Mannerly Maya Exhibit of 130 Pieces From Ancient Culture Depicts Regal Life by Heather Nalbone Organizing a new exhibit dedicated to the art of an ancient aristocratic culture spanning 200 years was a complicated and lengthy endeavor — and it shows. Developing “Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya,” an impressive display of 130 loaned pieces now on view at the National Gallery of Art, required curators Kathleen Berrin and Mary Ellen Miller to work with museums in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, as well as San Francisco, Seattle and Princeton. See Also: Rivera’s Cubism Display Nicely Contrasts With Mayan Exhibit Pieces of Buddha Sixth-Century Fragmented Chinese Statues on Display at Sackler Gallery by Carolyn Chapman In 1996, construction workers leveling a school sports field in the small Chinese town of Qingzhou, in the Shandong province, accidentally unearthed one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, the results of which can be seeen at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in “Return of the Buddha: The Qingzhou Discoveries.” See Also: The Writing on the Scroll Passport to the Silk Road ‘Threads’ Exhibit Made Up of Contemporary Works From Unique Region by Gary Tischler In some ways, the exhibit “Ancient Threads, Newly Woven: Recent Art From China’s Silk Road” isn’t remarkable for its art—although there are many gems among the 78 works on display at the Meridian International Center. Rather, the exhibit is remarkable for simply being there, looking at all the world like an invitation to and a reminder of an ancient life. Stimulus Overkill High-Energy ‘ Children of Eden’ Packs Too Much Punch by Lisa Troshinsky “Children of Eden,” currently at Ford’s Theatre, can’t quite decide what it is. Is it a play for adults or an overblown children’s pageant? Is it religious or sacrilegious? Is it Cirque du Soleil or a musical? Desert Romance Renowned Filmmaker Wim Wenders Explores Australian Wilds With Photos by Gary Tischler Wim Wenders is in a league of giants when it comes to his status as an international film director. And then there’s Wim Wenders the photographer.The filmmaker’s photographs of wide open and seemingly endless spaces can be seen this month at the Goethe-Institut in the exhibition “Wim Wenders: Photos”—a panoramic road movie of sorts. Art of the Dumpling Bangkok Joe’s Offers Thai Version of American Melting Pot Cuisine by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Mid-April marked the Thai New Year or Songkran, a Thai word meaning move or change of place. The Songkran festival is celebrated at a time when the sun changes place in the zodiac. At Bangkok Joe’s in Georgetown, diners had the opportunity to celebrate the New Year by sampling traditional dishes from a special menu that chef-owner Aulie Bunyarataphan developed for the occasion. Web Site Story Exclusive: Overlooked American Exhibit Shows Joel Barlow Played Important Role in Founding of U.S. by Amy Schoenberger The Woodrow Wilson House is currently celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joel Barlow—an ambassador, author and little-known historical figure who played a significant role in the founding of the United States.

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 Stylish ‘Discretion’ What Over-the-Top Musical Lacks in Plot It Makes Up in Flair by Anna Gawel The low point of Arena Stage’s production of “Señor Discretion Himself” is a meandering, somewhat threadbare plot line with virtually nonexistent character development. But not to worry—the high point of this ebullient musical is pretty much everything else. Angels and Phantoms Muriel Hasbun Exhibit Evokes Family’s Complex Cultural History by Carolyn Cosmos Tucked away in three small rooms at the Corcoran Gallery of Art is a haunting photography exhibit—a dream garden of meditative memories and personal artifacts from Central America, the Middle East and Europe. Child’s Play Exhibits of Chinese and African Children’s Art Shows Their Concerns, Creativity by Christine Cubé The assignment seems simple enough: Draw your thoughts on the environment. For most children, it’s a request that would likely conjure up images of trees, birds, a shining sun or perhaps some clouds or even an ocean filled with fish. But for 1 million children living in China, who participated in this art competition in fall 2002, the assignment held a much deeper vision. See Also: Message From Peace Quilt Makes Blanket Statement Battle Cry ‘Far Away’ Portrays Effects of War’s Horrors on Young Woman by Heather Nalbone Caryl Churchill’s “Far Away” is not a production made in any real-world setting. It is a tailspin beyond most imaginations, conveyed in an Orwellian atmosphere following 10 years in the life of a girl named Joan. International Film Clips Film Locations Looking In Moody ‘Young Adam’ Is Character Study of Loner Antihero by Ky N. Nguyen With his second feature "Young Adam," Scottish writer-director David Mackenzie demonstrates his versatility by crafting an ambitious, largely internalized movie See Also: Eternal Four Seasons of Life Shades of ‘Casablanca’ in Paris Bright Coming-of-Ag e Thriller Repertory Notes The Making of Four Films International Directors Discuss Their Latest Works by Ky N. Nguyen