Embassy Series: Your Musical Passport around the World
by Chrysoula Economopoulos
Continuing on the “around the world” theme from my latest post, music enthusiasts and those who are just plain curious to peek inside some of the almost 200 embassies and foreign representations in Washington, take note: the Embassy Series may be just the thing for you.
The Embassy Series opens the doors of embassies and ambassadors’ residences to the public by hosting concerts featuring American and international artists therein. Ultimately, these events aim to promote international understanding and global cultural diplomacy by featuring a country’s music or musical contributions.
According to the Embassy Series’ web site (www.embassyseries.org), “Such a backdrop allows the audience to ‘get a feel’ for the nation being represented, which is key to promoting and celebrating the diversity of both a host embassy and Series patrons.” In addition to the musical aspect, events provide guests with the opportunity to mix and mingle with the featured artist, other guests and embassy staff at a reception hosted after each event.
Since making its debut in 1994, here are some impressive statistics about the Embassy Series:
- Worked with over 100 ambassadors
- Hosted over 300 concerts at 46 different embassies
- Featured more than 500 artists
Preview of Performances
While the Embassy Series’ next performance at the new Chinese Embassy is sold out, celebrate Schubert’s Birthday at the Embassy of Austria on January 29, 2010 with acclaimed pianist Matthias Soucek. Soucek is the first Austrian and youngest winner of the International Brahms Competition in Hamburg, and has released seven CDs to date.
Next, welcome the beginning of spring a tad early on March 12, 2010 at the Ukrainian Embassy with pianist Inna Faliks. Faliks debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the young age of 15. She has since given recitals in Carnegie Hall, Paris’s Salle Cortot, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall, and more.
Jumping ahead a few performances and down to South America, enjoy An Evening of Tango at the Embassy of Argentina on June 12, 2010. This event and recent events at the residence of Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha, and at the Embassy of Bahrain demonstrate the many cultures and musical genres the Embassy Series spans in its very special version of cultural diplomacy.
Browsing through the list of other upcoming performances, you have a veritable musical passport around the world at your fingertips. All you have to do is book your ticket!
Rockin’ Out at the Sixth and I Street Synagogue
From the left: Zach Shields and Ryan Gosling of Dead Man's Bones performing at the Sixth and I Street Historic Synagogue
By Elisabeth Grant
Did you know that Ryan Gosling (heart throb from The Notebook) has a band? More importantly, did you know that it’s really good?
This past Saturday, Gosling’s band, Dead Man’s Bones, brought their eerie and soulful sound to the Sixth and I Street Historic Synagogue. Accompanied by a spooky gospel choir (outfitted in white robes and backlit by a haunting blue light), Gosling sang, played guitar, piano, keyboard, and even banged a drum once or twice, along with bandmate Zach Shields, a swanky female bluesy singer (whose name we just didn’t catch), and a drummer and bass player. Playing against a backdrop of a spooky house and graveyard, lighting and effects helped enhance the ghoulish nature of the songs.
Music fans and what looked like every female staffer from the Hill packed the intimate Synagogue, filling the pews and balconies until there was only standing room in the back. The audience bopped along to the beats, clapped when cued (and often just when the moment seemed right), and eventually stormed the front part of the stage to dance around.
Eerie lighting illuminates the gospel choir, and makes it difficult to take pictures
The Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, a “non-denominational, non-membership, non-traditional synagogue” hosts concerts, films, speakers, and comics throughout the year. Upcoming events include a discussion with Ami James of Miami Ink, a night of stand-up and sketch comedy with Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter, and a talk with author Mitch Albom about his new book.
The Sixth and I Street Historic Synagogue presents comedians, musicians, speakers, and others.