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Portrait of an American Indian (ca. 1900). Artist unknown. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum.

Friday, November 13: Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night: A Conversation with Alan Bean

On November 19th, 1969, Alan Bean became the fourth man to set foot on the Moon during the second lunar landing as the Apollo 12 lunar module pilot. After a distinguished career at NASA, he retired in 1981 to pursue painting and public speaking—and both of those talents will be on display this evening at the Air and Space Museum. Alan Bean will discuss his life and career and be available for book signings. And don’t forget to explore the galleries of his otherworldly artwork in the companion exhibit, Alan Bean: Painting Apollo, First Artist on Another World. Air and Space Museum, 8:00 PM.

Saturday, November 14: American Indian Heritage Month Two-Day Family Program: From Deer to Dance

Come celebrate American Indian Heritage Month with a two-day festival chock-full of family fun at the American Indian Museum. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, enjoy Native culture, music, dance and art; and learn how Native Americans turn the hides or skins of animals into the beautiful dresses or regalia worn during traditional ceremonies and powwows. At 12:00 noon, swing by to see—and participate in—a social dance led by the White Oak Singers. Free. This event repeats on November 15. American Indian Museum, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.

Sunday, November 15: Sesame Street’s 40th Birthday Party

That’s right—Sesame Street hits the big 4-0 this year and the Discovery Theater is throwing a birthday party with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, and Prairie Dawn, along with Muppeteers Kevin Clash, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, and Fran Brill, join Sesame Street executive producer Carol-Lynn Parente and Sonia Manzano (‘Maria’) to talk about the show’s 40 years of fun and learning. They share clips from the first season in 1969 and scenes from new episodes. Also, don’t forget to swing by the American History Museum where you can see Kermit the Frog, who was a regular on the show and check out Abby Callard’s piece on Sesame Street around the world. Tickets are required for this event. Prices and additional information are available through Smithsonian Associates. Discovery Theater, 1:30 PM.

Portrait of Mildred Bailey (1947) by William P. Gottlieb. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Friday, April 10: Annual Bunny Party

Is your best friend a 6-foot 3 and one half inch rabbit? Are your tea parties never without a march hare in attendance? Or, do you just live in fear of the cotton-tailed creature living down the street? Spring is here, so come sing, dance, play and listen to stories about bunnies and enjoy a little something sweet to eat (Hasenpfeffer will NOT be served.) For bunny aficionados ages 2-6. Tickets required. Rates are: $6 for adults; $5 for children (ages 2-16); $4 for Resident Members. Call 202-633-8700 to reserve your spot today. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM. Repeats Saturday April 11 at 12:00 PM

Saturday, April 11: Jazz Concert with Julia Keefe

Come on babe, why don’t you paint that town—with all that jazz? It’s Jazz Appreciation Month and the Smithsonian is offering a number of free concert for your listening pleasure. Tonight, award-winning vocalist Julia Keefe will be putting her stamp on the swing-era songs made famous by Mildred Bailey. Free. American Indian Museum, 2 PM. Repeats today at 4 PM

Sunday, April 12: ImaginAsia: Moonlight and Clouds

Silver and gold decorations are never out of season or style. So come out to the Freer and learn about Japanese silver and gold masterworks and make your own silver and gold picture. This program is for persons aged 8-14 and must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required for groups of more than 8 people. If you need to make a reservation, call 202-633-0461. Free. Freer, 2:00 PM

Feeding the Bunnies (1912) by Helen Hyde. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum

Monday, April 6: Book Signing

Corkey Hay DeSimone will be available to sign copies of her children’s book Cherry Blossom Friends, a book written especially for this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Free. National Air and Space Museum, 12:00-3:00 PM

Tuesday, April 7: Quilting Demonstration

Volunteers from the Annapolis Quilt Guild demonstrate piecing, and other quilt-making techniques, and display related tools from the Museum’s Textile Collection. Free. American History Museum, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, April 8: Weather, Spying and Space, Oh My! The Story of TIROS I: Ask an Expert

At just 19 inches high, TIROS-1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was the world’s first successful weather satellite and was launched into space in April 1960. Martin Collins of the National Air and Space Museum’s Space History Division will discuss the TIROS satellite currently on display (it was the back-up model used for ground testing) in this lunchtime lecture. Free. National Air and Space Museum, 12:00 PM

Thursday, April 9: Great Communicators: Samuel Morse: Face to Face Portrait Talk

You may have seen the work of Samuel Morse at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History—his signature invention, the telegraph. But have you ever seen the face who conjured up all those dots and dashes? Come out to the National Portrait Gallery where curator of photographs Ann Shumard will discuss the portrait of Morse currently on display. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:00 PM

Friday, April 10: Annual Bunny Party

Is your best friend a 6-foot 3 and one half inch rabbit? Are your tea parties never without a march hare in attendance? Or, do you just live in fear of the cotton-tailed creature living down the street? Spring is here, so come sing, dance, play and listen to stories about bunnies and enjoy a little something sweet to eat (Hasenpfeffer will NOT be served.) For bunny aficionados ages 2-6. Tickets required. Rates are: $6 for adults; $5 for children (ages 2-16); $4 for Resident Members. Call 202-633-8700 to reserve your spot today. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM. Repeats Saturday April 11 at 12:00 PM

Portrait of Billie Holiday by Carl Van Vechten. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Tuesday, February 17: Reel Portraits: Billie Holiday and Lady Sings the Blues

After leaving the Supremes, Diana Ross not only launched a solo career, but she also tried her hand as an actress. Lady Sings the Blues, a slightly true biopic about jazz legend Billie Holiday, featured Ross and Billy Dee Williams and snagged The Boss an Oscar nomination. (She was beat out by Liza Minelli, who played the “divinely decadent” Sally Bowles in Cabaret.) A popular presentation of Holiday’s life with fine vocal performances from Miss Ross—even if her vocals lack the gritty, bluesy quality of Holiday’s. And if you’re not familiar with Lady Day’s work, listen to the Lady in Satin album. It’ll change your life. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 7 PM.

Wednesday, February 18: How Old is a Hero?

Learn about the Civil Rights Movement’s youngest activists in this dramatic presentation highlighted by archival recordings. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 for adults; $5 for children (ages 2-16); $4 for Resident Members. Call 202-633-8700 to reserve your seat. Discovery Theater, 10:15 and 11;30 AM. Repeats February 19.

Thursday, February 19: Annual Day of Remembrance

The signing of Executive Order 9066 led to the imprisonment of over 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. To commemorate the 67th anniversary of this event, three scholars will talk about the Japanese American experience during World War II. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 6:30 PM.

Friday, February 20: Santouri: The Music Man

Not to be confused with the Music Man of “76 Trombones” notoriety, this Iranian film tells the story of a young musician whose life falls apart just as he reaches the height of fame and is left to pick up the pieces. In Persian with English subtitles. Free. Freer Gallery, 7:00 PM. Repeats February 22.

Portrait of Leontyne Price in Porgy and Bess (1953) by Carl van Vechten. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Monday, February 2: Nothing Special

There’s nothing special planned for you today, so come on out and enjoy the collections at any of the museums. Just please, keep off the grass and don’t feed the volunteers working the Information Desk.

Tuesday, February 3: Buddy Holly: The Day the Music Died

Buddy Holly was a rock n’ roll pioneer whose life was tragically cut short in a 1959 plane crash that also took fellow trailblazers Ritchie Valens (”La Bamba“, “Donna“) and the Big Bopper (”Chantilly Lace“). Though he was only 22, he left behind a musical legacy that still draws admirers. Come out to the Natural History Museum to enjoy J.P. Mcermott’s musical tribute to the man who gave us rockabilly standards like “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue” and “Maybe Baby.” So, if you only know Holly in passing by way of that wonderfully infectious Weezer song or Don McLean’s loving homage, you owe it to yourself to check out his work. Tickets are required. Rates are: $30 Members; $40 General Admission. National Museum of Natural History, 6:45 PM.

*Note: Due to the high popularity of this event, there is currently a wait list for seats. Please call the Registration Office at 202-633-3030 to place your name on the wait list.

Wednesday, February 4: At the Elbows of My Elders: One Family’s Journey Toward Civil Rights

Celebrate black history month by coming to hear author Gail Melissa Grant tell stories about her family’s life in America—from working on the railroad to her father’s work as a civil rights activist in St. Louis. Free. Smithsonian Castle. 6:30 PM

Thursday, February 5: A Portrait of Porgy

In my humble opinion, Porgy and Bess is the greatest love story set to music—when performed well, it has me scrambling for the Kleenex box (usually during “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” and “I Loves You Porgy“). The man who originated the role of Porgy—the misanthropic cripple redeemed through the love he shares with Bess, a prostitute—is Todd Duncan, a classically trained performer who taught music at Howard University here in DC. A Portrait of Porgy is a dramatic piece written by Jewell Robinson and features performances by Alvy Powell and Janice Chandler Eteme that explores Duncan’s life as well as the story of how Porgy and Bess came to be. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 7 PM. Repeats February 6 and 7.

*Note: For the big Gershwin fans out there, check out the Library of Congress‘ permanent exhibition on George and Ira, which includes pianos, sheet music, correspondence and handwritten librettos—including pieces from Porgy and Bess.

Friday, Februay 6: Buh Rabbit and Friends

I grew up with the Br’er Rabbit stories. (And after all these years I still have my Br’er Rabbit read-along book and tape, based on the infamous 1946 film Song of the South. Though the movie definitely has some issues—and as a whole it’s a middling film—it features some of the best animation I’ve seen from this studio. Also, seeing 12-year-old Bobby Driscoll getting gored by a bull is pretty freaking awesome for a Disney movie.) While that cannon of folk tales has plenty of detractors, I contend that Br’er Rabbit is one of the savviest characters in popular mythology this side of Odysseus. So come and listen to these timeless songs and stories of the Gullah people of the Georgia Sea Islands. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 for adults; $5 for children (ages 2-16); $4 for Resident Associate Program Members. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM. Repeats February 13, 20 and 27.

Fasten your seat belts: it's the Bette Davis commemorative stamp.

Monday, January 5: Portrait of George W. Bush

After eight years in office, President Bush is now a museum piece. Come see the newest addition to the National Portrait Gallery’s Hall of Presidents, which marks the first time the gallery has exhibited the official portrait of a sitting president. Free. National Portrait Gallery.

Tuesday, January 6:

Nothing special scheduled for today. Tour the national mall and enjoy the good ol’ standbys.

Wednesday, January 7: Children’s Program: “Hok-noth-da”?”

“Hok-noth-da?”—which means, “Did you hear?” in the Shawnee language—beckons young children to come gather ’round to hear stories by or about Native Americans. Ideal for persons aged 5-9. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 11 AM. Repeats January 21.

Thursday, January 8: Rapunzel

She’s the girl with the golden hair and she’s letting it all hang out in her pursuit of happiness. The Puppet Co. conveys this timeless tale with hand puppets and is sure to entertain the young as well as the young at heart. Tickets required. Rates are: $6 adults; $5 children (ages 2-16); $4 Resident Members. S. Dillon Ripley Center, 10:15 and 11:30 AM. Repeats January 9.

Friday, January 9: Iranian Film Festival: Banana Skin Film

Hamid is a workaholic who suddenly discovers that he’s dead but finds pleasure in the afterlife as a prankster of a spirit. This film is free, but assigned seating is in effect due to high demand for tickets. Up to 2 free tickets will be distributed per person 1 hour before show time. Freer Gallery of Art, 7:00 PM. Repeats January 11 at 2:00 PM.

Saturday, January 10: Philatelic Movies: Jezebel and Hallelujah!

In 2008, Bette Davis was depicted on her very own stamp—curiously sans cigarette—and benchmarks of black cinema also received philatelic tributes. Today, the National Postal Museum will show the movies that inspired these miniature works of art.

Jezebel is the cautionary tale of why good girls shouldn’t wear red dresses to the most important social event of the year. (Why you may ask? Because you can’t marry Henry Fonda and live happily ever after if you do, that’s why!)

Hallelujah! is the first sound film directed by King Vidor (The Crowd) and sports the music of Irving Berlin. The film tells the story of a sharecropper who falls for a nightclub singer and was added to the National Film Registry in 2008, joining the ranks of 499 other historically, culturally or aesthetically significant films.

While I have yet to see Hallelujah! for myself, I will offer this advice: movies from this era released by major studios that feature a non-white cast are prone to racial stereotypes. If you are able to attend, be able to brace yourself for potentially politically incorrect entertainment.

Movies are free to the public and seating is first-come, first-served. National Postal Museum, 3:00 PM.

Sunday, January 11: ImaginAsia Family Program: Down By The Sea

Artists Dwight William Tyron and Hiroshi Sugimoto plied their craft to explore the sea and sky. Now you can too at this workshop at the Freer Sackler Gallery. Explore the works of Tyron and Sugimoto and then head to the classroom to create your own seascapes fit to tack on the fridge. For ages 8-14. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more. To make reservations, call 202-633-0461. Free. Freer Gallery, 2 PM. Repeats January 17, 18, 24, and 25.

Christmas Morning (1947) by Ernest W. Watson. Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Friday, December 19: Discussion: Remembering Christmases Past
Members of the Harmony Hall Regional Center and Maryland National Park and Planning Commission remember family, special foods, gifts and gatherings from Christmases past. Free, reservations required. Call 202-633-4844 to reserve your seat. Anacostia Museum, 11:00.

Saturday, December 20: Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy
Come on down for a free screening of Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy. As Christmas approaches, Rugby the Tiger fears that he will no longer be his owner’s favorite toy. His efforts to hold onto his Number 1 spot in the playroom have him encounter his potential replacement: Meteora, Queen of the Asteroids—an out of this world action figure who doesn’t realize she’s a toy. (Is this starting to sound familiar? Naw, didn’t think so.) This 1986 holiday classic is great family entertainment and will be followed by a puppet-making activity. Admission: $10 for adults; $9 for children (ages 2-16); $9 for Resident Associate Members. Call 202-633-8700 for tickets. S. Dillon Ripley Center, 12 Noon.

Sunday, December 21: Taking Shape: Ceramics in Southeast Asia
I think even Hyacinth Bucket (that’s “Bouquet” to you) would have to admit that her Royal Doulton with the hand painted periwinkles looks a little shabby next to the Freer’s Hague Collection. This collection spans 4,000 years of ceramic arts from Cambodia, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand and Burma (present-day Myanmar). Curator Louise Cort will lead a tour of the collection and will also introduce you to the museum’s first online catalog that will offer web surfers an opportunity to get an up-close look at these amazing artworks. (This catalog will be available on December 13.) Free. Freer Gallery of Art, 1 PM.

(And by the way, Hyacinth’s china—most likely the Braganza line—was discontinued in 1996. Maybe it could find its way into a museum some day.)