Night Hawks Two Exhibits Explore Insomnia, Nocturnes by Anna Gawel Nightfall is usually the time when most of us let go of the day’s worries and shut our minds to the waking world, wrapping ourselves in the subliminal bliss of deep slumber. But for some artists, night, and all the haunting beauty that goes along with it, provides a wealth of creative inspiration—so much so that sleeping through it would almost be a shame. This month, two very different exhibits explore what happens when the sun goes down and the lights go out—from the otherworldly visions of dreams, nightmares and insomnia to the serenity of painting night scenes... Designing Nature Wirkkala’s Works Express Finnish Flair for Creativity by Heather Nalbone A line of text from the curator at the Embassy of Finland best encapsulates the spirit of artist Tapio Wirkkala’s works: “Wirkkala is the quintessence of Finnish design.” To the untrained eye, many of the artist’s pieces are unassuming and, in some cases, ordinary. His designs, now on display in the traveling exhibit “Tapio Wirkkala: Design Legend From Finland,” include everything from mass-produced vodka bottles to sophisticated cocktail glasses, many of which have become common household indulgences in Finland since their origination in the ’50s and ’60s. Those glasses and others now bear the name of a stylish global brand that is as familiar to the Finnish as is the name Wirkkala... Revolutionary Times France’s Houdon Sculpted Enduring Figures of History by Gary Tischler With the rise of “freedom” fries and other curmudgeonly American outbursts of annoyance with all things French, it’s a good thing Jean-Antoine Houdon has shown up at the National Gallery of Art to put things in their proper, rational perspective... Mexican Fantasy Two Exhibits Capture Creativity of Impoverished Oaxacans, Tzotziles by Carolyn Chapman Perhaps poverty ignites creativity, or maybe it is what keeps artistic and social traditions alive because when there is little else, culture, memory and history always endure—or so it seems from two new exhibitions focusing on Mexico. “Dreaming Mexico: Painting and Folk Art From Oaxaca,” now on display at the Cultural Center of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), combines paintings by three internationally known painters from the Mexican region of Oaxaca—Rufino Tamayo, Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales—and a fantastic selection of surreal ceramics and alebrijes—hand-painted sculpted animals—made by local Oaxacan artists. The other exhibition, “Images From Mesoamerica: Tzotziles and Aztec Dancers,” at the Mexican Cultural Institute, features photographs by Adelina Pérez del Castillo of the Tzotziles, an ethnic group of Mayan decent that lives in the highlands of the state of Chiapas in southeastern Mexico... Out of Africa Two Exhibits Highlight Importance of Ethiopian Art by Carolyn Chapman Outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, Washington, D.C., is home to the largest Ethiopian community in the world, which makes the National Museum of African Art an ideal venue to hold the first major exhibition of contemporary art from the Ethiopian Diaspora, along with a smaller exhibition on traditional Ethiopian religious art... See Also: Modern Nomads Images of Divided Society Poster Exhibit Documents Both Sides of Northern Ireland Conflict by Lisa Troshinsky An unusual and powerful “art” exhibit—one that chronicles the political history of the Northern Ireland conflict through poster memorabilia—is now on display at the Meridian International Center... See and Be Scene Café Milano Offers Good Location, Comfortable Setting, Excellent Food by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana There are many reasons to go to a restaurant, the food, the service, the atmosphere. Some even go for the crowd. Since 1992, people have been going to Café Milano, just off the bustle of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown, for all four, and they usually haven’t been disappointed...

Events Listing Featuring art, dance, lectures, music, receptions and theater, our comprehensive listing offers an array of options for those interested in international events. Included is a list of all major event locations in the Washington, D.C., area... Events Locations Hey, Show Some Etiquette British Company Teaches English Manners to Foreigners by Heather Nalbone A trip with The English Manner is a travel experience like no other. The British company’s organized itineraries include overnight stays in private castles, afternoon tea with aristocrats, and personal visits with renowned artists and wine connoisseurs. All of this is possible through the connections of Alexandra Messervy, a former member of the queen’s royal household. The English Manner is her brainchild, and her goal is to tutor foreigners in the cultural and social graces of British society... On Top of the World Exhibit Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Everest Ascent by Natalie Koss If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to traverse the snowy slopes of Mount Everest, then you cannot miss the new exhibit “Sir Edmund Hillary: Everest and Beyond,” now at the National Geographic’s Explorers Hall. The exhibit celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest, while offering a glimpse into the life of the mountaineer who made that daring ascent, Sir Edmund Hillary... Bonfire of the Sanities Exhibit Examines How Nazis Tried to Repress Ideas With Book Burnings by Gary Tischler Helen Keller, Ernest Hemingway, Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, Bertolt Brecht, Vicki Baum, Jack London, John Reed, Erich Maria Remarque: These names constitute a remarkable and unlikely literary salon, but they share a rather unique common history—or rather their works do. Their books were part of a fiery orgy on May 10, 1933, when German university students and officials from the newly installed government of Adolf Hitler staged massive book-burning rallies across Germany, consigning to the flames books they deemed decadent and un-German... International Film Clips Film Locations Film Reviews: ‘Sea’ of Angst Icelandic Director Deftly Portrays Dysfunctional Family by Ky N. Nguyen Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur (“101 Reykjavik”) shows his serious side with “The Sea,” an accomplished study of a dysfunctional family... See Also: 20th Century’s Last Silent Film ‘Together’ in Beijing Friday Night ‘Chaos’: A Pivotal Choice Euro Pudding in Barcelona The Miracle of Flight Expert in Bombs … Er, Birds Repertory Notes Doing It His Way Malkovich Gets Behind Camera With ‘Dancer Upstairs’ by Ky N. Nguyen A Wing and a Prayer French Filmmaker Jacques Perrin Captures Birds in Flight by Ky N. Nguyen