Repository of the Local City Museum Succeeds at Presenting Diverse Washington History by Gary Tischler When the new City Museum of Washington, D.C., opened in May, surrounded by the usual glitter and fanfare that included a ribbon cutting with the mayor and other dignitaries, nobody knew exactly how the museum would fare in a city where there are plenty of museums to choose from, with even more on the way. The jury may still be out on such things as the multimedia show and the neighborhood-focus exhibitions, and it’s obvious that some work remains to be done. But it’s also plain to see that the City Museum is succeeding in its most critical mission, which is to present the diverse, layered history of Washington, D.C., in all its aspects—not just its role as the nation’s capital and an adjunct to the larger federal presence... What a Pair Being a Diplomat's Spouse Satisfying but Often Full-Time Job by Heather Nalbone If ever there was a symbol of success amid Washington’s diplomatic community, Paraguayan Ambassador Leila Teresa Rachid de Cowles would be it. The petite, vivacious envoy holds a doctorate in foreign affairs and speaks seven languages. Before coming to the United States, she spent two years as her country’s first female vice minister of foreign affairs and a year in Argentina as the first female career diplomat to be appointed to an ambassadorship. But ask Rachid about her biggest source of pride, and she’ll pass along her favorite name without an ounce of hesitation: Frank Cowles Jr., her “beloved husband”... Celestial Creations Austrian Koller's Work Captivating, at Times Blinding by Heather Nalbone For all of Austria’s celebrated artists—from painter Herbert Boeckl to expressionist Egon Schiele—few have been featured at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The cultural staff prefers works of a less trendy genre. “Karl Heinz Koller: A Retrospective” fits that bill perfectly. Part photography, part celestial imagery, Koller’s works are more than a bit mystical... Dead Weight Olney Theatre's Sluggish 'Monster' Not Haunting Enough by Lisa Troshinsky Neal Bell’s “Monster,” an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s haunting “Frankenstein” and part of the Olney Theatre Center’s Potomac Theatre Festival, is meant to be a compelling psychological and moral exploration of what happens when man plays God. Although this concept was gripping enough in “Frankenstein” to turn Shelley into a female literature icon before her time, its treatment in “Monster” and on stage at the Olney Theatre, under Jim Petosa’s direction, is less than rousing... Words Take Shape Exhibit of Dill’s Delicate Artwork Inspired by Written Language by Heather Nalbone A sign at the entrance of the newest exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts warns visitors that the artwork is “extremely fragile” and should not be touched, even though none of it is encased in glass. The pieces are fragile but not because they were fashioned from any precious or expensive materials. Instead, many of the hangings were carefully crafted from simple items such as tea-stained muslin, paper and horsehair... SEE RELATED STORY: Davidson’s Sculpture Depicts Abstract Gods Tradition Takes Shape Noguchi Exhibit Explores Artist’s Past, Japanese Art by Carolyn Chapman Isamu Noguchi is primarily known for his furniture and lamp designs, his installations in public spaces and his sculptures. His exploration of the ceramics medium and the ceramic art that he made over three short trips to Japan are a lesser known aspect of his career, but one that was of tremendous importance to the Japanese-born artist who had an intense desire to rediscover his Japanese roots... SEE RELATED STORY: Sackler to Display 4,000 Japanese Woodblock Prints

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 Good Times, Bad Times Printings Show Slovak Glory, Misery Through History by Jeff Davis The Slovak Republic remembers its history of ups and downs, of triumph and tragedy, and its pride in the rich culture that has endured through these periods in an exhibit of 16th- and 17th-century Central European printings titled “Glory and Misery,” now on display at the Slovak Embassy... Team Work Bulgarian Husband and Wife Paint Energetic Abstract Symbolism by Jessica Shyu International Visions, best known for showcasing a unique combination of local and international artistic talent, has for the first time rolled that combination into a single collection titled “Love and Time” by newly emigrated Bulgarian husband-and-wife painters George Kochev and Nadia Kocheva... Colorful Contradictions Exhibit of Contemporary Mexican Art Reflects Tensions by Gary Tischler The modern, traditional, serenely abstract and hauntingly surreal—each type of artwork makes its presence known in the downstairs and fourth-floor galleries of the Mexican Cultural Institute... From the Middle of Timbuktu Ancient Manuscripts Prove Africa’s Literary Tradition by Jessica Shyu Tucked away in a corner of the Library of Congress, far from the bustle of crowds on the National Mall, sit 23 browned and brittle manuscripts from Timbuktu, Mali. The documents are inconspicuous in their glass cases and presented with little fanfare—but don’t be fooled... Dishing It Out Chef Reda Takes Traditional Favorites to New Culinary Heights by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Executive Chef Ron Reda is having a go on his own at Dish, located in The River Inn, two blocks from the Kennedy Center on 25th Street... International Film Clips Film Locations Film Reviews: Slapstick Kicks Martial Arts Action-Filled Laughs Abound in ‘Shaolin Soccer’ by Ky N. Nguyen “Shaolin Soccer” is a riotous action-comedy updating the mundane sports underdog story with fanciful martial arts movements. Actor-writer-director Stephen Chow has long been a big star in Hong Kong, where “Shaolin Soccer” has become the biggest box office hit in history... See Also: A Lifetime of Atonement Godard’s Love Poem Spaghetti Western Live-In Help Russian Econ 101 Repertory Notes