Smithsonian Weekend Events, December 19-21: Christmas, Jim Henson Style
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Friday, December 19: Discussion: Remembering Christmases Past
Members 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. Anacostia Museum, 11:00.
Saturday, December 20: Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy
Come on down for a free screening of Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy. As Christmas approaches, Rugby the Tiger fears that he will no longer be his owner’s favorite toy. His efforts to hold onto his Number 1 spot in the playroom have him encounter his potential replacement: Meteora, Queen of the Asteroids—an out of this world action figure who doesn’t realize she’s a toy. (Is this starting to sound familiar? Naw, didn’t think so.) This 1986 holiday classic is great family entertainment and will be followed by a puppet-making activity. Admission: $10 for adults; $9 for children (ages 2-16); $9 for Resident Associate Members. Call 202-633-8700 for tickets. S. Dillon Ripley Center, 12 Noon.
Sunday, December 21: Taking Shape: Ceramics in Southeast Asia
I think even Hyacinth Bucket (that’s "Bouquet" to you) would have to admit that her Royal Doulton with the hand painted periwinkles looks a little shabby next to the Freer’s Hague Collection. This collection spans 4,000 years of ceramic arts from Cambodia, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand and Burma (present-day Myanmar). Curator Louise Cort will lead a tour of the collection and will also introduce you to the museum’s first online catalog that will offer web surfers an opportunity to get an up-close look at these amazing artworks. (This catalog will be available on December 13.) Free. Freer Gallery of Art, 1 PM.
(And by the way, Hyacinth’s china—most likely the Braganza line—was discontinued in 1996. Maybe it could find its way into a museum some day.)