The Springfield Museums’ monthly tour and lecture schedule continues in February with the popular Museums à la Carte lectures, which take place on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is $4 ($2 for members of the Springfield Museums); visitors are invited to bring a bag lunch (cookies and coffee are provided). For more information about Museums à la Carte, call 413-263-6800, ext. 488. This month’s lectures are:
February 2 – Turtle Power! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Samurai Heroes. Curator of Art Julia Courtney and curatorial assistant Maggie North discuss the special exhibition currently on view in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, which compares and contrasts the modern-day ninja represented by the popular TMNT comic series with those from the time of the Japanese samurai (1185-1867).
February 9 – Anne Sullivan’s Massachusetts, 1870-1920: Disability, Poverty, Economic Independence, and Advocacy. Laurie Block, director of the Disability History Museum and Project Director of Becoming Helen Keller, details the life of the teacher who changed our definition of the public good and the obligations and responsibilities of citizens to the community at large
February 16 – A Life in Opera: Celebrating the Trailblazing Talents of Leontyne Price. Springfield Symphony Orchestra Music Director Kevin Rhodes and soprano Ms. Othalie Graham celebrate the American singer who honed her craft during the Civil Rights Movement and became one of the world’s most sought-after sopranos.
As an added feature, museum docents will be leading guided gallery discussions titled “Continuing Conversations” following lectures on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (Museums members only). February’s “Conversation” will take place on February 9 in Blake Court at D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts with docent Peggy Perry. There is no lecture on February 23.
On Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m., the Springfield Science Museum’s large rooftop telescope will once again be open for public sky gazing for the monthly “Stars Over Springfield” observatory program. These programs are organized by the Museum and the Springfield Stars Club, and take place on the first Friday of each month. The featured talk on February 3 is by Science Museum planetarium educator Jack Megas, who will present “Splendors of the Winter Nighttime Sky.” Stars Over Springfield programs are best suited for families with children ages 8 and older, however younger children are also welcome. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children 17 and under. These programs are held rain or shine. If it is cloudy, a planetarium show will be presented in place of telescope viewing.