Celebrate Peru: Peruvian national holiday 2011 festivals in Washington DC metro area

The Washington, DC, metropolitan area is home to about 120 thousand Peruvians and U.S. citizens of Peruvian heritage, and counting, most of whom live in the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.

On July 28th 2011, the Republic of Peru will be celebrating its 190th anniversary as an independent country, after seceding from the Hispanic monarchy in 1821. Also, it will be the inauguration day of Ollanta Humala as the next Peruvian president.

Peru is one of the richest countries in the world when it comes to cultures, traditions, history, geography, and it was one of the six places in the word where human civilizations started. Peruvians living abroad usually maintain our traditions within our families, especially food, arts, religion, dances and music.

Come join us Peruvians on celebrating our 190th National Holidays, by attending any of these events in the D.C. metro area.

Peruvians celebrating in Maryland. Photo EventosVIPpass

President Barack Obama met with president elect Ollanta Humala last week at the White House. Photo Edgar Becerra

Peruanisimo Festival in VA 2010. Photo EventosVIPpass

Peruvian Film and Dances Festival at the National Geographic Museum

This is a brief review of the photographic exhibit Machu Picchu: A Lost City Uncovered. Photographs from the Hiram Bingham Expeditions 1911–1915 and a brief conversation with Greg McGruder, vice president of Public Programs at the National Geographic Society.

On Sunday July 17, the National Geographic Society and the Embassy of Peru to the U.S. are celebrating the Centenary of the rediscovery of  the indigenous citadel of Machu Picchu, with a Festival of Peruvian Dances and Film:

This festival is free, but each film (with live dancing demonstrations) costs $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children. The program includes:

• 11:00 AM. Dance Workshop and Show with VA-based Peruvian dance group Mamauca and live music by VA-based group Tahuantinsuyo del Inca.

• 12:00 noon. Contemporary Andean music performance by the respected Peruvian musician Cesar Villalobos, leader of the famous group Inca Son, of Boston.

• 1:00 PM. Film and Dance: screening of the film Soy Andina: “Two Peruvian women to explore their identity through dance”, includes live dance demonstration with the presence of filmmaker Mitch Teplitsky and a live performance by dancer Cynthia Paniagua.

• 3:30 PM. Film and Dance: screening of the documentary Danzak: “The traditional Andean Scissors dance comes alive in this film.” Live demonstration of the Scissors dance. The film is based on a story of the great Peruvian writer José María Arguedas, in the centenary of his birth-date. Live performances by dancers Walter Velille (Qesqento) y Marco de la Cruz (Maldición).

Also, the National Geographic continues its program for the centennial of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, with the historic exhibition of the original photographs of Hiram Bingham, and the following events:

• Tuesday July 19th, 12 noon. Film screening: The Ghosts of Machu Picchu (2010 / 53 min / narrated in English). “Archaeologists are still making new discoveries that change our understanding of the legendary citadel of the Incas.”

• Tuesday July 26th. 12 noon. Film screening: Peru Sacred Geography (2006/47 min / narrated in English). “Wade Davis, a researcher of National Geographic, returns to the Andes, where a unique culture with European and American Indian roots maintain a respectful relationship with the land.”

The National Geographic Museum is located at 1600 M Street NW, Washington, DC. View Map. Visit the Calendar of cultural events at this musuem.

Peruanisimo Festival in Virginia

The third annual Peruanisimo Festival in Virginia will be held on Sunday July 17 from 11:00AM at Bull Run Regional Park, located in Centerville, Virginia (see map). This is the biggest Peruvian festival in the D.C. Metro area.

This is an outdoor festival in a big park in the Virginia suburbs. I heard that the entrance is a little expensive, but the experience is worth it. Peruvian food is sold, there are demonstrations of Peruvian Paso horses and live music and dances from Peru.

This year’s festival will be hosted by Peruvian TV star Tula Rodriguez, with performances by Peruvian groups and artists coming from Lima: Grupo 5, Hey Hey Camaguey, Tony Rosado, Grupo Nectar, Pepe Vasquez, Marisol Cavero.

This festival is organized by Latin Music Productions, “a company with 10 years of experience doing events and national tours in the United States” says the Peruanisimo Festival ‘s website.

Brotherhood of The Lord of Miracles in Washington DC

Special ceremony and religious service to honor the 29th anniversary of the Brotherhood of The Lord of Miracles of Washington, DC, to be held on Sunday July 17 at 1:00 PM at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University America, 4400 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC View Map.

View this short documentary about the procession of The Lord of Miracles in Washington, DC, recorded by October 2010:

Peruvian Festival at El Chalan ranch in Virginia

Fabiola Aldave de Moran and Eric Moran are inviting to the traditional Peruvian Celebration at the ranch “El Chalan” to be held on Saturday July 23, 2011 from 1:00 PM. Performing the All Star Zeniza orchestra while a barbecue and pachamanca food is cooked, drink Pisco Sours and enjoy Peruvian music and live dance performances by Mamauca and a parade of Peruvian Paso Horse.

Rancho El Chalan. Photos BKL

This is a perfect event for those who prefer to celebrate the Peruvian holidays in an atmosphere of tranquility, good conversation and authentic Peruvian coastal and Andean cultures.

Rancho El Chalan – El Chalan Peruvian Paso Horse Association
7320 Knightsbridge Lane, Warrenton, VA 20187-4540
703-927-1086 / el_chalan_pph@yahoo.com
View Map

Peruvian Football Championship in Maryland

The sixth edition of the Contigo Peru Cup will be held on Sundays July 24 and July 31, a men’s soccer championship, participating Peruvians and teams of other nationalities. Peruvian food will be sold. Valley Park Mill Park at 1600 E. Randolph Rd Silver Spring, MD 20904. View Map. For information: Francisco.Quispe@Longandfoster.Com

Peruvian Tonazo party in Virginia

Kesta DC presents the Peruvian Tonazo party! Live performances by Tommy Portugal and the Cumbia group Bareto, coming from Lima to Rio Cantina in Sterling, Virginia, on Friday July 22.

To purchase tickets, visit KestaDC.

Willy Rivera live performance in VA

Perhaps the best Peruvian salsa singer today, Willy Rivera is coming from Lima to perform at Rene’s Club of Falls Church, Virginia, on Saturday July 23. With orchestra La Tremenda and singer Conga Rubio, both local D.C. artists.

To purchase tickets and other details go to PeruDC.com

Official ceremonies at the Embassy of Peru and the Peruvian Consulate in Washington DC

This is the official program organized by the Embassy of Peru to the U.S. and the Consulate of Peru, to be held on Thursday July 28, 2011. All events are free and open to the public.

Freedom Plaza, July 28, 2008. Photo Carlos A. Quiroz

• 8:30 a.m. Peruvian flag raising ceremony at Freedom Plaza in front of the government building of the District of Columbia and one block away from the White House: corner of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 14th Street NW. To attend city officials, U.S. federal officials, diplomatic representatives of Peru, leaders and members of the Peruvian community. All are welcome. View map.

• 10:00 AM. Te Deum Mass in honor of the 190 Anniversary of the Republic of Peru, at St. Matthew’s Cathedral located in 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, use Farragut North Metro, Red line. View map.

• 11:00 AM. Placing of wreaths at the Monument to Simón Bolívar: Triangle Park at the corner of 18th Street NW and C Street NW, Washington, DC. Placing wreaths at the Monument to José de San Martín: Triangle Park at the corner of 20th Street NW and E Street NW in Washington, DC. View map.

• 7:30 p.m.. Peruvian Gala, organized by Peruvian Almas Shrine Club: at the Almas Temple Grand Ballroom of 1315 K Street. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Ticketed event, contact 202-898-1688.

I will be attending some of these events. I hope to see you around. Viva Peru!

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