The Beatles went to India; I’m trying to do it in the District – and so can you. From art exhibits to film competitions, DJ classes to fashion shows, unleash your inner artist.
By Michael M. Clements
- WL Insider Michael M. Clements
My first stop on the journey to artistic bliss takes me to Phillipa Hughes and Mike Weber’s SALON CONTRA. These invite-only are-you-in-the-know get-togethers attract a cross section of the city’s creative set. After glasses of wine and small talk, the “Contrarians” circle up and tell each other about their creative paths so participants know whom to synergize with later. It was there where I met interior designer Rouzita Vahhabaghai, who, along with sister, and business partner, Bita Vahhabaghai and Yiselle Santos, organize the equally collaborative and arty PECHA KUCHA NIGHT (PKN) series.
The lovely “ita” sisters invited me to present during PKN Vol. 3 at the Czech Embassy. The series began in Japan (Pecha Kucha is Japanese slang for small talk) and involves getting six to ten creative types to discuss their craft as 20 images of their work flash by in 20-second increments on a large screen behind them. I happily indulged in speaking about my painting. So can you – find out more at www.pechakucha.org.
