The Folklife Festival will take place June 30-July 4 and July 7-11.

The Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exhibition of living cultural heritage.  Attracting more than one million visitors yearly, the two-week long celebration is the largest annual cultural event in the United States.

This year’s festival will celebrate Rhythm & Blues Music in the U.S., the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and the traditions of Colombia.

The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. There is no admission charge. Visitors should dress for hot and humid weather. Parking around the Mall is extremely limited, so visitors are advised to use Metrorail. The Smithsonian station (Mall exit) is at the Festival site. Federal Triangle and National Archives stations are close by. For general Smithsonian visitor information, call 202.633.1000.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with special events taking place most evenings.

I highly recommend that you visit their website to plan your visit http://www.festival.si.edu/

Au Pair in America 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Department of State On Thursday, June 9, Au Pair in America celebrated 25 years of working closely with the United States Department of State to bring over 87,000 young women to work as au pairs in the United States.  Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State and Senator Christopher Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, joined AIFS (the parent organization of Au Pair in America) President and CEO Bill Gertz and Ruth Ferry, Senior Vice President of Au Pair in America to welcome host families and au pairs to the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.  There, they spoke about the value of the au pair program for building cross cultural understanding and friendship. Thank you to the host families and au pairs who were able to attend this inspiring event!  It was a busy workday and, indeed, the hottest day of the year so far!  At this time, I also want to express my appreciation to my cluster of host families and au pairs for choosing Au Pair in America.  It is always my pleasure to work with you! Au Pair in America was the first agency to bring au pairs to the United States and since 1986 has worked closely with the Department of State.  Twenty five years is a milestone and a chance to look back with appreciation for all that this program has achieved — and a chance to look forward to many more years of bringing the world together.

ViVa! Vienna!2011 Memorial Day Festival

Saturday, May 28, 2011:

Food & Rides Only (10am-10pm), Entertainment (5pm – 10pm)

Sunday, May 29, 2011:

Vendors (10am-6pm), Food & Rides (10am-10pm), Entertainment (12:00pm-10pm)

Monday, May 30, 2011:

Vendors, Food, Entertainment. & Rides (10am-6pm)

http://www.vivaviennava.org/      for more information!

Cinco de mayo commemorates the May 5, 1862 Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla) in which Mexican troops defeated Napoleon’s French forces. Cinco de mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.