All upcoming Music & Theater programs

Two decades after the devastation of the Blitz, the youthquake of the 1960s transformed staid London into Swinging London—the epicenter of a new world of fashion and entertainment. Carnaby Street set the styles; Soho’s nightclubs were the place to dance the night away; the British Invasion in music sent the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other groups to the top of the charts and the country’s films outdid Hollywood as they tackled taboo topics of abortion, homosexuality, and interracial sex. Historian Julie Taddeo explores how London—and the nation­—rebranded itself as a with-it world powerhouse.

In-Person Program: Get ready for a spectacular party with a French accent! The annual Francophonie Cultural Festival spotlights the music, art, literature, film, cuisine, and customs of French-speaking countries and regions from across the globe. One of the celebration’s highlights, La Grande Fête is always magnifique, and this year’s bash is no exception.

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in a 6-concert series held mostly on Saturdays. This concert features music of Franz Schubert with the four-hands fortepiano team of Naoko Takao and Kenneth Slowik.

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in a 6-concert series held on Sundays. This concert features music of Franz Schubert with the four-hands fortepiano team of Naoko Takao and Kenneth Slowik.

As soon as television began in the late 1940s, advertising was a vital part of the picture. Media historian Brian Rose examines how advertising evolved during television’s first two decades and the important role it played in convincing viewers that the key to happiness was to buy their way into the American dream.

Harlem's Cotton Club opened its doors to jazz from 1923 to 1940. Launching the careers of Jimmie Lunceford, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and many others, this uptown cabaret was instrumental in providing a home base for orchestras cultivating the fabric of modern music. SJMO’s salute to the iconic nightclub features music from these legendary big bands.

The Godfather, parts 1 and 2, are often listed as among the greatest films of all time. Together with part 3, these films constitute a powerful cinematic trilogy that explores the myth of Italian American culture, the refashioning of the gangster film genre, and the influence of European auteur cinema on the Hollywood studio system. Joseph Luzzi, a literature professor at Bard College who also teaches courses on film and Italian studies, examines the cinematic techniques and themes that give the Godfather films their enduring appeal.

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in a 6-concert series held mostly on Saturdays. This concert features music of John Jenkins and William Lawes with the Smithsonian Consort of Viols.

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in a 6-concert series held on Sundays. This concert features music of John Jenkins and William Lawes with the Smithsonian Consort of Viols.

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences are privy to the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicoló Amati—in this popular four-concert series on Saturdays. The concert features music composed by Mozart, Beethoven, and Ravel.