Embassy of Ethiopia Gala Celebration of the Ethiopian New Year
Join us on your own or with friends for the rare delight of a gala evening at the Embassy of Ethiopia featuring a delightful evening of Ethiopian culture, music, and dance as well as a dinner buffet feast of Ethiopian delicacies as you meet the Ambassador, embassy staff, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

Event Date

Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Event Address

Embassy of Ethiopia
 3506 International Drive, NW
Washington DC 20008

Requested Attire

Business or cocktail attire requested.

Event Description

The International Club of DC, with the cooperation of the Embassy of Ethiopia, cordially requests the pleasure of your company for a gala celebration at the Embassy of Ethiopia.

Would you like to travel with us to Africa and experience the rich and diverse culture of Ethiopia? Would you like to indulge in delicious and spicy cuisine of one of the oldest and most remarkable civilizations in the world? Join us to discover, explore, and celebrate the colorful and vibrant traditions of Ethiopia, a country that follows a unique calendar and celebrates its New Year in September. Also meet diplomatic staff at the Embassy of Ethiopia and meet and network with other International Club of DC members in attendance as you make new friends from around the world.

The Ethiopian New Year celebration, Enkutatash, means “gift of jewels” in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. It commemorates the return of Queen Sheba from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, where she received precious gifts from him. It also marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of sunny days and warmer weather.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate Enkutatash with us at the Embassy of Ethiopia. Space is extremely limited, and this event is expected to be very popular so please make your reservations early.

:::: An Evening of Ethiopian Culture

You will be entertained by an Ethiopian cultural program, featuring Ethiopian music and dance with performers wearing traditional Ethiopian costumes dancing to traditional Ethiopian music.

:::: Indulge in Ethiopian Cuisine

Enjoy an authentic dinner buffet feast of Ethiopian cuisine and your Ethiopian celebration would not be complete without a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony! Kindly note that the menu of Ethiopian cuisine presented at the event is subject to change.

• Sambusas. filled with a meat, onion,green pepper,Parsley

• Sambusas. filled with Lentils,onion,green pepper,Parsley

• Ethiopian traditional Bread Defo Dabo: Defo Dabo is a traditional Ethiopian bread often served for breakfast or at coffee ceremonies. Defo dabo is a thick, spiced wheat bread.

• Tibs (cubed beef, peppers, onion, tomato and spices): Ethiopian tibs is a dish made from cubed beef. It is a flavorful and delicious meal that is gaining popularity worldwide.

• Doro Wat (chicken stew): Doro Wat is the national dish of Ethiopia, the Berbere-Spiced chicken and egg with cheese is usually reserved by home cooks for occasions such as family gatherings, religious holidays, Events and weddings, in part because making doro wat can be very time-consuming.

• Ketfo minced cooked beef, marinated in mitmita: Kitfo consists of minced beef, marinated in mitimita (chili powder and other spiced blend together ) and niter kibbeh (a clarified butter infused with herbs and spices).

• Keye Wote And Alecha Wote: Keye Wote is made with red pepper, spicy beef, and onions. It is spicy stew made with meat infused in turmeric sauce along with onion.

• Misere wote keye and alecha: Lentils stew made with spices, vegetables, carrots, beets, tomatoes, red onions and cabbages.

Ethiopian cuisine is made with “berbere,” a combination of powdered chili pepper and other spices along with cardamom, fenugreek, coriander, cloves, paprika, ginger, garlic, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, mustard seed, black cumin, carom, rue seeds, ethiopian basil (besobela), and salt.

:::: Ethiopian Coffee ceremony

The coffee ceremony is considered to be the most important social occasion in Ethiopia, and it is a sign of respect and friendship to be invited to a coffee ceremony. The three phases involved during the coffee ceremony are Roasting, Brewing, and Cupping. During the entire process, the person sitting in front of the host performs all three phases in front of all the attendees while simultaneously entertaining them.

:::: Ethiopian Traditional drink Teje and Tela

Made from fermented honey and with a slightly tannic influence with the addition of a leaf known locally as gesho, tej with subtle notes of orange.

Tella is Ethiopian traditional beer. Its production process is like beer making in that the grain starch is converted into sugars by malting. However, there is no yeast inoculation stage for fermentation, but it utilizes the natural yeast present on cereals.

* Please note that the Ambassador of Ethiopia is expected to be present to welcome you to the embassy. Due to the nature of official diplomatic duties, the Ambassador's schedule is subject to change without notice. In the event the Ambassador is called away due to diplomatic duties, the Deputy Chief of Mission or other high ranking official from the Embassy will welcome you to the embassy.


 

           TICKETS           
All online reservations are final. We are unable to issue refunds for tickets purchased due to expenses incurred to present the event. Make your reservations early, as space is limited. Cost of reservations is subject to increase as we approach the date of the event.

Event Agenda (May change)

6:30 PM
Event Commences.
Opening remarks
Welcome Remarks by the Embassy of Ethiopia
Presentation about Ethiopia.
Short Video on Ethiopian Tourism.
Ethiopian music and dance performance.
Dinner buffet of Ethiopian cuisine with Ethiopian music in the background.

9:00 PM
Event concludes.

Due to security and space considerations, you must make a reservation in advance to attend. Please arrive with photo ID that matches the name on your reservation. Due to strict security considerations all guest must have a reservation and photo ID to attend.

We Are Grateful for Your Support

We greatly appreciate your contribution towards the International Club of DC Inc by making your reservation. Your support makes it possible for us to present diverse cultural events to our members. Kindly note that your contribution is unrelated to the embassy or venue the event is being presented at and all proceeds from the event are used solely by International Club of DC Inc. to cover expenses related to presenting cultural events to our members.

Map/Parking

Parking is limited to street parking in the vicinity of the embassy. Uber or other transportation service is highly recommended.
Please note that the map is enclosed below as a courtesy to you and for your convenience but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the map or the directions provided by Google. It is your responsibly to arrive safely and on time at the address of the event disclosed above.

Parking is limited to street parking in the vicinity of the venue. Kindly note that, as is the case in most major cities, the availability of street parking in Washington DC is limited and beyond our control. Due to the limited availability of parking, we highly recommend a cab, Uber/Lyft or other transportation option. The event start at the designated time so please allow sufficient time for traffic/travel/transportation and parking as these factors are beyond our control.

Event Notes

All Ticket Sales are Final. NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.

Purchase of tickets constitutes your acceptance of ALL Ticket Sales Policies and Terms for Participation of events outlined at. https://www.internationalclubdc.com/About/TicketSalesPolicy.aspx

By purchasing a ticket, you agree to our NO CANCELLATIONS OR REFUNDS policy on tickets purchased FOR ANY REASON, including but not limited to severe winter storms, government actions, health matters/restrictions, changes in travel plans, urgent unanticipated travel or event postponements/rescheduling at our sole discretion due to COVID or other factors beyond our control. 

All attendees must be 21 and over. 

If the event is rescheduled or subject to health restrictions due to COVID, other pathogen, government guideline, mandate, or action, as well as any other factor beyond our control including severe winter storms, any ticket purchased can be transferred to attend a future International Club of DC event by emailing us at [email protected] provided that we receive your notice within 48 hours after we notify you of such postponement. By purchasing a ticket, you agree and accept that NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED, and we reserve the right to reschedule the event at our sole discretion due to COVID related conditions or other factors beyond our control.

While we do not expect government mandates which may require restrictions that result in the rescheduling or other limitations which might affect the event, you agree that such possibility exists by purchasing a ticket. By purchasing a ticket, you agree that ticket reservations will be transferred to another future International Club of DC event in the event of government action or other factor beyond our control which might result in the postponement and rescheduling of the event at our sole discretion.
Since ticket processing fees as well as payments made to vendors and/or performers engaged for the event are nonrefundable, by purchasing a ticket, you agree that we are UNABLE TO OFFER REFUNDS for cancellation, nonattendance for ANY REASON, as well as rescheduling of the event at our sole discretion due to government restrictions, actions, or any other conditions beyond our control. 

Vaccines and Vaccine Boosters Recommended with Your Doctor's Consultation

It is highly recommended that you are fully vaccinated for Covid. If it has been more than 6 months since you were fully vaccinated, we highly recommend a vaccine booster with the consultation of your doctor. By purchasing a ticket, you agree to consult with your doctor with regards to receiving a vaccine booster prior to attending the event. You agree to adhere to any potential future health guidelines that may require boosters to be considered fully vaccinated.

Agree to DC Health Guidelines and ICDC Policies

You along with your guests agree to adhere to the DC Health guidelines in effect at the time of the event: By participating in the event, you agree to adhere to all government health mandates regarding public events on the day of the event, including future health guidelines that may require boosters to be considered fully vaccinated: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

You also agree to adhere to International Club of DC policies for ticket reservations, participation in events, and acceptable behavior:
https://www.internationalclubdc.com/About/TicketSalesPolicy.aspx

ADMISSION: CREDIT CARD used for transaction PLUS PHOTO ID REQUIRED for admission. Tickets will only be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting photo ID AND the credit card used to reserve the tickets. For the security of the credit card holder, there will be a video record of each guest collecting tickets at the registration desk upon presenting photo ID with a signature collected for acceptance of the tickets. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission together with your guest(s). 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will tickets be released to anyone other than the credit card holder who purchased the tickets. Both photo ID and the physical credit card used for the reservation are required to collect the tickets. No refunds will be provided if admission is denied due to lack of required photo ID and the physical credit card to collect your tickets.

No large bags are allowed in the event space. Security staff may screen guests, and anything brought into the event space.

By participating in the event, you accept the responsibility to arrive for the event on time and understand that traffic and parking may cause significant delays. Parking is limited and not guaranteed due to the availability of space. 

Event Details Subject to Change

Please note that themes, menus, entertainment, performance schedules, bands and all other advertised aspects of the event are subject to change without advance notice. By purchasing a ticket, you agree that we may add, change, or remove any menu item, advertised band or entertainment, or other advertised aspect of the event at our sole discretion.

Attend in Good Health

By participating in the event, you agree to follow the DC COVID guidelines in effect at the time of the event: https://coronavirus.dc.gov and warrant and represent that that neither you nor your guests are experiencing any COVID symptoms. 

Liability Disclaimer

By purchasing a ticket, you accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 or any other pathogen along with all consequences resulting from exposure or infection, including but not limited to physical injury, illness, temporary or permanent disability, death, and economic or financial loss.
By participating in the event, you agree to release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for yourself, all of your family members and your heirs, International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers from any and all liability for personal injury, including death, and property damage that arise out of the activity.

By participating in the event, you agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for yourself, all of your family members and your heirs, not to make negligence claims against International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers for losses, debts, demands and/or damages for personal injuries or wrongful death suffered as a result of participation in the activity.

You understand and agree that by taking part in this ticketed activity will have the effect of releasing, discharging, waiving, and forever relinquishing any and all actions or causes of action that you may have or have had, whether past, present, or future, whether known or unknown, and whether anticipated or unanticipated by you, arising out of your participation. This release constitutes a complete release, discharge, and waiver of any and all actions or causes of action against International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers.

You understand and agree that by participating in this ticketed activity, you are to release, indemnify and hold International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers harmless from any and all liability or costs, including attorney fees, associated with or arising from your participation in activities.

You also agree to convey these terms to your guests and ensure their acceptance and agreement of these terms prior to attending the event.