From hip new restaurants to hot new exhibitions, Mexican culture will be in the spotlight this spring in Washington, DC. In cooperation with the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Mexico, several of Washington, DC�s cultural institutions have joined together to create a springtime celebration of Mexican arts and culture.

On April 4, the National Gallery of Art will open two exhibitions celebrating Mexico�s artistic achievements. Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya, the first exhibition ever devoted to this subject in the United States, features more than 130 masterworks, approximately half of them from museums in Mexico. Also on April 4, the National Gallery will explore famed muralist Diego Rivera�s distinctive approach to synthetic cubism through The Cubist Paintings of Diego Rivera: Memory, Politics, Place. Both exhibitions close July 25. Complementing the two exhibitions, the National Gallery will also showcase Mexican film achievements in a special film series, Milestones in Mexican Cinema: 1898-2003.

Also on the National Mall, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will examine the color photography of a leading Mexican artist. Directions: Gabriel Orozco runs June 17-September 6, showcasing photographs taken in Mexico, New York, India, and elsewhere.

The Mexican motif carries over to other parts of the city as well, serving as the theme of this year�s Flower Mart at the Washington National Cathedral. Mexican and Central American plants are in the spotlight at the U.S. Botanic Garden, with a special exhibition on the importance of plants in the Maya culture for food, medicine, shelter, clothing, and religious rituals. Mixing an element of live theatre into the lineup, the Arena Stage will host the world premiere of Se�or Discretion Himself, a recently uncovered work written by master composer and lyricist Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls). Staged in a sleepy Mexican village, Se�or Discretion Himself tells the story of a stranger�s unexpected arrival and the remarkable turn of events that unfolds. The production runs April 8-May 23.

To experience the latest Mexican flavors exploding on the restaurant scene, step into Washington, DC�s newest dining sensation. Popular New York eatery Rosa Mexicano has opened its doors in Washington, DC�s Penn Quarter neighborhood, infusing a fresh shot of fiery Mexican flavor into the hot dining and nightlife district. Also in Penn Quarter, check out the Mexican cuisine of Andale�s Alison Swope, the Tex-Mex menu of local favorite Austin Grill, and the Nuevo Latino creations of Jos� Andr�s of Caf� Atlantico. Andr�s� latest endeavor is Caf� Atlantico�s new six-seat minibar where the ever-changing menu showcases 33 small dishes that intrigue the palate and the imagination of his guests.

Andr�s, who captured a James Beard Award for �Best Chef Mid-Atlantic� in 2003, currently serves as executive chef of three of the city�s top restaurants: Jaleo, Caf� Atlantico, and Zaytinya. He will soon be making a splash into Mexican cuisine with a new restaurant venture. In 2004, he will open Oyamel, a Mexican small dishes restaurant in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. Also in Crystal City, Andr�s will join partners Rob Wilder and Roberto Alvarez to open a new location of downtown favorite Jaleo.

To learn more about �Viva Mexico! Washington Celebrates, visit www.vivamexicodc.org.

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