AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Events: Human Origins, Simon Schama, Mark Twain and More!

May 24, 2010

Monday, May 24: James T. Demetrion Lecture: Simon Schama

Columbia University professor of art history and history Simon Schama will be offering today's lecture, "The Beast in Contemporary Art." Some of you may be familiar with his work by way of his most recent PBS television series The Power of Art. Furthermore, he has written extensively on topics as diverse as 17th-century Dutch art, environmental history, 21st-century land and earth art, and the 2008 presidential election. Free. Hirshhorn, 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, May 25: Workers Rights, Day Labor, and Union Representation: Community Forum

This forum will discuss labor rights issues with the goal of helping you develop an understanding about how intertwined labor rights are for both legal and undocumented workers. Invited participants include National Day Laborer Organizing Network, DC Jobs with Justice, and AFL-CIO. Free. For reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Museum, 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, May 26: Bicentennial Celebration Concert: The Pan-American Symphony Orchestra

The Pan-American Symphony Orchestra is the first orchestra in the nation to focus solely on the musical heritage of Latin American. To celebrate the Bicentennial of Argentina’s 1810 May Revolution—a week-long overthrow of Spanish rule in what is today Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay—the orchestra will play a symphonic tribute to the Argentine songbook, including milongas, tangos, and music inspired by Argentine folk genres. This program, presented by the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Latino Center, and the Embassy of Argentina in Washington, D.C. as part of the series “Argentina at the Smithsonian 2010." Free. Seating is first come, first served. For more information, visit the Kennedy Center's website here. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Millennium Stage. 6:00-7:00 PM.

Thursday, May 27: Face-to-Face Portrait Talk: Mark Twain

In this week's presentation, curator of photographs Frank H. Goodyear speaks about author and humorist Mark Twain. Twain is perhaps most famous for his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and was recently featured in a Smithsonian magazine article. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:00-6:30 PM.

Friday, May 28: Hot Topics: Dialogue on the Relationship between Scientific and Religious Perspectives on Human Evolution

Hall of Human Origins curator Dr. Rick Potts and co-chair of the Human Origins Program's Broader Social Impacts Committee Dr. Connie Bertka will lead an informal discussion on the relationship between scientific and religious perspectives on human evolution. Free. Natural History Museum, 3:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com