All upcoming Music, Theater, & Performing Arts programs

The Smithsonian Institution and the National Comedy Center hold outstanding collections of objects that illustrate the importance of comedy in American life. The new book Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History showcases these collections with photographs and essays. Coauthors Laura LaPlaca, head of the National Comedy Center's Carl Reiner Department of Archives & Preservation, and Ryan Lintelman, entertainment curator at the National Museum of American History, reveal the stories of rarely exhibited artifacts and recount the lives of several comics and their influence on American culture. Following the lecture, see objects from the museum’s collection that are not currently on public display.

During the past half century, director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro have crafted searing and epic explorations of the dark side of American society and human nature. In each of his ten Scorsese films, De Niro brilliantly applied his Method acting training to electrify audiences with a deceptive, calculating detachment. These Scorsese–De Niro collaborations are legendary and influential in their uses of striking camera choreography, precision editing, explosive musical soundtracks, unglamorized mental or physical violence, and gritty dark humor. Historian Max Alvarez offers an impactful multimedia tribute to a director–actor team unsurpassed in Hollywood history.

Arguably the most famous rock group in history, the Beatles left a legacy both cultural and musical. Music historian Stephen Schultz explores their seventh studio album, “Revolver” (1966), on the 60th anniversary of its release. Schultz offers a deep dive into the musical and lyrical content as well as a look at the studio wizardry involved.

Echoing the deepest beats of the heart, drums are perhaps the oldest human instruments, and they figure into faith traditions across the United States. Featuring the music of the Rumi Daf Ensemble and Mark Rooney, as well as storytelling and performance from Dennis and Ralph Zotigh and the scholarship of Jalal Kimia and Deborah Wong, this program explores the power of percussion. Examining the use of the daf in the American Islamic diaspora, how taiko drumming connects Japanese Americans with Buddhist and Shinto traditions, and the power of Native American drum circles, this program illuminates how Americans today feel the beat of their faith in harmony.

Marking the 150th anniversary of pivotal 20th-century Spanish composer Manuel de Falla’s birth, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin combines an illustrated lecture with live piano demonstrations to examine how de Falla forged his unique, seductive voice with such enchanting stage and concert pieces as El amor brujo, La vida breve, and Noches en los jardines de España.

Oxford’s golden spires have long doubled as the perfect setting for murder—at least on the page. Mystery writers from Dorothy L. Sayers to Colin Dexter have turned the city’s colleges, quads, and traditions into fertile ground for ingenious crimes and eccentric detectives. The same atmosphere has fueled beloved TV dramas like “Inspector Morse,” “Endeavour” and “Inspector Lewis.” Author Daniel Stashower dives into this rich tradition of Oxford mysteries, while actor Scott Sedar brings classic scenes to life through dramatic readings. The evening promises locked-room puzzles, cryptic clues, and enigmatic detectives. As Lord Peter Wimsey might have said, it promises to be “a bally good time.”

Antonio Vivaldi’s music is so beloved today that it’s hard to imagine he was virtually forgotten for nearly two centuries. In his day, the fiery-haired, virtuoso violinist and Catholic priest was celebrated for his striking innovations in Baroque form, but after his death much of the work of the “Red Priest” vanished from performance. A remarkable rediscovery of manuscripts in the 20th century swept his genius back to concert stages worldwide and revealed the astonishing scope of his creativity. Combining an illustrated lecture with live musical demonstrations, concert pianist Rachel Franklin explores Vivaldi’s restless, colorful life, his groundbreaking musical style, and the fascinating story of how his music made one of the greatest comebacks in cultural history.

A historian from the Princess Grace Foundation recounts the story of the princess—who was American film star Grace Kelly before she married Prince Rainier III—her support for the performing arts, and her years as a Hollywood icon. Afterward, Princess Grace’s life and legacy are commemorated in a discussion.

Join Tim Dolan, actor and owner of Broadway Up Close tours, as he steps back to 1903 for an insider’s look at Broadway’s oldest playhouse, the historic Hudson Theatre. Along the way, discover the vibrant history that unfolded within its walls—from tales of tragedy and intrigue to unforgettable moments shaped by legendary figures in theater, music, and popular culture. Dolan brings the Hudson’s past and present vividly to life, offering a rare glimpse into one of Broadway’s most storied stages.

The range of emotions evoked by the sound of ringing reflects a deep connection with the human spirit, one that operates on different levels in different faiths, including Hindu, Buddhist, and Native American traditions. This free program illuminates the power of bells, chimes, and jingles to connect us to the divine—and even to heal—as we celebrate faith in harmony.