Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents Two Performances By Airmen of Note in Celebration of “Telling Stories”

The Smithsonian American Art Museum will celebrate the opening of the exhibition, “Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg,” with two performances by Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. The 18-piece group, established in 1950 to carry on the style and tradition of the Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Dance Band, will perform American big-band classics from the 1940s, including favorites by Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. The concerts will take place Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard, and they are free and open to the public.

“Telling Stories” is the first major exhibition to explore in-depth the connections between Rockwell’s iconic images of American life and the movies. Two of America’s best-known modern filmmakers—Lucas and Spielberg—recognized a kindred spirit in Rockwell and formed significant collections of his work. The exhibition showcases 57 major Rockwell paintings and drawings from these private collections. The exhibition will remain on view through Jan. 2, 2011. The museum is the only venue for the exhibition.

“Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg” is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Booz Allen Hamilton has provided generous support as the corporate sponsor of the exhibition. The museum also gratefully acknowledges the contributions of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at Eighth and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Museum information:(202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.

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SI-254-2010