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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