Monday, May 16 — Zoo feedings

What do zoo animals eat? Find out at the daily feedings, included in the Zoo’s daily calendar. Animal feedings take place every day, beginning at 10:15 AM with the fish feedings at the Kids’ Farm. Watch up to seven feedings a day, including the giant Pacific octopus at the Invertebrate House at 11:15 and 3; the sloth bears at 11:30 on the Asia Trail, and the small mammals at their house at 1:45. Don’t be late; the feedings last only 15 to 20 minutes. National Zoo

(By the way, the annual Zoofari fund-raising celebration takes place this Thursday May 19, from 6:30 to 9:30; beginning at noon, some areas of the Zoo will close for set up with the entire Zoo closing at 4 PM. Zoofari is sure to sell out. Buy your tickets today to avoid disappointment.)

Tuesday, May 17 — Civil War through the eyes of a child

Ever wonder what life was like for young African American girls during the Civil War? Addy Walker, of the popular American Girl doll series and heroine of the book, Meet Addy, is a nine-year old born into slavery. She escapes to freedom during the Civil War. Trace the events that underlie the story’s narrative using the museum’s downloadable guide, or pick one up free at the information desk. Claim a free gift at the gift shop when you complete the quest to have your guide stamped at each stop on the self-guided tour.  Find more here about Addy’s World, or find online activities, or stop by the museum’s store to pick up your copy of the book Meet Addy. American History Museum

Wednesday, May 18 SHOUT online discussion 

Can’t get to the museum today? Join three online discussions with four Smithsonian experts. Jonathan Thompson, a forest landscape ecologist from the Zoo’s Conservation Biology Institute updates us on the status of North American Forests. Senior conservation adviser Marshall Jones and program specialist Ana Tinsler, also with the Conservation Biology Institute discuss the Global Tiger Initiative, an alliance of governments and international organizations hoping to restore wild tigers and preserve their habitats. Lastly, researcher Sunshine Van Bael from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will provide an overview of Tropical Biodiversity. Free, but pre-registration required. First discussion at 11:00 AM.

Photo courtesy of ILL-abilities crew

Thursday, May 19 ILL-Abilities Crew

A high-energy dance performance by a B-boy crew of dancers with physical “ill”abilities. The group defines the phrase as the “opposite of disability,” meaning that they create advantages from disadvantages. Two performances, 10:15 AM and 11:00 AM, for ages 4 and up. Tickets are required. Rates are $4 child member; $4 member; $5 child nonmember; $3 child under 2; $6 general admission. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Resident Associate Program box office located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall.

Friday, May 20 Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month at the Smithsonian

Friday’s events kickoff the weekend-long “Celebrate Hawai’i” festival at the Museum of the American Indian. The documentary Papa Mau: The Wayfinder follows a group of young Hawaiians  on a mission to revive the traditional Polynesian arts of canoe-building and wayfinding, or non-instrument celestial navigation. The group’s search leads them to the island of Satawal in Micronesia and the master navigator Mau Piailug, who shares the ways of their ancestors aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule’a. Director Na’alehu Anthony will answer questions after the screening. A short film, Stones, will begin at 7:00 PM. Dinner is available at Mitsitam Cafe from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Free, but reservations are required.

Free events during the “Celebrate Hawai’i” cultural festival continue Saturday and Sunday, include hula performances and lessons, Hawaiian cooking demonstrations, films and discussions. 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. National Museum of the American Indian

Monday, May 9 – Beautiful butterflies

With new summer hours in place, you can stroll through this special butterfly exhibit with exotic plants and live butterflies from around the world until the last entry at 6 PM. Tickets are required, however and rates are as follows: $6 for adults; $5.50 for seniors (60+); $5 for children and members. Big tip for the frugal visitor: There is no charge on Tuesdays; however you still must get a ticket at the desk. Visit the Butterfly Pavilion’s Web site to purchase tickets and for more information about free entry on Tuesdays. Natural History Museum, 10:15-5:00 PM.

Tuesday, May 10 — Harry Potter pops up

The Houston-based paper engineer Bruce Foster talks about designing the 2010 Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book, the design process and paper engineering. “I will show the process from beginning to end, explain some of the math involved in creating this boo and share secrets of Harry Potter that did not make it into the final book,” Foster writes. Free. 12:00 PM. American History Museum. Sponsored by Smithsonian Libraries. Related exhibition: “Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop and Turn”

Photo courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum

Wednesday, May 11 Behind the Scenes at the Lunder Center

Learn how museum conservators use science, art history and skilled hands to preserve the art collections at the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Free, but register before 3:00 PM at the Luce Foundation Center information desk. Tour begins at 3:00 PM at the same place. Repeats most Wednesdays. American Art Museum.

Thursday, May 12 Pick a Flick just $10

“Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue” presents 10 films with a discussion following the screenings: Freedom Riders (already sold out); La Mission; Udaan and A Small Act at 6:00 PM; Boy at 6:15 PM and The Last Train Home; Afghan Star; Amreeka; Son of Babylon (free admission, but tickets required) and Winter’s Bone at 6:30 PM. $10 tickets for general admission are available online. Various National Mall locations.

Friday, May 13 Not Your Father’s Planetarium Show

Cosmic Collisions, a planetarium show, is the story of a speeding comet that collides with Earth’s atmosphere. Zipping along at 40 million years per second, the film takes visitors on a journey through time and space that includes colossal impacts and exciting explosions. Scientific visualizations, images from NASA and advanced simulation and imaging technology enhance the experience. Seven shows daily, beginning at 11:00 AM. Tickets are $6.50 members, $9.00 adult (13-and up), $8.00 senior, $7.50 youth (2-12 years old). Purchase tickets by phone (toll-free) 866-868-7774; online up to two weeks in advance or at the box office. Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air & Space Museum

All Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo are Open. Photo by Eric Long

All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are open.

Don’t miss out on all the events and happenings, all scheduled as planned. Tarantula feedings at the Natural History Museum. A special tour of the Kinsey Collections at American History. An Earth Day celebration at the American Art Museum.

And here’s a list of all the exhibitions that are on view.  For the first time, the Freer Gallery’s renowned Peacock Room has been restored to its appearance in 1908, when the museum’s founder Charles Lang Freer used it to organize and display more than 250 ceramics from all over Asia. The new exhibition, The Peacock Room Comes to America, debuts today.

Other don’t-miss exhibitions and landmark Smithsonian artifacts like the Hope Diamond, Julia Child’s kitchen, the Ruby Slippers, The Wright Flyer, The First Ladies exhibition can be found at the following Smithsonian museum locations:

• The Smithsonian Castle
• The Carousel on the National Mall
• The Ripley Center and International Gallery
• The National Museum of American History
• The National Museum of Natural History
• The National Air and Space Museum
• The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
• The Smithsonian American Art Museum
• The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
• The National Portrait Gallery
• The Freer and Sackler Galleries
• The Hirshhorn Museum
• The African Art Museum
• The National Museum of the American Indian
• The National Postal Museum
• The National Zoo
• The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City
• The George Gusav Heye Center in New York City

This weekend marks a special time for Smithsonian visitors and the Institution’s spokesperson Linda St. Thomas expressed her delight that the museums were all open for business this weekend:  “People have planned for months, or a year or more, for their spring visits to Washington, which always includes visits to the museums and the Zoo. If it were up to us, we would never shut down. That’s why we are only closed one day a year—Christmas Day.”

Of course spring time is also is presenting Smithsonian photographer Eric Long with some of the most exquisite visual opportunities, enjoy this gallery before gearing up to head out.

Mars' polar ice caps. Photo by HIRISE camera, courtesy of NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Monday April 4: FONZ Photo Club

If you’re a shutterbug with a penchant for snapping shots of critters, come on out to the National Zoo and participate in the Friends Of the National Zoo (FONZ) photo club’s monthly meeting. Share your photos, hear from speakers and learn about new techniques that may help you capture that picture perfect moment. You must already be a FONZ member to participate. For more information on the FONZ photo club and how to participate, go here. National Zoo, 7:00-9:30 PM

Tuesday April 5: Art Collector’s Roundtable

Former Utah Senator Bob Bennett will talk about collecting Western art, his personal collection, and tips on how to start your own collection. Event will also be webcast live. Free. American Art Museum, 7-8 PM.

Wednesday April 6: Discovery Theater: Mad Science

Mad Science returns to Discovery Theater! Dr. Jekyll is back to show you all about things that spin, pop and go boom and brings a kid-friendly and fun approach to complex scientific concepts. For ages 6-16. Tickets are required. Rates are $4 child member; $4 member; $5/child nonmember; $3 child under 2; $6 general admission. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Resident Associate Program box office located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall. Natural History Museum, 10:15 AM, repeats at 1:30 PM.

Thursday April 7. Meet the real Mars

The film “Roving Mars” was made using footage taken by the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. After the screening, stay around for  a discussion with Dr. Alfred McEwen, who will talk about his work on the high resolution camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Weather permitting, take your own look at Mars. Free, but tickets required. Reserve tickets online or call 202-633-2398. Air & Space Museum, 6:30 PM.

Friday April 8: Secret Reunion, first film in the New Korean Cinema series at the Freer Gallery

It’s spy vs. spy in a thriller set in Korea. At their first meeting, two spies—one from North Korea, the other from South Korea—go head-to-head, only to later join forces to work toward a common goal. But do they really? In Korean with English subtitles. Free. Freer Gallery of Art, 7:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

Get in touch with your muse in this week's online poetry workshop. Lyric Muse (1912) by Paul Manship. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum.

Monday, March 7: March Film Screening: My Name Is Kahentiiosta

Kahentiiosta, a young Kahnawake Mohawk woman, took part in a 78-day armed standoff in 1990 as a part of a land dispute between the Mohawks and the Canadian federal government. Arrested and imprisoned, she was detained longer than her peers because the prosecutor refused to let her stand trial using her native name. Learn about Kahentiiosta’s story and why she was prepared to die to protect the land and trees sacred to the Mohawk people of Kanehsatake. Free. American Indian Museum, 3:30-4:00 PM. This event repeats daily, except Wednesdays, through the month of March.

Tuesday, March 8: Washington Resigning His Commission: A History of Damage and Repair

Ferdinand Pettrich’s 1841 larger-than-life plaster statue of George Washington remains an impressive work of art—but it still manages to wow audiences thanks to diligent efforts to keep the piece looking its best. Get an inside look at what it takes to keep this sculpture in its prime through a talk with conservator Hugh Shockey, who will explain ongoing problems with the sculpture and discuss how it has been treated over the years. Free. American Art Museum, 12:30 PM

Wednesday, March 9: DISCOVERY THEATER, Balafon

The balafon, perhaps more familiarly knowns as the marimba, is an instrument that originated in the region of Africa now called Ghana, the Republic of Guinea, and Burkina Faso. They are used at festivals, funerals and celebrations to lift the emotions of people. It is also the name of a dance troupe guided by artistic director “Mama” Kadiatou Conte, a native of Guinea. In this performance suitable for people of all ages, Balafon West African Dance Ensemble brings to the stage an explosion of classical West African song, music and dance. Youngsters will feel the eternal rhythm of the drum, learn about the culture of Ghana, and might even be able to join in the dance. Tickets are required. Rates are $6 general admission; $5 children; $4 for members; $4 for children of members; $3 for children under age 2. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Resident Associate Program box office which is located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall. For groups of 10 children or more (ages 2-16) please call us at 202-633-8700 for a group discount. Discovery Theater, 9:00-10:15 AM.

Thursday, March 10: Face-to-Face Portrait Talk: Juliette Gordon Low

If you’re one of those people who know the Girl Scouts primarily by way of cookies, come on out for this week’s portrait talk where education specialist Geri Provost will introduce you to Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low through a painting by Edward Hughes. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:00-6:30 PM.

Friday, March 11: Sin Fronteras Online Poetry Workshop & Reading

In this online workshop sponsored by the Smithsonian Latino Center, write and share your poetry in an online forum moderated by Maria Miranda Maloney, publisher and author of The City I Love. Participants will need a Second Life avatar. Click here to get one! For more information go to http://latinovirtual.blogspot.com/ or e-mail Melissa Carrillo at Carrillom@si.edu. Free. Latino Virtual Museum Sin Fronteras Cafe, 9:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

Christmas Painting (2005) by Ian Whitmore. Image courtesy of the Hirshhorn.

Monday, December 13: For an all-inclusive seasonal celebration, come see “Seasons of Light.” This annual performance highlights the customs of winter holidays from all over the world, such as Ramadan, Diwali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas and winter solstice celebrations. Tickets are required. Prices are $6 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for children under age 2 and $4 for Resident Members. You may purchase tickets online or at the Resident Associates Program box office which is located in the Ripley Center. Discovery Theater. Today at 11:30 AM. This event also repeats throughout the month of December, but show times vary. Please check goSmithsonian for show times on the day you intend to visit the National Mall.

Tuesday, December 14: Lathe Demonstrations

Watch the Capital Area Woodturners, Chesapeake Woodturners, and Montgomery County Woodturners demonstrate the process used by the artists in A Revolution in Wood to create their unique pieces. Free. Renwick Gallery, 12:00-1:00 PM.

Wednesday, December 15: Day With the Artists

Meet two recipients of the National Museum of the American Indian’s Indigenous Artist Leadership and Emerging Artist Programs: sculptor Jereldine Redcorn and basket weaver Kelly Church. Learn about their work and how they are working to preserve and revive traditional Native art forms. Free. American Indian Museum, 2:00-2:30 PM. This event repeats  at 3:00 PM.

Thursday, December 16: Rockwell Film Series: It’s a Wonderful Life

In a continuing celebration of the exhibition Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, come enjoy a screening of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. For the rare few of you who don’t know the story, small town banker George Bailey contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve as he faces bankruptcy and jail, but meets a guardian angel who shows him how valuable he is to his community and family. Free. American Art Museum, 6:30.

Friday, December 17: Fossil Forensics: Investigating How Early Humans Died

With advancements in medicine and the comforts of modern living, people are enjoying longer lives. Our ancestors, however, had lots more problems to contend with, and in this afternoon lecture, Dr. Anna K. Behrensmeyer of the museum’s Paleobiology Department, discusses investigations into how early humans died. Free. Natural History Museum, 3:00-4:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

The Marchbanks Calendar—December by Harry Cimino. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum.

Monday, December 6: For an all-inclusive seasonal celebration, come see “Seasons of Light.” This annual performance highlights the customs of winter holidays from all over the world, such as Ramadan, Devali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas and Winter Solstice celebrations. Tickets are required. Prices are $6 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for children under age 2 and $4 for Resident Members. You may purchase tickets online or at the Resident Associates Program box office which is located in the Ripley Center. Discovery Theater. Today at 11:30 AM. This event also repeats throughout the month of December, but show times vary. Please check goSmithsonian for show times on the day you intend to visit the National Mall.

Tuesday, December 7: Virginia Mecklenburg: Norman Rockwell and the Movies

Senior curator Virginia Mecklenburg shares the results of her research into Rockwell, his work, and the relationships between the artist and the movies. Rockwell was a masterful storyteller who could distill a complex narrative into a single frame and used cinematic strategies that later influenced and inspired filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Free, but registration required; visit the web at www.normanrockwell.eventbrite.com or call 202-633-8490. American Art Museum, 7:00-8:00 PM.

Wednesday, December 8: Beyond Granite: Global Approaches to Public Art, Placemaking, and National Commemoration

Are temporary works of public art as memorable and powerful as permanent ones? A renowned panel of experts examine this question in a discussion moderated by secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Thomas Luebke. Panelists will include: Julian Laverdiere, designer of the World Trade Center Tower’s Tribute in Light; Krzysztof Wodiczko, Harvard professor and artist with a specialty in temporary light installations; and Justine Simons curator of London’s Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Free. American Art Museum, 6:30 PM.

Thursday, December 9: Book Signings: Wolfgang Samuel

Author Wolfgang Samuel will be available to sign copies of his books on aviation history Glory Days, Watson’s Whizzers, and American Raiders. Free. Copies of the book will be available for sale in the museum store. Air and Space Museum, 1:30-5:00 PM.

Friday, December 10: Forensic Friday

Join Smithsonian forensic anthropologists as they study new cases from America’s historic past. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask the forensic anthropologists questions and observe first-hand the basic methods used for documenting human remains recovered from archaeological investigations. While you’re at the museum, be sure to check out the related exhibit Written in Bone. Free. Natural History Museum, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. This event repeats today at 1:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

Enjoy a puppet show featuring creatures both real and imagined—like the above dragon—this week at the Smithsonian. Dragon and Waves (ca. 1827-31) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Image courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Sorry kids, nothing special is happening today. But be sure to check out this site for the long list of events and activities always happening at the Smithsonian.

Tuesday, May 11: Tigers, Dragons, and Other Wise ‘Tails”

This Smithsonian original puppet play provides wacky and modern spins on classic animal tales from Korea, Vietnam and Japan. This event is ideal for persons ages 4-10. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; $4 for Resident Associate Program Members and $4 for children of Resident Associate Program Members. Children under 2 are free, but please include them in your ticket order. You may purchase tickets online or in person at the Resident Associate Program box office. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM. This event repeats today at 11:30 AM.

Wednesday, May 12: To the German People: Wrapped Reichstag

Come celebrate the life and work of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who are perhaps best known for their large-scale installations where they draped fabric over anything and everything from buildings to islands. This evening, ambassador of the Federal Republic of German to the United States Klaus Scharioth will introduce the film “To the German People: Wrapped Reichstag 1971-1995.” After the screening, stick around for a discussion with artist Christo and filmmaker Wolkfram Hissen. Free. American Art Museum, 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 13: Astronaut Presentation: Jeff Williams

Get the low-down of what it’s like to hang out in outer space from International Space Station Expedition 22 Commander Jeff Williams. Listen to him talk about his 6-month mission aboard the International Space Station, see high-def video from his mission and stay awhile for a question and answer session. Free. Air and Space Museum, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. This event repeats today at 1:00 PM.

Friday, May 14: Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon: The Vietnamese American Diaspora

Come listen to a discussion about the Vietnamese American experience among panelists Andrew Lam, editor at New America Media, Lan Cao, professor of law at William and Mary, and Nguyen Dinh Thang, executive director of Boat People SOS and an advocate of human rights and social justice for the Vietnamese American community. The discussion will be moderated by Lawrence-Minh Bui Davis of the University of Maryland’s Asian American Studies Program. Free. American Indian Museum, 6;30-8:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

Boy's festival indoor celebration (1860-ca.1900). Image courtesy of the Henry and Nancy Rosin Collection of early photography of Japan, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Archives.

Sorry kids, nothing special is happening today. But be sure to check out this site for the long list of events and activities always happening at the Smithsonian.

Tuesday, May 4: Collectors’ Roundtable: Collecting for the Long Haul

Were you bitten by the collecting bug after watching last night’s episode of Antiques Roadshow? If you’re looking to start a collection of your own—specifically one centered around artworks—you may have a few questions burning in your head you’ll want answered before taking the plunge. Tonight is the last installment of the annual Collector’s Roundtable series and Richard Kelley, who compiled the Kelly Collection of American Illustration, will offer his insights on how to collect for the long haul. Free. American Art Museum, 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, May 5: Kodomono Hi: It’s Children’s Day

It’s Children’s Day in Japan—an annual holiday that celebrates children and their mothers. To mark the day here in the US, come on out to the Discovery Theater and enjoy a performance by the Kodomono Dance Theater. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; $4 for Resident Associate Program Members and $4 for children of Resident Associate Program Members. Children under 2 are free, but please include them in your ticket order. You may purchase tickets online or in person at the Resident Associate Program box office. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM. This event repeats today at 11:30 AM.

Thursday, May 6: Digital Art: In Conversation with Wolf Lieser

Director of Germany’s Digital Art Museum Wolf Lieser discusses his new book Digital Art, which covers all aspects of digital art from an international perspective. Free, but reservations are required. Please RSVP by calling 202-289-1200 ext. 169 or e-mail rsvp@washington.goethe.org. Hirshhorn, 6:30 PM.

Friday, May 7: Discussion and Book Signing: Rosalynn Carter

Author and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter discusses her latest book Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis, which examines the state of mental health care using personal stories drawn from her 35 years of advocacy in this field. Mrs. Carter will be available to sign copies of her new book, which will be available for purchase on-site. Please note: positions in the signing line will be determined by the number printed on your cash register receipt; do not bring memorabilia to be signed; no posed photos will be taken and the Smithsonian reserves the right to limit books brought from home. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 12:00-1:30 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

Button, Apollo 13 (1970). Image courtesy of the Air and Space Museum.

Monday, April 12: The Music in the Musical: The Light in the Piazza and Sophisticated Ladies

The Smithsonian heads out to DC’s Arena Stage in a panel discussion that will explore how the sounds of opera and jazz spring up in Broadway musical theater—specifically in pieces like The Light in the Piazza and Sophisticated Ladies. Panelists include the Smithsonian’s curator of American music John Edward Hasse from the American History Museum, and author of Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington;  K. Williams from the National Alliance of Musical Theatre;  David Bunn, the music director of  the Washington Post’s “The Classical Beat;” among others. Free, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Arena Stage Sales Office at 202-488-3300. Arena Stage’s Crystal City Theater, 7:00-9:00 PM.

Tuesday, April 13: Islamic Art for Christian Patrons: The Painted Ceilings of the Cappella Palatina (Palermo, Sicily), circa 1140

There was a point in time when painting one’s ceiling was much more complicated than picking out the right Benjamin Moore color—and even that process can be trying on one’s nerves. The Cappella Palatina, a chapel in Sicily, is a shining example of Byzantine art,  and every surface of the building is covered with ornate artwork, from paintings to mosaics. Today,  Jeremy Johns, Oxford University’s professor of art and archaeology of the Islamic Mediterranean will discuss the building’s ceilings and its unique blend of Islamic and Norman artistic styles. Free. Freer, 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, April 14: Ask an Expert: Memorabilia of a “Successful Failure”: Apollo 13

In this lunchtime lecture, curator Margaret Weitekamp of the museum’s Space History Division will discuss artifacts from the Apollo 13 space mission, which turned into a harrowing experience for the crew when an oxygen tank burst, threatening their survival. Free. Air and Space Museum, 12:00-12:15 PM.

Thursday, April 15: Ethel Merman: Face-to-Face Portrait Talk

Honey, everything’s coming up Ethel in this week’s face-to-face portrait talk. Ethel Merman is one of the grand dames of the Broadway stage whose signature pipes never failed to impress in shows like Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy. Tonight, curator Ellen Miles will discuss a portrait of Merman by Rosemary Sloat. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:00-6:30 PM.

Friday, April 16: DISCOVERY THEATER, Extinction Stinks!

Having to tell a young child that their goldfish died is hard enough—but can you imagine telling them that all the goldfish in the world have gone belly up? It’s an intimidating prospect. Get your youngster in the loop about what it means for a creature to go extinct in this musical puppet show. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 for children; free for persons under the age of 2. Tickets may be purchased at the Discovery Theater box office or online. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM. This event repeats today at 11:30 AM.

Celebrate civil rights at the Smithsonian! Image courtesy of the Postal Museum.

Sorry kids, no special events happening today. But never fear—other stuff is here! Be sure to check this Web site for a listing of regularly scheduled Smithsonian fun.

Wednesday, February 17: Discovery Theater: Builder Bill

Celebrate Engineering Week with Builder Bill who will show you how buildings are made—with pulleys, levers, and all sorts of cool machines. Then try your hand at being head of a construction crew by way of interactive demonstrations led by docents from The National Building Museum. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; children ages two and under are free. Tickets may be purchased online (click here for details) or in person at the ticket office in the International Gallery. Discovery Theater, 10:40 AM. This program repeats today at 11:20 AM and 12:00 PM and tomorrow at 10:00 AM, 10:40 AM, 11:20 AM and 12:00 PM.

Thursday, February 18: Meet Our Museum: Executive Order 9066 and The Day of Remembrance

Noriko Sanefuji of the museum’s Department of Work and Industry will discuss the devastating impact of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s order—signed on this day in 1942—to transfer almost 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry to federal detention camps. In the throes of World War II, these Americans were assumed guilty of potential disloyalty solely because of their racial background and were forced to live behind barbed wire for the duration of the war. Free. American History Museum, 12:15 PM.

Friday, February 19: Sit Down. Stand Up!

In this Discovery Theater Presentation, learn about four black college students who fought for fair and equal treatment by sitting down at a whites-only lunch counter on February 1, 1960. Learn the songs they sang and how they spurred the Civil Rights Movement. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; children ages two and under are free. Tickets may be purchased online (click here for details) or in person at the ticket office in the International Gallery. American History Museum, 10:15 Am. This event repeats today at 11:30.

Dr. George Washington Carver (ca. 1945) by William H. Johnson. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum.

Monday, February 1: African Art Book Club

While I’m hoping I’m wrong in this assumption, something tells me that African literature is not commonly being taught in American high schools. (Personally, I was fortunate enough to have a teacher have me read Things Fall Apart—which is absolutely amazing and I recommend you put it on your reading list.) Expand your literary horizons and try getting wrapped up in a bit of lit from another part of the world. This iteration of the African Art Museum’s book club will be focusing on collections of Nigerian short stories and this week’s discussion will be about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book The Thing Around Your Neck (2009). Free. African Art Museum, 4-5:30 PM.

Tuesday, February 2: Three Days Before the Shooting by Ralph Ellison: A Discussion on Race and Literary Legacy

Author Ralph Ellison is perhaps best known for penning Invisible Man, a book that chronicles a nameless narrator’s encounters with intolerance in American society. Although it was the only novel published during Ellison’s lifetime, the author left behind notes and unfinished manuscripts. In January 2010, Three Days Before the Shooting, Ellison’s sequel to Invisible Man, was published and this evening at the American History Museum, enjoy a discussion of the book with Ellison’s literary executor John Callahan and Adam Bradley of the University of Colorado at Boulder. A book signing will follow. Free. American History Museum, 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, February 3: Lions of Industry, Mothers of Invention

In this performance piece learn about the African-American entrepreneurs and inventors whose respective sparks of genius gave us products that we still use today—such as Geroge Crum’s potato chip and the numerous creations George Washington Carver derived from peanuts. (The 2008 incarnation of the show was covered on NPR and you can listen to that radio segment here.) Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission, $5 for children, free for children under age 2. Tickets may be purchased online here. Tickets for today’s 10:15 and 11:30 shows have already sold out. Only tickets for the 1:00 performance are still available. Discovery Theater, 1:00 PM.

Thursday, February 4: Africa in Reel Time: Nollywood Film Festival: Nollywood Babylon

Learn about Nigerian movies with the documentary Nollywood Babylon which describes the growth of this nation’s film industry which is booming to the point where it is second only to Bollywood. Enjoy movie clips that meld traditional and contemporary Nigerian sights and sounds as well as a discussion with directors Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal following the screening. Free. African Art Museum, 7:00-9:00 PM.

Friday, February 5: Let’s Read About Africa

Perfect for persons ages 6 and up, come enjoy the talents of storyteller Diane Macklin who will introduce young readers to Africa by way of children’s literature penned by award-winning authors. Free. African Art Museum, 10:30-11:30 AM.

Elvis (1978) by Robert Arneson. Friends, Romans, countrymen—lend me your ears! In this piece, on view at the National Portrait Gallery, the artist re-envisions the king of rock 'n roll as a Roman emperor. Image courtesy of the Hirshhorn.

Monday, January 11:

OK, so the museums are off to a bit of a slow start this week when it comes to special events programming. But never fear—other stuff is here! Be sure to check this Web site for a listing of regularly scheduled Smithsonian fun.

Tuesday, January 12: Film Series: Black Georgetown Remembered

Come enjoy a film that commemorates several generations of Georgetown’s African-American community and listen to residents’ recollections that recall the hardships of slavery and Jim Crow. After the film, stay for a while for a discussion led by the museum’s education department head, Robert Hall. Free. If you would like to reserve a seat for this event, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Museum, 10:30 AM.

Wednesday, January 13:

Please refer to the previous link to check out a calendar of regularly-scheduled activities at the museum. Also, don’t forget about IMAX offerings. You can find IMAX listings here.

Thursday, January 14: Elvis Aaron Presley: Face to Face Portrait Talk

Was there anything about Elvis Presley’s persona that wasn’t absolutely epic? The hair, the clothes, the car, and—oh yeah!—those super sultry pipes are part and parcel of one of pop culture’s biggest icons. So, naturally, should someone paint Presley’s portrait, it’s totally appropriate to make a sizable statement. Case in point is Robert Carston Arneson’s vision of Elvis as a Roman emperor. Come on out and listen to the curator of the new exhibit, “One Life: Echoes of Elvis,” Warren Perry discuss the piece in this week’s portrait talk. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:00 PM.

Friday, January 15: Discovery Theater, Going the Distance

Here for one day only is a show that sets the lives of athletes Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph. Come learn about how these two athletes overcame adversity to win Olympic gold. Ideal for persons ages 5-12. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 for children; $4 for members and children of members. No tickets are required for children under age 2, but please be sure to include them in your ticket order. Tickets may be purchased online here or at the Resident Associate Program box office which is located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center and is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Discovery Theater, 11:30 AM.

George Scurlock on Christmas Morning (1920) by George Scurlock. Image courtesy of the American History Museum.

SNOW DAY! All DC-metropolitan Smithsonian museums, along with the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, are open today. The National Zoo, however, remains closed due to the heavy snowfall over the weekend.

Monday, December 21: IMAX!!

Spend your snow day away from work or school exploring the museums or enjoying a movie at one of the Smithsonian’s three IMAX theaters.

Tuesday, December 22: ZooLights

*Check tomorrow to see if the National Zoo has reopened and that this event is still scheduled.

For children of all ages, come on out to the National Zoo for a nighttime safari, keeping  your eyes peeled for a menagerie of LED light sculptures modeled after critters at the zoo. Tickets are required for visitors aged 2 and older and can be purchased at any National Zoo store, at the door (unless that day’s worth of tickets are sold out), or through Ticketmaster. Unless the Zoo closes due to inclement weather, this event runs every night from December 18 through January 2, except December 24, 25 and 31. Tickets are $8 general admission; FONZ $5. National Zoo, 6-8:30 PM.

Wednesday, December 23: The Scientist is In

Drown your Thalassophobia and come on over to the Sant Ocean Hall to chat with an expert. The scientist is in to show off some special artifacts and talk to visitors about the wet and dry of oceanography. Free. Repeats every Wednesday. National Museum of Natural History, 12 Noon-4 PM.

Thursday, December 24: Attic Sale

Need some gift ideas at the last screaming minute? Try your luck at the Freer, which is offering its Asia-themed gift shop goodies—from CDs to scarves—at reduced prices. Freer, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.

Friday, December 25: Smithsonian is closed for Christmas

Sorry kids, this is the one day of the year when the Smithsonian is closed to visitors. So chill out and enjoy the day with the people who matter most to you. There will be plenty of museum fun to be had tomorrow!

Snow-Laden Pine Boughs (18th Century) by Ogata Kenzan. Image courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art.

Monday, December 14: Harry S. Truman: The Man from Independence: Cultures in Motion Performance

Harry Truman is the haberdasher-turned-world leader who supported civil rights and compulsory health insurance and whose legacy includes the controversial decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan. Come learn about this former United States president and the love-hate relationship he had with the public in this Cultures in Motion performance written by Clay Teunis and featuring John Dow as Truman. Free. Portrait Gallery, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 15: Seasons of Light

For an all-inclusive seasonal celebration, check out “Seasons of Light.” Performed annually for the past ten years, “Seasons of Light” features the customs of winter holidays from different cultures, such as Ramadan, Devali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas and Winter Solstice celebrations. Tickets are required. Prices are $6 for adults, $5 for children, $4 for Resident Members. Discovery Theater. 10:15 AM. This event repeats today at 11:30 AM. This event also repeats throughout the month of December, but show times vary. Please check goSmithsonian for show times on the day you intend to visit the National Mall.

Wednesday, December 16: Ask an Expert: Earth Observations from Apollo-Soyuz – The Smithsonian Experiment

In this lunchtime lecture, come listen to Ted Maxwell from the museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies discuss the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz space mission—a landmark collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union that would be the last mission in the States’ Apollo space program . Free. Air and Space Museum, 12:00-12:15 PM

Thursday, December 17: Meet Our Museum: The Dolls Decorate the House for the Holidays

The Doll’s house is a very, very, very fine house—and it’s decked out for the holidays! Wreaths have been hung and Christmas trees trimmed in this perennial visitor favorite: the five-story early 20th century miniature mansion that is home to the Doll family. (You can read more about the house here.) Today, come listen to curator Larry Bird talk about intricate details of this home that recently came to light after a recent renovation of the piece. American History Museum, 12:00-12:30 PM.

Friday, December 18: Discovery Theater, A Muppet Family Christmas Film Screening

Get into the seasonal swing of things with a screening of the 1987 holiday special A Muppet Family Christmas which features favorite characters such as Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and the Swedish Chef—who tries to make dinner out of Big Bird. Free. Discovery Theater, 10:15 AM

For more information on events and exhibitions at the Smithsonian museums, check our companion website, goSmithsonian.com, the official visitor’s guide to the Smithsonian.