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On Wednesday, legendary Taiko drummer Kenny Endo performs a mix of traditional Japanese music and original jazz with Japanese flute player and drummer Kaoru Watanabe.

Tuesday, February 26: Let’s Move! with Smithsonian Gardens

Here’s a fun way to get active now that the weather’s taking a sunny turn: a scavenger hunt around the Mall. Smithsonian Gardens, which maintains the Mall’s lovely flora, provides free “Hunt Guides” at Smithsonian’s various museums (also available for download here). The guide has maps, challenges and a checklist that take you around the different gardens while giving mini-lessons about gardening and fitness. Get outside and make Michelle Obama proud! Free. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., brochures available until October. Smithsonian Gardens.

Wednesday, February 27: Rhythms of Japanese Drums and Flutes

Ba-da-da-da-dum! Japanese drums! Two of the world’s best Japanese drummers, Kaoru Watanabe of renowned drumming ensemble Kodo and taiko superstar Kenny Endo, rock the museum tonight with a medley of traditional beats, kabuki classics and original jazz-influenced compositions. Both drummers were born in America and grew up with jazz and spent a decade abroad  honing their traditional Japanese drumming and flute chops. Having difficulty imagining what jazz sounds like on a flute accompanied by a giant drum? Check it out. Free tickets required. 7:30 p.m. Freer Gallery.

Thursday, February 28:  The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch is in the house this evening to talk about The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement, an abridged version of his famous historical trilogy under the same header that chronicles the Civil Rights era from 1954 to 1968 with a focus on Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch, a MacArthur Fellow who has written for a variety of prominent publications and published nine books, will sign books following his discussion. Free, registration requested. 7 p.m. American History Museum.

Also, check out our Visitors Guide App. Get the most out of your trip to Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with this selection of custom-built tours, based on your available time and passions. From the editors of Smithsonian magazine, the app is packed with handy navigational tools, maps, museum floor plans and museum information including ‘Greatest Hits’ for each Smithsonian museum.

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

Birds were a popular part of Japanese art during the Edo period. Eagle hanging scroll by Kishi Ganku, ca. 1802. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

Two new exhibits at the Freer Gallery explore the riches of the Japanese art collections and reveal how pieces of everyday life make appearances in works of art. Together, “Arts of Japan: Edo Aviary and Poetic License: Making Old Worlds New” show how artists of the Edo period (1603 to 1868) were influenced by a growing field of natural history, as well as evolving literary traditions and practices.

Selections from the exhibits, depicting some of these elegant representations of birds and bards, are featured here.

Poetic License

The Edo period (Edo was the former name of today’s Tokyo) was remarkably peaceful and stable. Japan was largely closed off to the rest of the world during this period. Though isolated, the country was still able to foster local cultures and take advantage of the new printing technologies. Everything from poetry to popular literature was printed and circulated and artists, in turn, incorporated themes of the day into their works.

One scene (below) referenced the well-known Tale of Genji, the 11th-century novel by lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. The story follows an emperor’s son and his romantic life after he is given “commoner status” for political reasons.

The romantic adventures of a good-looking emperor’s son proved popular artistic material as well. Kemari Scene from the Tale of Genji by Reizei Tamechika,1850-1855. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

Poetry was also popular at the time, and few poets were more popular than Ono no Komachi, renowned for her beauty during her lifetime in the ninth century.

Six Immortals of Poetry: Ono no Komachi Hanging scroll by Katsushika Hokusai; Japan; ca. 1806-1808. Courtesy of the Freer

Another one of the six great poets of the ninth century, Ariwara no Narihira was of noble blood but scandals kept him from higher rank.

Ariwara no Narihira by Sumiyoshi Gukei, Late 17th-early 18th century. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

Edo Aviary

In part, the spread of Neo-Confucianism during the Edo period allowed for a more secular point of view. Interest in the natural world was informed not just from a spiritual realm but also from a more scientific understanding.

Curator James Ulak says, “The rooster was thought to embody the Five Virtues: martial spirit, literary accomplishment, loyalty, courage and virtue. The 18th century, in particular, witnessed a number of Japanese painters issuing quite spectacular renderings of these creatures.”

In the case of artist Kishi Ganku, however, the rooster become a tool for social critique. Ulak says this painting from Ganku, “offers the artist’s characteristically jaded view of an icon held in high esteem.” By transforming the rooster into “an elongated and threatening creature,” Ganku suggests something ominous about the esteemed bird. “The most telling episode in the composition is the feeding process; a hen passes a dragonfly to a ravenous chick. The dragonfly’s eyes imply horror and this brilliant, minuscule touch conveys Ganku’s skill at suggesting the darker side of the ostentatiously regal.”

Rooster, Hen and Chicks Hanging scroll by Kishi Ganku, late 18th, early 19th century. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

Other artists, like Yamaoto Baiitsu, used birds to captures scenes of the changing seasons.

Plum, Narcissus, and Bamboo with Magpie Hanging scroll by Yamamoto Baiitsu, ca. 1832-1852. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

More exotic birds also populated Edo period paintings. Parrots, for example, were rare in real life but found their way to paintings. The birds were first imported for the Imperial Court around the ninth century, according to the British Museum. They remained rare during the Edo period but could be found at entertainment stalls in some cities.

Parrot on a branch Hanging scroll by Kusumoto Rin, early 19th century. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery

 ”Arts of Japan: Edo Aviary and Poetic License” both run through August 4, 2013 at the Freer Gallery.

Artist Lauren Boilini offers sketching lessons Friday night—no artistic experience required. Photo by Dorret, courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.

Friday, February 15: Drawing at Dusk!

Loosen your tie, roll up your sleeves and let your creative side shine this evening with the latest installment of Smithsonian’s Draw and Discover series. Guest instructor  Lauren Boilini, an award-winning artist, gives a brief sketching lesson, then lets you doodle to your heart’s content. Drawing materials provided. Open to all artistic abilities. Make something you can be proud to hang on your wall this weekend. Free. 5:30 p.m. American Art Museum.

Saturday, February 16: New Sounds from Arab Lands

Tonight: a trip between worlds. Your guides: Kinan Azmeh, Basel Rajoub, Jasser Haj Youssef, Feras Charestan and Khaled Yassine. The vehicle: music. These five young performer-composer from Syria and Tunisia infuse Western classical and jazz with an Arab flair, producing sounds simultaneously deeply rooted in tradition and profoundly new. You’ve never heard a clarinet rock out like this before. Free tickets required. 7:30 p.m. Freer Gallery.

Sunday, February 17: Book Signing: Lane Smith

Abraham Lincoln was haunted by his dreams. Caldecott award-winning children’s book author Lane Smith told NPR in a recent interview that the 16th president often dreamed he was aboard a vessel moving towards an indistinct shore while asleep, a recurring dream that frightened him on nights before major events during the Civil War and even the night before his assassination. Smith, however, has imagined a very different kind of dream for the national hero. In his new Abe Lincoln’s Dream, Lincoln’s troubled ghost drifts through the present-day White House and comes across a young girl, who shows him how America has moved towards unity and equality since his death. Today, Smith is available to sign copies of his book, which can be purchased in the museum gift shop.  Free. 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. American History Museum.

Also, check out our Visitors Guide App. Get the most out of your trip to Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with this selection of custom-built tours, based on your available time and passions. From the editors of Smithsonian magazine, the app is also packed with handy navigational tools, maps, museum floor plans and museum information including ‘Greatest Hits’ for each Smithsonian museum.

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

The sister-in-law of a Chinese farm owner in Zambia. China’s growing presence in Africa is documented in the 2010 film “When China Met Africa,” showing on Wednesday at the Freer Gallery. Photo © Marc Francis.

Tuesday, February 12: Women in Sustainability

Brilliant women are paving the way to responsible environmental stewardship with sustainable designs, innovative education ideas and progressive policies. This evening, hear from a panel of female sustainability rock stars on their push at local and national levels to make the world a cleaner, better place. Panelists include Ellen Cecile McBarnette of Urban Solar Solutions, Kara Davis of Green Living DC, Sharon Bradley of Bradley Site Design, Acacia Bamberg Salatti of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Edith Hancock of DC EcoGreen. Free. 7 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum.

Wednesday, February 13: When China Met Africa

In the movie trailer for When China Met Africa, an African man driving in his truck down a dirt road says to the camera, “I was here six months ago. It was a bush.” The truck turns a corner, and the framework of a monolithic, under-construction factory appears. “It just gives you a sense of the pace at which these guys are able to deliver,” the man says. The 2010 film, an award-winning documentary directed by Marc and Nick Francis, tells the story of China’s growing presence in Africa by following a Chinese agricultural entrepreneur, a Chinese manager in charge of a highway expansion project in Zambia and Zambia’s trade minister, who seeks to secure China’s investment in his country. A Skype question and answer session with co-director Nick follows the film. Free. 7 p.m. Freer Gallery.

Thursday, February 14: To the Mountaintop: Voices of Emancipation

Local actors London Edgerton and Xavier Carnegie celebrate Black History Month and the 150-year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation today with a multi-media theater performance. The show incorporates songs, images and the words of prominent black leaders to convey the monumental importance of emancipation in our nation’s history. Free. 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturdays in February. American History Museum.

Also check out our specially created Visitors Guide App. Get the most out of your trip to Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with this selection of custom-built tours, based on your available time and passions. From the editors of Smithsonian magazine, the app is also packed with handy navigational tools, maps, museum floor plans and museum information including ‘Greatest Hits’ for each Smithsonian museum.

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

Leila Hatami in her latest film, The Last Step.

Friday February 8: The Last Step

Catch one of Iran’s biggest stars, Leila Hatami, in her latest film, The Last Step. Directed by her husband, the movie focuses on a grieving widow whose successful acting career put a strain on her marriage before her husband (acted by Hatami’s real-life husband, Ali Mosaffa) died under mysterious circumstances. Part murder mystery, part love triangle, the film showcases some of the greatest talents in Iran now. Free. 7 p.m. Freer Gallery.

Saturday, February 9: Valentine’s Workshop

Once upon a time, Valentine’s Day meant hand-crafted lacey, paper hearts and stickers galore for every kid in the class. Then that one too-cool-for-school kid throws in a few Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cards and pretty soon everyone’s out buying pre-mades. Well no more. Reclaim the day in the name of craft with the National Postal Museum’s Valentine’s workshop. The museum will be stocked with papers and stamps, you just have to bring the creativity. And, because it’s the Postal Museum, you can even mail them right then and there. Free. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. National Postal Museum.

Sunday, February 10: Steinway Series

Your weekly dose of chamber music comes to you courtesy the American Art Museum’s Steinway Series this week, with your favorite Russian renditions. Members of the National Chamber Ensemble, including Leo Sushansky, violinist and artistic director; Kathryn Brake, pianist, and Lukasz Szyrner, cellist will perform works by Myaskovsky, Prokofiev and Arensky. Free tickets are available in the G Street lobby thirty minutes before each program. 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  American Art Museum.

Also check out our specially created Visitors Guide App. Get the most out of your trip to Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with this selection of custom-built tours, based on your available time and passions. From the editors of Smithsonian magazine, the app is also packed with handy navigational tools, maps, museum floor plans and museum information including ‘Greatest Hits’ for each Smithsonian museum.

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