What Happened to Congress?

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National Constitution Center

Monday, June 19, 2017 • 6:30 P.M.

In the last decade, public approval for Congress hit an all-time low. Whether by executive overreach or internal dysfunction, Congress appears to have given up some of its power. Josh Chafetz, author of Congress’s Constitution, Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, and David Mayhew, author of The Imprint of Congress, discuss why and what, if anything, Congress can do to take its power back. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

A book sale of Congress’s Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers(Chafetz) and The Imprint of Congress (Mayhew) will follow the program.

Watch this America’s Town Hall program live at constitutioncenter.org/live.

 

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John Avlon: Washington’s Warning to Future Generations

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National Constitution Center
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • 12 P.M.
Free for Members • $5 Teachers & students • $8 Non-Members

John Avlon, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast, discusses the first president’s momentous and prescient farewell address to the nation and how the address could help reunite America through the lessons rooted in Washington’s experience as described in his new book, Washington’s Farewell: The Founding Father’s Warning to Future Generations. Michael Gerhardt, scholar-in-residence at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

A book sale and signing of Washington’s Farewell with John Avlon will follow the program.

Watch this America’s Town Hall program live at constitutioncenter.org/live.

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Remember Birmingham: Civil rights and constitutional change

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National Constitution Center

Friday, June 16, 2017 • 12 P.M.

Admission is free

On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls and injuring many others. Join survivor Sarah Collins Rudolph, Washington Post editor and author of Kennedy and King Steven Levingston, and Philadelphia Orchestra composer-in-residence Hannibal Lokumbe as they discuss how the bombing impacted the meaning of “equality” in America and how local events can bring about constitutional change. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

A special performance by Hannibal Lokumbe will precede the discussion. Copies of Kennedy and King: The President, the Pastor, and the Battle over Civil Rights will be available for sale before and after the program.

This program is presented as part of a three-day series of community events in collaboration with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Painted Bride. View the complete schedule of events here.

Watch this America’s Town Hall program live at constitutioncenter.org/live.

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iCivics

iCivics’ Executive Director Louise Dube won the DVF People’s Voice Award

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Louise Dubé is Executive Director of iCivics. Founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2010, iCivics is the largest and most successful civic education resource in the country, with a goal of energizing children to get involved in their communities and the government.

This school year more than five million students in all 50 states used iCivics games and digital lessons to learn how our government and the law really work. iCivics is one of Fast Company’s 2017 Top 10 Most Innovative Education Companies, a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, and has received Common Sense Media’s highest possible ranking. All of iCivics’ resources are free to teachers and parents.

Dubé began her career as an attorney and holds a law degree from McGill University, as well as an MBA from Yale University. She has been recognized as a Draper Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneur. Prior to iCivics, Dubé had a successful career in EdTech.

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Experts in the D.C. Dance community joined us for a “Dancing With the Stars” Panel

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“Dancing With the Stars” is back! And Season 24 is warming up with a host of new stars and great professional partners, who are impressing viewers each week with their twists and turns on the dance floor. Some of D.C.’s experts in the dance community joined us to talk about this season: Septime Webre, Nancy Gross, and Teon Henderson.

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Halcyon House: Spring Arts & Entertainment Guide 2017

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If you thought David Sedaris’ Billie Holiday imitation was good, wait until you hear (and see) Joey Arias. Dressed in a black sequined gown and with Lady Day’s iconic white flowers in his hair, the New York-based performance artist not only sounds just like Holiday, but he also mimics her mannerisms. Arias has been channeling the legendary singer since the 1990s to great acclaim.

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Washington Post: For these artists, limited vision expanded their horizons

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Sharnita “Shugg” Smoot vividly remembers the initial trauma that would lead to her transformation into an artist.

It happened five years ago when she was a double major at Towson University, with a packed schedule that included cheerleading and an internship. Suddenly, in the middle of class, the sounds around her became hyperamplified and she felt a burning in her eyes. “I couldn’t look at the light at all.”

Read Full Article at Washington Post

FRESH TALK: How can the arts inspire environmental advocacy?

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Artists across disciplines and around the globe are creating works in response to climate change and other environmental issues. Join a conversation examining the question: Can the arts communicate data and scientific evidence in ways that inspire advocacy or change attitudes and behaviors?

Followed by Sunday Supper, table-talk, and communal supper served family style.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

  • Ruth Little, associate director of Cape Farewell
  • Miranda Massie, director of the Climate Museum
  • Jacqui Patterson, director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Program, NAACP
  • Laura Turner Seydel, chairperson of Captain Planet Foundation
  • Moderated by Kari Fulton, award-winning environmental justice advocate and new media journalist
  • Video welcome by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and current President of the Foundation/Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice

RESERVATIONS:

Required. $25 general admission; $20 members, seniors, students. Price includes museum admission and Sunday Supper. Exhibition galleries open to attendees before program.

Reserve your spot today!

FRESH TALK: Ann Hamilton and Emily Pilloton—How can makers change the world?

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Ann Hamilton, an internationally renowned visual artist and self-described maker, joins Emily Pilloton, designer, builder, and educator, to talk about the relevance of hands-on learning and how the experience of making things can inspire the next generation of innovators and creative change makers.

Reserve your spot today!