How much is the Hope Diamond worth? Ask Smithsonian.

Our inquisitive readers are rising to the challenge we gave them last month. The questions are pouring in and we’re ready for more. Do you have any questions for our curators? Submit your questions here.

How much is the Hope Diamond worth? — Marjorie Mathews, Silver Spring, Maryland

That’s the most popular question we get, but we don’t really satisfy people by giving them a number. There are a number of answers, but the best one is that we honestly don’t know. It’s a little bit like Liz Taylor’s jewels being sold in December—all kinds of people guessed at what they would sell for, but everybody I know was way off. Only when those pieces were opened up to bidding at a public auction could you find out what their values were. When they were sold, then at least for that day and that night you could say, well, they were worth that much. The Hope Diamond is kind of the same way, but more so. There’s simply nothing else like it. So how do you put a value on the history, on the fact it’s been here on display for over 50 years and a few hundred million people have seen it, and on that fact it’s a rare blue diamond on top of everything else? You don’t. – Jeffrey E. Post, mineralogist, National Museum of Natural History

What’s the worst impact of ocean acidification so far?- Nancy Schaefer, Virginia Beach, Virginia

The impacts of ocean acidification are really just starting to be felt, but two big reports that came out in 2011 show that it could have very serious effects on coral reefs. These studies did not measure the warming effect of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but rather its effect of making the ocean more acidic when it dissolves in the ocean. Places where large amounts of carbon dioxide seep into the water from the sea floor provide a natural experiment and show us how ocean waters might look, say, 50 or 100 years from now. Both studies showed branching, lacy, delicate coral forms are likely to disappear, and with them that kind of three-dimensional complexity so many species depend on. Also, other species that build a stony skeleton or shell, such as oysters or mussels, are likely to be affected. This happens because acidification makes carbonate ions, which these species need for their skeletons, less abundant.

Nancy Knowlton, marine biologist
National Museum of Natural History

Art and artifacts from ancient South Pacific and Pacific Northwest tribes have similarities in form and function. Is it possible that early Hawaiians caught part of the Kuroshio Current of the North Pacific Gyre to end up along the northwest coast of America from northern California to Alaska? — April Croan, Maple Valley, Washington

Those similarities have given rise to various theories, including trans-Pacific navigation, independent drifts of floating artifacts, inadvertent crossings by ships that have lost their rudders or rigging, or whales harpooned in one area that died or were captured in a distant place. Some connections are well-known, like feather garment fragments found in an archaeological site in Southeast Alaska that appear to have been brought there by whaling ships that had stopped in the Hawaiian Islands, a regular route for 19th-century whalers. Before the period of European contact, the greatest similarities are with the southwest Pacific, not Hawaii. The Kushiro current would have facilitated Asian coastal contacts with northwestern North America, but would not have helped Hawaiians. The problem of identification is one of context, form and dating. Most of the reported similarities are either out of their original context (which can’t be reconstructed), or their form is not specific enough to relate to another area’s style, or the date of creation cannot be established. To date there is no acceptable proof for South Pacific-Northwest Coast historical connections that predates the European whaling era, except for links that follow the coastal region of the North Pacific into Alaska.

William Fitzhugh, archeologist
Natural History Museum

The Black List features portraits of fifty African Americans who are influential in their fields, such as Chris Rock, above. Image courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

February is Black History Month, and if you’re wondering how to properly commemorate the holiday, look no further. There are lots of (mostly free) events around the Mall this month celebrating African American heritage.

Black History Month Family Day: On Saturday, February 4, kick off the month with a full afternoon of music, performances and crafts at the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. Enjoy the blues stylings of “Guitar Man” Warner Williams and a puppet show, Can You Spell Harlem? Plus, learn the art of step in a workshop by the Taratibu Youth Association step performers. After the festivities end, head over to the McEvoy Auditorium for a screening of Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair. Free. 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Film screening at 3:30 p.m.

Tales from Mother Africa: Kenyan poet, singer, storyteller and dancer Anna Mwalagho weaves traditional tales from “Mama Africa” into an interactive performance at S. Dillon Ripley Center’s Discovery Theater on February 2 and 3. The program is geared toward young children, but a little singing and dancing is good for adults, too. Tickets required: $8 for adults, $6 for children, $5 for Resident Associate Members, $3 for children under 2. 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Enslavement to Emancipation: Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the passage of the District of Columbia’s Emancipation Act in 1862 with a video and discussion at the Anacostia Community Museum. The talk will touch on a wide range of subjects, including the Civil War, laws governing slavery, the abolitionist movement, and civil rights. Free. Reserve a spot at 202-633-4844. February 5 at 2:00 p.m. and and February 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Monticello, Slavery, and the Hemingses: Join NPR host Michel Martin and Harvard Law professor Annette Gordon-Reed for a discussion about the six Monticello slave families featured in the exhibition “Paradox of Liberty: Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello” at the American History Museum. Hosted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Martin and Gordon-Reed will challenge conventional wisdom about slavery and the political reality of the era. Professor Gordon-Reed’s book, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family will also be discussed. Free. February 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum.

Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975: The Black Power movement has been both venerated and vilified, but what exactly did it mean? Test your knowledge at the National Portrait Gallery’s screening of The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, which documents this tumultuous period and features interviews with activists Angela Davis, Bobby Seale and Stokely Carmichael. Free. February 18 at 1:00 p.m.

The Black List: Reinterpreting the exclusionary definition of a “blacklist,” photographer/filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and NPR’s Elvis Mitchell compiled a list of people who represent the African American experience in the 20th century. The result is an inspiring exhibition of large-format photographic portraits and film interviews of artists, politicians, writers, athletes and civil rights activists who have made a difference in their fields. The 50 portraits on display include musician John Legend, artist Kara Walker and political activist Angela Davis. On view at the National Portrait Gallery until April 22.

Groundbreaking for the National Museum of African American History and Culture: Almost a decade after the establishment of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, construction on the museum site breaks ground on February 22. Catch the webcast of the groundbreaking ceremony, which will feature speeches and musical performances starting at 9:00 a.m. The museum construction should be finished in 2015, so you’ll have plenty of time to head down to the new site between the Washington Monument and the American History Museum and check its progress.

For the full schedule of Black History Month events, click here.

Now that you’ve probably burned through the lists of historians, innovators, and food-writers to follow this year, we’re bringing it back home to the Smithsonian. As always, the Mall is cooking up some fascinating, crazy, and sometimes grotesque stuff for 2012. Bookmark these people and projects to keep up with this year:

Nicholas Pyenson: Pyenson studies and curates fossils of marine mammals. Get a feel for what is going on inside his lab and follow his team into the field—fresh from an expedition in Chile—at his blog, Pyenson Lab.

Postal Museum: Time for a pop quiz: A “hamper dumper” is:

a) machine in postal processing

b) bin of misprint stamps

c) failed mail vehicle

d) philatelic tool.

If you know the answer, you should be following the Postal Museum (@postalmuseum) for their daily #PostalQuiz and other philatelic factoids.

Biodiversity Heritage Library: As part of the Biodiversity Heritage Library consortium, the Smithsonian Libraries collects and digitizes biodiversity research for open online access—essentially, a bio-wiki. Check out @biodivlibrary for the species of the day: plants that eat worms, albino penguins and other bizarre creatures you never knew existed.

Archives of American Art Pinterest: The American Art Pinterest lets you browse the archives and “pin” the images you like to your virtual board. Mix and match from collections like “facial hair of note” and “ain’t no party like an artist’s party.”

Book Dragon: The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program’s Book Dragon is the pet project of former APA Media Arts Consultant Terry Hong, featuring reviews of “books for the multi-cultural reader.” Hong highlights literature for kids and adults alike that speaks to the Asian American experience. Follow her at @SIBookDragon.

Smithsonian Vids: For a moving view of the Institution, follow @SmithsonianVids. Meet a scientist studying frog-eating bats, or get a video tour of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings from Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.

Smithsonian Marine Station: This Natural History Museum field station, located in Fort Pierce, Florida, tweets news updates and photos from the field (er, coral reef) @SmithsonianSMS. Plus, there’s #followfriday trivia every week.

Field Book Project: Also, from the Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Institution Archives check out this blog, where researchers post updates on their initiative to compile an online database of field books and journals documenting biodiversity research. Besides progress updates, you’ll also find excerpts of century-old field notes from explorers, birdwatchers and scientists (including lots of fun, old-timey sketches) and learn a lot more than you ever thought there was to know about indices.

Encyclopedia of Life: Take your best shot and enter the picture in the Smithsonian’s Encyclopedia of Life Flickr photo contest. The bi-weekly contest could be (and has been) any theme from “backyard life” to “sexual dimorphism.” Even if you don’t enter, be sure to browse the entries for gems like this.

And of course, if you’re not following them already, the museums are always Tweeting up a storm. Here’s the checklist:

American Indian Museum: @SmithsonianNMAI

National Portrait Gallery: @npg

American Art Museum: @americanart

Anacostia Community Museum: @anacostiamuseum

American History Museum: @amhistorymuseum

Air and Space Museum: @airandspace

Museum of Natural History: @NMNH

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: @hirshhorn

Freer and Sackler Galleries: @FreerSackler

Museum of African Art: @NMAfA

National Zoo: @NationalZoo

Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum: @cooperhewitt

Smithsonian: @Smithsonian

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This past October, a new memorial opened on the National Mall. For the first time, the individual honored wasn’t a president, a legislator, a war hero or even a government official: it was preacher and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tonight, as part of the Anacostia Community Museum‘s 27th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. program, Harry E. Johnson, president of the National Memorial Project Foundation, will deliver an address on the making of the new memorial. The event, held at the Natural History Museum’s Baird Auditorium, beings at 7 p.m., and is open to the public.

Johnson’s speech, themed “Dedication to the Dream,” will cover the long—and often challenging—journey from the memorial’s conception to completion, he says. Alpha Phi Alpha, the fraternity King was heavily involved in during his time at Boston University, proposed building a memorial just after he was assassinated in 1968. Finally, in 1996, Congress gave the organization permission to build the structure on government lands in D.C. In 1998, the Foundation was established to lead this effort, and after many years of fundraising, a groundbreaking was held in 2006. Although the official dedication of the memorial was planned for August 2011, the arrival of Hurricane Irene in D.C. forced organizers to postpone it just a bit longer, with the final dedication coming on October 16, 2011.

For Johnson, finally seeing the project completed on the National Mall was immensely gratifying. The memorial is located on a direct sight line of the Lincoln Memorial to the Northwest and the Jefferson Memorial to the Southeast. “I think the memorial puts Dr. King in his proper perspective,” he says. “The way we see it, Dr. King was just as great a hero as any of the other presidents and war heroes that are honored. We chose to honor a man of peace.”

Johnson and the foundation hope that the memorial will serve as a place of both peacefulness and inspiration for visitors. “It’s a serene space. You don’t have a lot of loud noises—you come there to ponder and think,” says Johnson. “You can read Dr. King’s words on the walls and contemplate them.”

The design incorporates several elements inspired by words from King’s legendary speeches, sermons and writings. The centerpiece of the structure is the Stone of Hope, which features Dr. King carved on the surface and appears to emerge from the Mountain of Despair, as inspired by the famous line from his “I Have a Dream” speech: “Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

On an inscription wall ringing the memorial, 14 quotations are included, spanning King’s career, from his rise during the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycotts to the last sermon he delivered, at Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral, just days before his assassination. ”When you read Dr. King’s words—especially if you have not read them in a while—sitting there and reading them can be a heart-changing experience,” Johnson says. because of the fourth things we talk about: justice, hope, democracy, and love

On Monday at 8 a.m., a wreathing ceremony, featuring Johnson, Rev. Al Sharpton and Robert G. Stanton, senior advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, will be held at the memorial to honor Dr. King’s legacy on the national holiday dedicated to his memory and works.

After such a long wait, Johnson says he is flooded with emotion each time he visits the memorial, and is confident the effects intended by the foundation and the memorial’s designers have been achieved. “I think everybody is awe-struck when they visit it. People walk in and they get a lump in their throat as they recognize that you have a memorial to an African-American, and another great American,” he says. “I first saw it years ago, and I was just awe-struck. It’s a sense of ‘wow.’”

Visit the American Art museum. Photo courtesy of the museum.

Tuesday, December 27 Winter Break Special Programs

This winter break, bring the kids to enjoy a whole range of special activities at the Portrait Gallery. Check out a Discovery Kit to learn more about some of the famous Americans featured in the gallery, or join in the group art project, in which you’ll have the chance to contribute to a piece that will hang in the Education Center. Each day, a new figure will be featured in the work, and a different medium used. Free. 1 to 4 p.m., Repeats daily through Dec. 30. National Portrait Gallery, Education Center.

Wednesday, December 28 Camp Kwanzaa

Come for a family-friendly day of celebration sponsored by the Anacostia Community Museum. This program features Kwanzaa-related performances, hands-on activities and crafts that are sure to be fun for participants of all ages. Interactive music, drama and dance activities allow everyone to show their creative side in enjoying this seven-day festival. Free. For reservations, call 202-633-4844. 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Panorama Room, 1600 Morris Rd., SE, Washington, DC 20020

Due to a scheduling error, Art + Coffee will be held on January 29, not December 29. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

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

Join curators to learn about "Pair of Prickly Pairs" as part of a gallery talk. Photo courtesy of the Renwick Gallery

Monday, December 19 Fly Me To Mars

Author and illustrator Catherine Weitz’ award-winning children’s book Fly Me To Mars tells the story of wayward planet on a fantasy journey. Weitz, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, focuses on Mars geology in her research. Come meet Dr. Weitz and have your copy of the book signed in time for the holidays. Free. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Air and Space Museum, at the entrance to the museum store.

Tuesday, December 20 Holiday Arts and Crafts

Join museum staff for a morning of arts and craft making with a holiday theme. Participants will have their own chance to create memorable ornaments with materials provided by the museum. Free; please call 202 633 4844 to make reservations. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum, program room.

Wednesday, December 21 American Craft Masterpieces

As part of the Renwick’s monthly gallery talks series, experts discuss the masterpieces in small, intimate groups. This month, join Rebecca Robinson as she provides insight into Jon Eric Riis’ Pair of Prickly Pairs. Riis is an internationally-known tapestry artist whose intricate works often incorporate precious materials such as metallic and silk threads. Pair of Prickly Pairs was acquired by the museum in 2001 and features an unusual cactus-like roughness on the surface of the fruits that was produced with the incorporation of glass seed beads into the work. Free. 12 p.m. Renwick Gallery, first floor lobby.

Thursday, December 22 Butterfly Pavilion

Come out of the chill of winter and discover a tropical oasis in the middle of the Mall. Located next to the “Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution” exhibit at the Natural History Museum, the Butterfly Pavilion is home to hundreds of rare butterflies and exotic plants from all over the world. Tickets are required, and can be purchased in person at the Butterfly Pavilion Box Office or online. $6 for adults, $5.50 for seniors (60+), $5 for children (2 to 12), and $5 for members. Natural History Museum, 2nd Floor West, open 10:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

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

World War II veteran Chief Joseph Medicine Crow, a featured speaker of the "Native Americans in the Military" panel. Photo courtesy of the American Indian Museum.

Friday, December 2 Native Americans in the Military

Native Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces all the way back to the Revolutionary War, and by percentage serve more frequently than any other ethnic group. As part of American Indian Heritage Month, learn about this unique history and hear unforgettable stories of heroism at a program hosted by noted historian Herman J. Viola. The program will feature a panel of Natives who have served in Iraq, Korea, and World War II. Free. 3 to 5 p.m. American Indian Museum, Rasmuson Theater.

Saturday, December 3 Dress to Empress Soiree

Come to a swanky and exclusive evening of Asian food, fashion and music. The Dress to Empress Soiree and Fashion show features work by the award-winning designer Yeohlee Teng themed around Chinese fashion, celebrating the Sackler and Freer Galleries’ collections and its exhibitions, “Power|Play: China’s Empress Dowager” and “Family Matters: Portraits from the Qing Court.” Both exhibitions explore aspects of imperial life at court during the Qing dynasty, including fashion. Come in your finest Asian attire to enjoy open bars, complimentary Chinese cuisine and the hypnotic beats of DJ Nitekrawler. Tickets are $89 for Silk Road Society Members and $115 for the general public, with $150 VIP tickets providing access to a VIP-only bar, swag bags, and a special check-in. 8 p.m. to midnight. Sackler Gallery.

Sunday, December 4 All About Body Art

Join innovative artist and educator Jay Coleman as he explores the world of tattoos and body art. The program will cover the history of tattooing, the cultural significance of the art form around the world, and the health risks and myths associated with tattoos. This program, recommended for ages 13 and up, will be a fascinating journey for anyone who has ever considered getting their own tattoo. Free. 2 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum.

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

Come see BK Adam's "Exercise Your Mynd" exhibition and make your own walking figures. Photo courtesy Anacostia Community Museum.

Friday, November 25 Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights is the National Zoo’s annual holiday show of light displays, special animal exhibits and entertainment. Starting this Friday, come to the Zoo during the evening and enjoy an LED light show illuminating the trees, walkways and buildings, life-size animal light silhouettes and the Zoo’s new “iceless” skating rink featuring a high-tech acrylic material. The area’s only free holiday light show runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday through Sunday nights, November 25 to December 11 and December 16 to January 1. National Zoo.

Saturday, November 26 Make Them Walk

Join local artist BK Adams for a creative and hands-on journey through his exhibition “Exercise Your Mynd.” After a personal tour of the show, Adams will work with attendees in helping them make their own 3-dimensional walking figures. Free, with reservations required at 202.633.4844. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum.

Sunday, November 27 What’s in the Castle?

Come for a guided tour of the Smithsonian Institution’s iconic Castle. Learn about founder James Smithson, as well as the architecture of the building. The docent-guided tour will cover all public areas of the building, including Smithson’s crypt, the Great Hall and the West Wing. Free. Tours are conducted Sundays at 10:30 a.m., Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m., and at both times on Saturdays. Smithsonian Castle, meet at information desk.

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

Learn about the entrepreneurs who operated the Mir Space Station in "Orphans of Apollo." Photo courtesy NASA

Friday, November 18 Moving Beyond Earth

Get updated on the potential for commercial space exploration. First, film director Michael Potter will present his groundbreaking 2008 documentary Orphans of Apollo, which tells the remarkable story of MirCorp, the entrepreneurs who briefly operated the Russian space station Mir as a business venture, launching the commercial space industry. A panel discussion will follow, featuring space venture capitalists, manufacturers of space equipment and Jeffrey Manber, former CEO of MirCorp. Free, but tickets required. 8 p.m. Air and Space Museum, Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater.

Saturday, November 19 Chile Festival

Celebrate Chile’s unique Mapuche culture at the American Indian Museum’s Chile Festival. The family-friendly weekend-long event features weaving demonstrations, roundtable discussions, traditional dancing and more. The festival will use ancient crafts and teachings to help visitors understand Mapuche culture and the concept of rakizuam, the traditional knowledge passed from generation to generation. Free. The festival takes place 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm. Thursday, November 17 through Sunday, November 20. American Indian Museum, Potomac Atrium.

Sunday, November 20 Exploring Colors

Gain a deeper understanding of the colors we see everyday at this fascinating workshop. Artist and scientist Peter Krsko of Albus Cavus, an innovative design group, will lead an examination of the meaning of color. The topic will be approached from biological, physical and artistic perspectives. Free, reservations requested at 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum.

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

See DJ Spooky's live set with Madame Freedom at the Freer. Photo courtesy Freer Gallery

Friday, November 4 Madame Freedom

Come see a classic Korean film with a brand new live soundtrack. DJ Spooky, a.k.a. Paul Miller, an innovative music artist, composer and writer, will mix a live set to accompany Madame Freedom, one of the defining films of the 1905s golden era of Korean cinema. The live score will combine a string duo and turntables, edited live using Spooky’s innovative mixing software. Free, no tickets required. 7 p.m. Freer Gallery, Meyer Auditorium

Saturday, November 5 Art Meets Music

The 21st Century Consort is the Smithsonian Institution’s award-winning resident ensemble group. Inspired by the American Art Museum‘s “Great American Hall of Wonders,” a celebration of American invention and ingenuity, the concert will feature readings of Emerson and Whitman along with the premiere performance of several of the ensemble’s new works. Tickets are $20 and include admission to a post-concert reception, purchase online. 5 to 7 p.m., American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium.

Sunday, November 6 Scrapbooking Your Memories

This Sunday, come learn the ins and outs of scrapbooking from artist Camilla Younger. Bring in photographs, fabric, yarn, ribbons, or other materials to create a special scrapbook that preserves your memories. Free, with reservation required; call call 202-633-4844. 2 to 4 p.m, Anacostia Community Museum

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

Henrique Oliviera's "Bololô," on display in the "Artists in Dialogue 2" exhibition. Photo courtesy of the African Art Museum

Friday, October 21 Craft2Wear Advance Chance Party

Craft2Wear is a unique collection of American-made wearable art by forty artists featured in previous Smithsonian shows, including Alabama-based artist Kathleen Nowak Tucci, recently featured in a Q&A. Come to the advance opening party to get an early shot at these remarkable pieces of jewelry, clothing and other accessories. David Muir, of ABC World News, will emcee this event, which features wine, hors d’oeuvres, music and modeling. Craft2Wear is organized by the Smithsonian’s Women’s Committee and a portion of the sales will benefit the committee’s mission of supporting education, outreach and research projects within the Institution. Tickets to the party are $50; tickets to attend the exhibition Saturday or Sunday are $5 and available at the door. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. National Building Museum, 401 F St., NW

Saturday, October 22 MATCH + WOOD

Experience the interplay between poetry and visual art at this evening event. Poets Ernesto Mercer and Sami Miranda invite the art collective Tres Raices and others to engage with the collaborative works of Sandile Zulu and Henrique Oliviera, whose paintings and installations are featured in “Artists in Dialogue 2.” The event continues the show’s exploration of the dynamic connections between Latino, African and American cultures. Free. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. African Art Museum

Sunday, October 23 Call and Response Drumming Workshop

Melvin Deal of African Heritage Dancers & Drummers leads this interactive workshop. Learn about the drumming history of Go-Go, a DC-based blend of funk and R&B with call-and-response vocals. Bring an instrument—a bucket, bottle, wooden box, whistle or anything else you can jam with—to join in. Free, reservations encouraged at 202-633-4844. 2 to 4 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum

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

Come to Family Day at the Postal Museum. Photo courtesy Museum

Friday, October 14 Sin Fronteras Café Reading and Open Mic

The Smithsonian Latino Center announces a virtual Second Life literary event. This reading features a group of notable Latino writers, including the award-winning Daniel Chacón, author of the short story collections Unending Rooms and Chicano Chicanery. An open mic will follow the reading, with poets and writers invited to share their own work. Free. 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Hosted on Second Life, an avatar account is needed to participate.

Saturday, October 15 Owney the Dog Family Day

Come to Family Day for an Owney-themed festival of activities. Owney was a mutt who, in the 1880s, toured the country on mail trains and became the U.S. Postal Service’s unofficial mascot. He is now represented on a new postage stamp, the subject of a look-alike contest and featured in an exhibit in the museum. Stop by Family Day to make an Owney puppet, learn about other animals in the mail service and enjoy an Owney storytime. Free. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. National Postal Museum

Sunday, October 16 Henna Body Art

From ancient times, cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and India have used the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) to dye skin and to create unique tattoos. Come learn about this fascinating history from henna artist Samirah Ali, who will explain the special properties of the plant. Afterward, design some henna tattoos for your hands and arms. Free. For ages 13 and up only. 2 to 4 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum

Come learn the art of origami at the Anacostia Community Museum. Photo by Andreas Bauer

Friday, September 16 Does “Indian Blood” Matter?

Native American identity has historically been tied the concept of blood quantum, the percentage of Native ancestry in an individual. This complex measure continues to have ramifications within Native Tribes and under federal law. On Friday, come hear a panel of Native sociologists, historians and anthropologists discuss the controversial issue of blood quantum from a number of different perspectives. As part of an Institution-wide discussion of race, the event will be moderated by a museum historian. The symposium is free and open to the public and will also be webcast online. 2 to 4:30 p.m. American Indian Museum, Rasmuson Theater.

Saturday, September 17 Latino Family Day

Spend your Saturday learning about Latino music and culture at this year’s Latino Family Day. As the feature event of Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month,  the Smithsonian Latino Center hosts a bilingual event with dance workshops, storytelling, a “community art wall” and other kid-friendly activities. The event will be held in Haupt Garden, just behind the castle, and is in conjunction with the exhibition American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music, located inside the S. Dillon Ripley Center next door (enter through the copper-domed kiosk on Jefferson Drive). Free. 11:30 to 5:30.

Sunday September 18 Origami

Have you ever wanted to master the art of Origami? Come to this workshop for beginners to learn the skills and techniques of paper folding. Instructors will help you create a candy dish, puppet, cup and other fun objects. Free. to 3. Anacostia Community Museum

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

BK Adams' “Blue Horse,” 2009, (foil, acrylic paint), Photo courtesy of John Woo/Anacostia Community Museum, SI

A Jackson Pollock-esque spatter seems to follow Washington, D.C.-based artist BK Adams wherever he goes, whether it be on his pants, his hands or his canvas. Yet the often be-goggled Adams maintains a sartorial splendor, resembling a friendlier, more dapper version of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice. Locally, BK’s image has become semi-iconic, and you can find stickers bearing his likeness plastered around the area.

Adams’ brightly-colored works fill the Anacostia Community Museum‘s main gallery in the bold “Exercise Your Mynd—BK Adams I Am Art” exhibition that opened yesterday and runs through November 27. He operates in a variety of mediums, from sculpture to painting, and frequently incorporates found objects into his work. Stylistically, he ranges from the figurative to the abstract. Certain ideas that are important to Adams, such as family and traveling the world, pop up repeatedly in his works, as do certain design motifs including bicycles and airplanes.

The soft-spoken yet enthusiastic Adams finds inspiration in life’s little things and encourages creativity in himself and others through his “100% mynd use” mantra. ”I’m into details,” says Adams with a slight drawl. “I’m into making a small detail big and living it big. Celebrating a small thing like a small moment. Those are the things that turn my world.”

BK Adams's likeness appears locally. Photo: Flickr user romana klee

This exhibition is the first of three series that spotlight the creative forces of Washington, D.C. locals living east of the Anacostia River, home of the museum. ”When we first found out about his work we were just completely blown away,” said Anacostia Community Museum curator Portia James. “Once we found out we had a person doing this kind of work living right in the community we knew that we had to try to present his work to the public.”

But museum galleries aren’t the only places to view BK Adams creations. He’s been unexpectedly placing pieces in public spaces for some time. Adams installed his first work in a public space in 2009 when he and collaborator Steven M. Cummings built a towering chair sculpture in an abandoned lot full of junk on the corner of 3rd and H Streets in Northeast, D.C. The reaction of the public to his work is important to Adams. “It’s like if all of a sudden you see a roller coaster,” he says, “and it’s like, ‘Where that roller coaster come from?!’”

Though BK Adams hails from the nation’s capital, he’s a worldly individual, a man on the move, and he left me with the following thoughts: “I’m a traveler, man. I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I left one way a thousand times or more. So D.C. has a hold of me. But I’m ready to go.”

“Exercise Your Mynd—BK Adams I Am Art” will be at the Anacostia Community Museum from August 22-November 27, 2011. There is free weekend round trip shuttle service from the National Mall to the museum through September 5. You can find the schedule here.

An infant orangutan in Born to Be Wild 3D. Photo courtesy Warner Brothers Entertainment

Monday, August 15 Born to Be Wild

See the endangered elephants of Kenya and orangutans of Borneo up close and personal in Born to Be Wild 3D. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the stunning IMAX film tells the stories of both of these remarkable species and the scientists who work with them. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $7.50 for children (ages 2 to 12), and can be purchased at si.edu/imax. Johnson IMAX Theater at the Natural History Museum. Film shown at 2:25, 4:25, and 6:25 daily.

Tuesday, August 16 Stories of the Negro Leagues

The Anacostia Community Museum presents a discussion of the Negro Leagues of baseball. Dwayne Sims, the founder of the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, will interview Levi “Chappie” Drew, a member of the Indianapolis Clowns, about his experiences playing in the league. Door prizes will be given! Free. Anacostia Community Museum. 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, August 17 Book Signing

Will Kaufman comes to the National Portrait Gallery to discuss his book Woody Guthrie, American Radical. Drawing upon unseen archival materials, Kaufman presents a new picture of Guthrie, as a political activist and independent thinker. Afterward, Kaufman will sign copies of the book for those in attendance. Free. National Portrait Gallery, bookstore. Noon to 1.

Thursday, August 18 Jazz Funk Concert

This Thursday night, come to the American Art’s Museum’s “Take 5!” Jazz Concert Series. Baltimore’s Kelly Bell Band will perform a fusion of hip-hop, blues and funk. The outdoor courtyard provides an intimate environment with great art and refreshments. Free. American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard. Concert is 5-8 p.m.

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