Meet & Greet

January 20, Sunday, 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Take the opportunity to informally mingle with your fellow classmates. Make plans for the Presidential Inauguration. Light refreshments will be served in the Multi-purpose Room.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Library of Congress Tour

January 23, Wednesday, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Take a tour of the Library of Congress, one of the world’s great collections. A docent-led walking tour will emphasize: the history of the library; the architecture of the Jefferson Building, one of the most magnificent structures in America; and the collections and holdings of the three buildings that make up the central library system. After the general tour, you may obtain LOC ID cards at the Reader Registration Station in Room LM 140 of the Madison Building; you will need a government-issued photo ID to get the card. A group will leave the Center for the Metro at 10:00 AM.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: Library of Congress.

Welcome to Washington Bagel Brunch

January 27, Sunday, 1:30 PM

Come down to the Multi-purpose Room for bagels, spreads, and juices.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Tour de Force Coach Tour of Washington

January 27, Sunday, 2:30 - 5:30 PM

Board a bus for an excellent narrated 3-hour tour of monumental Washington with A Tour de Force. Stops vary each semester: maybe the White House or the Capitol; maybe the Jefferson or Roosevelt memorial, maybe the Georgetown, Embassy Row, or Penn Quarter neighborhoods; maybe the war memorials in Arlington; probably the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean memorials on the National Mall. It’s a surprise, but it will always be worth bringing your cameras. The bus leaves from and returns to the Cornell Center.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Visit with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

February 1, Friday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Justice Ginsburg is a graduate of Cornell University, the only alum to sit on the Court, and generously invites CIW students to visit with her each semester. At the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg will meet in the Lawyer’s Lounge, speak briefly, usually to a mixed audience, and answer questions. The Justice asks that attendees view a video about the operation of the Court before the meeting. The CIW office will make the video available for days before the meeting. Dress should be appropriate, at least business casual. A sign-up sheet will be posted the week before and directions provided to the Court. A group will leave the Center at 3 PM.

Cost: free. Participation: limited, requiring pre-registration.

Further info: About the Supreme Court.

Super Bowl Game and Pizza Supper

February 3, Sunday, 6:15 PM

The Cornell Center will show the Super Bowl on its large screen television. Whether planning to watch the game or not, feel free to join everyone for pizza and soda. It’s another early chance to meet and mix with a lot of people.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

The National Gallery: An Introductory Tour

February 9, Saturday, 2:00 - 3:15 PM

Eric Denker, Senior Lecturer in the Education Department of the National Gallery, will serve as guide and lecturer for a series of tours. The initial tour demonstrates how to understand museum installations, to interpret content, and to appreciate technique while viewing a work of art. Two subsequent sessions over the next two Saturdays will explore collections in the West Building. Directions to the gallery will be provided.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: The National Gallery of Art.

The National Gallery: Italian Renaissance to Dutch Baroque

February 16, Saturday, 2:00 - 3:15 PM

Eric Denker focuses on the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Italy and the low countries of the North, with an emphasis on how and why new subjects and techniques evolved for painters. Big names are da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Directions to the gallery will be provided.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: The National Gallery of Art.

National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center

February 22, Friday, 8:00 PM

The National Symphony Orchestra performs in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Conductor Christoph von Dohnányi leads a program of excerpts from Henze’s The Bassarids, Mendelssohn’s lyrical Violin Concerto with violinist Renaud Capuçon, and Brahms romantic Symphony No. 4. Although casual, but neat, dress is perfectly acceptable, many people may be wearing casual business attire. Directions to the Kennedy Center will be provided.

Cost: $10.00 per ticket. Participation: limited by ticket availability. You will receive an electronic Ticket Request Form.

Further info: The National Symphony Orchestra.

The National Gallery: Into Impressionism and beyond

March 2, Saturday, 2:00 - 3:15 PM

Eric Denker focuses on French Impressionism, its predecessors and its descendents. The collection is profuse with Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne. Directions to the gallery will be provided.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: The National Gallery of Art.

Metamorphoses at Arena Stage

March 8, Friday, 8:00 PM

Arena Stage, located in a dramatic new building, is Washington’s premiere regional theater company. A “genius,” “gorgeous,” “wondrous” interpretation of Ovid’s masterpiece, Metamorphoses won raves and Tony Awards for set design and direction: a giant pool is the setting for all the fantastic stories. Directions to Arena Stage will be posted.

Cost: $10.00 per ticket. Participation: limited by ticket availability. You will receive an electronic Ticket Request Form.

Further info: Arena Stage.

Cornell Club Reception for CIW Students

March 12, Tuesday, 9:00 - 10:00 PM

After their first board meeting of the semester, the Cornell Club of Washington always welcomes incoming students with a reception in the multi-purpose room of the Cornell Center. Club members are enthusiastic about meeting students, and some CIW alumni are usually among them. Most of them have invaluable advice about the upcoming semester and beyond. Come to network and nibble and perhaps meet your future…

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: Cornell Club of Washington.

The Newseum

March 30, Saturday, 1:30 PM

Washington’s Newseum is offering free access - a truly remarkable savings - to CIW. The interactive museum focuses on the history and current practices of news, news making, and journalism. All must enter as a single group, but you may then tour any exhibits as you individually please. Directions to the museum will be posted.

Cost: free. Participation: unlimited.

Further info: The Newseum.

Hike up Old Rag Mountain

April 6, Saturday, 7:50 AM - 6:50 PM

This all day event, in conjunction with the Cornell Club, requires a very early start. Alumni provide transportation to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The hike up Old Rag is one of the best in the East and very popular with CIW students. The lower half of the ascent is on steep, wooded switchback trails; upper elevations are rocky and require tough but very enjoyable scrambling; the views are fabulous. Prepare the night before: lunch, snacks, plenty of water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent should be carried, and hiking shoes or treaded sneakers should be worn. Meet in the Cornell Center lobby. A sign-up sheet will be posted during the week before.

Cost: $8 per person to cover National Park Service fees. Participation: unlimited, but students must pre-register to arrange transportation with alums.

Further info: Old Rag Mountain and the Cornell Club of Washington. Questions: email Clint Brass at "ctb14 at cornell dot edu".

Oral Arguments at the US Supreme Court

April 23, Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Attend oral arguments before the Supreme Court, as opposing lawyers present their briefs and answer questions by the nine justices: each case exactly one hour. Justice Ginsburg was kind enough to arrange for students to attend a full argument, from 10 to 11 AM. You must appear at least a half-hour early at the front steps of the Court to go through security and procedures. A sign-up sheet will be posted the week before. Directions will be provided. A group will leave the Center at 8:45 AM.

Cost: free. Participation: limited, requiring pre-registration.

Further info: Oral Arguments.

Washington Nationals versus Cincinnati Reds

April 28, Sunday, TBA

The Nats play baseball at spiffy, airy Nationals Park. There are lots of concessions. Security may prohibit backpacks or similarly sized bags. Directions to the park will be provided.

Cost: $10 per ticket . Participation: limited by ticket availability. You will receive an electronic Ticket Request Form.

Further info: Washington Nationals.