AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Events August 10-12: Date Night, Super Science Saturday, The Story of the Earth

August 9, 2012

This Friday night, head over to the Freer Gallery’s Meyer Auditorium for a screening of the film, “An Autumn’s Tale” (Dir.: Mabel Cheung,1987). Image courtesy of the Freer and Sackler Galleries

Got a hot date Friday night? Embrace the “dinner and a movie” itinerary at the Freer Gallery’s Meyer Auditorium and catch a screening of An Autumn’s Tale. Cherie Chung stars as a student who moves to New York to pursue her studies. When her boyfriend abruptly leaves, her downstairs neighbor and distant cousin (Chow Yun-Fat) resolves to cheer her up. One thing leads to another and—you guessed it—they develop feelings for one another. Departing from his usual action hero persona, Chow owns his role as a working-class immigrant, and Cheung’s subtle direction makes this tale of heartbreak and desire a classic date movie. (Dir.: Mabel Cheung, 1987, 98 min.) Part of the 17^th Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival In Cantonese with English subtitles. Free. 7 p.m., repeats Sunday at 2 p.m. Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery.

Saturday August 11 Super Science Saturday: Helicopters

This Saturday, take the whole family to the Udvar-Hazy Center for an entire day of out-of-this-world fun. Participate in hands-on activities and dive into a universe of science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. This monthly program is the perfect way to entertain family members of all ages. Free, but $15 parking fee per vehicle. Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

Sunday August 12 The Story of Earth

How has the Earth evolved? Is it a singular entity in our Solar System? Author Robert Hazen, a research scientist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington’s Geophysical Laboratory, will be signing copies of his book The Story of Earth: the First 4.5 Billion Years, from Stardust to Living Planet, which seeks to answer these burning questions. In it, he explains how the co-evolution of rocks and living matter has shaped our planet. Books available at the Museum store. Noon to 2:00 p.m. Natural History Museum.

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide. And download our new Visitors Guide & Tours App for both iPhone and Android. Additional reporting by Michelle Strange.