presents the 9th Annual Passport DC, a Cultural Tourism Signature Event
Journey the Globe with Embassy Open Houses, Street Festivals, Performances, and Exhibits
Events DC presents a Cultural Tourism DC signature event, Passport DC - a month-long celebration in May comprising international programs and events around Washington, DC. Visitors and residents have the opportunity to travel around the world without ever leaving the city. Last year, tours of nearly 70 embassies and hundreds of international cultural activities, including street festivals, performances and exhibitions, entertained and educated visitors as they took part in the festivities.
"Passport DC is a profound way for people to learn by experience. It provides a uniquely DC opportunity for people to uncover the similarities among nations across the globe and compare their art, dance, music, textiles, food and so much more. It showcases a fascinating array of customs from around the globe," said Cultural Tourism DC Executive Director Steve Shulman.
The National Cathedral Flower Mart
Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2016
10 AM to 5 PM
Each spring, gardening and flower aficionados throughout the mid-Atlantic flock to Flower Mart to see the Exhibit, which features floral creations from more than 20 embassies. This year Flower Mart will include numerous vendors of artisanal gifts, festival foods, international musical and dance performances, children’s rides, and Cathedral and garden tours.
Events DC Presents Around the World Embassy Tour
Saturday, May 7, 2016
10 AM to 4 PM
Participants travel the globe at the Around the World Embassy Tour as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations, and manufactured goods from different countries. More than 40 embassies will open their doors to visitors, allowing guests to pet alpacas, taste international cuisines, learn indigenous dances, and more! Visit the AWET page for the names of the participating embassies.
Shortcut to Europe: European Union Embassies' Open House
Saturday, May 14, 2016
10 AM to 4 PM
The European Union Delegation to the U.S. and the embassies of the 28 EU Member States invite visitors to experience the authentic music, dance, food, film, and art of these distinctive nations. The complete list of the participating embassies is available online at EUOpenHouse.org.
National Asian Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia Street Fair
Saturday, May 21, 2016
10 AM to 7 PM
The Asia Heritage Foundation's annual festival, held on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between Third and Sixth Streets, features outdoor craft exhibits, cooking and martial arts demonstrations, a talent show, flash mob dancing, and much more. Voted numerous times as the Best Street Fair in Washington, Fiesta Asia is an exciting opportunity to visit DC ahead of the summer rush! Fiesta Asia Street Fair features over 1,000 performers on five stages representing more than 20 cultures. Attendees can experience Pan-Asian cuisine, a shopping bazaar, kid-friendly, interactive activities, a talent competition, a parade, dancing, and traditional and contemporary Asian crafts.
Embassy Chef Challenge produced by Events DC
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Embassy Chef Challenge provides access to one of DC's best-kept secrets: world-class embassy chefs. More than a dozen embassy chefs will present small plates of their country's signature delicacies and battle in DC's premier international culinary competition. A panel of celebrity chefs and food critics will select the winner of the Judge's Choice Award, while guests vote for their favorite chef as the People's Choice winner.
International Programming:
Cultural Tourism DC's affiliates present internationally-themed programs throughout May. Visit the International Programming page for a complete list.
The European Union Delegation to the US also presents its fourth annual European Month of Culture, which highlights the diverse cultures of the 28 European Union Member States through musical performances, art exhibits, dance, film screenings, book readings, lectures, and workshops. The celebration takes place at various venues in DC, including the National Gallery of Art, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, The Library of Congress, The Phillips Collection, Catholic University of America, NYU Washington, EU Embassies, and EU Cultural Institutes. Learn more at EUintheUS.org
Links:
Event website: www.CulturalTourismDC.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CulturalTourismDC
Instagram: @culturaltourismdc
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dcculture
Hashtags: #PassportDC and #EmbassyChef
Passport DC Sponsors:
Events DC, British Virgin Islands Tourism Board, The Washington Diplomat, The Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Daimler, Forest City, Linda Roth Associates Inc., Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Destination DC, Caterpillar, The Embassy Row Hotel, Washington DC Economic Partnership, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Community Partners are WMATA and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s Reagan National and Dulles International Airports.
About Cultural Tourism DC:
Cultural Tourism DC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to deliver memorable experiences and learning opportunities in the areas of heritage, international exchange, and humanities. Through its five celebrated signature programs, Cultural Tourism DC works to broaden, deepen, and diversify audiences for the arts and in DC - audiences whose participation enriches the creative economy of the city.
About Events DC:
Events DC is the face of conventions, sports, entertainment and cultural events within our nation’s capital. As the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, Events DC leverages the beauty, history and diversity of the most powerful city in the world to attract and promote an extensive variety of events, resulting in amazing experiences for residents and visitors alike, and generating economic and community benefits for the city.