Events Through March 9 In a New York State of Mind Paintings by five Swedish artists will be on display at the Embassy of Sweden. Admission is free. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Embassy of Sweden 1501 M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. (202) 467-2600 Through April 25 Surrealism Through Jan Svankmajer and Eva Svankmajerova Discover the creativity and imagination presiding over a presentation of the contemporary world through Surrealism. Svankmajer and Svankmajerovaís exhibit is complete with paintings, ceramics, marionettes, tactile art, illustrations and props from their films. Weekdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Czech Embassy 3900 Spring of Freedom St., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 274-9100 Feb. 5 "Musicanovecento: Seven Composers of The Italian Avant-Garde" Italian pianist Roberto Prosseda will present a lecture on major musical tendencies in Italian music from the 1950ís. A piano performance will follow the lecture. Admission is free. 7:30 p.m. Levine School of Music Kunen Theater 2801 Upton Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. (202) 223-9800 x 27 March 13 (in Czech) and March 15 (in English) David Vavra Experience a variety of talents from one of the most ingenious Czech artists of contemporary culture when David Vavra presents an evening of his poetry readings. Admission is $10 at the door and reservations are recommended. 7:30 p.m. Embassy of the Czech Republic 3900 Spring of Freedom St., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 274-9100, x 3413 Jan. 31 Pianist: Lukas Vondracek Czech piano prodigy Lukas Vondracek presents another of his Embassy recitals. At the age of fourteen, Vondracek is already the winner of numerous competitions and awards. Tickets are $10 at the door and reservations are recommended. 7:30 p.m. Czech Embassy 3900 Spring of Freedom St., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 274-9100 x3413 Feb. 2, 9 Austrian Embassy Concert Performance Austrian artist Andreas Lebeda will perform Johannes Brahmsí "Die Sch^ne Magelone ñ The Fair Magelone, Op. 33" with American pianist Rick Rowley on Feb. 2. On Feb. 9, Austrian artist Monika Stadler will perform "Feel-saitig", a series of original harp compositions. Call for more information. Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., Embassy of Austria 3524 International Court, N.W. Washington D.C. (202) 895-6776 Feb. 6 Pianist Carl Banner and Wa shington Musica Viva Enjoy an exploration of popular Czech music Chamber music with the ninth concert in the Czech Music Series. The program includes Bohuslav Martinuís ìLa Revue de Cuisine,î piano trios by Antonin Dvorak and Petr Eben, and Peter Grahamís ìAve Verum Corpus.î Admission is $10 at the door. Reservations are recommended. 7:30 p.m. Czech Embassy 3900 Spring of Freedom St., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 274-9100 x 3413 Feb. 12 The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra Co-sponsored with the Embassy of Sweden, enjoy an evening of music with the Swedish Radio Choir, recently nominated for a Grammy, and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir as they perform Verdi ìMessa di Requiem.î Please call for ticket information. 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center, Concert Hall (202) 467-4600 Feb. 17 and 18 The Violins of Lafayette: Love and Remembrance In this program, violinist and Director Ryan Brown, violinist Claire Jolivet, and harpsichordist Andrew Appel join the wonderfully expressive Canadian viol duo Les Voix Humaines. This intimate evening of music honors friends, teachers, and loved ones, including Couperinís rich and sonorous ìLa Sultane.î Admission is $38 for members and $45 for non-members. Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Embassy of France, Ballroom 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 944-6091 Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Atrium 500 Seventeenth St., NW (202) 546-9332 Feb. 24 Mardi Gras Enjoy a sumptuous buffet and sundry libations, extravagant costumes, enchanting dancers and entertainers, and fortunetellers. There will be a costume contest with prizes and a dance band to set the mood. Tickets are on sale for $85 until Feb. 19 7 p.m. Maison Francaise of the Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 944-6090 Feb. 24 Paolo Conte Enjoy an evening of a piano style that wanders from honky-tonk to tango palace to tony cabaret, with a weathered romanticís worldview. 8 p.m. The Lisner Auditorium, The George Washington University 730 21st St., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 994-6800 March 1 Dave Burrell, Pianist Distinguished composer-pianist Dave Burrell is a performing artist of singular stature on the international contemporary music scene. His dynamic compositions, with blues and gospel roots, recall the tradition of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton and Duke Ellington. General admission is $20, students and seniors $15. 8:00 p.m. Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW (202) 944-6091 March 2 Gottlieb Wallisch: Austrian Wunderkind This genial 21-year-old pianist will play five concerts at the Vienna Philharmonic this season. Destined for a big career! Watch as he performs works by Scarlatti and Beethovenís ìEroica Variations.î Tickets are $30. 8:00 p.m. Austrian Embassy (202) 625-2361 March 8 Songs From South of the Border Co-sponsored with the Embassy of Honduras and Ibero-American Cultural Attaches Association, Isabel Salgado will enthrall audiences with her warm and vivacious performance. A Honduran opera diva of the first order, Salgado interprets arias from the operas of Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. Admission is $12 for members and $16 for non-members. 7:00 p.m. Frances and Armand Hammer Auditorium (202) 639-1770 Feb. 22 Through March 18 Argentine Comedy "Almas Gemelas (Soul Mates)" GALA Hispanic Theater will feature award-winning Argentine playwright Eduardo Rovnerís comedy production in Spanish with simultaneous English interpretation. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $18 for students and seniors. Call for information and reservations. Thursday to Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 4 p.m. GALA Hispanic Theater Warehouse, 1021 7th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. (202) 234-7174 March 7 La Traversee de Paris Four Bags Full Set during World War II, French actor Jean Gabin finagles timorous cab driver Bourvil into transporting four suitcases full of precious pork through Paris, unknown to the Nazi officials. English subtitles are provided. Admission is $5. 7 p.m. Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 944-6091 March 22 to 24 Maistre Pierre Pathelin Histrio presents the most famous farce of the Middle Ages. In this anonymous play, the key word is deceit. The lawyer Pathelin tricks the cloth merchant Guillaume. Ultimately, both Guillaume and Pathelin, along with the jeering judge, are hoodwinked by the cunning of the shepherd Agnelet. Special school performances $5. Seniors and students $12, and general admission $20. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, D.C. (202) 333-2666