Talk to Me, Baby
Image of Ori Gersht's work courtesy of the Hirshhorn.
This week, we continue to highlight next Monday's speaking events at the end of the article for early planners, but keep today's plans right here at the top for the rest of us. As always, be sure to bookmark this month's Museum Roundup for even more learning events, and check these sites for some discussions we may have missed.
Monday:
>> At 7 p.m., Politics and Prose is hosting a talk with Abraham Verghese about his book Cutting For Stone, a "rich story about twin brothers born to an Indian nun at an Addis Ababa mission hospital."
Tuesday:
>> At 7 p.m. tonight, the Hirshhorn hosts Israeli artist Ori Gerscht, who will be discussing his photographic and film work.
>> Politics and Prose hosts author Richard E. Nisbett discussing his book Intelligence And How To Get It, in which he "refutes the notion that intelligence is biologically determined."
Wednesday:
>> Head to the American Goethe Society at 6:45 p.m. today for a book discussion on The Black Spider (Die schwarze Spinne), a novella written by Swiss author Jeremias Gotthelf which tells "the cautionary tale of a devastating plague that ... destroys the animals of a farming community." RSVP to: 703-237-0858 or e3rj@aol.com.
>> Or, from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight, Politico and Starbucks are teaming up at GW's Gelman Library to host a political conversation with Politico's Mike Allen, CNN's Dana Bash and NBC's Chuck Todd to discuss the new Presidential administration. Free, but space is limited so get there early.
>> Film producer Lou Stroller, whose credits include Scarface, The Rock, The Producers and Carlito's Way among others, will be at Sixth and I tonight at 7:30 p.m. to "share clips and behind the scenes stories" at an Inside the Producers Studio event. Free, but RSVP suggested.
>> Or, unite with other environmentalists at the National Building Museum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at For the Greener Good: A Green World is a Safer One with architect Ed Mazria. He'll be discussing "climate change and his two-year, nine million jobs investment plan that addresses the current economic crisis by building upon his widely adopted 2030 Challenge." Post-Mazria, former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta "will talk about the impact of sustainability on the world political climate." $20 for non-members.
Thursday:
>> If you missed the talk at the Newseum on Saturday but love hearing about Lincoln's death, head to the L Street Borders at 6:30 p.m. tonight for another talk with Chasing Lincoln's Killer author James L. Swanson.
>> At 6 p.m. tonight, the National Museum of the American Indian hosts the Annual Day of Remembrance at the Smithsonian: The Japanese American Experience in Print, which "marks the 67th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt which led to the imprisonment of 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II," and "welcomes three distinguished writers to talk about their recent titles highlighting the Japanese American experience."
>> The S. Dillon Ripley Center has two options tonight. From 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., check out The Crusades: A Military Analysis, or choose Istanbul: The World in a City from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Each lecture costs $40.
Friday:
>> At 8 p.m. tonight, the Pen/Faulkner Foundation presents Stories, Politics, Poetry and Food with New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin, hosted by the Folger Shakespeare Library. $15.
Saturday:
>> Today from 3 to 5 p.m. is your chance to check out the new Founding Farmers restaurant while enjoying a sure-to-be both funny and polite talk with Mind Your Manners! George Washington’s Rules of Civility author James Henry. The book uses 110 maxims and illustrations to showcase our first president's "rules of civility," and the event will include light hors d'œuvres, a colonial drink special and discounted books.
>> Today's 2:30 p.m. Inside Media event at the Newseum is with journalist Nick Clooney, and will feature a screening of the American Life TV series "Moments That Changed Us," which "looks at the life and career of Diahann Carroll, an award-winning actress, singer and humanitarian." Free with museum admission.
>> Or, head to the S. Dillon Ripley Center for their weekly $120 (for non-members) seminar. Today's is titled Titian, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bernini: Pivotal Artists of Italy and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
>> Another option today is an author event with Sheryll Cashin at the K Street Busboys. She'll be discussing her book The Agitator's Daughter: A Memoir of Four Generations of One Extraordinary African-American Family.
Sunday:
>> Today's weekend lecture at the National Gallery of Art continues their Collecting of African American Art Lecture Series with a conversation between collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley and NYU professor Deborah Willis titled The Art of Collecting. 2 p.m. in the East Building Auditorium.
>> Today at 4:30 p.m., the 14th Street Busboys hosts Celebrating Our History: Black History Presentation by the 2009 Debutantes of the Ivy Foundation, a one-hour presentation by nine high school women which "taps into their own creative spirit, while highlighting the contributions of African-American men and women over the years." Free.
Next Monday:
>> Graphic designers: get your tickets now for next Monday's 7 p.m. Corcoran lecture with type designer Matthew Carter. In addition to designing the ubiquitous Verdana and Georgia, Carter has also created original typefaces for the NYT, the WaPo, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic, and in this lecture, he will "present a variety of his past design projects and explore the reasons why new typefaces continue to be created." $25.
>> Or, also at 7 p.m., be at Sixth and I for an author event with novelist Sara Houghteling
and her book Pictures at an Exhibition, which "tells the story of a son’s quest to recover his family’s lost masterpieces — Picassos, Matisses, Monets —looted by the Nazis during the occupation." $8, or get two free tickets with book purchase that night.