Jhoon Rhee International`s Web Site

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2003--On June 1, 2003, over 3,000 people will join DC Mayor Anthony Williams, members of Congress, and other VIPs to kick off the World Culture Open (WCO), a broad-scale multicultural festival dedicated to "wholeness in life, harmony and peace on earth."

It will be held on The George Washington University Campus located near the intersection of 21st & H Streets, NW, Washington, DC. Rain or shine, the event will be held from 9:30 am - 7:30 pm.

Schedule of Events

The World Culture Open promises a fun-filled day of workshops, performances, demonstrations, exhibits, and an international food festival.

There will be a wide range of activities at the festival to suit all tastes, including thrilling martial arts demonstrations by Jhoon Rhee, "the father of Tae Kwon Do" and Shaolin Master Shi Yan Ming; a Meditation workshop with Dr. Tara Brach; a Mexican Celebration with the Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble; Irish Music and Dances from the Culkin School; Beat of Joy by the Coyaba African Dance Company; vocal magic by one of America's foremost Native recording artists, Joanne Shenandoah; a workshop with Bruce Lee's ambassador, Taky Kimura, and many many more once-in-a-lifetime performances.

And, if you feel like trying ethnic foods, there will be a wide variety of delicious selections outside on Kogan Plaza.

"The World Culture Open is about bringing people of all ages, nations, and cultures together to celebrate the marvelous potential of the human mind, body and spirit. We will learn from each other, and share the achievements of people from other cultures. Through this, we want to promote the theme of the event, wholeness in life, harmony and peace on earth," noted Jong Lee, Executive Director of the event.

The events will take place in three locations (each location focusing on a "theme" of the WCO): at Lisner Auditorium (Spirit), the Dorothy Betts Auditorium (Body), the Media and Public Affairs Building (Mind), and Kogan Plaza (One Life, Our World). All events at Kogan Plaza are free to the public. All other events require pre-registration.

All proceeds from the World Culture Open will be donated to the United Nations World Food Programme. WCO's premier sponsor is Hyundai Motor Company.

The festival will end on a high note with an Evening Gala Reception, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet performers from the festival. VIPs will be in attendance, including Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Washington, DC Mayor, Anthony Williams, former Congresswoman, Connie Morella, former Congressman, Bob Livingston, and Grand Martial Arts Master, Jhoon Rhee.

To register or to learn more about the World Culture Open, go to http://www.worldcultureopen.org/ or call (866) 800-4926 (4WCO) or (301) 869-4201.

PRESS: A copy of the program can be reached by the link below. We would be happy to provide you with a complimentary pass to WCO, and can put you in touch with any of the presenters for interviews.

Note: A photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.051903/bb8

    CONTACT: World Culture Open
             Sarah Stott, 866/800-4WCO (4926) or 301/869-4201
             Fax: 301/869-8608
             E-mail:  sstott@worldcultureopen.org