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Let these guys bring you a jazzed up holiday season with a Take 5! concert.

Events December 18-20: National Apologies, Robot Face-offs and Jazzy Holidays

Learn about the 2009 official apology to Native Americans, talk with an expert at Air and Space and hear some “post-cool” takes on seasonal classics

Nothing says Smithsonian cheer like ZooLights.

Events December 21-23: Medicinal Tattoos, Dakota 38, and ZooLights

This weekend, learn about the health history behind tattoos, watch one man’s journey to mark the Dakota War and take in the holidazzle at the Zoo

Holiday card design, 195-?. Frederick Hammersley papers, circa 1860s, 1890-2009

Handmade Christmas Cards Sent By Famous Artists to Their Friends

Original designs from artists over the years to celebrate the holidays

Ai Weiwei’s use of historic materials is the topic of discussion at Friday’s gallery talk at the Hirshhorn.

Events December 14-16: Ai Weiwei’s Ceramics, Mayan Calendar and Stradivari’s Instruments

Learn about the contemporary artist’s use of historic objects, why the world didn’t end and just what’s so special about Stradivari in concert

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PHOTOS: The Wit and Genius of the Father of Video Art Nam June Paik

Photos and videos from the American Art Museum’s new exhibit, “Nam June Paik: Global Visionary”

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Smithsonian Curators Offer Up a Holiday Gift Guide for History Lovers

The best of history reads from Lincoln’s true thoughts on slavery, to the White House dinner that shocked a nation, to California’s hip-hop scene

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Taking the Bite Out of DC’s Partisan Dialogue: A New Installation Seeks Common Ground

More than 89 heavyweights were interviewed for artist Lincoln Schatz’s new video work at the National Portrait Gallery

Shimabukuro considers himself a traditional ukelele player, though his fans encompass young and old.

Hawai`i’s Troubadour of Aloha

An upcoming documentary will highlight Hawaiian ukulele-playing sensation Jake Shimabukuro, who performed for Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center

Another medicinal tattoo of the Kayan

Can Tattoos Be Medicinal?

In his travels around the world, anthropologist Lars Krutak has seen many tribal tattoos, including some applied to relieve specific ailments

The artist who transformed the Hirshhorn will be in the building Thursday to explain why.

Events December 11-13: The Interviewer, The Conservator and the Provocateur

This week, talk with artist Lincoln Schatz about his new video portrait, conservators for the Smithsonian, and artist Barbara Kruger

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Smithsonian Secretary Clough Connects the Dots on Climate Change

Clough says that the institution must pair its cutting-edge research with more effective communication of climate science to the public

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Remembering Dave Brubeck, Goodwill Ambassador

Joann Stevens remembers legendary jazz artist Dave Brubeck, who died Wednesday at age 91

Move over Hope Diamond! The Dom Pedro obelisk, a Beryl variety aquamarine, is in the house.

World’s Largest Cut Aquamarine Gives the Hope Diamond a Run for its Money

A dazzlingly blue obelisk comes to the Natural History Museum after a long journey from the mines of Brazil to the stone cutting capital of Europe

From the Seattle-based artist, Louie Gong, these “mockups” are ready for your custom design.

Events December 7-9: 3-D Caves, Custom Kicks and Talk-Rock

Catch the hot new virtual reality art project, create your own “mockups” with artist Louie Gong and take in a talk and show with Fire and the Wheel

Our curators and researchers recommend a little something for everyone.

Holiday Gift Guide: Must-Reads from the Smithsonian’s Curators

We asked the institution team for their picks from the past year, from art to poetry to science

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Playlist: Eight Tracks to Get Your Holiday Music Groove On

A roundup of holiday classics and some new alternatives for a festive season

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The General is in the House; Colin Powell’s Portrait Goes on View

The gallery commissioned a portrait of the first African American Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Q+A: Saudi Arabia’s Sultan bin Salman on “Roads of Arabia”

Saudi Arabia’s royal tourism minister discusses a groundbreaking new exhibition, the U.S.-Saudi Arabian relationship, and what it’s like to look at Earth from space

Smithsonian Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, Richard Kurin will discuss the dazzling, outsized life of diva May Yohe, the subject of his new biography.

Events December 4-6: May Yohe, DC Demographics and Kenyan Water

This week, a new book on an old diva, a panel on the capital’s Latino populations and a documentary about waterways in Kenya

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VIDEO: What a Blast! Artist Cai Guo-Qiang Sets Off Explosions on the Mall

The famous artist brought his explosives to the Sackler for its 25th anniversary

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