Smithsonian Events for the Week of July 6-10: Rainforest Animals, Zoo Serenade and a Ladybug Release

Monday, July 5: Nothing special going on today. Check out the Smithsonian events site for regularly scheduled events. 

Tuesday, July 7: Rainforest Summer with Reptiles Alive!

Ever wanted to touch an iguana, turtle or boa constrictor? Now you can! Meet live animals from each level of the Rainforest and learn their different survival stories. Ti$6 for adults; $5 for children (ages 2-16), $4 resident members; call 202-633-8700. S. Dillon Ripley Center 10:15 AM, Repeats 11:30 AM

Wednesday, July 8: ImaginAsia: Arabic Calligrapher from Oman <>Learn and practice the art of Calligraphy with Omani calligrapher Saleh Shukairi. Participants will be given activity books so that they may explore the importance of calligraphy in the decoration of objects in the Freer gallery of Islamic art. Free, first-come, first-served. Freer and Sackler Galleries, Sackler sublevel 2, 2 PM

Thursday, July 9: Sunset Serenade

Pack a picnic and head to the National Zoo for a free concert by GHZ (Gigahertz) Band. Listen to their psychedelic blues style as it accompanies the sounds of nature. Free. National Zoo, 6-8 PM

Friday, July 10: Ladybug Release

They're not just bugs, they're our friends! Join staff at the National Museum of the American Indian as they release ladybugs to the traditional croplands on the south side of the museum. Ladybugs are helpful to the environment and control pests in the landscape. Free, weather permitting. National Museum of the American Indian, 10 AM