Embassy of France: Alzheimer’s Pocket Film Screening

The Alliance for Aging Research organized the event at French Embassy for wine, French-inspired hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, live music and a special presentation to promoye understanding of Alzheimer's disease. The five short films, written and directed by David Shenk, the author of The Forgetting, were pretty informative.  You can view the films at Youtube. 

What is Alzheimer's disease? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wv9jrk-gXc

Immanuel Bible Church Easter Pageant: Resurrection

Over 100 musicians and a cast of more than 50 presented this dramatic portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ.  It was pretty touching, and wet my eyes at least twice.

Cherry blossom festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW was fun. It had the best weather ever since I moved to DC in 2000. There were giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and I saw pop star Aaron Carter lip-sung. A few people told me that they liked my kimono, and at least two asked me to post for them for photos.

It was a pity that  Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival started charging for $10 admission this year, so I skipped it. I was a volunteer one year, so I knew it pretty well.

One-person play

Thanks to a lady in my theater group who give two tickets 4 pm Sunday afternoon, just 3 hours before the play. I sent out emails and recruited one friend to go with me. I have seen some one-person play which can get quite boring since there was only one person with stage sets/design. This one was actually funny yet sad.

Loveland Starring Ann Randolp. What’s so funny about death? In her original play Loveland, Ann Randolph takes the audience on a remarkable cross-country flight that is as funny as it is deeply human. Portraying multiple characters, including heroine, Frannie Potts, an out of control, sexually charged misfit facing the loss of the greatest love of her life, Randolph travels from outrageous confrontation and awkward confusion to a glimpse of the mystery, tragedy and beauty that unites us all.

http://tickets.arenastage.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=17346

review washington post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/loveland-at-arena-stage-is-inappropriate-in-all-the-right-ways/2014/03/24/5c177ddc-b37b-11e3-bab2-b9602293021d_story.html

Concert in French Embassy

Ellipsos Quartet, a French group formed in Nantes in 2004, is an internationally-known saxophone quartet that incorporates both classical and contemporary music into its repertoire. Having just released their third album Boléro in January 2014, Ellipsos prides itself on enchanting audiences through its lively performances and expanding the scope of the power of music through initiatives such as their annual saxophone camp.

Website: http://www.quatuor-ellipsos.com/en

PROGRAM

Quatuor Ellipsos celebrates the bicentennial of the Birth of Adolphe Sax (1814-2014) with a French program:

- Introduction et Variations sur une ronde populaire by Gabriel Pierné

- Pavane pour une infante défunte by Maurice Ravel

- Tango Virtuoso by Thierry Escaich

- Petit Quatuor by Jean Francaix

- Bolero by Maurice Ravel (with an electro-acoustic device)

Google glass

I tested the google class during a professional conference in DC, before it was available for the public to purchase on 4/15/2104. It is a fine piece of gadget but I will not pay $1,500 USD  for it now, but waiting for it to become as popular as I-phone. Also, I do not want any public attention and to be called as a "Glasshole." LOL