How John Lewis' Stories Contributed to the Creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Biographer Jon Meacham on Writing about John Lewis
April Ryan on John Lewis' Mother
Jon Meacham on Why He Believes John Lewis is a "Classical Christian Saint"
What John Lewis Would Think About the Record Number of African Americans Voting Early
Solitude by Duke Ellington
“The idea is to make the best out of what we have, and share some beauty with the world." -Smithsonian Associates lecturer and instructor Paul Glenshaw recently launched the The Seven Tones Project pairing quarantined musicians and filmmakers to make short homemade films based on Duke Ellington pieces.
Why Duke Ellington? He led a band nonstop for over 50 years—usually in difficult, uncertain times—all the while creating beauty. Ellington wrote: “Any time you have a problem you have an opportunity. If you had just seven good tones, those were the tones that had to be used…”
The film in this post is “Solitude” shot by Glenshaw in Washington D.C., performed by Alex Hamburger and José Luiz Martins. The footage was captured on his phone just prior to the stay-at-home order.
Interested filmmakers and musicians (both student and professional) who would like to participate are encouraged to contact Glenshaw and his filmmaking partner Darroch Greer at [email protected]. Each film will be posted with links back to the artists’ websites or social media pages.
View the full project: https://bit.ly/SevenTonesProject
Celebrating Bob Ross's Joy of Painting program
Here's a look at how our students worked in yesterday's Celebrating Bob Ross's Joy of Painting program.
"Thin paint sticks to thick paint"—students employed Ross’s signature wet-on-wet technique in which special firm oil paints glide across a wet-based canvas with a large brush or palette knife making clouds, mountains, and trees appear in seconds, and there’s no wait for paint layers to dry.
Katie Couric on Stand Up to Cancer
Katie Couric discusses Stand Up to Cancer with April Ryan at the Smithsonian Associates John P. McGovern Award presentation on Nov. 12, 2019.
View the full interview: https://s.si.edu/2019McGovernAward
Katie Couric on Facing Sexism in Network TV
Katie Couric talks about facing sexism in network TV with April Ryan at the Smithsonian Associates John P. McGovern Award presentation on Nov. 12, 2019.
View the full interview: https://s.si.edu/2019McGovernAward
Katie Couric on Using Different Mediums for Storytelling
Katie Couric talks with April Ryan about using different mediums for storytellling at the Smithsonian Associates John P. McGovern Award presentation on Nov. 12, 2019.
View the full interview: https://s.si.edu/2019McGovernAward
Katie Couric on Being a Woman in Broadcasting
Katie Couric discusses being a woman in broadcasting with
April Ryan at the 2019 Smithsonian Associates John P. McGovern Award presentation.
View the full interview: https://s.si.edu/2019McGovernAward
Katie Couric on Having a Front Row Seat to History
Katie Couric talks with April Ryan about having a front row seat to history at the Smithsonian Associates John P. McGovern Award presentation on Nov. 12, 2019.
View the full interview: https://s.si.edu/2019McGovernAward
Ben Folds
A big thank you to Ben Folds for last night's talk and performance! Here he is closing out the night.
#adreamaboutlightningbugs
Holiday Card Workshop
Want to go beyond simple store-bought cards this year? Watch on!
We wrapped up two sold-out holiday card workshops last Saturday. Check out the video below to view expert crafter and instructor Karen Cadogan’s process.
Smithsonian Studio Arts has a number of other holiday workshops coming up:
Dec. 8: Orchids for the Holidays
Dec. 16 and 17: Wreath Making with Smithsonian Gardens
Dec. 18: Centerpieces with Smithsonian Gardens
Learn more: https://s.si.edu/HolidayWorkshops
The Second City is coming to the Smithsonian!
Don't miss your chance to see The Second City at the Smithsonian Friday, Sept. 28! Fresh, fast, and always spectacularly funny, they're celebrating nearly 60 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues.
TICKETS: https://s.si.edu/2DoYJjd
Shedding Light on Dark Matter
Take a two-minute break this afternoon and listen to the brilliant Priya Natarajan touch on her intriguing work mapping dark matter (no astrophysics background needed!). Is two minutes not enough of a science sound byte for you? Check out our new initiative, Inside Science: http://s.si.edu/2wSjv6z
“If we can map dark matter exquisitely, as in every lump and bump, then we can discriminate between the different kinds of dark matter. It’s like saying that if you can map sand dunes incredibly well...then from looking at the shapes...you are trying to figure out what a grain of sand is made of...”
Alec Baldwin Shares a Story about Sean Connery
One of our favorite moments from our April 12 event with Alec Baldwin was when he described working with Sean Connery on the film “The Hunt for Red October.”
Alec Baldwin on His Love of the Theater
Were you lucky enough to be in the audience at our event with Alec Baldwin this month? In this clip from the event, Baldwin describes working in theater vs. TV and film.
Alec Baldwin on Working with Tina Fey
We hosted a conversation with Alec Baldwin at The George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on April 12, and we're sharing some clips from the event! Hear what Baldwin had to say about working with Tina Fey.
How to keep a New Year's resolution to lose weight? Get a scientist’s perspective! Biochemist Sylvia Tara will explain how to gain the upper hand in controlling your weight at a Smithsonian Associates' event this Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6:45 p.m. at the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Listen to her interview on the The Not Old - Better Show podcast, and watch this video for a preview of what to expect at the event.
Tickets: http://ow.ly/Gghq307AcDh
On Sunday, the presidential nominees will go head to head again in their second debate.
Join us as we decipher this year's election season once it's all said and done. A panel of experts, including U.S. News and World Report's senior White House correspondent Kenneth Walsh will discuss what lessons were learned, what mistakes were made, what sealed the deal for the winner, and- believe it or not- how to get ready for 2020. A limited number of tickets are still available- reserve yours now! http://ow.ly/uE6z304XY8z
Meet Smithsonian Associates Program Coordinator, Rebecca Roberts! Rebecca was interviewed for The Not Old - Better Show podcast (look for a two-part interview soon!) And check out this preview video about our huge lineup of fall programs.
Smithsonian Spotlight: Behind the Scenes of The Walking Dead
On February 5, 2016, Eric Deggans, TV critic for NPR, moderated a behind the scenes looks with the show’s executive producers and members of the cast and crew. Scott M. Gimple, executive producer, showrunner, and writer; Gregory Nicotero, executive producer, director, and special effects makeup supervisor; John Sanders, prop master; and Andrew Lincoln, who stars as Rick Grimes, shared insights on how they develop and bring The Walking Dead to life—from conjuring up edge-of-your-seat plotlines and complex characters to frighteningly convincing zombies.
Click here to browse upcoming programs: http://ow.ly/ZQCUz
Moderism in DC
Blunt or beautiful? Washington has a complicated relationship with modernism, one that surfaces in current conversations about the historic preservation of mid-20th century buildings. Martin Moeller, a curator at the National Building Museum, provides a context for the movement and its influence on the city’s vibrant architectural mix.
Visit http://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/index.aspx to browse programs.
