Finely Detailed ‘Dream’ Exhibit of Japanese Woodblock Print Shows Commitment to Perfection by Deanna Murshed We’ve grown accustomed to the West’s fascination with the Orient, particularly in the modern era. It is refreshing, however, when art can remind us that the flow of culture travels in both directions—with the East also being shaped and colored by strokes from the West. Crosscurrents of this sort are especially evident in the artifacts of common people. Magazine pin-ups or baseball cards often say as much about a society’s leanings and cultural influences as any form of "high" art—sometimes more so. Days of Discovery Levitte, Wife of French Ambassador, Prefers Hands-On Approach by Gail Scott Ask any diplomat in Washington, and they will tell you they would love to live in the French residence, the handsome city estate that serves as the centerpiece of the coveted Kalorama neighborhood. Madame Marie-Cécile Levitte, wife of the French ambassador, agreed: "It’s a great privilege to be in Washington," she said, "with this house, with this team. It is so important to be here at this time … to represent France in the United States…. We are here for the image of our country. We are not here for us. Dutch Treat Ter Borch’s Paintings Show Intricate Detail of High Life by Gary Tischler In the wide-ranging exhibition of works by wide-ranging 17th-century Dutch artist Gerard Ter Borch, now at the National Gallery of Art, you get to talk and think about a lot of things. Viewers can look at Ter Borch as a kind of storyteller, but the kind of storyteller who lets you come up with the punch line. Pulling Out All the Stops Arena Stage’s Version of Comedy Classic & #145;Earnest’ a Winner by Lisa Troshinsky One must take the time to see "The Importance of Being Earnest" at least once in one’s lifetime. For that matter, any rich comedic classic should be seen over and over again. The production at Arena Stage gives us even more reason to do so. Plays Happen Director Makes Powerful Debut With Transmuted ‘Pericles’ by Carolyn Cosmos "Play scripts are fossils," declared visiting Shakespeare Theatre director Mary Zimmerman at the recent Windows on Shakespeare discussion. Zimmerman is directing a glittering new production of the Bard’s "Pericles," a tragicomedy playing at the Shakespeare Theatre through Jan. 2. Yet there she was, verging on blasphemy. Fossils? She was talking about William Shakespeare himself, the revered theater’s idolized namesake. About Face Antoinette’s ‘Berlin Stories’ Focuses on Portraits of Berliners by Gary Tischler The exhibition "Antoinette: Berlin Stories" at the Goethe-Institut focuses primarily on portraits of contemporary Berliners—some very big and important, some just big, and all interesting and riveting. The pastel chalk portraits are assayed in thick colors and lines that appear to evoke or somehow spill out a secret soul. Dead Reckoning Mexican Cardboard Art Exhibit Celebrates Death as Continuation by Julio Trujillo "In Mexico, we are not afraid of death," said Maria Austin of the Mexican Cultural Institute. Judging from the more than 60 paper skeletons surrounding her, she may be right.

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 Madcap Mixture Clever ‘Two Gentleman’ Is Mostly All-Female Cast by Anna Gawel The Folger Theatre mixes it up in a clever rendering of Shakespeare’s mixed-up romantic comedy, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," blending styles, genres and superb, offbeat casting to breathe fresh life into the Bard’s biting commentary on love and the laws of attraction that can sometimes thwart it. Frank Portrayal Round House Succeeds in Showing Holocaust Horror Through New Script by Heather Nalbone The Round House Theatre succeeds tremendously in portraying the horror of the Holocaust through Wendy Kesselman’s new script, and has an exceptional staff to thank for a stirring delivery. Turkish Delight Meridian Shows Master Tekcan’s Unique Process for Art by Gary Tischler On the surface, you can’t get more specific than a title such as "Anatolian Impressions: Artists Prints From the Istanbul Studio of Master Tekcan," the name of the current exhibition at the Meridian International Center. Revised French Yannick Cam Makes Statement With Le Paradou’s Updated Cooking by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Le Paradou may be writing the manual for the latest edition of revised classic French cooking in the area. International Film Clips Film Locations The Art of Motion Director Zhang’s ‘House of Flying Daggers’ Offers Dazzling Action by Ky N. Nguyen Zhang Yimou’s "Hero," the top-grossing movie in China’s history, sat on Miramax’s shelf for so long (two years) that it just finished its successful run in Washington. Hopefully, the fresh memory will encourage audiences to see Zhang’s latest film, "House of Flying Daggers." See Also: Amélie Goes to War? ‘Sea Inside’: Right to Life? Washington Jewish Festival Repertory Notes Royal Treatment Thai Prince and Director Discusses Making ‘Legend of Suriyothai’ by Ky N. Nguyen Thai Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol wears a different hat as director of "The Legend of Suriyothai," a vast historical epic "suggested" by the queen.