China wins first prize in Open Embassies Day

The flag outside the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

/By Patricia Leslie

Of the embassies I visited on Saturday, here are my winners:


Best Overall Presentation:        China (for size and scope)
Friendliest Staff:                      Saudi Arabia

Most Earth Friendly:                 Saudi Arabia
Best Spread:                           Tanzania
Loudest Music:                        Ethiopia
Best View of Reno Road:          Bangladesh

(I was going to be tacky and claim Pakistan as a "no-show," but given its tension with India, I shall refrain. Please read on.)

It was "open embassies" day for non-EU countries and first up on my visitor's card was the Saudi Arabian embassy where the security (above) quickly checked and approved guests for entry in their showplace. A horse, cultural displays, and food were offered outside (below).

This handsome fellow served us delicious tea outside at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Friendly greeters stood in the hallway to welcome visitors/By Patricia Leslie

This woman was proud to point to the painting commemorating the meeting in 1945 of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud which initiated a long-term relationship, this year celebrating its octogintennial anniversary, the longest U.S. has had with any Arab state. The painting hangs in the entrance hallway at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Entertainment at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie
Inside the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Thirty minutes later and the fellow was still serving tea at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

  
Food to go at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Compostable food boxes at the Saudi embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Saudi video promotions ran while we dined underneath tents at the embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Next stop, Qatar...whoops! The 20-minute wait was too long for this 
mama in a hurry/By Patricia Leslie

  

On to Tanzania which had the biggest spread of any embassy I visited and had no wait! Thank you, Tanzania!/By Patricia Leslie

The spread at Tanzania, "a fusion influenced by many cultures," Middle Eastern and Indian, including this "tasty reflection of the country's diverse influences...a mouthwatering mix of Spices from the Island of Zanzibar." Tasty and delicious, I'll say!/By Patricia Leslie
Visitors fill plates at Tanzania/By Patricia Leslie
Inside the Tanzania embassy/By Patricia Leslie
Dancing outside the Tanzania embassy/By Patricia Leslie

I interrupt this embassy tour to bring you the "Democracy Tree" which I stumbled across on New Hampshire Avenue while on my embassies' trek.  The tree was planted by the Foundry United Methodist Church (when? ND) to recognize the lack of a D.C. voting member in the U.S. Congress: "Taxation Without Representation is Tyranny," the plaque states/By Patricia Leslie
 

The "Democracy Tree"/By Patricia Leslie

Arriving at the Chinese embassy I passed a sign stating "30 minutes wait from here," but, happily, I had no wait!/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Chinese embassy with a panda, of course!/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Chinese embassy. Note sculptures outside the glass which may be seen from the back of the embassy on Van Ness Street in a photo below/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie
 

A table set for fine dining at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Ceiling fixtures in the fine dining room at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

A large auditorium featuring entertainment Saturday at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Dancers at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Dancers at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Dancers at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie
More entertainment in the auditorium at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

On the walls at the embassy were photographs of scenes visitors may see when visiting China/By Patricia Leslie
More scenes for tourists at the Chinese embassy, here, camel riders/By Patricia Leslie
Inside the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Down the stairs to the auditorium and the "bamboo room" at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

At the bottom of the stairs, visitors waited for their names to be written in Chinese, souvenirs from the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

This must be the ambassador's office at the Chinese embassy, but I failed to ask! The window looks out on Van Ness Street/By Patricia Leslie

More of the fancy office at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

The "bamboo room" where special guests are invited when visiting the Chinese embassy, a guide told me.  Rather than a photograph, this is embroidery of a bamboo scene, a skill practiced for more than 2,000 years, the guide said/By Patricia Leslie
Guests view the "bamboo room" at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie
The film room at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Down the up staircase at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Outside the Chinese embassy, guests wait in line for food and eat/By Patricia Leslie

Delicious vegetarian spring rolls, a dumpling, and an almond cookie were on the menu and served outside a tent at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Loud (very loud) anti-China demonstrators made their presence known at the entrance of the Chinese embassy with a bullhorn and drums. They never stopped shouting the time I was there. They shouted they were not holding the Chinese people in contempt, only the Chinese government/By Patricia Leslie

The anti-China protesters at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

The anti-China protesters at the Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

The Chinese embassy/By Patricia Leslie

On to the Ethiopian embassy where (sorry, Ethiopia) but the 45 minutes wait was not worth it. You didn't show us much inside!/By Patricia Leslie

Ethiopian products for sale in the only room where we were permitted at the embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Dancing at the Ethiopian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Ethiopian food served to guests, including injera, "the classic Ethiopian bread used to scoop wot"/By Patricia Leslie

 The only room we saw at the Ethiopian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

 Moving down the street to the Bangladesh embassy/By Patricia Leslie

The hallway leading to the entrance and exit at the Bangladesh embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Entertainment at the Bangladesh embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Looking out on Reno Road from the balcony of the Bangladesh embassy where food was for sale/By Patricia Leslie

Remember the outdoor sculptures seen from the window inside the Chinese embassy?  Here they are seen from Van Ness Street/By Patricia Leslie

The back of the Chinese embassy as it stands on Van Ness Street, close to half a million square feet (!) and designed by I.M. Pei/By Patricia Leslie

Where o where was Pakistan?  Although its facility was on the map of open embassies, the gates were locked and it looked like no one was at home at 3:45 p.m. (Closing time was announced at 5 p.m.) No cars in the drive, no humans, no life save us weary who had climbed the International Court hill to visit Pakistan. Alas! Given the tension between Pakistan and India, Pakistan's "no-show" was excused and, at least, calories expended climbing the hill.

Next Saturday, May 10, the EU nations will hold "open embassies," but if this year is anything like the open EU embassies in 2023 when the waits were an hour plus and all you saw was a room or two, plus, maybe got half a biscuit, no thanks! Are the non-EU nations always better to visit?  For sure!

patricialesli@gmail.com

The strife is not o'er in GALA’s 'Choke'

From left, Gerardo Ortiz Gonzalez, Maria del Mar Rodriguez and Giselle Gonzalez in GALA'S Choke/By Stan Weinstein

In Spanish the subtitle means “it happens even in the best of families” and if you’re a family member, you’ve experienced it, too: disagreements, conflict, exasperation, and love.

Compounded with intergenerational and environmental injustice in Charm City and there: "Attention, Baltimore! We've got problems."


In the world premiere of his powerful play Choke on stage now at GALA Hispanic Theatre, Emilio T. Infante has written about family matters involving Giselle Gonzalez as Casandra and Joi Kai, Zulema, a lesbian couple, who arrive for a visit at Casandra's parents' home.

Casandra's father, Gonzalo (Gerardo Ortiz Gonzalez) and mother, Esperanza (Maria del Mar Rodriguez) have no quarrel with their offspring's relationship with a person of the same sex. They welcome Zu into their household.

But it's their daughter who throws tantrums at her parents' home in industrial  Baltimore repeating family fights over health, financial, and personal problems, and this isn't the first time.

With no hint of empathy, Casandra has come home to roost and crow, and crow she does with increasing volume until she yells. And yells loudly and tells her parents just what she thinks.

She wants them to move, but her parents proclaim their desire to stay. They don't have the means to pay for repairs, but money is a touchy subject.

This kind couple could raise such a daughter?

Ouch!

I felt for Gonzalo and Esperanza, especially Gonzalo who has seeming few years left, and is the target of his daughter's persistently harsh epithets. 

He breathes through an oxygen tube he carries around (so realistic I wondered if GALA had hired a handicapped actor), and to protect his self-esteem, he refuses to ask Casandra for a loan.

For years she has pleaded with her parents to move away from the "refinery" and all its chemical and polluting ills plaguing the family.

Yet, the parents resist. Until the bridge is busted and the government offers a way out.

Throughout the ordeal, Esperanza (which means "hope" in English), remains cool, calm, and collected, as she tries to soothe word wounds inflicted on one by the other.

From left, Giselle Gonzalez and Joi Kai in GALA'S Choke/By Stan Weinstein

Zulema mostly stands on the sidelines, offering comfort to those afflicted, an observer who must be thankful that her partner has not shown such anger at her...yet.

A hole in the floor captures the whole bloomin' mess like Casandra's hardened heart which allows no compassion for anyone who disagrees with her. It's her way or the hole way.

But, it's not all screaming and yelling: Bits of humor flash every now and then. 

Like the actors, creative team members excel at GALA and their contributions for this show are no exception.

Sound designer Konstantine Lortkipanidze infuses the play with sirens of industrial emergencies, and, in calmer moments, music between-the-scenes, especially chilling single piano keys which slowly play at critical moments for fine dramatic effect.

Gustavo Ott, GALA's artistic director, directs.
Grisele Gonzalez created the full kitchen, dining and sitting room set, assisted by Sarah Bidini, with lighting designer, Hailey LaRoe, and costumer Rukiya Henry-Fields.

Other key creative team members are Tessa Grippaudo, properties; Andre Hopfer, hair and makeup; Ilyana Rose-Davila, production manager; Matty Griffiths, technicals; Grace Rodriguez, stage manager; Makayla Smith, assistant stage manager.

Choke is presented in Spanish with English surtitles on screens on both sides of the stage.

The production will keep you intrigued as you try to guess the ending and ponder how you would bring harmony to this divided family and let all be peaceful and calm, for a change.


WHAT: Choke

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Now through May 18, 2025

WHERE:  GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.

TICKETS: Get 2 for 1 regular tickets for May 1 and May 2 shows with the code: Chocking.

Special event May 3:  Longtime theater patrons Jose Alberto Ucles and husband Tom Noll with receive the Gary Maker Audience Award at 7:30 p.m. preceding the 8 p.m. performance. All attending are invited to a reception after the performance. 

DURATION: About two hours plus a ten-minute intermission.

AGES: For 14 and up; adult themes and some adult language.

Handicapped accessibility: GALA has four wheelchair accessible spaces and an elevator from the entrance to the lobby and the house.

Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA on the Green and Yellow lines. Or, get off Metro at McPherson Square, take bus #52 or #54 up 14th, or, walk the two miles from McPherson Square and save money and expend calories! Lots of places to eat along the way.

Parking: Discounted parking for $4 at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road with ticket validation in GALA's lobby. Additional parking is available on the street and at the Target garage also on Park Road NW, between 14th and 16th streets NW.

For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org

patricialesli@gmail.com

Vienna's new play soars!

Vienna Theater Company's cast in Decision Height/Photo by Shaley Weinstein

I always feel fortunate to live in the DMV where regional theatres like Vienna Theatre Company give us stimulating productions with excellent acting like Decision Height.

For anyone with a liking of or a link to World War II through legacy, history, drama, or just wanting a great theatre experience, Vienna's new play, Decision Height about trainees in the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) program presents a brief look at a seldom told story of females at war.

And it's based on fact!

Which includes that the ladies received no military benefits for their service.

During the war, the women flew 60 million miles in the U.S. to relieve men of domestic flights so they could tackle combat duties. Eventually, the WASPs flew every type of military aircraft and taught male pilots, too.

Right off the bat, strong personalities emerge in Decision Height with Kim Paul taking the lead as "Virginia" in this camaraderie of women formed at the training field, Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, the locale of the show and the historic site.

No one is as dominant a trainee as Shannon McCarthy's "Eddie," who wants everyone to know just exactly where she stands which is not much when it comes to "I'm Carol!" (Shelby Kaplan), no shrimp she exclaims time and time again to the group, refusing to accept the demeaning comments thrown at her by most of the rest of the crew.

Jocelyn Steiner is "Ziggie," a serious instructor joined by another strictly business type, Melissa Dunlap who carries off her role realistically as "Mrs. Deaton," the no-nonsense "dorm mother."

Some of the women acknowledge the men in their lives and the importance of wartime letters and telegrams (whatever they are) but this is not an outright preachy women's rights play but one about a war group who formed a common bond with a common goal, to utilize their skills and talents and help the Allies win the war.

Director Jessie Roberts skillfully marches the women in unison with boots knocking the wooden floor for the familiar rhythmic sound, clickety clack, clickety clack.

A-ten-shun!

And with special "goggles," the pilots maneuver the skies.

Sound designer and projectionist Jon Roberts does an excellent job with planes in the air, taking off, idling and, what is WWII without music? It's all here.

Charlie and Katie Boone have designed a simple set with a few beds, embellished by Roberts's backdrop of a large screen of an historic barracks.

Introducing the show is WWII footage from the Smithsonian Channel, lending credence to the story and an audience pleaser.

Julie Whelihan has fashioned lovely and elegant 1940s apparel to set the tone, with the exception of drab Air Force uniforms which need no color anyway when up against lively dialogue.

Other airwomen in the show are Shannon McCarthy, Keenan Parker, Jen Ware, Caroline Kinney, and Vanessa Bliss.

Production team members include Claire Tse, producer; Katie Boone, stage manager; Tom Epps, lighting; and Sherry Kaiser, properties.

Decision Height by Meredith Dayna Levy won the new play award at the 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, originating at Virginia's Hollins University Theatre.

More than 1,000 WASPs graduated and 38 died during service. In 2009, President Obama signed into law the Congressional Gold Medal for the WASPs who were honored at a ceremony March 10, 2010.

Come to the play and learn the meaning of "decision height," and when you're in Texas, visit the WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater.

What: Decision Height

When: 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays now through May 3, 2025 and 2 p.m., Sundays April 27 and May 4, 2025.

Where: Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180

How much: Tickets are $16. Order online at Vienna, VA – WebTrac Ticket Search (myvscloud.com), at the box office at the community center or before the show starts.

Duration: About two hours plus an intermission.

For more information: vtcshows@yahoo.com.

patricialesli@gmail.com

Easter Day Evensong with flowers 2025, Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At the entrance of the Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Inside the entrance at Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Entry to Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Easter pew cushions at Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

The altar at Children's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At the Dulin Window, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025, Abraham Lincoln held yellow tulips in front of remarks he made in Springfield, IL, Feb. 11, 1862/By Patricia Leslie

Another statue of Abraham Lincoln, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

George Washington, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

At the Andrew Mellon Window, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Thomas M. Sheehan, Julie DeBoer, Edward Hewes, and Ariana Corbin were  organists listed on the program for Evensong, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

The Evensong processional, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

The Evensong processional, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

The Evensong processional, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

The Evensong processional, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025. Hymns sung by all during the service included "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" and "The Strife Is O'er"/By Patricia Leslie

The Space Window, Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

She played the Tocatta on Victimae Pashcali Laudes by Iain Quinn, to end the Evensong service at Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, April 20, 2025/By Patricia Leslie

Patricialesli@gmail.com
 

Tysons' Tesla Takedown

She banged her drum at the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

It's official: The percentage of Americans supporting Tesla Takedowns is about 75% based upon a scientific study of supportive horns, arm waves and thumbs up from drivers who passed the Tesla Tysons' dealership Saturday and showered their support upon the 100 or so demonstrators bemoaning  swasticars and their architect, Elon Musk.

Fox News reported about 275 domestic protests and 500 across the world were lodged against Musk and Trump over the weekend.

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

I know the number of participants is growing because I attended for the first time Saturday and have plans to attend more. 

A man (a security guard?) dressed all in black stood outside the Tesla entrance but nothing to fear since all was peaceful, and three Fairfax County police cars waited at the ready in case the situation changed. 

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the Tysons' Tesla Takedown, Mar. 29, 2025 in Vienna, VA/By Patricia Leslie

Musk said Tesla protestors were "paid." Ha!  He should know since he pays voters but paid we were not, reminding me of August 18, 1995 in Nashville when Newt Gingrich (with emphasis on the last syllable) put in an appearance at a Nashville bookstore to promote his new book, to be met by 200 protestors of whom I was one. 

With my children I watched the local news later that night to learn that Gingrich said the protestors were paid $10 each.

My 11-year-old son looked at me and said, "But you weren't paid, Mom!" Of course not, I told him:  "It's just another example of how politicians lie."  

The Tesla Takedown movement grows with more demonstrations planned. Go to Indivisible or Tesla Takedown to learn more.

patricialesli@gmail.com

Liza with a L for loving her true story

 

 Happy 79th Birthday today, Liza Minnelli!

After the audience had seen his new film, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, writer and director Bruce David Klein addressed an appreciative crowd at Cinema Arts in Fairfax, Virginia Saturday afternoon to talk about it, a must-see movie for any Liza fan.

Klein used the word "explosive" often in his telling to describe Liza. Answering a question in the Q and A session, he said Liza saw the film after it was finished and “loved it;" she had no control on the script or anything about it.

Making the film was like "sculpting," Klein said, crafted from thousands of hours of film, carving it into the final piece presented on screen.

Liza's illustrious mother, Judy Garland (1922-1969) made the film more difficult since her ghost could have dominated the production but Klein instead focused on Liza's "mentors" like Kay Thompson who took Liza under her wing after her mother's death. 

That the film focused on her mentors and not her Oscar, her Tonys, Emmy, Grammy and other awards made Liza very happy, Klein said.

Liza's father, Vincente Minnelli (1903-1986), stage and film director, was equally as notable as her mother and more influential on Liza than her mother, Klein believes.

When Liza was 5 or 6, her father had dresses made for her in her size from the costume designs in the films he was working on which would have been Father of the Bride (1950), An American in Paris (1951), and The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).

Liza touches on all four of her marriages, three miscarriages and relationships with so many men, it left me spinning and breathless (envious) trying to keep up. 

Her fragility on screen is supported by her persona in several interviews, all accompanied by a piano which just happened to roll into every room of interviews "in case Liza wanted to sing," an understatement Klein said because Liza loves and wanted to sing. 

And sing she does! (All while maintaining her heavy      cigarette habit!) 

Mia Farrow is interviewed at length, and, in separate sessions, Joel Grey (now almost 93!), George Hamilton (85), and Michael Feinstein (usually on piano) are among others who deliver glowing spiels about Liza.

The only parts of the film I thought were too lengthy were the visuals of "chapters" in Liza's life ("Don't hang around with people you don't like").

Clips from her films are included, of course, making me wish, Mr. Cinema Arts Owner, for a Liza Minnelli film weekend.

patricialesli@gmail.com