June 6, 2011
Events June 6-10: Spacesuits, Quilting, Wild Ocean, Ikebana, Coffee + Art
On Wednesday, June 8, at 6:30, meet ocean explorer Enric Sala at the Natural Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Monday, June 13 Book Signing: How To Build a Spacesuit
From the “Who Knew?” category comes this divine nugget of space lore—Playtex seamstresses, who normally made bras and girdles, custom-made the spacesuits that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore in 1969 when they stepped onto the lunar surface. Today at the Air and Space Museum, meet author Nicholas de Monchaux, a University of California, Berkeley professor of architecture and urban design and author of the new book, Spacesuit. De Monchaux’s book tells the “story of the Playtex Corporation’s triumph over the military-industrial complex—a victory of elegant softness over engineered hardness, of adaptation over cybernetics,” according to the author’s web site. Free. 1-3 PM, Museum Store, National Air and Space Museum
Tuesday, June 7 Quilting is year round
Escape Washington D.C.’s heat by learning about quilt making. At American History, quilters from the Annapolis Quilt Guild will help you stitch your way through appliqué, piecing and other techniques. Quilts and quilter’s tools from the museum’s collection will be on display. If you’re loving the scene, this is a reoccurring event that is held on the first and third Tuesdays through November, so come often. Free. 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. American History Museum
Wednesday, June 8 Last Wild Places in the Ocean
In the remote areas of the ocean, there remain a few places untouched or unaffected by human activity, these tiny oases are brimming with of life, where sharks reign as top predators of the underwater world. These wild places help researchers understand what we have lost, but also help us understand how the ocean works and how to preserve it. Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic’s Ocean Fellow, is leading expeditions to some of these last wild places, with the ultimate goal of helping to save them. At Natural History, Sala will give an evening lecture about his exploring these places, his research, and his ultimate goal to raise awareness of the plight of the sea. Free. 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Natural History Museum
Thursday, June 9 Ikebana
Try your hand at Japanese flower-arranging. No experience necessary. Refreshments will be served after the workshop. $15 materials fee cash or by check. E-mail asiaworkshops@si.edu to reserve your place. Freer Gallery of Art
Friday, June 10 Art + Coffee
Come for some caffeine and learn about the more than 3,300 treasures held at the Luce Foundation Center for American Art during this tour. Afterwards, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or tea. 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. American Art Museum
For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit goSmithsonian.com
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