An Evening With Henry Winkler and More Programs in October

Smithsonian Associates offers innovative, engaging learning experiences for people of all ages. Hundreds of online and in-person lectures, seminars, performances, hands-on studio arts classes, one-of-a-kind study tours and children’s programs are offered annually. To view the Smithsonian Associates digital program guide, visit smithsonianassociates.org.

 

Tuesday, October 8

An Immersion in Nature: Japanese Forest Bathing, Urban Style: Experience forest bathing in person with guide Melanie Choukas-Bradley as she leads a slow, 2-hour walk in the Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle, and learn how sensory immersion in the outdoors contributes to good health and well-being. Participants meet at the entrance to the S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW at 8:30 a.m. $60-$85

 

The Serengeti Rules: How Life Works: Contemplate life’s large questions with biologist and author Sean B. Carroll as he explains some of the groundbreaking discoveries of pioneering scientists whose work is known as the “Serengeti Rules.” Carroll connects the rules and logic of the human body to revolutionary life-saving medicines, and illustrates how the Serengeti Rules can be used as a guide to heal an ailing planet. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

The Dinosaur Renaissance: Dig deep with Hans Sues, senior research geologist and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the National Museum of Natural History, and learn how researchers changed our understanding about dinosaurs, and how this new information impacted both evolutionary biology and paleobiology. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Wednesday, October 9

Growing Up in the Ice Age: Until recently, little was known about the “invisible” children of the Paleolithic era. Learn how evidence from the tiniest deciduous teeth used in burial rites changed our understanding of the lives and contributions of these children with paleolithic archaeologist and professor of anthropology April Nowell. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

A Journey Through Fantastic Realms: A History of Magic:  In the first of a four-part series, historian and professor Justin M. Jacobs delves into magical practices in ancient and medieval Europe and China. He examines the use and abuse of grimoires, charms, amulets and esoteric sexual practices that were believed to cultivate unusual longevity in ancient China. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Thursday, October 10

Gardens of Norfolk: Explore a botanical oasis and historic estate with horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey who leads an informative and tranquil all-day walking tour of the vast and varied Norfolk Botanical Garden including the Sunken Garden, the Hermitage Wetlands, and the butterfly habitat. This all-day tour includes lunch, and departs from the Mayflower Hotel, DeSales St, 1127 Connecticut Ave NW in Washington D.C. from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. $218-$268

 

Sunday, October 13

Stories of the First Ladies: Revel in the stories of the first ladies on an afternoon walking tour with staff members from A Tour of Her Own. From the Willard Hotel to the White House, each first lady brought their own style and story to the residences and to the region. This walking tour begins at Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW at 2 p.m. Additional tours are available on October 5 and 12. $45-$55

 

Tuesday, October 15 

Verdi and the Transformation of Bel Canto Opera: Enjoy the first of a five-part series on the elements of Italian opera with classical music and opera expert Saul Lilienstein as he demonstrates, through audio and video recordings, how Verdi transformed established traditions of opera to become the greatest Italian composer. This program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $110-$130

 

Wednesday, October 16

New York's Yiddish Theater: An Audience Becomes Americans: The vibrant world of Yiddish theater that flourished in the late-19th to the mid-20th century on Manhattan’s Lower East Side reflected the lives, desires, and dreams of newly arrived Jewish immigrants, primarily of Eastern and Central European origins. Nancy Friedland, a librarian for film studies and performing arts at Columbia University, examines why the movement was exceptional in its scope; its influence on the American theater and entertainment industry; and the essential role it played for an immigrant population making its way in the United States. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Friday, October 18

Al Roker and Courtney Roker Laga: Recipes to Live By: Gather around the proverbial table with Al Roker and his daughter, chef Courtney Roker Laga, as they share recipes, stories and anecdotes about writing a cookbook together with NBC News4 anchor Eun Yang. This program will be held in person at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Wines of the Southern Hemisphere: Perfect Pairings For The Holidays: This delicious seminar led by sommelier Erik Segelbaum explores how to select and pair wines like a professional sommelier to make every holiday meal memorable. The shopping, cooking, cleaning and entertaining during the holiday season is stressful enough. The one thing you won't be stressing about are perfect food and wine pairings. This program includes a curated tasting kit available for pick up at a local Washington D.C. restaurant. This program is presented on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $70-$80

 

Saturday, October 19

French Fortresses and Fantasies: The Châteaux of the Loire Valley: From forbidding fortresses to charming châteaux and castles, the splendid structures of the Loire Valley reflect lives of opulence and intrigue. Step into the medieval world of opulence and pleasure palaces with art historian Jenetta Rebold Benton who showcases these historic places and sets them in the context of French history. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1 credit. This 2-session weekend program is presented on Zoom from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The second session is scheduled for October 26. $80-$95

 

Monday, October 21

An Evening with Henry Winkler: We all know him as The Fonz. What we didn’t know, what he revealed in his memoir, Being Henry, was that Winkler has dyslexia. Since his diagnosis at the age of 31, Winkler has been publicly open about his life with dyslexia, writing a series of children’s books which offer a funny and realistic look at life for a child who struggles with dyslexia. For using his voice to amplify important discussions about dyslexia and other issues that touch American lives, Henry Winkler is the recipient of the John P. McGovern Award presented by Smithsonian Associates. This event will be held at the National Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium at 10th St & Constitution Ave NW and simulcast on Zoom from 6:45 to 8 p.m. ET. $40-$50

The Great Wide Ocean: Take a deep dive with sea-going scientist and professor of biology at Duke University, Sönke Johnsen, as he explores one of the most mysterious environments on Earth. From giant squid and toothy anglers who uses bioluminescence to lure prey, Johnson describes life on the open sea and interweaves stories about the scientists who explore this mysterious realm. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Tuesday, October 22

Black Holes: The Newest Developments: Join Joshua Winn, a professor of astrophysics at Princeton University, to learn about new research on black holes, the most fascinating and mind-bending objects in the cosmos. Images, sounds and motion are some of the tangible features recently revealed. Professor Winn reviews the theory of black holes and discusses the recent observational developments. This online lecture is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30 

A Sweet Journey: Exploring the World of Candy: Indulge your senses with candy historian and author Beth Kimmerle who leads a journey through the origins, evolution and cultural significance of candy. Learn how to discern flavors, textures and aromas like an expert as you sample an array of America’s favorite candies including Skittles, Twix, M&Ms and Snickers. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Tuesday, October 29

On the Road: High School Classics Revisited: Jack Kerouac’s On the Road has become almost synonymous with the counterculture movements of the 1950s. Settle in with Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, as he discusses how the characters embraced new cultural forms like jazz and experimental literature in search of meaning and artistic freedom. This program is presented on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, October 30

Curating an American Election: While history experts gather materials and memorabilia to document the current election cycle, Jon Grinspan, curator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, offers an analysis of how this presidential campaign fits into the long history of American democracy. Discover how the curatorial team seeks out objects that represent a celebration of democracy, how people express and exercise their right to vote, and how parties and individuals showcase their identity and candidate preferences.  This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

To view the Smithsonian Associates digital program guide, visit smithsonianassociates.org. 

Lisa K. Friedman | READ MORE

Lisa K. Friedman is an author and essayist living in Washington, D.C.