AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Events May 31-June 2: Tunes and Brews, A Day in Space and Glass Art

This weekend, listen to local bands, meet Buzz Aldrin and learn about the art of glass sculpture

May 30, 2013

Artist Andy Paiko spins glass into a variety of shapes and objects. Hear him speak about his process and see glass spinning in action on Sunday at the Renwick Gallery. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Media Maker

Local hipsters unite! The Luce Foundation is sponsoring a night of art, local music and local brews. Show up at the American Art Museum this evening to enjoy thousands of great art works while rocking out to DC bands America Hearts, Lyriciss and More Humans. Stop by the cash bar for samples of new beers. Snacks and other beverages are also available. Free. 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. American Art Museum, Luce Foundation 3rd Floor.

Saturday, June 1: Air and Space Family Day

Take a day to immerse yourself in the wonders of the cosmos! A whole bunch of exciting events are happening around the Air and Space Museum today. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can learn about the different ways to study the sky in Everybody Look Up!, which includes performances by science a capella group The Chromatics, hands-on astronomical art and a special visit from Galileo. At the same time, the observatory’s telescope is open for close-up looks at the sun. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., superstar astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be in the house to sign copies of Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration. Then, at 7:30 p.m., Kimberly Arcand and Megan Watzke, authors of Your Ticket to the Universe, will give a family-friendly talk about the amazing things happening in space and sign their book, too. (Check out our recent conversation with Arcand and Watzke here.) All events free. Air and Space Museum.

Sunday, June 2: Andy Paiko

Andy Paiko, founder of the Central Coast Glass Artists’ Studio, creates amazing things with glass, from sculptures to vessels to ornate plates and goblets. This afternoon, he stops by the Renwick Gallery to talk about his process, including how he continues to explore new methods of coloration, patterning and form. Before and after the program, local glass spinner Anne O’Connor will show the process in action by operating Paiko’s glass spinning wheel. Free. Lecture at 2 p.m., with demonstrations at 1 p.m. and after the lecture finishes. Renwick Gallery.

Also, check out our Visitors Guide App. Get the most out of your trip to Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with this selection of custom-built tours, based on your available time and passions. From the editors of Smithsonian magazine, the app is packed with handy navigational tools, maps, museum floor plans and museum information including ‘Greatest Hits’ for each Smithsonian museum.

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide. Additional reporting by Michelle Strange.