Culture Vulture

Stamp your passport to France, Italy, and Iran this week without leaving the Beltway—or spending a cent.

By: Eliot Stein

Monday, January 25
Looking for a sober night out in Adams Morgan? Head to the coffeeshop Tryst from 8 to 11 to hear a free jazz concert by the Will Rast Trio. Rast, who was born in Fairfax and is a graduate of St. Andrew’s High School, has toured around the world with R&B star Mya Harrison.

Tuesday, January 26
Famed Citronelle and Central chef Michel Richard signs copies of his book, Happy in the Kitchen, at the National Gallery of Art’s Sixth Street, Northwest, entrance from 10:30 to noon. After meeting the chef, guests can nosh on some of Richard’s French creations that he developed in honor of the museum’s “From Impressionism to Modernism: The Chester Dale Collection,” which will be on display starting January 31.

Wednesday, January 27
To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, the Italian Embassy (3000 Whitehaven St., NW) hosts a presentation of Olivia Fincato and Renato D’Agostin’s book Un Giorno Con Lucia (A Day With Lucia) from 6:30 to 9:30. The book chronicles the life of Lucia Servadio Bedarida, an Italian who became the first female physician in Morocco after fleeing the Holocaust. The evening also includes the opening of a photo exhibit by D’Agostin. Click here to RSVP.

Thursday, January 28
Learn how emotional intelligence is related to career success in a seminar at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement (1666 K St., NW) from 6 to 8. Christie Lewis describes how recognizing your own feelings and those of others in the workplace—as well as motivating yourself and managing emotions—is just as important as a high IQ, if not more so.

Friday, January 29
The annual Iranian Film Festival is taking place at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, and tonight’s movie is Shirin at 7. The film is a series of close-up montages of 112 Iranian women’s faces (plus French actress Juliette Binoche) as they watch an adaptation of Shirin, a tragic Persian love story. Tickets, limited to two per person, are distributed starting at 6 outside the Meyer Auditorium. Click here for more information.

Saturday, January 30
Art Whino welcomed the opening of the artist Cutthroat’s new politically charged stencil work, “Un Cachito de lo Nuestro” (“A Little Slice of Ours”) from 6 to midnight. The artist’s work was heavily influenced by his journey across the Mexican border in search of a better life. For more information on the gallery and to see previews of Cutthroat’s work, click here.

Sunday, January 31
Chaise Lounge performs a sultry mix of jazz standards with the fluttery vocals of Marilyn Older at the Kennedy Center’s free Millennium Stage from 6 to 7. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes prior to showtime on a first-come, first-served basis.

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