From the elaborate banquets of ancient civilizations to the lavish soirées of the Renaissance, feasts have revealed both the culinary delights of their time and the social hierarchies, power dynamics, and cultural exchanges that have shaped our past. In an evening series, food historian Francine Segan uncovers the meaning behind the food, drink, and rituals that have defined such gatherings and spotlights the unique foods of royal tables in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. This session focuses on ancient Greece in the time of Alexander the Great.
Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley has a rich geological heritage, shaped over millions of years of natural history. Gregg Clemmer, an experienced caver, takes you deep into that ancient past at two of the state’s most notable caverns and offers a chance to sample products of the valley’s fertile soil at a visit to a regional vineyard and winery.
Attempts to answer the questions “How did life on Earth begin?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” have opened extraordinarily vibrant and dynamic frontiers of investigation. Astrophysicist Mario Livio examines how the quest for cosmic life follows two parallel, independent lines of research: laboratory studies aimed at determining if life can emerge from pure chemistry, and advanced astronomical observations searching for signs of life beyond Earth.
Washington's reputation as a hub for vibrant arts and culture is well-deserved, with more than 80 professional companies poised to launch their 2024–2025 seasons. How can audiences pick the must-see productions, determine which ones offer the best value, and identify those that might not meet their expectations? As part of the annual Theatre Week celebration, president and CEO of Theatre Washington Amy Austin, freelance dramatrug Lauren Halvorsen, and a panel of experts explore the exciting lineup of productions awaiting audiences on stages both large and small and how to make the most of your theater-going experience.
Elections during the first few decades of America’s existence were often haphazard affairs. Everything from who could vote to the location of the polls to how long the polls would be open varied from state to state and often from election to election. Historian Rosemarie Zagarri explores how the idea of a two-party democracy evolved less by design and more from a constant push-and-pull between those seeking to cast their ballots and those who made the rules about when, where, and how the ballots were to be cast. William Gormley, an expert in government and public policy, draws some connections between the first political parties and the present.
Rivalries can be contentious and destructive, but they can also help fuel great works of art. The competitions between artistic titans of the 16th century—Michelangelo and Raphael, Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini—all contributed to an extraordinary transformation of Rome. Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo surveys how the hallmarks of these artists who challenged each other’s genius are still visible in the buildings, paintings, and sculpture of the city. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Art historian Joseph P. Cassar examines the output of Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo as he explores their relationship as husband and wife; similarities and contrasts; the impact of their marriage on each other’s work; and why Kahlo’s artistic career unjustly remained in the shadow of the internationally famous painter during her lifetime. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
