Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Main Museum Store, Ground Floor

They that go down to the sea in books can share the ocean's wonders with us all. Join award-winning journalist and educator Boyce Rensberger for lively discussions with ocean authors. Today, find out why scientists are interested in the delicate architecture that lies beneath a fish's scales when curator ... (more)Lynne Parenti and museum specialist Sandra Raredon discuss their book, Ichthyo: The Architecture of Fish. Book signing follows.

Celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin with Richard Milner’s multimedia extravaganza about his life and times. Written and performed by “the singing Darwinian scholar,” Milner’s entertaining and scientifically rich lyrics span an array of musical styles, from Broadway and Gilbert & Sullivan ... (more)to Tom Lehrer and the blues. The intellectual excitement of the 19th century is brought to exuberant life in this program, which also includes the Scopes Trial, a tribute to Stephen Jay Gould, and songs such as “When you Were a Tadpole (and I Was a Fish).” Milner is an associate in anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, contributing editor of Natural History magazine, and a fellow of the Linnean Society of London. His book Darwin’s Universe: Evolution from A to Z (University of California Press) features Darwin’s original discoveries and hundreds of neverbefore- seen illustrations from the history of science. It is available for signing after the program.

Alton Brown's flair in the kitchen developed early with guidance from his mother and grandmother. He used his budding culinary talent later "as a way to get dates" in college. Switching gears as an adult, he spent a decade working as a cinematographer and video director, but realized that he spent all ... (more)his time between shoots watching cooking shows, which he found dull and uninformative. Convinced that he could do better, Brown left the film business and moved to Vermont to train at the New England Culinary Institute. He tapped all of his training to create Good Eats, Food Network's prime-time hit. This year, Brown is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his show, as well as his new book. In an evening highlighted by clips from past episodes of Good Eats, Brown reveals his top 10 favorite moments from the early years. In addition, he discusses favorite recipes and more food puns, food trivia, and food jokes than you can shake a wooden spoon at. Good Eats: The Early Years (STC Publishing) is available for signing after the program.