Let the American History Museum entertain you!

The entrance to Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 

This is Althea Gibson's Wimbledon uniform when she won the women's singles title in 1957, the first black player to win the title there and at the U.S. National Championship. Displayed at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

When the Dixie Chicks (now, just the Chicks) spoke out against George Bush and his Iraq war in 2006, they endured immediate backlash which didn't stop them from becoming the best-selling all-woman band and best-selling country group in the US. At the time I went right out and immediately bought two of their albums to show my support for the Chicks. This is a poster at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In 1992 Kristi Yamaguchi became the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. Her grandparents had been held captive by the U.S. government in a Japanese internment camp in World War II.  Her signed 1990s skates and photo are at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is Cyndi Lauper's outfit from the cover of her solo debut album, She's So Unusual (1983). At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Who remembers Howdy Doody?  He's here, too, at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History with Mr. Rogers's red sweater and shoes/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Thank you, Billie Jean King for beating that rascal and "male chauvinist pig" (his words) Bobby Riggs in 1973 in a heralded moment in tennis!  This is the uniform she wore in the "Battle of the Sexes" match. At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are here, too. This is a mask Clayton Moore wore as the Lone Ranger, 1949-1957, found at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is the Cardinal Wolsey costume worn by actress Charlotte Cushman around 1857 at the Entertainment Nation exhibition/Photo by Patricia Leslie

No need to identify these celebs at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Prince's "yellow cloud" guitar from 1983 at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All those area stranded Southwest Airlines customers waiting at National Airport must have found their way to the National Mall for that's where it seems like thousands converged like it was July 4th in December,  but, maybe it's always like this during Christmas week.

Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the National Museum of American History, one of my stopping places during Christmas break.

At the information counter, I told the volunteer I was an area resident, searching for something new at the museum.  

Did he have any recommendations?

"Well," he said, "there’s the entertainment section which is new. I was up there about 30 minutes ago, and it was like…" and he trailed off like it was the Southwest Airlines counter at everywhere.

He was right; Entertainment Nation was crazy packed, like Disney World in a museum, the place was slammed, but not crowded enough that you couldn't move pretty fast through the aisleways if you know how to manuever.

But where was my fave, Michael Jackson? Maybe I missed him amidst all the people. 

Nowhere could I find Michael but there was Prince and his yellow guitar, and Cyndi Lauper's dress and Diana Ross's dress and lots more. Even, Mr. Rogers's sweater! 

It's Howdy Doody Time! 

But, no Michael.

Photographs by Richard Avedon adjacent to Entertainment Nation at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

 

The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Meanwhile, across the hallway was a Richard Avedon exhibition, a disorganized mess and confusing to boot. He (1923-2004) was THE photographer of famous persons, just a few of whom are included in this maze.

The subjects are not identified with their pictures. No, across the aisle are labels with names and you only have to walk back and forth across the aisle to see who is pictured "left" and who is "far left" and who is "right" and who is "far right" and "center," and upstairs and downstairs, and there will be a test at the end to see if you can still walk straight.

A wheel chair would be useful at this presentation and the museum has a few to loan out!

The best part of the Richard Avedon show is the reading room where visitors may sit (or sleep, depending upon energy level) in comfortable chairs and leaf through actual copies of old (like 50 years old!) Life magazines, Highlights for Children, and more.

The magazines' advertisements are the best parts ("Do not let baby sleep on pillows!" admonishes one with a drawing of a mother tucking her baby on top of a pillow), and include many "motion picture" ads and a feature on It's A Wonderful Life!

Thank you, Richard Avedon's estate, for donating (I am guessing) these photos to the Smithsonian, but this exhibition could stand for reorganization, if you will.

I think I've figured out Michael Jackson's omission: his estate has not donated anything. Is that right? It is unfathomable that the Smithsonian with all its possessions would omit Michael Jackson from this inaugural exhibit so...

Please, Michael Jackson Estate if you are reading this, donate something, anything (THE glove? A show costume? P l e a s e) to the Smithsonian Institution so we all can enjoy it and not have his likeness and belongings omitted from this grand exhibition! Thank you for consideration.

And, thank you, contributors, for your gifts to the nation so we may see them up close and personal.

Applause to the Smithsonian for including all labels in Spanish, too!

And, if hungry, take your big wallet to NMAH. The fixuns' at the Museum's cafeteria ain't cheap. No charge for mustard!

What: Entertainment Nation "will feature a powerful, ever-changing selection of objects and interactive experiences" embracing theater, television, film, music and sports.

When: Now through "ongoing." The Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. but hours on New Year's Day and January 2, 2023 hours may vary. Call to find out: 202-633-1000.

Where: National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20560. Museum entrances are located on Constitution Avenue on the first floor and Madison Drive (National Mall) on the second floor. There may be a short wait to enter the building.For more information: 202- 633-1000

Tickets: Always free admission at NMAH!

Metro stations: The Smithsonian and the Federal Triangle stations.

patricialesli@gmail.com

Music for an exhibition!

  

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Chamber Players performed at the National Gallery of Art, Oct. 2, 2022/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Washington's joys include free concerts at the National Gallery of Art every Sunday afternoon in the West Building. 

In celebration of the exhibition featuring Joanna Hiffernan and James McNeill Whistler which ends Sunday at the National Gallery, the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Chamber Players played a concert last week by composers associated with the artist.

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Chamber Players performed at the National Gallery of Art, Oct. 2, 2022. Listening are cherubs (center) who play with a swan in a fountain sculpted 1672-1673 by Jean-Baptiste Tuby (1635-1700)/Photo by Patricia Leslie

James Miller on alto flute and Nadia Pessoa on the harp were two members of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Chamber Players who performed at the National Gallery of Art, Oct. 2, 2022/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Whistler often gave his works musical titles such as symphony, harmonies, arrangement and  nocturnes, and one of the featured pieces at the concert was Trois Nocturnes by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), inspired by Whistler, according to one source.

The Chamber Players also played another Nocturne, this one in B major by Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). 

Not to be ignored given Whistler's affinity for the Japanese and their influences on him, was music from that nation. The chosen composer was Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) and his romantic Toward the Sea III  which was commissioned by Greenpeace for its "Save the Whales" campaign. 

For Sea, Chamber Players James Miller played alto flute and Nadia Pessoa was harpist.

The best was saved for last and the thrilling and dynamic Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor by Amy Beach (1867-1944) whose second movement brought me to tears.

Ms. Beach gave her first concert at age 16 and was the first female composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She was 29 years old.  

Back in those dark days when wives followed more the dictates of their spouses, she obeyed her husband's requests (they may have been demands) that she cut her annual performances to only one per year which she did, giving the proceeds to charity and focusing on composition. 

With death can come freedom, and in her case, after her husband's demise in 1910, she took off anew, performing in Europe and elsewhere to great critical acclaim.  

Her reputation grows!

Upcoming concerts at the National Gallery include performances by the New York Opera Society (Dec. 4), Connor Chee on piano (Nov. 20), and Ignacio Prego on harpsichord (Oct. 30). 

Go here for a listing of the concerts and register at the tab (required). 

Other members of the Chamber Players include Nicholas Starr and Christopher Schmitt, pianists; Catherine Gerhiser and Annette Barger, violinists; Erica Schwartz, violist; and Benjamin Wensel, cellist. 

What:  Concerts  

When:  Sundays through Dec. 18, 2022

Where:  West Building, West Garden Court, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

How much:  No charge at the National Gallery of Art!

Metro stations:  Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Navy Memorial-Archives, or L'Enfant Plaza

Parking:  Street parking is free on Sundays.

For more information: (202) 737-4215

Accessibility information: (202) 842-6905

patricialesli@gmail.com