Performing Arts
Dr. John's Prognosis
The blues and rock musician shares stories of his wild past and his concerns for the future.
March 01, 2009 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Can't Be in New Orleans? Listen to Mardi Gras Music at Your Desk
In honor of today's Mardi Gras festivities happening down in New Orleans, we thought we'd treat our cabin ever with a little bit of Louisiana jazz and zydeco courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways.There is Blowout at Mardi Gras, a collection of Dixieland jazz recorded in 1955 featuring clarinetist Sid Da...
February 24, 2009 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Five Films that Redefined Hollywood
Author Mark Harris discusses his book about the five movies nominated for Best Picture at the 1967 Academy Awards
February 19, 2009 |
By Brian Wolly
Smithsonian Events Week of 2/17-20: Lady Day and Civil Rights Heroes
Tuesday, February 17: Reel Portraits: Billie Holiday and Lady Sings the BluesAfter leaving the Supremes, Diana Ross not only launched a solo career, but she also tried her hand as an actress. Lady Sings the Blues, a slightly true biopic about jazz legend Billie Holiday, featured Ross and Billy Dee ...
February 16, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Root for Smithsonian Folkways at the Grammy Awards
Beyonce, Adele and Chris Brown aren't the only stars we're rooting for at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards tonight. Three Smithsonian Folkways artists/groups are also in the running for the gilded gramophone.Fiddler and songwriter Michael Doucet, who produced the album From Now On, will be competing a...
February 08, 2009 |
By Joseph Caputo
Weekend Events: Celebrate Black History Month
Saturday, February 7: Reading: Nobody Owns the SkyCelebrate Black History Month at the National Air and Space Museum by listening to Nobody Owns the Sky which relates the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American to become an airplane pilot. Following the reading there will be an art acti...
February 06, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Orchids Show their Stuff on the Smithsonian Channel
You can learn a lot of things from the flowers. Perhaps the girls from Sex and the City should have ditched the daily macchiatos and decked out to the local botanical garden to take a few pointers from the orchids. That's right kids, orchids are total pros when it comes to sex, and it has served th...
February 04, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Events, 2/2-6: Buddy Holly and Black History Month
Monday, February 2: Nothing SpecialThere's nothing special planned for you today, so come on out and enjoy the collections at any of the museums. Just please, keep off the grass and don't feed the volunteers working the Information Desk.Tuesday, February 3: Buddy Holly: The Day the Music DiedBuddy ...
February 02, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Hey, hey it's the Monkees on the Smithsonian Channel
Hey hey it's the Monkees, and they're back on TV! The Smithsonian Channel's new documentary "Making the Monkees" takes a look into one of the biggest musical sensations of the 1960s.In November 1965, Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith were brought together by central casting ...
January 09, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Events Week of 1/5-1/11: Bette Davis and George W. Bush
Monday, January 5: Portrait of George W. BushAfter eight years in office, President Bush is now a museum piece. Come see the newest addition to the National Portrait Gallery's Hall of Presidents, which marks the first time the gallery has exhibited the official portrait of a sitting president. Free...
January 04, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Frost, Nixon and Me
Author James Reston Jr. discovers firsthand what is gained and lost when history is turned into entertainment
January 2009 |
By James Reston Jr.
For Those Ruby Red Slippers, There's No Place Like Home
The newly reopened Smithsonian National Museum of American History boasts a rare pair of Judy Garland's legendary ruby slippers
January 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Weekend Events, December 19-21: Christmas, Jim Henson Style
Friday, December 19: Discussion: Remembering Christmases PastMembers of the Harmony Hall Regional Center and Maryland National Park and Planning Commission remember family, special foods, gifts and gatherings from Christmases past. Free, reservations required. Call 202-633-4844 to reserve your seat...
December 19, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Q and A: Wanda Jackson
In the 1950s, Wanda Jackson was one of the first women to record rock 'n' roll.
November 2008 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Colombia Dispatch 6: Accordion Rock Stars in Valledupar
Andres 'Turco' Gil's accordion academy trains young children in the music of vallenato, the folk music popular across Latin America
October 29, 2008 |
By Kenneth Fletcher
Colombia Dispatch 7: Turning Guns into Guitars
Musician Cesar Lopez invented a new type of guitar, made from the shell of an automatic weapon
October 29, 2008 |
By Kenneth Fletcher
Musical Mudslinging on the Campaign Trail
Before TV came on the scene, presidential candidates relied on campaign songs for negative advertising
October 2008 |
By Anika Gupta
The Woman Behind Miss Piggy
Muppet designer Bonnie Erickson on puppet storytelling and inspiration
October 2008 |
By Anika Gupta
