Events DC  is brining back Passport DC, the month-long journey around the world highlighting Washington, DC's thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied culture. In its 17th year, Passport DC is celebrated annually in May, which is International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington. Passport DC will be a showcase of an outstanding array of cultural activities presented at embassy open houses, street festivals, performing arts venues, museums, and special receptions throughout the District. All events are free and open to the public.Some not to miss events include: Around the World Embassy Tour is one of several signature events produced during May’s International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, DC. Non-European Union Embassies, representing six continents and islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, open their doors to DC visitors and residents. These visitors then “travel the world” as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations and manufactured goods from different countries. Guests may also be treated to karate demonstrations, sari wrapping lessons, alpaca petting and the mechanics of video games and robots. Each embassy decides what unique aspect of its country it wants to present to the public. 60+ embassies are confirmed to open their doors to the public on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A full list of embassies participating is HERE.  * International City Food Festival will be two days of celebrations complementing the first weekend of Passport DC, making culinary diplomacy accessible to all ages through a variety of fun and culturally rich events. Join Events DC at The Square on May 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and May 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. where there will be a plethora of international performances, food, and crafts presented by vendors from around the world. The International City Food Festival offers an opportunity to journey across the globe and celebrate diverse cultures within the heart of Washington, DC.* European Union Open House is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Visitors will enjoy the authentic music, dance, food, film and art of the distinctive nations of the European Union! This event falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community, a multinational entity that would eventually become the European Union as we know it today.* All Hallows Guild’s Flower Mart is a program where people can shop for plants and gifts, eat fun festival food, enjoy children’s activities, ride the historic carousel and take in the beauty of the International Floral Exhibit. All Hallows Guild has hosted Flower Mart since 1939 and this is our 85th festival! Flower Mart is our largest annual fundraiser for the Washington National Cathedral's gardens and grounds. The 2024 theme is "In Bloom" as we celebrate the power of flowers!* Fiesta Asia is a street fair and a signature celebration that occurs every May in conjunction with Asian Heritage Month Commemorations. It offers outdoor craft exhibits, live performances, food and more. Since 2006, Fiesta Asia’s aim is to share, celebrate, and promote the diversity of Asian heritage and culture through the arts, traditions, education, cuisine, and way of life.That’s just a brief look into all the incredible ways to celebrate the unique offerings in the DC Area through Passport DC

Read Brianna Crane & Sami Sparber's interview with Nycci, and get all the deets on hosting trends in 2024~Find out more here. Photo: A tablescape by North Carolina-based dinner party wares rental company Canary. Photo: Emily Bennett, courtesy of Beth Nash 

St Patrick's Day is here, and there are so many ways to celebrate! Listen in to Nycci's suggestions, pt 3:

Hey All, and thanks for joining me again. It was patio season and no…now it isn't. This is spring in DC. One day it’s sunny and 70 and one day it’s sunny and 30. ANYWAY. The ridiculous weather doesn’t take away my excitement from taping this month’s show at Tony & Joe’s. I am down on the sparkling Potomac water, watching the boats go by. This is a so “if you know you know” situation. Tony and Joe’s has one of the best patios in DC with views of the Kennedy Center. As I have said, once the weather hits an acceptable temperature, find me out on that patio with a tray of fresh shucked oysters and a glass of rose. Thanks as always to Greg Casten for being such a tremendous supporter of me, this show, and the work that I do.Later in the show, I’ll be chatting with Mary Taylor of Mary Taylor wines. For the span of her professional life, she has been active in all aspects of the wine industry, whether selling high-end French and Italian wines at the Sotheby’s auction, opening a retail store in lower Manhattan, serving as the president of a Tri-state area wholesale company, or working as a portfolio manager for a major distributor covering the entire United States. Fast forward to now and Mary Taylor Wine is the largest self-funded female wine importer in the United States. If you don’t know Mary Taylor - you are about to…Listen to the podcast interview here, or watch the full episode here.