Consul General of News

On Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 8:00pm ET, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will present Speaking Truth to Power, an online performance of Beethoven's Egmont, Op. 84 featuring the world premiere of an incisive new Orpheus-commissioned English translation, adapted for the current day, by Philip Boehm.

Adapting to the challenges of the current moment, the French Institute Alliance Françaises 25th annual Bastille Day Celebration will go virtual this year.

On Monday, June 22, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT)a?"Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the New World Symphony, and Conductor Laureate of the London Symphony Orchestraa?"was named an Officer in the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters), the second of three grades recognized in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, awarded to distinguished artists who have made significant contributions to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world.

The Consulate General of India, Houston, in collaboration with several supporting organizations, is organizing a virtual celebration in honor of the Sixth International Day of Yoga (IDY), streamed live from India House and broadcast through the Consulate General of India Houston Facebook page (Facebook.com/indiainhouston) as well as the Facebook page of India House (Facebook.com/indiahouse).

This Sunday, Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, Sing for Hope, and Lang Lang International Music Foundation presented 'We Are Here: A Celebration of Resilience, Resistance, and Hope.'

Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., April 24-26, goes virtual this year.

On Sunday, the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust presented New York's Annual Gathering of Remembrance.

Irish Arts Center, a multidisciplinary center dedicated to bringing people of all backgrounds together through the excellence and dynamism of Irish arts and culture, presents their 10th Annual Book Day (March 17).

For the first time in its history, the French Institute Alliançe Francaise (FIAF) honored two women at its annual Trophée des Arts Gala on Monday, November 4th at The Plaza Hotel in NYC. This year's event honored actress and musician Charlotte Gainsbourg, who was recognized as someone who exemplifies FIAF's mission of French-American friendship and cross-cultural exchange. FIAF also fêted Ardian president Dominique Senequier, who received the Pilier d'Or for her contributions as a leading businesswoman to the French-American community.   

The Consul General of Canada Mr. Zaib Shaikh and his wife Kirstine Stewart celebrated the 70+ Canadian Emmy nominations last evening at the official Canadian Residence in Los Angeles last evening (Saturday, September 21).

It was fitting that Manipuri dance was chosen to commemorate India Independence Day, because during British colonial rule the dances were ridiculed as savage, immoral and outdated. Fortunately, thanks to India's independence, the help of activists, scholars and performers revitalizing ancient yet timeless traditions, and organizations like Battery Dance Festival, Manipuri dance can continue to thrive not only in India but on the world's stage. Lord Krishna must be pleased!

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??The Mexican Museum (TMM) is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Trustees to assist in the expansion and construction of its new  facility in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Arts District.  An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the new museum will be a space that is accessible, transparent, and focused on providing diverse communities with educational events and enjoyable experiences through art and culture of Mexican and Latin American origin. 

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) held its annual Summer Benefit Concert on Monday, July 15, presenting Tony- and Academy Award-winning actor and Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish director Joel Grey with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work in film, television, and theatre; and honoring longtime supporters Mark and Audrey Mlotek.

COME FROM AWAY opening night's audience was treated to a talk back by four very special people, who joined the cast on the stage for a talkback once the show had completed. The panel included some real-life Gander9.11 storytellers who are portrayed as characters in the show: Kevin Tuerff, a passenger who wrote the book 'Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 911'; Captain Beverly Bass, an American Airlines pilot whose plane was one of the 38 that touched down on the tarmac that day; Claude Elliot, former mayor of Gander who coordinated efforts for the small town of 10,000 people to welcome 7,000 guests. Also in attendance was Nadia Theodore, the consul general of Canada, and

John Bell and John Gaden reprise their roles as the men who saved Paris from being obliterated in the encore season of DIPLOMACY. 

For its seventh year of offering plays by contemporary Irish playwrights to Portland audiences, Corrib Theatre announces a three-show season: Eclipsed by Patricia Burke Brogan, James X by Gerard Mannix Flynn, and Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue. All three 2019-20 productions will be held at New Expressive Works, 810 SE Belmont St., Portland.

The Joyce Theater Foundation (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) will honor the Vice Chair of its board, Anh-Tuyet Nguyen, and the Australian Consulate General – New York at its 2019 Spring Gala on Wednesday, May 8.

San Francisco Opera joins with the City of San Francisco, the French Consulate and Grace Cathedral for a solidarity concert for the Notre-Dame de Paris on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m at Grace Cathedral. The free public event will include performances by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Adler Fellow pianist Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad, Notre-Dame de Paris organist Johann Vexo, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, American Bach Soloists & Choir, and Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys.

A new musical, A JOURNEY OF ANGELS, is currently in development with a theatrical workshop planned for June 2019 in Los Angeles. The musical features a book by Brent Beerman, music and lyrics by Kathi Chaplar and directed by Kay Cole. Additional information about the workshop will be announced at a later date.

On Thursday, February 7, China Institute hosted its annual Chinese New Year Gala at the Hwa Yuan Szechuan in New York City to welcome the Year of the Pig. More than 160 guests enjoyed award-winning Chinese cuisine and a scrumptious dessert buffet as well as bespoke Remy XO cocktails by LUCKYRICE.