Smithsonian Events

The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society

Friday, November 20, 2009, 7 – 8 PM

This lecture is free and open to the public.

What if our concept of "human nature," those characteristics and norms of human behavior, is utterly wrong?

Frans de Waal, author of Our Inner Ape and world-renowned primatologist, will examine human society through an evolutionary lens, drawing on the observations in his latest book, The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society. Using research from the fields of anthropology, psychology, animal behavior, and neuroscience, de Waal seeks to dispel the notion that nature, and by extension human society, is all dog-eat-dog. Instead, de Waal argues that humans, much like elephants, dolphins, and other primates, are "group animals" with a well-developed capacity for empathy.

Evil and conniving, or peace-loving and cooperative? With more than 30 years as one of the world’s leading cognitive ethologists and one of Time Magazine's World's 100 Most Influential People, Frans de Waal will explore these complexities of humanity, providing fodder for a discussion of society as we know it, showing that humans are "hardwired for sympathy... every human is destined to be humane."

Parking is free, but we encourage you to take public transportation to the Zoo.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk: A Writer's Writer

Monday, November 23, 2009, 6:45 PM

Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk discusses his extraordinary literary career. A Turkish writer who reflects his rich and complex country, he has received international acclaim and many awards. Pamuk is interviewed about his life in Istanbul and his career.
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Celebrating Australian Aboriginal Art

Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 7 – 9 PM

See the largest and most significant exhibition of aboriginal art to travel to the U.S. Culture Warriors features works of leading artists from all over Australia. After a lecture and tour, enjoy a reception hosted by the Embassy of Australia.
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Luciano Pavarotti: Operatic Legend and Cultural Icon

Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 6:45 – 9 PM

Opera singer Colleen Fay explores the brilliant career of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, including his influences, major operatic roles, and his lighter repertory in this evening seminar highlighted by CD and DVD recordings.
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Byzantium: Rome's Lost Empire

Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 6:45 PM

Author Lars Brownworth discusses the legacy of the Byzantine Empire from palace intrigue to preserving the writings of Plato and Aristotle to architectural design inspiration to the concept of public hospitals and subsidized health care.
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Lidia Bastianich on Cooking and Life in the Heart of Italy

Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 6:45 PM

Who better to translate the culture and cuisine of Italy than celebrated chef, cookbook author, and television host, Lidia Bastianich? With tales of Italian traditions, friends, and favorite dishes, Lidia guides us through the regions of Italy.
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Punball: Only One Earth

Thursday, December 3, 2009, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Enter the irreverent and whimsical world of William T. Wiley and take this rare opportunity to play Wiley’s Punball: Only One Earth, on view in the related exhibition.

More info: www.americanart.si.edu…

Buon Natale -Celebrating Christmas in Italy

Thursday, December 3, 2009, 7 PM

Discover the festivals, foods, wines, and traditions of the Italian Christmas, and enjoy tastings of Italian sweets and wines in this presentation led by noted food historian Francine Segan.
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ZooLights

Friday, December 4, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Friday, December 4, 2009, 7:30 PM

Led by Artistic and Musical Director, David N. Baker, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra delves into jazz's greatest works and performers in history in groups, both large and small. This concert features music by Stan Kenton, Duke Ellighton, and Billy Strayhorn.
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YB 20th Jolly Holiday

Friday, December 4, 2009, 8 PM

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ZooLights

Saturday, December 5, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

ZooLights

Sunday, December 6, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

Armenian Musical Evening

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 7:30 PM

World-renowned violist Kim Kashkashian teams with composer/pianist Tigran Mansurian and multi-faceted percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky to perform compositions by Mansurian and Komitas Vardapet. This concert is a rare opportunity to hear these musicians come together in riveting live performances of Armenian masterworks.
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Soul of a People

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 7 PM

(96 min.) The Federal Writers’ Project employed thousands of out-of work journalists, novelists, poets, and ordinary citizens who produced some of the most spirited stories of American life. The Smithsonian Channel HD film tells how the acclaimed American Guides series became the most important legacy of the Project. David Taylor, co-producer and author of the accompanying book, and Andrea Kalin, director and co-producer, introduce the film.
Book signing follows.

More info: www.americanart.si.edu…

Casta Paintings and the Image of Race in Mexico

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 7 PM

Sagrario Cruz-Carretero -- professor of anthropology at the University of Veracruz and co-curator of The African Presence in México exhibition -- discusses casta painting and the caste system images that document the presence and socio-economic roles of Africans, Indians, and Spaniards in Colonial Mexico. She also offers insights on contemporary presentations of Afro-Mexican images.

Bahcall Lecture: Astrobiology and the Search for Life Beyond Earth

Thursday, December 10, 2009, 6 PM

6:00 PM: Discovery Stations in the museum

6:15 PM: Special presentation of the film Blue Planet

7:00 PM: Meet Dr. Sara Seager

8:00 PM: For thousands of years, people have wondered, “Are we alone in the Universe?” At the dawn of planetary science, astronomers used telescopes to speculate about the possibility of life on Mars. Today, the search for life on Mars has intensified with the discovery that water was once abundant there, and the finding of liquids on moons of Jupiter and Saturn intrigue astronomers. Beyond our solar system, discoveries of planets orbiting other stars raise the hope of habitable worlds other than our own. This evening, Dr. Sara Seager, who holds a Ph.D. from Harvard, leads a tour of the most promising places for life beyond Earth.

More info: www.nasm.si.edu…

Arriving at an Art Historical Anne Truitt

Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7 – 8 PM

Exhibition curator Kristen Hileman gives an overview of the career of Anne Truitt and discusses the artist’s unique approach to inflecting her minimal forms with allusive references, personal memories and emotional power. Hileman also gives insight into the process of researching an under-studied figure.

More info: hirshhorn.si.edu…

ZooLights

Friday, December 11, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

ZooLights

Saturday, December 12, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

ZooLights

Sunday, December 13, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

ZooLights

Take Five! Krewe'tet

Thursday, December 17, 2009, 5 – 7 PM

If the weather outside is frightful, Krewe'tet -- Alvin Trask (jazz trumpet; faculty member, Montgomery College), Oliver Albertini (bass), Amy Bormet (keyboard), Jeff Neal (drums), and Joshua Carr (saxophone) -- will surely warm things up with a holiday-inspired jazz concert to kick off the season and have you bebopping into the New Year.

Punball: Only One Earth

Thursday, December 17, 2009, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Enter the irreverent and whimsical world of William T. Wiley and take this rare opportunity to play Wiley’s Punball: Only One Earth, on view in the related exhibition.

More info: www.americanart.si.edu…

ZooLights

Friday, December 18, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…

ZooLights

Saturday, December 19, 2009, 6 – 8:30 PM

Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.

Tickets go on sale late fall.

More info: nationalzoo.si.edu…