Art and history seminars, guided wine tastings and a virtual tour of a biodiverse DC landmark; you can explore all these and more this November through Smithsonian Associates.
Through the Seasons on Theodore Roosevelt Island
Nov.12, 10 a.m., $25/members, $30/non-members
Spend a fall morning virtually with naturalist and author Melanie Choukas-Bradley discovering the beauty and biological diversity of the 88.5-acre oasis and memorial in the Potomac while learning about its wildlife and woodlands.
The List: Films and TV About Race to Watch Right Now
Nov. 12, noon, $20/members, $25/non-members
Join Eric Deggans, author and NPR television critic, is the leader for this virtual session that explores the most important current television series and films that focus on the issues of race and culture.
How Fashion Survived WWII: Redesigning and Industry in Paris, New York and London
Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m., $65/members, $75/non-members
In this virtual session, textile curator Elizabeth Lay shows how these three style capitals survived the war and rebuilt their industry with limited materials, while Lauren Kingsland leads attendees in a lesson on wartime frugality via a hands-on project making a kitchen apron from a recycled shirt.
The Art and Life of Frida Kahlo
Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., $30/members, $35/non-members.
Art historian Nancy G. Heller traces the artist’s life–including a tragic accident, rocky marriage to a fellow artist and reverence for her Mexican heritage–and how it influenced, shaped and was reflected in her art, in this virtual seminar.
Hitler’s Spies in America: The FBI and the Case that Stirred the Nation
Nov. 18, 1 p.m., $20/members, $25/non-members
The Nazi spy ring that infiltrated the U.S. in the 1930s involved a murder plot, Manhattan socialite, an operative codenamed Agent Sex and more. Virtually join historian Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones to learn how a publicity-loving savvy FBI agent brought it all down.
All You Can Eat: A Culinary History of America
Nov. 18, 6:45 p.m., $15/members, $30/non-members
Join historian Allen Pietrobon in this digital session that examines American food culture since 1850 and how food has remained at the crossroads of culture, ethnicity, race and identity.
Neighborhoods of Rome, Vienna and Madrid
Nov. 19, 6:45 p.m., $30/members, $35/non-members
These three cities offer a true taste of Europe’s most authentic neighborhoods–if you know where to look. Virtually join Fred Plotkin as he guides you through the lesser-known churches, theaters, shops, cafes and museums of Vienna, the focus of this session.
John Brown and Abraham Lincoln: The Zealot and the Emancipator
Nov. 20, noon, $20/members, $25/non-members
Historian H.W. Brands explains how Brown and Lincoln held profoundly different views on how moral people must respond to slavery–incremental change vs. radical upheaval–and how we can draw parallels in the current political climate, in this virtual seminar.
Perfect Food and Wine Pairings (with a Holiday Twist)
Nov. 20, 6 p.m., $65/members, $75/non-members
Award-winning sommelier Erik Segelbaum leads you through a guided tasting of the perfect wines for the holiday season. (This is a virtual session but the ticket price includes a tasting kit which must be picked up in advance at Maxwell Park Wine Bar in Navy Yard.)
Existence by Chance: The Making of the Planet, Life and You
Nov. 30, 6:45 p.m., $20/members, $25/non-members
Humans live in a world where many things have to happen in a certain way and in a certain order for any of us to exist. In this virtual session, evolutionary developmental biologist Sean B. Carroll talks about the incredible power of chance and its effect on beauty and diversity in the living world.
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