April at the National Portrait Gallery Includes HUJE JAM and More

Below are April's events at the National Portrait Gallery. For more information, visit their website.

HUJE JAM

Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.

The Howard University Jazz Ensemble kicks off the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month with a special concert at the National Portrait Gallery.

Featured Programs

Curator's Tour: Portraiture Now: Staging the Self I Friday, April 3, noon

Portraiture Now: Staging the Selffeatures six contemporary U.S. Latino artists who use portraiture as an evolving map for discovering oneself and others. Portrait Gallery curator Taina Caragol leads a conversation through this special exhibition (first floor, south). This tour is free and open to the public.

Pop Quiz: New Faces I Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.

This month's Pop Quiz trivia night will highlight some of the recent acquisitions to the National Portrait Gallery's collection, including Ted Turner, Gary Cooper and Maya Angelou. Pop Quiz can be played individually or in teams of up to six; no advance registration is required. Food and beverages will be available for purchase in the Courtyard Café.

In Her Own Light: Liz Rideal on Elaine de Kooning I Friday, April 17, noon

Liz Rideal, art resource developer at the National Portrait Gallery, London, and author of the new book How to Read Art(Universe, 2015) leads a tour of the special exhibition Elaine de Kooning: Portraits. Meet at the exhibition entrance, second floor.

"Building Bridges" Family Day with Ivymount School I Saturday, April 18, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come enjoy a bridge-themed family day collaborative partnership between the National Portrait Gallery and Ivymount School in Rockville. This special day includes an exhibition of work by Ivymount Middle School students, musical performances by Sean Lane and Bay Jazz Project and hands-on art activities for all ages. Portrait Discovery Kits will be available in the Kogod Courtyard during this time, but must be returned by 2:55 p.m. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Interview: Bob Colacello I Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.

An intimate member of Andy Warhol's social scene and editor of Warhol's Interview magazine, Bob Colacello is the author of Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up (Vintage; reprinted 2014). National Portrait Gallery curator Asma Naeem explores the museum's collection of Warhol works and Colacello's collection of stories onstage with the author.

No tickets or reservations required. Doors open at 6 p.m.; seating is first come, first served.

Family Programs

Portrait Story Days: Walt Whitman ISaturday, April 4, 1 to 4 p.m.

Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about the poet Walt Whitman and participate in a hands-on activity during National Poetry Month. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Portrait Story Days: Duke Ellington ISaturday, April 11, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, April 12, 2 to 5 p.m.

Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about jazz musician Duke Ellington and participate in a hands-on activity during the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Young Portrait Explorers: Duke Ellington I Monday, April 13, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Toddlers up to age five and their adult companions are invited to become a Young Portrait Explorer and to discover the National Portrait Gallery through history and art. The activities include looking at a portrait or two, listening to a story, and participating in a hands-on activity. Registration required. Register at http://www.eventbrite.com/org/810710525. Class size is limited to 25 participants; parents and guardians must remain with their children. The program will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Portrait Story Days: Langston Hughes I Sunday, April 19, 2 to 5 p.m.

Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about poet Langston Hughes and create a hands-on activity during National Poetry Month. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Portrait Story Days: Ella Fitzgerald ISaturday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, April 26, 2 to 5 p.m.

Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and participate in a hands-on activity utilizing materials of the educator's choice during the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Open Studio Fridays I Fridays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 1 to 4 p.m.

The museum's Education Center is open Friday afternoons for some creative fun. Different art materials are available each week. Portrait Discovery Kits are also available and lead young visitors to explore the museum.

Portrait Discovery Kits I Saturdays,April 4, 11, 25, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sundays,April 12, 19, 26, 2 to 5 p.m.

Portrait Discovery Kits are an interactive and imaginative way for visitors to learn more about people who are in the National Portrait Gallery and their contributions to American history. The kits offer a self-guided tour, "Seek and Find" cards, "Portrait Detective" and "Historian Guides" and a "Compare and Contrast" activity using a doll. Visitors can check out kits just outside of the National Portrait Gallery's Education Center, room E151 on the first floor. Kits must be returned prior to 4 p.m.Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays. This program is sponsored in part by the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.

Photo Credit: Jazz by William Sharp, color lithograph, c. 1960, gift of Ruth Sharp; National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.