You can easily spot the just-returned-from-abroad AU student, wandering lost through the quad in search of a warm croissant or ordering at the Davenport in Swahili. Fortunately, multicultural and multilingual D.C. offers ample opportunities for AU students to find the beloved culture of the part of the world they just left behind. From authentic restaurants to rich cultural institutions and myriad art exhibits, the District softens the reverse culture shock.
LATIN AMERICA It should come as no surprise that D.C., which has a rich, multicultural Hispanic community, supports a thriving Latin American and Spanish language culture.
GALA Hispanic Theater 3333 14th St. N.W. METRO: Columbia Heights (green and yellow line) GALA, one of the nation's most renowned Spanish language theaters, features theater that caters to the rich diversity of Hispanic cultures in D.C. GALA is truly a bilingual institution, as its performances are staged in both Spanish and English with electronic subtitles. GALA's offerings also recently expanded to include spoken word, film and dance. The upcoming production at GALA, which will open Jan. 29, is "The Best Judge, the King" - a lesser-known work by famed Spanish playwright Lope de Vega that explores themes of justice in feudal Spain. Later on in April, GALA will stage "The True History of Coca-Cola in Mexico" - a modern comedy about exploitation in Mexico.
Teatro de la Luna 2700 S. Lang St. Arlington, Va. METRO: Crystal City (blue and yellow lines) This Hispanic theater, which performs at Arlington's Gunston Arts Center and various other theater venues throughout the D.C. area, offers Spanish-language productions with English subtitles. Additionally, Teatro de la Luna sponsors international theater festivals, a poetry marathon in April and Spanish-language acting classes. Starting Feb. 12, this theater will stage "Mujeres al poder" - or "Kick-Butt Women" - which will examine powerful women throughout history.
Mexican Cultural Institute in D.C. 2829 16th St. N.W. METRO: Columbia Heights (green and yellow line) This cultural institution, housed in an old mansion in Columbia Heights, offers an array of programming, including arts, literary and musical events. The entrance of the institute houses a permanent collection of Mexican visual art in the Jose Clemente Orozco Gallery, in addition to its new and rotating exhibitions that examine more specific periods in Mexican art. The institute currently showcases the exhibit "1968 Mexico, Prague, Paris," a series of powerful Associated Press photographs exploring the same social movement in three distinct global cities.
Inter-American Development Bank's Cultural Center 1300 New York Ave. N.W. METRO: Metro Center (red, blue and orange lines) This downtown cultural center opened in 1992 to present a series of rotating exhibitions on the 28 Latin American and Caribbean countries that examine the cross-cultural dialogue between Europe and the Americas. Now the Development Bank will stage the "IV Inter-American Biennial of Video Art," a multimedia exhibit showcasing new media art from Latin America and the Caribbean, until the end of January.
FRANCE With a strong cultural institution and several authentic restaurants in the hip Northwest neighborhoods, D.C. makes it easy for the Francophile to find linguistic, artistic and culinary fulfillment.
L'Enfant 2000 8th St. N.W. METRO: Dupont Circle (red line) Once the weather grows warm, this Northwest corner café transforms into the familiar sidewalk French café with tables filling its patio. Savory crepes and an array of half-price Belgian beers during its Tuesday happy hour will take you back to your semester in France.
Alliance Fran?aise de Washington 2142 Wyoming Ave. N.W. METRO: Dupont Circle (red line) This French language and cultural center offers extensive and diverse programming for the Francophile, including French cinema club, conversation nights, art exhibits and wine tastings. In March, the Alliance will host a French slam poetry performance company.
Mon Ami Gabi 7239 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, Md. METRO: Bethesda (red line) French-bistro classics from onion soup to steak-frites fill the menu at this Bethesda restaurant that often offers live music.
National Gallery of Art Fourth St. and Constitution Ave. N.W. METRO: Smithsonian (blue and orange lines) Get the French audio guide and wander the museum's ample permanent impressionist exhibit - you'll feel as though you're back at the Musée d'Orsay. The National Gallery also tends to offer extensive French cultural programming, including a showcase of new French short films on Feb. 13.
Café Divan 1834 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. METRO: Foggy Bottom-GWU (blue and orange lines) Anyone who has been a poor college student in France knows that the best part of French cuisine is the culinary influence of the large Turkish immigrant population. Offering carved lamb and veal, here's a possible replacement for your favorite kebab shop.
GERMANY The District might not be known for its German culture, but it does host a large and diverse festival of independent German cinema.
Goethe-Institut 812 Seventh St. N.W. METRO: Gallery Place-Chinatown (red, green and yellow lines) The D.C. branch of this German cultural institution hosts film, art and language events throughout the District.
Film/NEU E Street Cinema and Goethe-Institut 555 11th St. N.W. METRO: Metro Center (red, blue and orange lines) From Jan. 23 to 29, this local independent movie house hosts a diverse series of new films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
AFRICA D.C. is rich with cuisine from Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa, as well as being home to an incredible national museum devoted to African art.
National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Ave. N.W. METRO: Smithsonian (blue and orange lines) This lesser-known Smithsonian, housed in a quiet corner of the National Mall next to the Freer, houses an extensive collection of African art from the ancient to the modern that represents a diverse range of cultures. Film programming adds to the museum's cultural offerings.
Ghana Café 2465 18th St. N.W. METRO: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (red line) Ample East African dishes and Ghanaian beers are served up at this café with views of the Adams Morgan bustle on 18th Street. You can even groove to Afropop on the dance floor upstairs.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Wolf Trap Vienna, Va. METRO: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU (orange line) Featured on NPR and in Paste magazine's summer international music issue, this popular South African a cappella group brings their vibrant and layered harmonies to neighboring Vienna on Jan. 26.
Nando's Peri-Peri 819 Seventh St. N.W. METRO: Gallery Place-Chinatown (red, green and yellow lines) African art and a mix of regional tunes fill this South African chain, serving up freshly spiced chicken grilled to order with a variety of sauces This little take-out restaurant even has a cult following for its chicken, boasting some 30,000 members on its international Facebook fan club, according to washingtonpost.com.
CHINA Few tourists know that the National Mall holds one of the largest collections of Asian art in the region. Besides Chinatown, one can also venture into suburban Rockville, Md. for myriad authentic Chinese restaurants.
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Jefferson Drive and 12th St. N.W. METRO: Smithsonian (blue and orange lines) The Freer and Sackler galleries contain one of the most extensive and diverse collections of Chinese art outside of China, as well as extensive film programming.
You can reach this staff writer at agoldstein@theeagleonline.com.
