Festival

Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

From an email:

The Library of Congress’ two-day National Book Festival is happening later this month, on Sept. 22 & 23 at the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. Co-chaired by President Obama and Mrs. Obama, this year’s event draws an impressive lineup of authors, including Walter Isaacson, Tony Horwitz, Tom Friedman, Chris Matthews, Jewel, Sandra Cisneros, Patricia Cornwell, Lois Lowry, R.L. Stine, and a host of other well-known writers.

· Walter Isaacson – Media veteran and intellectual, his most recent book is Steve Jobs: A Biography. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute.

· Tom Friedman – Pulitzer-prize winning economist, journalist, and author. His most recent book is That Used to Be Us, which analyzes the impact of globalization, technology, and energy on the U.S.

· Patricia Cornwell – Critically acclaimed crime author will talk about her latest novel, The Bone Bed, which is part of her series focusing on Chief Medical Examiner, Kay Scarpetta.

· Jewel – Singer, songwriter, poet, and author of the children’s book That’s What I’d Do.

This year’s festival theme is “Books That Shaped America.” Authors and the public are invited to share their favorite books that shaped who they’ve become. A series of podcast interviews with select festival authors will be released here.

For more information and a complete list of authors, visit www.loc.gov/bookfest.

When: Sept. 22 & 23
9/22: 10am – 5:30pm
9/23: 12pm – 5:30pm

Where:
The National Mall, between 9th & 14th Streets

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From DC State Fair:

DC had no county or state fair where DC residents can show off their talents in baking, canning, urban agriculture, poetry, and photography. Three years ago, local food and garden bloggers decided that was a shame and started DC State Fair, which features contests such as Tastiest Tomato, Funkiest-Looking Vegetable, Best Homemade Pie, a DC neighborhood photography contest, and Best Homemade Jam, to name a few. For the first time ever, DC State Fair has added Sewing, Knit & Crochet, Honey, Heaviest Fruit, Fermented Vegetable, and Kids’ Art and Poetry Contests to the 2012 Fair so more of DC’s residents can showcase their talents. DC residents can submit their entries for a chance to win everlasting glory (and prizes!). DC State Fair will be judging entries for most contests, announcing contest winners, and putting on educational demonstrations on Saturday, September 22, at the Barracks Row Fall Festival.

Beyond the vegetable, cooking, and art competitions and educational demonstrations on homebrewing, beekeeping, canning, and vegetables run by DC State Fair, Barracks Row Fall Festival itself will feature stages with musical acts and other entertainment, a petting zoo, the Military Chef’s Cook-Off, and many other activities and groups focused on the Barracks Row neighborhood.

DC State Fair’s has succeeded in turning this event into an annual tradition that aims to foster community spirit and celebrate DC’s talented residents. Be sure to check out the contests, submit your entries, and swing by the Fair to experience the fun!

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From a press release:

On August 24th and 25th, 2012, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) will host its 9th annual Dance DC Festival – a festival which highlights the folk traditions of the world through live music and dance. The events will be held at various locations throughout the city and are free and open to the public. This year, the DCCAH will celebrate the foundation of rhythmic expression in every culture around the world – the drum.

“Dance DC Festival is one of our signature events each year,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “It’s a great reflection of the diversity of Washington, and gives our residents a chance to celebrate one of the common threads that all cultures share – the art of dance.”

Beginning Friday, August 24th, the festival begins at the Atlas Performing Arts Center with an event entitled, The Drum. The opening will feature performances by the Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company, Grufolpawa, Flamenco Aparicio, Fiddle Puppet Dancers, Lesole’s Dance Project, Just Tap, and Nana Malaya

An interactive workshop series highlighting several dance forms, including Tango Bharatanatyam and Capoeira, will be held at the Atlas, followed by Dance Asia: Asia in Maskquerade at the Kennedy Center. This performance will present Asian masks and their roles in folk dance, traditional ceremonies, rituals and traditions.

The closing event, Move N’ Groove, featuring hand dancing, will take place at Twelve Lounge at 1123 H Street, NE. Hand dancing is a form of swing dance that can be traced back to the 1920s, from Lindy Hop, to Jitterbug and to the 50’s when D.C. developed its own version and named it “Hand Dance”. It is characterized by gliding footwork and continuous hand connection/communication between the partners, hence its name.

Schedule of events after the jump: (more…)