Smithsonian Magazine CultureFest

In the 19th century they called this a Chautauqua—a small group of professors or other assorted eggheads traveling the country to give lectures, spread wisdom, and just generally drop science. What this means to you is, grab the kids and get ready to fill your brain all the way to the top, because the Smithsonian Institution is sending three of its brightest our way for a series of performances and lectures. They include the cultural history curator at the National Museum of American History, Dwight Bowers, who’ll school us on the evolution of the American musical. Dr. Ed DeCarbo, former director of the national Museum of African Art, will talk about art and self-expression in African societies. And Dr. Michael Robinson, tropical biologist and former head of the national zoo, drops by the Minnesota Zoo for a kid-friendly arachnophile event ominously titled “Spiders!” 1-800-774-5020, www.culturefest.com