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This Sunday, learn Kathak, one of eight traditional Indian dances. Photo courtesy of the Freer and Sackler Galleries.

Friday, July 27 Human Origins Today

What does it mean to be human? The Smithsonian is working to answer this question through its Human Origins Program at the Natural History Museum. It’s certainly not an easy topic to tackle, but this Friday, join members of the Broader Social Impacts Committee in an informal discussion on the relationship between scientific research and religious perspectives of human evolution. Free. 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. One Species, Worldwide Theater, Hall of Human Origins, National Museum of Natural History.

Saturday, July 28 Kaypi Perú: This is Peru

Kaypi Perú, which means “This is Peru” in the indigenous Quechua, is a week-long festival celebrating the art, culture, history and contributions of Peru, the Land of the Incas. Highlights of the second annual festival include an exhibition and market of crafts by indigenous Peruvian artisans, as well as folk dances and live music, photo exhibitions, films, Peruvian food and drinks, botanical displays and many other exciting events. Bring the kids for some hands-on workshops that will help them to imagine what life is like for the children of Puno, join in story time and make their own Amazonian pink dolphin. Free. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through July 30. National Museum of the American Indian.

Sunday, July 29 Kathak: A Meeting of Worlds

The young emperor Akbar was known to dance with the Sufis until he passed out and had to be carried back to the palace. When he married a Hindu Rajput princess, she brought her temple dancers into the palace as well, merging the two devotional dance traditions. The result of this connection was Kathak, one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, that became wildly popular in the Rajput and Mughal courts. This Sunday, as a part of the ImaginAsia series, dancer Bhim Dahal and his pupil Tasrit Johnson will tell this story through Hindu temple, Sufi and Kathak dance. After the performance, there will be a dance class for children. Free. 2:00 p.m. Sackler Gallery.

The National Zoo’s baby cheetah cubs are growing up so fast. Don’t worry though; at three months old, their level of cuteness has not diminished with age.

“They are growing very big and they are playful, running around the yard and getting used to everything,” says Lacey Braun, the head of the cheetah care team. “It’s really good that they have each other to interact with. Hand-raised cheetahs are really hard to breed in the future, but since they have each other, it will be easier when the time comes.”

The Zoo’s baby cheetahs wasted no time getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Photo by K. Annabelle Smith

And the big news is that starting Saturday July 28, the little cubs, which were born in April out in Front Royal, Virginia, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, will make their first in-town debut when they are released into their new yard at the National Zoo.

But these cats aren’t here just for their close up.  Braun was there the night the cubs were rescued from the brink of death and says the pair is nothing short of a miracle in the cheetah-breeding world.

“Cheetahs are one of the most difficult cat species to breed,” Braun said. “We still don’t know a lot about them, so we are constantly learning.”

There are only an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild, and Braun says that the work and research efforts in the breeding program is integral to creating a self-sustaining cheetah population in the wild.

So sports fans, here’s another cheetah highlight. For those of you getting hyped for the Olympics, the Zoo is going to name the cubs after the winners of the 100-meter dash competition. The fastest American male and female Olympiads will be shortly sharing names with the fastest land mammals in the world.

Zoo visitors can come check out the cubs at the Cheetah Conservation Station every day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., at hour-long intervals at first. How long they romp about will be up to the cubs, but visitors should be ready with their cameras.

The cubs play together in their new yard. Image courtesy of the National Zoo.

This Saturday, the American Art Museum celebrates dance with screenings of Black Swan and Saturday Night Fever. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum

Friday, July 20 Living Earth Festival

Do roasted green chiles and live music sound appealing to you? What about hands-on workshops and engaging discussions about sustainability and farmers market fresh veggies? This weekend, look no further than the National Museum of the American Indian’s annual, three-day long Living Earth Festival. The event celebrates indigenous contributions to environment and encourages the diffusion of knowledge and activism.  The chiles, roasted by Cherokee, Siletz and other tribal farmers, growers and chefs, are just a small part of the festivities. Tribal-owned food cooperatives will discuss sustainability while local and Native chefs compete in an Iron Chef-style cook-off. Hands-on family activities will also be offered. The festival includes a live outdoor concert featuring the talents of Wes Studi, Stevie Salas, Jack Gladstone, Kinnie Starr, and Brule. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Sunday July 22. National Museum of the American Indian.
 
Saturday, July 21 Movie day

The heat has been unbearable this summer, so why not escape it with a good movie? As part of the Dance DC Festival, the American Art Museum is offering two viewing options depending on your mood.  If you’re looking for a thriller, Black Swan, starring tutu-costumed Natalie Portman, will show at 1:00 p.m. For those of you feeling a little nostalgic for bell bottoms, disco balls and a younger, (more fit) John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever will show at 4:00 p.m. Free. McEvoy Auditorium, American Art Museum.

Sunday, July 22 Book signings at Air and Space Museum

This Saturday, come check out some of the awesome aviation on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center—the Discovery space shuttle included. While you’re there, get books signed by a pair of legendary pilots. Dave “Bio” Baranek signs copies of TOPGUN Days: Dogfighting, Cheating Death, and Hollywood Glory as One of America’s Best Fighter Jocks from 12 to 4 p.m, and Col. Wolfgang Samuel will sign copies of his books Glory Days, Watson’s Whizzers, American Raiders, The War of Our Childhood, German Boy, I Always Wanted to Fly, and Coming to Colorado from 12 to 5 p.m. Free, $15 parking fee per vehicle. Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide. Additional reporting by Michelle Strange.

Contemporary artist Gavin Jantjes’s untitled work is a part of the “African Cosmos: Stellar Arts,” exhibit on display through December 9. Image courtesy of the African Art Museum.

Friday July 13 After Hours at the Museum of African Art

Friday night, the  National Museum of African Art launches Africa Underground “Beneath the Stars,” a spectacular after-hours event that invites visitors to experience the popular exhibit “African Cosmos: Stellar Arts,” in a new, hands-on way. The exhibit explores how the sun, moon and stars among other celestial bodies serve as inspiration in the creation of contemporary and traditional African art. The night sky provides inspiration for this night of henna tattoos, art work shops, music, dancing and celebration of African culinary traditions. As you sip cocktails, take a tour through Africa with DJ T and the AfroRoots band, Eme & Heteruwho, as they mix music from each region of the continent. Africa Underground is held four times a year in the winter, spring, summer and fall. For more information, visit: africa.si.edu. $35. Tickets available online. 7:oo to 11:oo p.m. National Museum of African Art.

Saturday July 14 Cranes and Clouds

The Korean celadon ceramics on display at the Freer and Sackler Galleries are stunning. The designs on the the pottery’s pale jade-green glaze—for which the name “celadon” originated—features cranes, clouds, fruit and flowers. This Saturday, as a part of the series ImaginAsia, bring the whole family to the Sackler Gallery classroom to make your own plaque to take home. Free. 2:00 p.m. Sackler Gallery.

Sunday July 15 Don Juan with John Barrymore

There’s nothing like immersing yourself into a classic, black-and-white movie. Especially if it’s one as well-known and, well, dramatic, as Don Juan. The film, which was released in 1926,  was the first feature-length film with synchronized Vitaphone sound effects and musical soundtrack, though it has no spoken dialogue. John Barrymore plays both the legendary lover Don Juan, who was raised to “love ‘em and leave ‘em” by his cynical father. But when he meets the alluring Adriana Della Varnese (Mary Astor), his world turns upside down. Murray Horwitz, NPR film commentator, will lead a pre-screening discussion at 1:00. Screening is at 2:00 p.m., first come, first seated. Warner Brothers Theater, American History Museum. 

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide. Additional reporting by Michelle Strange.

Rock out on the Fourth with Max Impact, the premier band of the United States Air Force. Image courtesy of the United States Air Force.

Tuesday, July 3 Flag folding

Begin the Independence Day celebration early and learn a little about the Star-Spangled Banner this Tuesday. Ever wonder how to properly fold a 1,260 square foot flag? Check out this demonstration—featuring a replica of the 30- by 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner. The original, that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the lyrics that would become our national anthem is on display at the Museum of American History. Commissioned during the War of 1812 and first flown at Fort McHenry in Baltimore is meticulously cared for in its environmentally controlled chamber. Obviously, you can’t fold the original during the demonstration, but the enormous replica will be ready for hands-on fun in Flag Hall on the second floor. Honor guards will show you how to properly fold the banner according to the Flag Code. Free. Tuesdays-Saturdays at 2:30, except July 4. National Museum of American History .

Wednesday, July 4 Max Impact concert

Celebrate the Fourth of July with the United States Air Force’s premier rock band, Max Impact. Didn’t know they could rock and roll? Come see for yourself this Wednesday and escape the heat while you wait for the fireworks to begin. 6:00 p.m. Repeats most Wednesdays through August 1. Free. Air and Space Museum.

Thursday, July 5 Heirloom Garden

Take in the beauty of the Heirloom Garden on a tour with a knowledgeable horticulturist. Bring the whole family and learn to identify the wide range of plants and flowers the Institution has to offer. Through September 10. Free. 1:00 p.m. Southwest corner Mall Terrace, National Museum of American History.

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide. Additional reporting by Michelle Strange.