Octavia Butler Lecture: Faith + AI
At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, explore Faith + AI in conversation with Ruha Benjamin. This thought-provoking lecture links Octavia Butler's visionary science fiction to contemporary debates on technology, race, and ethics.
The Spy in the Hanoi Hilton
Join the International Spy Museum for a history-focused event titled The Spy in the Hanoi Hilton. The program examines POW experiences and espionage narratives from the Vietnam War era, with expert commentary and ties to museum exhibits.
Gerald Ford and an Old Sentence that Feels Unexpectedly Modern
An A250 presentation at the Ford Presidential Library accompanying the Northwest Ordinance exhibit. The talk connects a Gerald Ford-era sentence to today’s constitutional debates, showing how archival governance language still resonates. Includes archival materials and options for in-person and online viewing.
Transportation Week: Bicycles
At the National Museum of American History, Transportation Week spotlights bicycles as part of American mobility, history, and culture. The day features docent-led tours (10:30–noon), Wheelwoman performances, and conversations that explore how cycling shapes the past and future.
Research Month: Annual Research Symposium
Howard University hosts its Annual Research Symposium as part of Research Month. Hear from faculty and students across biomedical science, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and more. Network with researchers, industry partners, and funding agencies to discover cutting-edge projects shaping tomorrow's breakthroughs.
Russian Espionage and Intelligence Tradecraft: Hybrid War and Dirty Tricks
Join a focused lecture at the International Spy Museum on Russian espionage and intelligence tradecraft, including hybrid warfare tactics and 'dirty tricks' shaping modern conflicts. Led by security and intelligence experts, the session blends history with contemporary analysis in a museum setting in Washington. Perfect for adults with an interest in geopolitics and cryptic warfare.
Oscar Peterson Donation Ceremony
A formal donation ceremony at the American History Museum presents artifacts honoring jazz legend Oscar Peterson to the National Museum of American History. The event celebrates Peterson's virtuosity and his influence on modern jazz piano.
Benjamin Alard @ Live! at 10th & G
Benjamin Alard delivers a refined harpsichord recital at Live! at 10th & G, exploring Baroque gems with crisp ornamentation and lyrical phrasing. The intimate venue promises a focused, elegant evening of early music.
Third Act
Screening of a documentary about Robert A. Nakamura, the 'Godfather of Asian American film,' directed by Tadashi Nakamura. The in-person event at the Asian Art Museum West Building features a discussion with the filmmaker about his father's legacy and his own filmmaking journey.
Live-score silent-film screening with Stephanie Chou
Two early Asian American silent films are shown with a live score by Stephanie Chou and her band at the Asian Art Museum. The Tong Man and The Curse of Quon Gwon pair cinema history with live music, offering a stylish, history-rich experience.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee Meeting
The ninth meeting of the FOIA Advisory Committee convenes to review updates on FOIA policy, transparency practices, and ongoing projects. This multi-location and online session brings federal officials and stakeholders together to discuss access to information and public-records challenges.
Spotlight on Design: GGN
Shannon Nichol, co-founder of GGN, discusses the firm's holistic approach to landscape architecture, weaving urban planning, landscape design, restoration ecology, architecture, engineering, and art. The National Building Museum talk offers insight into innovative, cross-disciplinary design for cities and public spaces.
Return to Venus
Join a science lecture at the National Air and Space Museum (also online) on May 7, 2026, from 8–9pm, to explore future missions to Venus, Earth's twin. The talk outlines NASM's plans and current Venus research, offering a space-history setting in Washington, DC.
Early Spring
Screening of Yasujirō Ozu's Early Spring (1951) at the Asian Art Museum, West Building. A quiet, intimate drama about a postwar salaryman whose disillusionment with work and marriage leads to an affair, exploring the claustrophobia of office life with understated, human storytelling.
Friday Night Services
Join the weekly Friday Night Services at Sixth & I in Washington, DC for a traditional Jewish Sabbath gathering. Expect candle lighting, heartfelt blessings, and communal prayer and song in a warm, urban sanctuary.
In-store book signing: National Security Careers and the Spy Archive
Join an in-store book signing at the International Spy Museum on May 16 at 14:00 for National Security Careers and the Spy Archive. Meet the author, discuss espionage history, and have your copy signed in the museum’s immersive spy environment.
One Nation Under God National Prayer Gathering
A national prayer gathering in Washington, DC on May 17, 2026, titled One Nation Under God National Prayer Gathering. It brings together worshippers for collective prayer, worship, and faith-focused programming as part of a broader religious community event.
Curator Tours
Join the National Portrait Gallery for curator-led gallery talks and tours, exploring current and newly opened exhibitions. Sunday afternoon sessions spotlight The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today, with experts guiding you through key works from the permanent collection.
Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata & Quintet (D821, D956)
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society presents a refined chamber program at the American History Museum on May 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC, featuring Schubert Arpeggione Sonata (D821) and the String Quintet (D956) performed by the Smithsonian Chamber Players with fortepiano. An intimate, museum-classical evening of masterworks.
The 2026 O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Finale Reading
Join the finale of the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series at Folger Theatre for an evening of intimate, language-rich verse from acclaimed poets. The candle-lit stage blends contemporary poetry with the theatre’s historic charm, spotlighting fresh voices and enduring craft.
The Queen and Her Presidents: Hidden Hand in History
National Archives hosts a virtual and live lecture with Susan Page exploring how Queen Elizabeth II met with multiple U.S. presidents and what that hidden influence reveals about modern diplomacy. A history-rich, archival deep-dive that highlights key encounters and their broader impact.
2026 National Memorial Day Parade
The 2026 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC is an annual, patriotic street event honoring veterans. Free to watch from the sidewalks, it features marching units, military bands, and ceremonial dignitaries along the national parade route. A family-friendly public celebration drawing locals and visitors alike.
Senator Chris Murphy
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy discusses current national issues in an insightful evening talk at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C. The candid conversation covers governance and public policy, inviting audience engagement in a prominent, intimate setting.
Future Friday: Chattanooga (VIRTUAL)
Future Fridays at the National Building Museum host a virtual panel on Chattanooga’s next chapter, exploring how stories of identity and belonging shape the future of smaller cities with big ambitions. Hear from diverse speakers shaping urban narratives and consider how place and people influence policy, planning, and community.
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