AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Events May 18-20: Identities in Motion, Metro Mambo, Surfboard Carving

Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, do the Mambo at the National Museum of African Art and witness Tom Stone carve a traditional Hawiian surfboard

K. Annabelle Smith

May 17, 2012

Arist-in-Residence, Tom “Pohaku” Stone, a Native Hawaiian carver from O’ahu, Hawaii, will share his surfboard-carving skills this Sunday at the American Indian Museum. Image courtesy of the artist

Friday, May 18 Portraits after 5: Identities in Motion

Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month this Friday at the National Portrait Gallery after hours. See how music, dance, new media and visuals work together to explore Asian American identity and cultural influence. This event features a collaboration between Korean American artist CYJO, French composer Benoit Granier, American composer Anthony Paul De Ritis and Korean American dancer Dana Tai Soon Burgess. CYJO’s portrait of Burgess is on view in the related exhibition, Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter. Free. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Kogod Courtyard, National Portrait Gallery.

Saturday, May 19 Metro Mambo

This Saturday get your Mambo on—Salsa-style at the National Museum of African Art. Join Jim Byers, radio personality from WPFW 89.3 FM’s Latin Flavor, and Leopoldo Tablante (PhD, Loyola University, Louisiana) in a discussion about the impact of popular mid-20th-century Latin dance music on urban fashion trends. Dance party follows with music by Bio Ritmo Band. For reservations call 202-633-4866. Free. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. National Museum of African Art.

Sunday, May 20 Surfboard carving and Hawaiian sled

Surf’s up this Sunday for the whole family at the National Museum of the American Indian. Join Tom “Pohaku” Stone, a Native Hawaiian carver from O’ahu, Hawaii, as he shares his skills and talents in carving a traditional Hawaiian surfboard (Papahe’enalu) and lashing together a traditional Hawaiian sled (Papahōlua) in the museum’s Potomac Atrium. Tom is a legendary native Hawaiian surfer and waterman who has spent his life learning his culture and becoming a specialist in ancient Hawaiian sports. Daily through Friday, May 25. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. National Museum of the American Indian.