[Archived] Ethiopian New Year Celebration – September 9, Durant Arts Center

For Immediate Release: September 6, 2016

The Office of the Arts and the Network of Family Service Professionals Inc. invite you to celebrate the Ethiopian New Year Celebration on Friday, September 9, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. 

Engage all of your senses: SEE– the colorful decorations and cultural attire; HEAR – the Ethiopian music and rhythms performed by “Fendika,” a troupe of azmari musicians and dancers from Addis Ababa, draws deeply from the well of Ethiopia’s bardic tradition while adding creative movements and sounds, along with Ethiopian youth choir singing traditional folk songs; SMELL – the aroma of the Ethiopian coffee, pastries and food; TASTE – Ethiopian culture through enjoying food samplings and coffee; FEEL – the spirit of the New Year and dance the night away. 

Visit the cultural exhibitions in the lobby/gallery, and participate in the making daisies and get your name scripted in Amharic/አማርኛ, in the auditorium.  The evening will have something for every member of your family.  Plan to come in traditional Ethiopian outfits and plan to experience a bit of Ethiopia in Alexandria.  Enjoy a bit of Ethiopia in Alexandria!!

Doors will open at 5 p.m., with a “meet and greet in the lobby/gallery.  The formal program begins at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Local Ethiopian restaurants, coffee shops and markets will provide light refreshments. Advance and at the door tickets for both resident and nonresident are $5 each per person.  Children must be accompanied by one adult.

To pay online visit www.alexandriava.gov/webtrac, in search box enter Ethiopian New Year or enter the activity number: 255206.01.  

The “Ethiopian New Year Celebration” is a collaborative project of the Office of the Arts, a division of the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.   

To obtain further information, please contact Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5565, cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or visit www.alexandriava.gov/Arts

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, contact Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5565 (Virginia Relay 711) or cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov.