Smithsonian.com

St. Nicholas (1837) by Robert Walker Weir. Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Friday, December 12: Bootleg Film

The best of friends, a gangster and a cop go on a road trip to attend the funeral of a woman who was married to one and had a “bit on the side” with the other. A darkly comic road trip movie with some unexpected twists and turns. In Japanese with English subtitles. 94 min. Free. Freer Gallery of Art, 7 PM.

Saturday, December 13: Arts and the Ocean: Dive in and Pop Up

I would love to be the next Robert Sabuda, wouldn’t you? Artist Carol Barton is on deck and leading a workshop for the little ones in your family who will get to make ocean pop-up books. Barton will also be available to sign her book, The Pocket Paper Engineer, Volumes 1 and 2. Free. National Museum of Natural History, 1-4:00 P.M.

Sunday, December 14: American Popular Holiday Songs: 1941-1945

Get into the swing of the season by coming out the Museum of American History to listen and learn about the winter songs that were popularized during World War II. A lot of classics came from this era. (“White Christmas” anyone?) And let’s face it there has been a lot of horrible holiday fare that has come out of the woodworks since. (Don’t believe me? Check out this NPR piece. Why doesn’t the “Alleluia Polka” get more airplay? It boggles the mind.) Free. National Museum of American History, 11-11:20 A.M.