Nowruz 2014 : A Persian New Year Celebration | Washington DC

International Day of Nowruz | March 8th | Freer, Sackler, and Ripley Center

Nowruz begins precisely at the vernal equinox, on the 1st day of Farvardin of the Islamic solar calendar, usually on March 20th or 21st. It is a time of great joy and family celebrations that are shared by people of all faiths in many countries that trace their history back through the centuries to the ancient Mesopotamian civilization and the Persian Empire.

Haji Firuz, sing in the streets to announce the festivities and house cleaning is a part of the preparations. On the Wednesday before Nowruz bonfires are lit to jump over and children gather coins and treats as they visit neighbors.

Nowruz is the beginning of the year for the people of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan and a few of the Asian republics of the former Soviet Union. It is also celebrated as the new year by people descended from Persian and Iranian ancestors. The Kurds in Georgia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey celebrate Nowruz as the new year festival. Many communities where people from these countries have settled also join in the celebrations.

Dance, play, and feast your way into the Persian New Year at the Freer and Sackler Galleries. The museums' sixth annual Nowruz celebration features free attractions for all ages, including:

Haft Sin table displays
"Fire" jumping
Storytelling by Xanthe Gresham
Face painting
Coloring, collage, and calligraphy
Iranian music concert
Cartoons from Iran
Persepolis photo studio
Backgammon and chess
Nomad Dancers performance
Traditional Persian food
Docent-led spotlight tours
Made possible by a generous grant from Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar.

For the full schedule of events click the link below:
https://www.asia.si.edu/events/nowruz/downloads/schedule-2014.pdf

2nd Annual Smithsonian Young Benefactors Cup

2nd Annual Smithsonian Young Benefactors Cup

This event is a fundraiser for the Smithsonian Associates and Young Benefactor

Culture4Kids fund, which provides support for local DC school children to attend Discovery Theatre and Smithsonian Summer Camp.
Saturday, September 6, 2008

Rain Date:

Sunday September 7, 2008
West Potomac Park Polo Field

National Mall, Washington, D.C.

Teams for this year include:

Capitol File, CIRCA, Harper's Bazaar, Mandarin Oriental Washington D.C.,Ralph Lauren, and Veuve Clicquot, featuring professional polo player Nacho Figueras, celebrity host John Walsh and our very own Young Benefactors!

Players include First Chukkers Alan Adler, Joanna Block, Andrew Bullion, Tripp Donnelly, J. Roby Penn IV and Ray Regan.

Tickets are available at http://www.youngbenefactor.org/ or calling the Box Office at 202.633.3030. No Tickets will be sold at the event!

General Admission $125 YB Member/ $150 NonMemberAccess to the YB Tent
VIP Tent (Limited Number Available)$325 YB Member/ $375 NonMemberAccess to VIP Tent and After Party

Pouring Partners: FIJI Water and Heineken USA

Catering by Ridgewells

12 Noon - Gates Open
12:15 p.m. - Opening Ceremony

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Exhibition Matches

3 to 4:30 p.m. - Smithsonian Cup
5 to 5:30p.m. - Trophy Ceremony
6 to 8 p.m. - After-PartyMandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

Attire: Polo Chic

VIP Tent/Table Sales

Diamond Table $7,500($1300 Tax Deductible)One preferred table (10 seats) in the VIP Tent (includes catered buffet and open bar) and admission for ten to the After-Party. Two complimentary tickets to the Players & Hosts Committee Reception Friday, September 5th, 2008.

Platinum Table $5,000($1300 Tax Deductible)One table (10 seats) in the VIP Tent (includes catered buffet and open bar) and admission for ten to the After-Party.

Please request tables no later than Monday August 18, 2008 by calling YB Polo at 202.633.8667. Send guest names by email to ReishmanK@si.edu or fax to 202.786.2536 no later than Friday, August 22, 2008.

No tickets will be sold at the Polo Cup. IDs will be checked at the gate. You must have an ID to drink. Public parking will be available in West Potomac Park lots A, B, and C.

Complimentary shuttle to and from the Smithsonian Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W. (Smithsonian Metro) from 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. with service to the Mandarin Oriental starting at 5:30 p.m. for the After-Party.

The Smithsonian Young Benefactors

Saturday, September 6, 2008

12:00pm - 6:00pm

West Potomac Park Polo Field

Ohio Drive at 23rd Street and Independence Ave Washington,

DC Info Email: ReishmanK@si.edu

Katharine Ordway Reishman