Join Speaker and radio personality Andy Greenberg for a humorous and revealing presentation on where idioms, sayings, and expressions come from! Have you heard of ambulance chasing, as American as apple pie, or bursting at the seams? Find out why and where all these clichés, proverbs, and expressions come from. Attend this program, and all will become crystal clear.
Join the Manhattan School of Music for an exploration of the vibrant cultural landscape of the 1920s, where American cities thrived as hubs of musical innovation. Dive into the unique fusion of classical and jazz as we examine the works of iconic composer George Gershwin, including Porgy and Bess and Rhapsody in Blue. Experience the historical and social influences that shaped this transformative era in music.
Join Francine Segan, food historian and author of Shakespeare’s Kitchen, for a lively talk on the foods, dining customs, and etiquette of the Elizabethan era. Find out why people started clinking glasses to make a toast, would not eat with forks, and why “4 and 20 blackbirds” really were baked in a pie. The talk is sprinkled with tempting tidbits on the fanciful foods, intriguing table manners, and unusual dining customs.
Discover how rock music found a home on mainstream television starting in the mid-1950s, with TV shows featuring legends like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. The Beatles’ landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 transformed pop culture, sparking a wave of televised rock throughout the decade. Join media historian Brian Rose for a lively exploration of the fascinating history of rock music’s evolution alongside television.
The Howard Johnson’s restaurant chain was one of the first franchise success stories in the United States, with the chain growing to over 1,000 restaurants. How could such a successful company spiral downward to virtually nothing? This presentation from the American Sign Museum follows the ice cream and motel giant from its founding to its eventual decline.
We know that humans are intuitive, but animals possess abilities far greater than our own. Author Martin McDermott shares with us how animals sense danger, migrate long distances, diagnose medical conditions, provide emotional support, and locate past owners who are hundreds or even thousands of miles away. This lecture shows us how animals can serve as helpful models in our own use of intuition.
Discover and experience the ancient practice of Qigong and cultivate balance and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components, with gentle movements, posture, and deep breathing guiding you towards improved health, flexibility, and stress reduction. Class Limit: 25
Discover and experience the ancient practice of Qigong and cultivate balance and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components, with gentle movements, posture, and deep breathing guiding you towards improved health, flexibility, and stress reduction. Class Limit: 25
The legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains the most mysterious and controversial of all shipwreck tales heard around the Great Lakes. Featuring exclusive footage of the construction of the “Fitz,” this live lecture includes interviews from the builders, sailors, and investigators into the largest shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Also featured is footage from Ric’s 550’ dive down to the wreck site.
Part geography and part mythology, the American West retains a powerful allure in popular culture. Join an educator from Smithsonian American Art Museum as we view digital images and explore depictions of the people, lifestyles, and landscapes of the 19th century West to better understand this dynamic period of history.