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At the Smithsonian

Bring your toddler and rock out with Shine and the Moonbeams at the Discovery Theater.

Events May 22-24: Shade-Grown Coffee, Public Observatory Project, and Tot Rock

This week, try a cup of organic shade-grown coffee, see spots on the sun, and bring your toddlers to rock out with Shine and the Moonbeams

Actress Betty White holds a lemur leaf frog during her tour today at the National Zoo

UPDATE: Betty White Visits the National Zoo

Arist-in-Residence, Tom “Pohaku” Stone, a Native Hawaiian carver from O’ahu, Hawaii, will share his surfboard-carving skills this Sunday at the American Indian Museum.

Events May 18-20: Identities in Motion, Metro Mambo, Surfboard Carving

Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, do the Mambo at the National Museum of African Art and witness Tom Stone carve a traditional Hawiian surfboard

Chuck Brown pioneered the genre of Go-Go and became intricately connected with DC's cultural identity.

Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go, Dies at 75, But Will Live on at the Smithsonian

The guitarist and singer pioneered the genre of Go-Go and became intricately connected with DC’s cultural identity

Ai WeiWei's "Fragments" is now on display at the Sackler Gallery.

Past and Present Clash in Ai WeiWei’s “Fragments”

“Fragments,” the second of three Ai WeiWei exhibitions this year, opens at the Sackler Gallery

It its collection, the National Museum of American History has a fallout shelter, exhumed from a yard in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How a Fallout Shelter Ended up at the American History Museum

Curator Larry Bird tells of the adventure—from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Washington, D.C.

Sliders served at last year's ZooFari benefit

Events May 15-17: Words, Earth and Aloha, merengue and méringue, and ZooFari

This week, watch a documentary about Hawaiian music, enjoy a performance of Dominican merengue and Haitian méringue, and chow down at ZooFari

"Breaking Rank" by Drew Cameron (Army) and Drew Matott (Civilian) is made from the artists' shredded uniforms.

Transforming War and Trauma Experiences Through the Arts

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There’s a Happening Tonight at the Hirshhorn

Tonight, the Hirshhorn’s nightly 360-degree projection, SONG 1, comes alive with an outdoor concert

Celebrate Suma Qamaña, or living well, at the Bolivian Festival this Saturday

Events May 11-13: Gardening for Healthy Living, Bolivian Festival, Steinway Series for Mother’s Day

Celebrate living well with Mom this weekend at Garden Fest, the Bolivian Festival and at the Steinway series with Mendelssohn Piano Trio

Lalla Essaydi's photographic series challenge traditional ideas of femininity and empowerment

Lalla Essaydi: Revising Stereotypes at the African Art Museum

A new solo exhibition by Lalla Essaydi challenges Western and Muslim perceptions of women’s identities

The Encore Chorale at the Kogod Courtyard at last year's popular performance.

Events May 8-10: Carolyn Morrow Long, Encore Chorale Spring Concert, and The Unknown Aaron Burr

Steve Jobs' patent for the iPod classic included the scroll wheel.

The Patents Behind the Genius: Steve Jobs Exhibit Opens Soon at the Ripley Center

The S. Dillon Ripley Center hosts an exhibit of more than 300 of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ patents since 1980.

This Saturday, you can make a Korean kite just like this one at the Sackler Gallery.

Events May 4-6: Cool off with IMAX, Fly a kite at the Sackler and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Smithsonian

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Trunk Rock: Shanthi the Elephant Jams on the Harmonica

Listen to the latest stylings of Shanthi, the Dylan of elephants

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The Nationals’ Bryce Harper Plays Softball on the Mall

The new outfielder for the Nats made some new friends on the Mall last night

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What Types of Animals Have Been to Space and More Questions From our Readers

You ask, we answer – our Smithsonian experts fill you in on the truths behind your burning questions

A veterinarian examines a cheetah cub at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Keeping the Smithsonian Sustainable

Secretary Clough writes on the benefits of being an environmentally savvy institution

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The Conversation

Readers Respond to the April Issue

On May 6, 1937, the hydrogen-filled zeppelin burst into flames, shown here in a colorized photo, above a New Jersey field, killing 35 of 97 riders.

Found: Letters from the Hindenburg

A new addition to the Smithsonian collections tells a new story about the legendary disaster

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