Ford’s Theatre has teamed up with the Smithsonian Resident Associates for an evening with Tony Award-winning actress Julie Harris.

Harris portrayed Frankie Adams in the 1952 film version of Carson McCullers’ “The Member of the Wedding,” which Ford’s is currently staging. She won a Donaldson Award for her role in the film, and has won five Tony Awards in her career.

“An Evening With Julie Harris” takes place at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Ford’s, 511 10th St. NW. For ticket information, call the Smithsonian Resident Associates at (202) 357-3030.

Ford’s production of “The Member of the Wedding” stars Lynda Gravatt in the role of Berenice Sadie Brown, portrayed by the late actress Ethel Waters in the film. Nathalie Nicole Paulding stars as young Frankie Adams, whom Harris portrayed in the film. Marshall Mason directs.

“The Member of the Wedding” is on stage at Ford’s through Feb. 27. For ticket information, call (202) 347-4833.

Museum Celebrates All Things Orchid

Forget roses and Valentine’s Day. It’s festival time at the National Museum of Natural History, and the orchid is the flower of celebration.

The Orchid Festival, sponsored by the Smithsonian’s Horticulture Services Division and the U.S. Botanic Garden, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and will feature a handful of activities and lectures.

Kicking off the schedule of events is a lecture by Tom Mirenda, a Smithsonian orchid grower, and Carol Allen, of the Botanic Garden. They will discuss orchid cultivation and also will answer questions about how to grow orchids at home.

Also lecturing throughout the day are Roddy Gabel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the impact of international trade on orchid conservation and Patricia Rain, the “Vanilla Queen,” who will outline the history of vanilla and how it is grown and used today.

Artist Angela Mirro will demonstrate her talent of painting orchids in oil during the festival and Vichai Malikul, a scientific illustrator who produces lifelike drawings of insects and flowers for the museum, also will be in attendance.

All events are free and open to the public. For specific times and locations, visit www.gardens.si.edu/orchidshow2005/festival/festival_2004.htm.

— Amanda Arcuri and Jennifer Lash