Travels with Darley Newman and 22 Other Smithsonian Associates Events in January

Saturday, January 4

Masterworks of Five Centuries 2019-2020 Weekend Concert Series: The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features masterpieces from the late 16th to the mid-20th centuries, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. The Smithsonian Consort of Viols begins the new year with a program illustrating the diversity of English consort pieces built on the cantus firmus framework of the In Nomine. This concert is also offered on Sunday, January 5. Pre-concert lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. $25-$35

Monday, January 6

Introduction to Western Art: From the Great Pyramids to the Pantheon: Renee Gondek, an art historian and an adjunct faculty member in classics at the University of Mary Washington, leads an insightful survey of the paintings, sculptures,and architecture produced in ancient Egypt and the Greek and Roman worlds. Enrolled participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate Program receive 1 core course credit. 12 p.m. $90-$140

Thursday, January 9

Marcel Duchamp: Enfant Terrible and Innovative Genius: In a richly illustrated program, art historian Nancy G. Heller traces Marcel Duchamp’s (1887-1968) life and art, focusing on a selection of his key works and explaining why they were—and still remain—important, in terms of their broader aesthetic, philosophical, economic and political contexts. Enrolled participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. 6:45 p.m. $30-$45

Tuesday, January 14

Smithsonian Boomers Chorus: Legends of Song: This 8-session program that culminates in a performance is geared for people ages 55 and above who love to sing. There is no experience required—the program is designed to entertain, challenge and educate singers of all skill levels. Singers receive general instruction in vocal techniques that will include exercises in healthy breath management for singing and improving their singing tone and range. Basic music reading instruction included as music is rehearsed. 6:45 p.m. $100

DC Theatre Preview 2020: The 2020 season in Washington theatre promises plenty of excitement, surprises and outstanding performances. Look ahead with some of the top local arts writers as Tim Treanor (DC Theatre Scene), Chris Klimek (Washington City Paper), and Rosa Cartagena (Washingtonian and DC Metro Theatre Arts) share their picks on the hottest tickets in town, what’s worth the price and what artists to keep an eye on in the new season. 6:45 p.m. $15-$30

Wednesday, January 15

Crafting the Buddha’s Image: Rob DeCaroli, professor of art history at George Mason University delves into the history of figural art in India. He examines how likenesses and effigies held a special cultural importance and were credited with an agency and power that often forged a powerful connection between artistic images and their viewers. Enrolled participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit 6:45 p.m. $30-$45

Thursday, January 16

The Day Prohibition Began: Thirteen Awful Years of the Noble Experiment: On the centennial of the start of the national booze ban, author, historian and tour guide Garrett Peck leads a cocktail-driven journey through the nation’s not-so-dry past. Following the program, guests enjoy samples of Prohibition-era cocktails. 6:45 p.m. $30-$45

Tuesday, January 21

Beautiful Landscapes in Watercolor and Ink: In a 6-session daytime course, students develop technical skills in painting landscapes that vividly capture the atmosphere of a scene. They will learn to control the watercolor medium while exploring spontaneity, as well to create flowing, vibrant color mixtures to balance simple and complex areas in the composition. 10:15 a.m. $195-$225

Introduction to Photography: Whether students want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light and composition. 10:15 a.m. $225-$255

Beethoven: The Musical Milestones: In a six-session course, classical music and opera scholar Saul Lilienstein reviews the moments in which Beethoven successively leapt into the future, from the Pathétique and Moonlight sonatas to the Ninth Symphony and the final quartets. 12 p.m. $100-$150

Painting Is for Everyone: In an 8-session daytime course, students begin working in the versatile and flexible medium of acrylic paints as they learn to mix colors, use brushes and approach elements of form such as value, texture, line, color, shape and edges. They will explore composition and variation, learn art terminology and a bit of art history as well. 2 p.m. $225-$255

Wednesday, January 22

Smithsonian Discovery Theaters Presents Here We Go Team!: This Discovery Theater original scores big with a musical play about sharing and taking turns, the importance of personal space and the awesome power of teamwork. Five-year-old Bobby and Casey are aspiring soccer stars and best friends—but they’ve ended up on separate teams! Through a mishap on the field, they discover that helping people is cool, thanks to another kind of team—their favorite teacher and coach who make it all OK. This program is recommended for children ages 3-6. This performance is also offered on Thursday, January 23. 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. $3-$8

Introduction to Photography II: In this 8-session daytime course, sessions focus on lighting, composition, shooting techniques, and gear and photo-editing software is also discussed. 10:15 a.m. $225-$255

Thursday, January 23

Neighborhoods of Barcelona, Milan and Berlin: Discovering Hidden Gems: Fred Plotkin has lived in and visited Barcelona, Milan and Berlin over more than four decades. In a richly illustrated series, he looks at these places through the eyes of a flâneur—a French term for a person whose casual strolls through city streets produce delight in their chance discoveries. 6:45 p.m. $90-$130

Saturday, January 25

Literary London: In the Footsteps of its Writers: British social historian Virginia Newmyer and Susan Willens, emeritus professor of English from George Washington University, delve into the literary contributions and distinctive worlds of some of London’s authors and their close friends, exploring the houses and clubs, parks and gardens, art galleries and favorite restaurants that defined the cultural milieu of their London. 9:30 a.m. $90-$140

Drawing in Museums: The National Gallery, Freer Gallery and American Art Museum: Guided by instructor Paul Glenshaw, students begin by learning the art of copying, which focuses on the way an artist created a particular work, not simply making a facsimile. They then delve into drawing classical sculptures, which make ideal models for drawing exercises and aid in honing figure-drawing skills. 1:30 p.m. $195-$225

Saturday, January 26

The Axelrod String Quartet 2019-2020 Weekend Concert Series: In its 43rd season, Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences have the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolò Amati. The January program includes the first of Beethoven’s groundbreaking quartets dedicated to the Russian Prince Razumovsky. This concert is also offered on Sunday, January 27. Pre-concert lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. $27-$35

Monday, January 27

Color Theory: Through lecture, demonstration and hands-on experimentation, students enhance their experience of color as they learn about the color wheel, the Munsell color chart and the attributes of value, chroma and hue in an 8-session evening course. Enrolled participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. 6:30 p.m. $235-$265

Imagining the Southwest: Lisbeth Strimple Fuisz, a lecturer in the English department at Georgetown University, leads spirited lectures and informal discussions about compelling novels that reflect the mixed tradition in the American Southwest, their rich and varied portraits of the Southwest and the people who inhabit it. The featured book in this session is All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. 6:45 p.m. $25-$35

Wednesday, January 29

The Science of Sleep with WebMD’s John Whyte: John Whyte, WebMD’s chief medical officer, presents the latest research about sleep, including what strategies work best to improve sleep. 6:45 p.m. $30-$45

Thursday, January 30

Neuroscience and Art: A Creative Connection: Recent findings in neuroscience reveal how people’s visual system informs and interprets the visible world for them. By merging new findings on visual perception with familiar elements of art such as value, shape and color, students’ paintings take on new and fresh creative edges. 2 p.m. $75-$95

Amelia Earhart: Legend and Legacy: Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, separates the facts from fiction about Amelia Earhart’s legacy, using official U.S. government records and Earhart’s own words. Examining her accomplishments and her shortcomings, Cochrane reveals why Amelia Earhart’s legacy still challenges and inspires in the 21st century. 6:45 p.m. $20-$30

Travels with Darley: Exploring Qatar: Emmy-nominated television host, writer and producer Darley Newman shares insider’s tips on Qatar, which she curated while filming her popular PBS series “Travels with Darley.” Attendees enjoy a sneak preview of her episode devoted to Qatar and enjoy light appetizers after the program. 6:45 p.m. $30-$45

For a full calendar of Smithsonian Associates events, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.

Lauren Lyons | READ MORE

Lauren Lyons is a public affairs specialist at Smithsonian Associates.