Just Cause

A Just Cause: Voices of the American Civil War

Sept. 22, 2012–Jan. 7, 2013

Drawn entirely from The Huntington’s collections of manuscripts and printed materials, this exhibition examines the ways Northerners and Southerners viewed the rationale for the Civil War, which made it, in the words of one war veteran, “a battle of ideas interrupted by artillery.”

Drama after Dark: A Night of the Macabre with Poe and Gorey

EVENT FILLED

Oct. 20 (Saturday)

6:30–9:30 p.m.

Thrill to the tales of Edgar Allan Poe and Edward Gorey in an evening of chilling drama presented by the actors of the Guild of St. George. Haunting works will be enacted throughout the moonlit grounds, including “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and more. Ages 10 to adult. (May be too intense for younger children.) $40. Purchase tickets online or call 800-838-3006.

Tai Chi Series

Sept. 15–Oct. 27

(Saturdays) 9–10:30 a.m.

Discover the health and fitness benefits of tai chi in this seven-part series led by instructor Kathy Chyan. This outdoor class is suitable for beginning and intermediate students. Members: $150. Non-Members: $170. Registration: 626-405-2128.

Botanical Illustration Series: Orchids in Watercolor

Oct. 20, 27 & Nov. 3

(Saturdays) 9 a.m–3 p.m.

Learn to accurately portray the unique features of orchid flowers, foliage, and roots in this botanical watercolor series led by artist Lisa Pompelli. Students should bring a small potted orchid plant to each class. Prior drawing skills are strongly recommended. Members: $275. Non-Members: $295. Registration: 626-405-2128.

Orchid Show and Sale

Oct. 19–21
Fri.: noon–4:30 p.m.
Sat. & Sun.: 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Southland Orchid Show Committee will present its annual event featuring hundreds of exotic blooms in elaborate displays exhibited by local orchid societies and international growers. Vendors will have a wide range of orchid plants and related merchandise for sale. General admission. Botanical Center

Royals

Royals, Courtiers, and Confidants: Early English Portrait Drawings from The Huntington’s Art Collections
 

July 28 - Oct. 29, 2012
 

This focused exhibition on 16th- and 17th-century portrait drawings features pastel sketches, miniature graphite drawings, and pen and ink drawings by artists such as Peter Lely, William Faithorne, and Peter Oliver.

Strange and Fearful

A Strange and Fearful Interest: Death, Mourning, and Memory in the American Civil War

Oct. 13, 2012–Jan. 14, 2013

A major exhibition of more than 200 original photographs related to the Civil War that explores how images explained, reflected, and shaped a national fixation on death and mourning.

Alpine Skeletons

Alpine Skeletons: Marsden Hartley Silverpoint Drawings

Oct. 20, 2012–Jan. 7, 2013

In 21 rarely exhibited silverpoint drawings from The Huntington's collections, American artist Marsden Hartley rendered the immense Bavarian Alps with delicate lines, transforming them into wispy, airy abstractions he called “skeletons."