APRIL 2009
Washington, DC.
April 2, 6pm: Opening night reception for the gallery showing of “A Creative Journey with Two Artistic Cultures” by Wen Aqui, John Beckley, T.H. Gomillion and Alicia Meza.
Andres Bello Hall of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
1099 30th Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20007 RSVP: 202.342.6828
April 6, 4pm: Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. Open Rehearsal. For tickets, please call the WPAS box office at 202.785.9727.
Mention the code: VC10
Month-long Earth Day Celebration Environmental Film Showcase
All films: 6:30pm with English subtitles
April 8: Tierras de Agua Dulce
April 15: Cunaro and El Canto de la Noche
April 22: A los Pies de Canaima
Andres Bello Hall at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20007
April 24 and 29: Chocolate Tastings By Biaggio Chocolate
A tasting of fine chocolates made with Venezuelan cacao.
Tickets $20
For reservations: cultura@embavenez-us.org
MARCH 2009
Washington, DC.
A film series at the Embassy of Venezuela in Washington takes place each Thursday in March. The event is free and open to the public. Details here.
FEBRUARY 2009
Toronto, Canada
The Glendon College campus of York University is hosting a day-long symposium on Venezuela on February 28th with speakers including former Vice President Adina Bastidas, James Early of the Smithsonian Institution, Venezuelan sociologist Maria Victor and economist Clara Herrera. Panels will address foreign relations, trade, security, and development. For details, visit www.venezuelasymposium.org
Washington DC metro area
The famous Venezuelan folk quartet “Los Guaraguao” are playing two shows in the Washington, DC area. The first is on Thursday, February 12th in Hayattsville, Maryland at the Langley Park Boys & Girls Club located at 1515 Merrimac Drive (tickets $35). Then on Friday the 13th (yikes!) catch them in Fairfax, Virginia at the Kena Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd ($40). Both shows start at 7 pm. Call (240) 305-9547 for information. Watch an ad for the show below!
NOVEMBER 2008
New York City
An exhibition by the Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diaz called “(In)formed by Color” is on display at the Americas Society in New York until December 13th. See the exhibition at 680 Park Avenue, Wednesday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. Read a description here.
Washington, DC
The work of four Venezuelan artists — Morella Jurado, Rómulo Peña Carlos Ancheta and Alejandro Pernía — is on display until December 21st at the Katzen Arts Center at 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW. An opening will be held November 22nd from 6 to 9pm. RSVP by calling 202-342-6828. Sponsored by the Embassy of Venezuela and the Ibero-American Cultural Attaches Association.
Boston, MA
Boston’s Berklee College of Music in holds its 10th annual Latin Culture Celebration on November 20th and 21st. Music educators from countries throughout Latin America including Francisco Noya of Venezuela will share experiences in a panel discussion on November 20th at 1:15 p.m. Room 1W, 1140 Boylston St. Click here for information about other events.
Philadelphia, PA
The famous Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel makes his Philadelphia debut at the Kimmel Center on November 19th. For tickets and more info, click here.
OCTOBER 2008
Camden, NJ
The Casa de Venezuela presents its annual music and dance show called Venezuelan Expressions. Sunday, October 26th at 3 pm, located at 1 Harbour Blvd. in Camden. For more info, click here.
Washington, DC
From October 20th to 23rd, check out the second annual Ibero-American Guitar Festival. Performers hail from Venezuela and many other Latin American nations, as well as Portugal and Spain. Hosted by George Washington University and the Association of Ibero-American Cultural Attaches in Washington, DC. Get all the details right here.
Atlanta, Raleigh Durham, New York, Tampa, Chicago, Houston
Serenata Guyanesa, a Venezuelan vocal and instrumental quartet famous for children’s music will be touring the U.S. from October 7-19. Admission is free. Bring the whole family! For show dates, times, and venues, click here.
Los Angeles
The Venezuelan and Colombian group Los Llaneros performs lively plains music, complete with accordion, harp, and cuatro. They will participate in “World City” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. Catch them on October 11th. All shows are free. For more information, click here.
New Brunswick, NJ
Set to a one-of-a-kind musical score influenced by classical and medieval Afro-Arabian music, the Venezuela Viva show features harps, maracas, bandolas, flamenco box, and drums, culminating in a sensual feast for both the eyes and ears. Passionate, energetic, and steeped in cultural pride, Venezuela Viva is sure to blow your mind! The concert takes place on October 11th. For more info and to watch them perform, visit the State Theatre.
Arlington, VA
The 11th Annual International Festival of Hispanic Theater, put on by Teatro de la Luna, ignites the Washington performing arts scene once again. This year, the festival will include troupes from Venezuela as well as Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Uruguay. Check it out from October 7th to November 15th at the Gunston Arts Center. Schedule TBA. Visit www.teatrodelaluna.org.
Washington, DC
This year’s Latin American Film Festival in DC features Cyrano Fernandez, a romance set in the poor barrios of contemporary Caracas. Showing Sunday October 5th at 3pm, and Monday October 6th at 9pm at AFI Silver Theater near Silver Spring Metro. Visit http://www.dclatinamericanfilmfestival.org/
SEPTEMBER 2008
Washington, DC
This year’s Latin American Film Festival in DC features Postcards from Leningrad (Postales de Leningrado), a fantastical children’s perspective on revolutionary struggles in the 1960s. Showing on Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st at 1pm, AFI Silver Theater near Silver Spring Metro. Visit http://www.dclatinamericanfilmfestival.org/
Arlington, VA
Arpas de América, the Latin American Harp Festival, will take place at the Rosslyn Spectrum on September 12th and 13th at 7:30 pm. Performers are Eduardo Betancourt of Venezuela, Edmar Castañeda of Colombia, and Mario González of Paraguay. For tickets and more information, call 703-548-3092 or click here.
JULY 2008
Boston, MA
The Venezuelan flute player Huascar Barradas performs on Saturday, July 19th at Festival Betances, the oldest Latino community arts festival in New England. Catch the show from 6:15-7:15 pm at the Casa de la Cultura at 85 West Newton St.
Washington, DC
The Venezuelan Sounds concert series presents pianist Leo Blanco at the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage on July 18th at 6pm. The show is free and open to the public. No tickets required. For more info, click here.
Philadelphia
The 2008 Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian film festival features the movie “Alondra, A Transsexual Diary,” which is about the transformative journey of a Venezuelan transsexual living in Spain. The movie airs at 5pm on Saturday, July 12th and Friday, July 18th. For more info, click here.
JUNE 2008
New York City
On Monday, June 30th, celebrate Venezuela’s Independence Day (July 5) by attending a forum on the future of Latin America. Speakers include Venezuela’s Ambassador to the U.S., the first female Vice President of Venezuela, Afro-Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, and Ecuador’s Ambassador to the UN. The forum is hosted by the Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in New York. The event takes place at 6:30pm at 101 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. To RSVP, email: eramirez@consulado-ny.gov.ve
Chicago
Venezuela’s culinary traditions are coming to Chicago! On June 18th, Chef Kim Bisk demonstrates how to cook with the exotic flavors of Venezuela. The class costs $65 and will be held at 6:30 pm at Someone’s in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. To register, call 847-816-9511.
San Francisco
On June 8th, check out “Fiesta Venezuela,” a jazz concert featuring three Venezuelan performers: the Ensemble Venezuela, VNote Ensemble, and guitarist Aquiles Baez. The show is at 7 pm at the Herbst Theater, located at 401 Van Ness Avenue. To purchase tickets, click here.
Washington, DC
The Venezuelan flute player Huascar Barradas performs at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe on June 20th. At the Natural History Museum from 6:30 to 10 pm. Admission is $12. For more information, click here or call 202-633-8801.
Houston, TX
Artwork by Venezuelan painter Lorena B. Fernandez is included an exhibition called “Of Women” on display at the Midtown Art Center Tea Room in Houston from April 11- June 28. For more information, call 713-521-8803 or visit www.midtownartcenter.com
New Haven, CT
A new exhibition of modernist architecture at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum at Yale University features video footage of Caracas taken by the Venezuelan artist Alexander Apóstol. The exhibition, called “Painting the Glass House: Artists Revisit Modern Architecture,” runs through July 27. For information, call (203) 438-4519.
MAY 2008
Salt Lake City
The Living Traditions Festival includes a performance on May 16th by “Venezuela Cantando,” a group from Maracaibo. A family ensemble, “Venezuela Cantando” gives audiences a taste of various local styles, including Andean music, plains music, and Caribbean drumming. The concert is at 7:15 pm on the North Stage in Washington Square, Salt Lake City & County Building, 450 South 200 East.
Houston, San Francisco, and Washington
The Venezuelan musical group “Vasallos del Sol” is taking a short U.S. tour through San Francisco (May 10), Washington (May 13), and Houston (May 15). The band has almost two dozen members, who deliver powerful performances full of rhythm and dance. Opening for “Vasallos” is the Venezuelan Music Project. For details about all three shows, click here.
APRIL 2008
Oakland, CA
On April 24th at 7 pm, the AK Press Warehouse (674 A 23rd St) will screen the documentary “Venezuela: Revolution from the Inside Out.” It is directed by Clifton Ross of the Center for the Study of the Americas in Berkeley. For more information, call 510-986-0879.
Washington, DC
From April 18-20, the Venezuela Solidarity Network hosts a symposium called “What’s Up With Venezuela: Participatory Democracy or Democracy as Usual?” Panelists include academics, activists, and other experts on Venezuela. The symposium culminates with a congressional lobby day on April 21. To register, or for more information, visit http://vensymposium.wordpress.com/
Come out for Salsa lessons and support the Venezuela Solidarity Network, an independent grassroots group in the U.S. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. This fun evening takes place on April 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Bolivarian Hall at 2443 Massachusetts Ave., NW. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Venezuela Solidarity Network: 202-544-9355 or vsn@afgj.org
Chicago
Chicago hosts the biggest annual Latino Film Festival in the U.S. This year, Venezuelan films include “El Café de Lupe,” by director Mariana Fuentes. The festival runs from April 4-16.
On April 10th, the Chicago Symphony Center features a performance by Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Youth Symphony Orchestra. The esteemed group is headed by Gustavo Dudamel, who has been called “the hottest conductor on the planet” by the Times of London. For tickets, click here.
MARCH 2008
Columbia, MD
On March 30th, check out “Tales from Venezuela,” stories, drawings and photos hosted by the Howard County Friends of Latin America. 3-5 p.m., Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Maryland. Free and open to the public. For details, call 410-381-4899, or visit http://www.friendsoflatinamerica.org.
New York City
The annual Left Forum takes place in New York from March 15-16. Two panels featuring leading academics and activists will discuss Venezuela: “Evaluating Chavez from the Left,” and “Challenges Facing the Latin American Left.” For details, visit www.leftforum.org
Minneapolis, MN
On March 1st, in honor of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, groups in Minneapolis present a panel discussion on “The African Diaspora in the Americas: Political and Cultural Resistance.” Speakers include the head of the Afro-Venezuelan Network and representatives from the US, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. For more information, call 612 730-0087.
FEBRUARY 2008
Washington, DC
The award winning Venezuelan playwright Gustavo Ott’s “Tu Ternura Molotov” will be playing at the Gala Theatre from January 31, 2008-February 24, 2008. A hilarious and provocative commentary on political incorrectness. In spanish with english subtitles. For more information/tickets: 202-234-7174.
Providence, RI
A two-day conference on “Change in the Andes” will take place at Brown University’s Center for Latin American Studies from February 12 – 13. Issues of change in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador will be discussed by professors and various distinguished guests, including the Ambassadors of the three countries in question. The conference will look beyond current events to explore larger processes of social development as well as economic and political liberalization in the Andean region.
New York City
Over 10,000 Venezuelans live in NY but until now they have lacked representation in the arts. Currently, the Modern Museum of Art is paying homage to the Venezuelan roots of modernism by featuring works by the painter Alejandro Otero as part of the its exhibit, “New Perspectives in Latin American Art, 1930-2006: Selections from a Decade of Acquisitions.” Visitors can catch Otero’s eye-catching abstract collages at MOMA up until February 25th, 2008. Special gallery lectures are available on Thursdays and Fridays. For more information: (212) 708-9480.
New Paltz, NY
If you’re in the mood for a political discussion, the Caribbean and Latin American Support Project (CLASP) will be hosting “a public meeting regarding the relations between the United States and the government of Venezuela,” according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. The event will take place on February 3rd from 6-9pm. For more information: 255-0113 or burgek@newpaltz.edu
JANUARY 2008
Philadelphia
Citgo-sponsored Artists for Heat, a benefit concert to provide aid for the 6 million Americans who will be without heat this winter, is coming to Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theater on Thursday, January 31st. Performers include Dead Prez, The Roots, Everlast, Stanley Clarke and Guest DJ Ali Shaheed from A Tribe Called Quest. Doors open at 7pm. For tickets, call 215-922-LIVE or go to www.ticketmaster.com
San Francisco
Two documentaries about contemporary Venezuela by Oliver Ressler and Dario Azzellini will be screened at Artists’ Television Access on 992 Valencia Street in San Francisco on Thursday, January 31st, and Friday, February 1st. A discussion follows. 8pm. For more information, call (415) 824-3890