New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ AMNH Media)

PLEASE NOTE:  All information provided below is subject to change; please confirm with the Department of Communications, 212-769-5800, or [email protected].

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AND PROGAMS

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors
May 18, 2013-January 5, 2014
Back by popular demand, this delightful exhibition introduces visitors to the colorful and richly diverse world of frogs. More than 150 live frogs, from the tiny phantasmal dart-poison frog (which is less than an inch long) to the enormous African bullfrog (which can be as big as 8 inches in diameter), are shown in re-created habitats, complete with rock ledges, live plants, and waterfalls. Featuring approximately 25 species from such countries as Argentina, Bolivia, Borneo, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Paraguay, Russia, Sumatra, the United States, and Uruguay, the exhibition explores the evolution and biology of these amphibians, their importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in the world's changing environments. Interactive stations throughout the exhibition invite visitors to activate recorded frog calls, view videos of frogs in action, and test their knowledge about these fascinating amphibians. Gallery 77, first floor

This exhibition is presented with appreciation to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland.

New Hayden Planetarium Space Show
Opening October 5, 2013
A spectacular new Hayden Planetarium Space Show will take viewers through the recent dramatic advances in our knowledge of the universe and explore what's to come in the future of cosmology. Viewers will gaze up at the bright Milky Way from Mt. Wilson Observatory in California—where Edwin Hubble first discovered galaxies outside of our own—and plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere with a probe from NASA's Galileo spacecraft. Through an extremely detailed, never-before-seen visualization based on new scientific data, the audience will experience how dark matter—an invisible form of matter—shapes galaxies.  Viewers also will delve into the mysteries of dark energy, the force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe. This show will explore how a new age of discovery has begun as ever-larger instruments on the ground and in space reveal the previously unknown about our cosmos. Hayden Planetarium

The Power of Poison
November 16, 2013-August 10, 2014
Cleopatra was said to prefer the bite of an asp, while the powerful Borgia family dispatched their enemies with arsenic in Renaissance Italy. For centuries, humans have marveled at the secrets of poisons and sought to harness their toxic powers—and this exhibition will explore both the biological basics of poison and the ways in which people have confronted its perils and potential.

Approaching poison from several different perspectives—as a dynamic defense system used by animals locked in evolutionary arms races with predators; as a compelling thread that runs through familiar legends, myths, and fables; as a series of mysteries visitors encounter and solve, including what suddenly poisoned Captain James Cook and two naturalists aboard his ship in the autumn of 1774; and as a promising source for powerful medical treatments—The Power of Poison brings into sharp focus this captivating topic.

Natural Histories
October 19, 2013-October 12, 2014
Inspired by the book Natural Histories: Extraordinary Rare Book Selections from the American Museum of Natural History Library, published in October 2012, this exhibition will include reproductions from more than 20 rare and beautifully illustrated scientific works.

The works featured in Natural Histories span from the 16th century to the early 20th century and cover scientific disciplines from anthropology to astronomy to zoology. Reproductions of rare scientific illustrations that will be displayed in the gallery include a rhinoceros taken directly from Albrecht Dürer's 1515 woodcut, lithographs of the mysterious aye-aye lemur from Sir Richard Owen's Monograph on the Aye-aye, and Robert Hooke's engraved images of what were once startling microscopic views of familiar items and animals in Micrographia. IMAX corridor, first floor

Pterosaurs (working title)
Spring 2014-January 2015
Neither dinosaurs nor birds, pterosaurs are an extraordinarily diverse group of winged reptiles—the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight. First appearing some 220 million years ago, pterosaurs traversed the skies for roughly 150 million years before becoming extinct. There were more than 150 known species ranging from the size of a sparrow to that of an F-16 fighter jet; some had a wingspan of about 40 feet, making these the largest flying animals ever to have existed.  

Visitors will see pterosaurs up close on land, in the sky, and flying over water. The exhibition will have a special focus on flight, comparing pterosaurs to birds and bats in particular and exploring both similarities and differences. Fossils of pterosaurs and other species—dinosaurs, fish, turtles, insects, and more— as well as casts, lifelike models, videos, hands-on interactives and other exhibits will bring pterosaurs to life. LeFrak Family Gallery, fourth floor

UPCOMING PROGRAMS Doodle 4 Google at AMNH: My Best Day Ever
May 22, 2013-July 14, 2014

        The Museum will partner with Google in the 2013 Doodle 4 Google contest to present a special exhibition of student artwork at the Museum this spring. The annual Doodle 4 Google contest calls for youth (grades K-12) from throughout the country to submit their designs of the Google logo using the theme My Best Day Ever. One design will be selected to appear on www.google.com for a 24-hour period, and the top 50 finalists in the contest (one from each U.S. state) will have their artwork displayed at the Museum. This year will be the sixth year of the national contest and the third year that Google has honored the program and its finalists by hosting an exhibition of participants' artwork in New York City. Rose Center Gallery, second floor

37th Annual Margaret Mead Film Festival

October 17-20, 2013

The 37th Annual Margaret Mead Film Festival, the preeminent showcase for contemporary cultural storytelling, screens a selection of titles culled from more than 1,000 submissions. The festival features international documentaries, multi-media performances, installations, receptions throughout the Museum, intimate conversations with filmmakers and film subjects, and the presentation of the annual Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award.

            The Presenting Sponsor of the Museum's cultural programming is MetLife Foundation.

The Margaret Mead Film Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

 

Twentieth Annual Family Party

 Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 5-7:30pm

The Family Party features educational activities and entertainment for children of all ages. Children will have the opportunity to interact with live animals, measure skulls, look into a microscope to see the inside of an ivory tusk, explore the Family Party's Museum Science Center, which showcases Museum scientists'  ongoing work through hands-on activities, and much more. Tickets to this special benefit event are $85 for children and $175 for adults. For event and ticket information, please call 212-313-7161, or email [email protected].

Generously supported by Tiffany & Co.

Halloween Celebration

Thursday, October 31, 2013

More than 30 of the Museum's popular halls will be open from 4 to 7 pm for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun with roaming cartoon characters, and live performances. Past performers and characters have included Curious George®, Winnie-the-Pooh, Clifford the Big Red Dog®, Miffy, Peter RabbitTM, David Grover and the Big Bear Band, Louie & Subanda, performers from the Big Apple Circus, a magician, and stilt walkers.

Origami Holiday Tree

November 25, 2013-January 5, 2014

An annual  tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree has marked the start of the holiday season at the Museum for decades. The tree will feature ornaments inspired by permanent halls, current exhibitions, and the Museum's collections. Volunteers begin folding in July to complete the 500 creations that will be displayed on the tree. During the holiday season, volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors of all ages the art of origami folding. Past themes have included "The Museum's Biggest and Best", "Fantastic Creatures: Mythic and Real"; "Origami in Flight;" "Under the Sea"; "Pocket Posy"; and "Origami Safari".

Kwanzaa Celebration

Saturday, December 28, 2013

This cultural festival of African and African-American performing and visual arts commemorates the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A feast for the soul and senses, this family-friendly all-day event offers African dance, spoken word, live musical performances, and traditional crafts. A bustling Kwanzaa Marketplace will feature vendors, visual artists, and craftspeople, as well as representatives from major cultural institutions. In addition, special Kwanzaa foods will be available in the Museum Food Court. Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, first floor

SciCafe

First Wednesdays of the month October through June

SciCafe is the American Museum of Natural History's popular after-hours series featuring informal talks on current topics in science, amazing stories from the field, cocktails, and conversation. Held on the first Wednesday of each month from October through June, the series draws on the unique expertise of the Museum's staff of more than 200 active scientists as well as their vast network of colleagues across the globe. Recent SciCafe topics have included using genomics to understand malaria; modeling the origins of planets, stars, and galaxies; applying advanced computational techniques to the study of language evolution; and how art can partner with science to raise awareness of ocean conservation issues. Coming up:

May 1—Barb Stuckey, professional food-flavor developer and author of Taste What You're Missing will discuss the science of taste.

June 5—musician and Johns Hopkins professor Charles Lamb will discuss the neuroscience of creativity—and how the brain works during musical improvisation.

SciCafe is proudly sponsored by Judy and Josh Weston.

SciCafes related to human health are supported by the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25 OD011093.

One Step Beyond

The American Museum of Natural History's popular One Step Beyond is an ongoing party series that features the biggest names in techno, electronica, and hip hop. Guests can get their groove on while cocktails keep the party going. Each ticket includes one pass to the Museum for future use.

Astronomy Live

The last Tuesday of every month, 6:30 pm

Take a live tour of the universe with a Museum expert or view the constantly changing night sky in this live monthly program series. Learn about what is visible in our nighttime sky with the brilliant stars of the Zeiss Mark IX star projector or travel to the edge of the observable universe with the world's largest scientifically accurate cosmic atlas, the Digital Universe, assembled at the Hayden Planetarium. Programs vary each month; visit amnh.org for descriptions. Hayden Planetarium Space Theater

Astronomy Live programs are supported, in part, by the Schaffner Family.

For a quick journey into space, view the Museum's The Known Universe—a short video that has more than 11 million views on YouTube. The Known Universe takes viewers from the Himalayas through our atmosphere and the inky black of space to the afterglow of the Big Bang.

Frontiers Lecture Series

Monthly, select Mondays, 7:30 pm

This dynamic lecture series in the Hayden Planetarium features prominent astrophysicists, authors, and Museum experts. Learn about cutting-edge research and more. Hayden Planetarium Space Theater

Hayden Planetarium Programs are proudly supported by Con Edison.

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

Whales: Giants of the Deep

March 23, 2013-January 5, 2014

On loan from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which houses one of the largest whale collections in the world, Whales: Giants of the Deep explores the latest in international research on cetaceans and examines whale biology and the history of whaling. The exhibition showcases rare specimens—including a massive 58-foot-long fully articulated sperm whale skeleton; life-size and scale models of whales common in the South Pacific; and ancient and contemporary whale-bone treasures such as weapons, chiefly adornments, and jewelry. In the Whale Lab, visitors can listen to whale sounds, discover how scientist and amateur trackers identify individual whales on their migration through the Pacific Ocean, crawl through a life-size replica of the heart of the blue whale—the planet's largest animal—and follow a sperm whale on the hunt for a giant squid. Videos examine the relationship between the people of the South Pacific and whales, including the stories of three generations of whale-riding traditions. The exhibition will feature the massive skull of Andrewsarchus, a land-dwelling relative of whales, and selected cultural objects from the American Museum of Natural History's collections. LeFrak Family Gallery, fourth floor

Whales: Giants of the Deep was developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. This exhibition was made possible through the support of the New Zealand Government.

The American Museum of Natural History gratefully acknowledges the Richard and Karen LeFrak Exhibition and Education Fund.

Generous support for Whales has been provided by the Eileen P. Bernard Exhibition Fund.

Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture

November 17, 2012-August 11, 2013

Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture celebrates cultures and cooking, historic meals and markets, and moments in our lives that we mark with food—as well as the ingredients that we have discovered and shaped over the course of thousands of years. As this exhibition takes visitors on a journey of growing, transporting, cooking, eating, and celebrating, it also examines contemporary issues of environmental and human health, and feeding the world's growing population today and tomorrow. Gallery 3, third floor

Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org).

Exclusive corporate sponsor for Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Cultureis J.P. Morgan.

Additional support for Our Global Kitchen and its related educational and online resources has been provided by GRACE Communications Foundation.

The Kitchen Experience in Our Global Kitchen is presented by Whole Foods Market.

The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter
October 6, 2012-May 27, 2013
October 12, 2013-May 26, 2014
This exhibition, an annual favorite, features up to 500 live, free-flying tropical butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The butterflies are housed in a vivarium that approximates their natural habitat, includes live flowering plants that serve as nectar sources, and features controlled artificial light, temperature, and humidity in a space that measures 60 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 10 feet high. Featured species include iridescent blue morpho butterflies, striking scarlet swallowtails, and large owl butterflies. Text panels located immediately outside the vivarium offer information about the evolution and life cycle of butterflies, including explanations of mimicry, diversity, and butterflies' important role in conservation. Whitney Hall of Oceanic Birds, second floor

Lord & Taylor is the proud sponsor of the Butterfly Conservatory.

Winged Tapestries: Moths at Large
September 29, 2012-September 29, 2013
Winged Tapestries: Moths at Large, an exhibition of more than 30 striking images from Ottawa-based photographer Jim des Rivières, highlights the arresting beauty and surprising diversity of moths. The exhibition displays close-up images of these beautiful creatures and discusses characteristics of moths and ways in which they differ from butterflies, how moths elude predators, and the life stages of a moth. Also on view are specimens from the Museum's collection of each of the 34 species whose images appear in the exhibition. With some 3.5 million specimens, the Museum's collection of moths and butterflies is among the five largest in the world. IMAX corridor, first floor

Winged Tapestries: Moths at Large, featuring the art of Jim des Rivières, is produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottowa, Canada.

The presentation of Winged Tapestries: Moths at Large at the American Museum of Natural History is made possible by the generosity of the Arthur Ross Foundation.

Picturing Science: Museum Scientists and Imaging Technologies
On view through Spring 2014
Whether Museum scientists are studying parasites, people, or planets in other solar systems, cutting-edge imaging technologies such as infrared photography, scanning electron microscopes, and CT scanners now make it possible to examine details that were previously unobservable. This exhibition features more than 20 sets of large-format images that showcase the wide range of research being conducted at the Museum as well as how various optical tools are used in scientific studies. Akeley Gallery, second floor

The presentation of Picturing Science at the American Museum of Natural History is made possible by the generosity of the Arthur Ross Foundation.

IMAX AND LARGE-FORMAT FILMS, LeFrak IMAX Theater, first floor

Flight of the Butterflies
January 5, 2013-July 7, 2013
This breathtaking new giant-screen adventure takes viewers on the epic 3,000-mile journey traveled every fall by half a billion monarch butterflies. The film, based on true events, is the awe-inspiring story of two unlikely heroes that share a common strength. It follows the perilous journey of the iconic monarch butterfly in one of the most incredible migrations on Earth and the determined scientist, Dr. Fred Urquhart, who spent 40 years trying to discover the mysteries surrounding the butteflies' journey and winter hideaway.

Produced by SK Films, with considerable funding support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Flight of the Butterfliesalso includes an extensive Educational Outreach Program with lesson plans for all curriculum levels and is supported by the NSF, in partnership with The Maryland Science Center. Major support has also come from the Mexican Federal Government (Environment & Tourism) and the States of México and Michoacán, as well as Coca-Cola FEMSA, and Grupo Bimbo. Significant portions of the film's box office revenue will go towards monarch butterfly conservation.

SPACE SHOW, Hayden Planetarium, Rose Center for Earth and Space

Journey to the Stars

Journey to the Stars, the spectacular Hayden Planetarium Space Show, launches visitors through time and space to experience the life and death of the stars in our night sky. Travel 13 billion years into the past, when the first stars were born, and witness brilliant supernovas that sent new kinds of matter coursing through the universe, into the atoms of our bodies, and into the air we breathe. Visit the heart of the fiery Sun and glimpse its distant future as it transforms into a massive red giant. Tour familiar stellar formations, explore new celestial mysteries, and discover the fascinating, unfolding story that connects us all to the stars. Hayden Planetarium, Rose Center for Earth and Space

Produced by the American Museum of Natural History, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and the Hayden Planetarium.

Journey to the Stars was developed by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org) in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; GOTO Inc., Tokyo, Japan; Papalote • Museo del Niño, Mexico City, Mexico; and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

Journey to the Stars was created by the American Museum of Natural History, with the major support and partnership of NASA, Science Mission Directorate, Heliophysics Division.

Made possible through the generous sponsorship of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

And proudly sponsored by Accenture.

Supercomputing resources provided by the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin, through the TeraGrid, a project of the National Science Foundation.