The public will get an opportunity to learn more about countries accredited to South Africa when they showcase their cultural diplomacy at the Union Buildings. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in partnership with the City of Tshwane, will host the Annual Diplomatic Fair.

Music in Common is the driving organization behind this weekend's FODfest, aka Friends of Danny Festival, created by Todd Mack and local musicians to honor his friend, the late journalist and musician, Daniel Pearl. [...] "Since 2009, it has produced more than a half-dozen international tours in the Middle Eastern and western Asia regions for both youths and adults, which, according to the organization's website, promote "peer-to-peer diplomacy and cross-cultural ambassadorship."

In this Idea Exchange moderated by Sushant Singh of The Indian Express, German ambassador to India Michael Steiner and wife Eliese talk about taking diplomacy ahead through steps such as a concert and music video, the German language row, the difference between UPA and NDA, and the challenges facing Europe. 

The first thing Kevin Smith did was call Amy Klobuchar. Could the senator help if Smith pursued this wild idea he had in January, to take the Minnesota Orchestra to Cuba and become the first major U.S. orchestra to play there since President Obama announced his desire to normalize relations? Klobuchar, of course, said yes. The Minnesota Democrat is leading legislation that would lift the 53-year U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba.

The audience at the Center One building lobby in Seoul on April 14 sang along with the songs performed by the U.S. Navy band, Seventh Fleet Orient Express.(...)The U.S. Embassy in Seoul and the Korea Foundation organized the event on the occasion of the Seventh Fleet band's trip to Korea for several performances.(...) The band travels around the Pacific Rim performing public outreach concerts teaching music classes at schools.

Music- and art-based outreach programs have been successful in combating extremism in cities like Minneapolis, but they're facing a roadblock. Stringent visa standards from the State Department are blocking many foreign artists from entering the country, and harming communities that need these programs the most.

The concert last Friday was the first by an American musician in Iran since the 1979 revolution. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance sat in the front row, nodding their heads to renditions of tunes by Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Mr. Belden’s own compositions. The Iranians who filled the 1,200-seat theater clapped and cheered.