Friends, Family, Lovers: A Valentine’s Day Celebration of Love

Presented in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History
Featuring speakers from the National Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo

Friday, February 11, 2022, 8 to 10 p.m. ET

Virtual Zoom Event

The birds and the bees have their fun, but this Valentine’s Day celebrate all types of love found in the animal kingdom with Smithsonian Associates and the National Museum of Natural History.

Kick back, play virtual "parlor games," and in a series of lightning talks, hear from Smithsonian experts on relationships that expand our ideas of what it is to love and be loved: friends like cheetahs and golden retrievers, family like eusocial naked mole rats, and lovers like polyamorous woodpeckers. You’ll also receive exclusive Valentine’s Day cards you can print and share.

Featured speakers:

• Craig Saffoe, curator of big cats at the National Zoo
• Kenton Kerns, assistant curator at the National Zoo’s Small Mammal House
• Sahas Barve, avian evolutionary ecologist at the National Museum of Natural History
• Andrea Eller, (emcee) biological anthropologist at the National Museum of Natural History

The evening also includes a cocktail-making demonstration by Al Culliton, writer, historian, and cocktail creative based in Massachusetts. An ingredients list is provided in advance so you can make your own at home.

Additional speakers and activities may be announced.