America’s museum, the Smithsonian, is celebrating the holidays all over town. With special shows, exhibits and hands-on activities, there is something special in store for everyone, young and old, this season.
ZooLights at the National Zoo
For kids of all ages, the National Zoo invites you to see the zoo in a whole new light! This year, as a holiday gift to the city, ZooLights has been made free thanks to Friends of the National Zoo.
Create memories with loved ones while enjoying thousands of environmentally friendly light and animal exhibits, entertainment, and a special train ride for children. Visitors can thaw their paws in the Zoo’s animal houses while attending special keeper talks, or stop by the Visitor Center to see the Zoo-themed model trains and the gingerbread habitat contest entries on display in the auditorium. Of course, the crown jewels of ZooLights are the dozens of animal light displays, including a new display featuring Andean bears. Each week of ZooLights will highlight a different animal house or area of the Zoo. Explore all five. The Zoo is open every weekend night until January 1, and every night starting December 17. Check the website for more details: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/zoolights/default.cfm
Holiday Party at the Women’s National Democratic Club
The Women’s National Democratic Club is celebrating the holidays with the Mae Reeves Vintage Hat Party on Tuesday, December 21st. You are invited to wear your own lovely hat to the party of the season. The party will be held at the Club, 1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW.
From the 1940s to 1990s Mae Reeves was a successful millinery designer and businesswoman in Philadelphia. Today, Mae Reeves age 98 is retired but her contributions to the fashion world will live on for years to come. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has acquired part of her extensive 50-year hat collection and antique furniture from her millinery shop. These items will be part of a fashion exhibit at the museum in the future.
Donna Limerick, the daughter of Mae Reeves has photos and “rare” vintage hats from the collection. At the party, she will present models wearing Mae’s “one of a kind,” hats. This unique fashion show will take you back in time, when hats were a very special part of every woman’s wardrobe. Jan DuPlain will co-MC this event. For your last-minute holiday shopping, vintage costume jewelry and handbags will be available to purchase. Wow! A party and shopping!
Make your reservations online at www.democraticwoman.org. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for non-members.
Discovery Theater presents Seasons of Lights
The Ripley Center at the Smithsonian will be hosting Discovery Theater’s Seasons of Lights. This seasonal favorite calls in the warmth of many holidays filled with light in their fun-filled interactive celebration. Explore the history and customs of Devali, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Christmas and a First Nations tradition of the Winter Solstice. Times and dates for the show on every 4 to 10 year olds’ “must see list” are Monday – Friday from now until December 22, 10:15 and 11:30 and with 1:00 pm, performances added on December 8, 10, 15 and 17. The show sells out fast, so book your tickets early. http://discoverytheater.org/shows/dec/seasons-of-light.shtm
“Clap Praise -A Community Sing Featuring the Washington Performing Arts Society Youth Choir in Concert”
This Sunday, December 5, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will present Stanley J. Thurston, and the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) Youth Choir in a festive community sing of holiday carols and other songs of the season. The repertoire has been selected from the Slave Songs of the United States by William Francis Allen (1867).
Mr. Thurston and the WPAS will perform two concerts. The first concert, from 3:00 to 4:15 pm, will focus on family favorites meant to engage parents and children. The second concert, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, will appeal to Washington’s large and enthusiastic chorale community. Both concerts take place at the Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Visit http://nmaahc.si.edu for more information.
Hurry over to the Native Art Market at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is hosting its annual Traditional and Contemporary Native Art Market Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 – 5, at its Washington, D.C., and New York City locations. Featuring the work of more than 35 Native artists at each venue, the two–day event includes traditional and contemporary jewelry, ceramics, beadwork, hand–woven baskets, prints, photography, sculpture, pottery and fine apparel from North and South America. There’s also story-telling, gallery talks, hands-on demonstrations and music! The market, located in the Potomac Atrium at the museum’s Washington location, will be open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The market at the New York museum, the George Gustav Heye Center, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diker Pavilion. Admission is free. Go to www.nmai.si.edu for more information.
Family Programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum has assembled some of the best and most varied holiday entertainment. And it’s all Free! All events take place in the American Art Museum. The Museum is located at 8th and F streets, NW. For more information visit, www.americanart.si.edu or call 212-633-1000.
Steinway Series – Covalence
Sunday, Dec. 12, 3 p.m.
Covalence, a trumpet, piano and vocal trio, will present holiday classics including I Wonder as I Wander, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and selections from Handel’s Messiah. Admission is free.
Film: It’s a Wonderful Life
Thursday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Is there a better holiday movie than this classic? Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, this perennial favorite never fails to delight. Directed by Frank Capra (129 minutes, 1946). Admission is free.
Take 5! with the Bay Jazz Project
Thursday, Dec. 16, 5 – 7 p.m.
Bay Jazz Project presents some seasonal tunes with a whole lot of soul. Admission is free. Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Courtyard Café until 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Evening Post’s Christmas Stories
Saturday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with dramatic readings of holiday favorites like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Clement C. Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas. Free.
Photos and Credits:
Movie poster from It’s a Wonderful Life. T.M. & © Paramount Pictures Corporation
Norman Rockwell, Christmas: Santa with Elves, 1922, oil on canvas, Collection of George Lucas
All other photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Museum
