Please join us at Biagio to enjoy DC resident Mark Parascandola’s photography. He will be showing a series of photographs of Spain, and you will have the pleasure of also indulging in a Spanish-wine tasting and chocolate tasting . — The exhibit lasts throughout the month of October, but this special wine and chocolate-tasting reception will be held at Biagio from on Thursday October 8th, 6 – 8:30 pm.

This reception is part of the month long activities planned by SpainDC. While enjoying his photography, you are welcomed to a complimentary Spanish wine tasting with another local company, Tradewinds Specialty Imports. At least 3 wines will be tasted that evening, all of which are award-winning, and top-rated, in their respective varietals!

Spain has more vineyard acreage than any other country in the world, and it was certainly no easy task searching for these wines as they made their virgin entry into the US … Luckily, all you have to do is trek across to Biagio on Thursday October 8th, 2009 6:00 – 8:30pm

The 3 wines being tasted are all available in Washington DC, and are exclusively distributed by Tradewinds. As you make your journey throughout Spain via Mark’s series of photos, we beg you to indulge with a specially selected flight of wines. The wines range from the more well known, to more secret, regions of Spain. Regardless, these are all celebrity wines making a splash in the US. Tradewinds’ wines have been the exclusive wine provider for a number of star-studded events including the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in DC, Taste of Tennis / US Open kick-off party in NY, White House Media Correspondent’s Weekend, as well as many private parties in DC.

Mark Parascandola is a photographer based in Washington DC with family roots in Almeria in the south of Spain.

Biagio Fine Chocolate provides the Washington, DC metropolitan area with the finest collection of artisanal chocolate from around the world, as well as from local chocolatiers. They are located on 18th street between the Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. Address: 1904 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 (between T Street and Florida Avenue)

Tradewinds Specialty Imports Tradewinds Specialty Imports hand-selects the best Spanish wines from talented family wineries, bringing you distinctive, exclusive wines that are new to America.

Thursday, October 8
6:00 – 8:30

Studio B at Biagio Fine Chocolate
1904 18th Street NW (downstairs)
Washington DC
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You’ll feel like you could be walking the streets of Spain; Sunday evenings at Vinoteca will have you stomping your feet to the beats of traditional, powerful flamenco music. Enjoy the guitar and vocals of Gerard Moreno and Richard Marlow as Sara Jerez gives a 2-3 hour flamenco performance. To really feel the flamenco vibe, all Spanish and South American wines are half off during the performance!

October, Sundays: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro
Northwest1940 11th St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-332-9463
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http://www.vinotecadc.com

Spanish Classical : Carmen de Biset ( Aragonize), Paso Doble, Rumbas, Middle Eastern Dance ( Super Belly dancers), Jotas, La leyenda de el Beso, Bulerias, Ballet and tap dance

October 2 – 31
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 8, 6:00-8:30 with Spanish chocolate and wine samples

TBA
3200 Jerman Town Rd,
Oakton Va. 22124
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Flamenco Concert at The St. Matthew’s Multi-Cultural Festival

October 3, 2009 – 6:00pm

Kings’ Contrivance Interfaith Center of Columbia, MD
7271 Eden Brook Drive
Columbia, MD  21046

GALA announces an evening of sizzling flamenco dance and music, headlined by dancer Omayra Amaya, a member of the renowned Spanish gypsy flamenco family of Carmen Amaya, together with Edwin Aparicio, the most popular male flamenco soloist in the nation. The evening also includes Jennifer Corey, Miss DC 2009, who will perform a musical selection to open the program, and a silent and live auction featuring exclusive getaways to Argentina, Mexico, and Spain, sumptuous dinners at local restaurants, artwork by leading Latino visual artists, and much more. A cocktail reception to “meet and greet” the artists will follow the performance. Honorary Hosts for Íntimo are the Honorable Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Craig and Julie Feied, Nancy Folger, Michael Kappaz, Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, and Malan Strong. Íntimo is sponsored by American Income Life, Donatelli Development, and To Your Taste Catering.

TICKETS for the special ÍNTIMO benefit are $150-$500 for VIP seating and $50 general admission.  For reservations or to become a sponsor, call 202-234-7174 or 800-494-TIXS (8497), or visit www.galatheatre.org.

Parking is available at a reduced rate of $4 at the Giant garage on Park Road, NW.

October 14, 2009
7:00pm

Gala Theatre
3333 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010
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Columbus Day Wreath Laying Ceremony
Washington, DC honors and celebrates the achievements of Christopher Columbus with a national wreath laying ceremony on Columbus Day, on October 12, 2009 at 11 a.m. Embassies of Italy and Spain and the general public will lay wreaths at the base of the Columbus Memorial Statue located at Union Station at Massachusetts Ave. & 1st St. The memorial is a large fountain with carvings of a native American, an elderly European, the figure of “Discovery” on the prow of a ship, and a globe.
Columbus Day is celebrated the 2nd Monday in October. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) is credited with “discovering” America in 1492. To mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage, in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison declared the first official Columbus Day holiday. 

The monumental statue was dedicated June 8, 1912; and has been the focal point for yearly celebrations since that time to honor the great navigator and discoverer. The front shaft of the statue, which is crowned with a globe supported by eagles, is a prow of a ship with winged figurehead symbolizing Discovery. Columbus Day was declared a national holiday in 1971. The annual ceremony is open and free to the public. The ceremony will feature representatives from the Diplomatic Corps of Italy, Spain, The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the Organization of American States. Ceremonial music provided by the United States Marine Band, “The President’s Own” under the direction of Lt Col Michael J. Colburn and Capt Jason K. Fettig, conducting. On June 8 1912, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band participated in the unveiling of the Columbus Memorial Fountain, providing ceremonial music during the official ceremony. Like the monuments the Marine Band has helped dedicate, its continued presence in American life stands as a symbol of the traditions and ideals on which our country was founded.

Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
Washington, DC
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Monday, October 12th, 2009
11:00pm

Clase en español por maestra certificada, ideal para hispano parlantes y aquellos que quieran mejorar su bienestar fisico practicando el español de una manera interactiva. Favor usar ropa cómoda y traer una esterilla (mat) de yoga o toalla de playa. Evita comidas pesadas dos horas antes de la clase.

RSVP: 703-228-0322
amdittmann@arlingtonva.us

More information: YogaParaTodos.fuentes@gmail.com

October 14, 2009 – 7:00pm

Shirlington Public Library
4200 Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206-3435
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The program Cuentos en Español / Stories in Spanish, is a Spanish-language reading program whereby traditional Spanish children’s books are read aloud in Spanish to children between the ages of two and ten years old. The invited reader will be a recognized figure from the Washington DC area Spanish-speaking community. This series is intended to be a fun way for young children and their parents to spend some quality time together while the little ones are exposed to or maintain ongoing contact with the Spanish language.

Consistent with the Society of Spain’s mission to serve both Spaniards and all friends of Spain in the region, this initiative is designed as much for English-speaking parents (or parents that speak any other languages in the home) who would like to begin introducing their children to Spanish, as it is for those Spanish-speaking parents who would like to reinforce or maintain the learning of Spanish with their children.

Sat, Oct 10, 2009,
10:00 AM

Special Guest Reader:
Marian Zapata – Language Fundamentals

Bethesda Public Library
7400 Arlington Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
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It is with great pleasure that we announce the first annual Pedro Menendez Award to honor pioneering Spaniards in the Washington D.C. area. To be awarded annually, the Pedro Menendez Award will recognize Spaniards who, as pioneers in their respective fields, have blazed the trail here in Washington D.C. over the years and made a positive contribution to the local community in the areas of culture, commerce, and education. The award is named in honor of the sixteenth century Spanish naval officer and explorer, Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the first European known to have sailed any distance up the Potomac River—the place where Washington D.C.’s history itself begins. After his exploration along the Potomac, Admiral Menendez later went on to found St. Augustine, Florida—the first permanent European settlement and oldest port city in the continental United States.

Don’t miss The Society of Spain’s marquee event for SPAINDC—The Admiral Menendez Awards Dinner & Gala. Come celebrate with us “first-class” as we recognize Spaniards and other “Friends of Spain” who have over the years worked to strengthen the presence of Spain in the nation’s capital.

The Society of Spain cordially invites you to attend

THE ANNUAL ADMIRAL MENENDEZ AWARDS GALA & DINNER

Monday Evening, October 19, 2009
La Taberna del Alabardero
1776 I Street NW
Washington DC 20006
(Entrance On 18th Street, Between H and I)

Cocktails at 6:30pm, Dinner at 7:30pm (Coat & Tie)

See  Full Three-Course Dinner Menu

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The Menendez “Pioneer” Award

In recognition of Spaniards who as pioneers in their respective fields have over the years made a positive contribution to the Washington DC area in the areas of culture, commerce, and/or education.

Presented to: Alberto Avendaño, Associate Publisher – El Tiempo Latino

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The Menendez “Friend of Spain” Award

In recognition of individuals who live and work in the Washington D.C. area and have demonstrated through their work a special commitment to promoting Spain here in the Washington D.C. area.

Presented to: Don Harris, Founder & Owner – La Tienda (www.latienda.com)

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The Menendez “Amigo de España” Award

In recognition of individuals from the Latin American community who live and work in the Washington D.C. area and have demonstrated through their work a special commitment to and appreciation of Spain and its culture.

Presented to: Ana Margarita Chávez, General Consul of El Salvador

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Guest Speakers:

Chef Jose Andres, Thinkfood Group

Álvaro De Salas, General Consul of Spain

*** The Admiral Menendez Awards are named in honor of the sixteenth century Spanish naval officer and explorer, Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the first European known to have sailed any distance up the Potomac River—the place where Washington D.C.’s history itself begins. After his exploration along the Potomac, Admiral Menendez later went on to found St. Augustine, Florida—the first permanent European settlement and oldest port city in the continental United States.***

Tickets for Menendez Awards Gala 2009 at:
www.menendezaward.eventbrite.com
Please respond early as seating is limited.

Sponsored by:

The Society of Spain is a 501(c)(3)not-for-profit charitable organization.
The Society of Spain • Web: www.societyofspain.org •