Charles Darwin: Live and in Concert (really!)

February 12, known to Americans as Lincoln's Birthday, is also the birthday of Charles Darwin and the anniversary of the first publication of Darwin's The Origin of Species.

In recent years fans of evolution, including humanists, have recognized this date as Darwin Day and (any excuse for a party) used it to celebrate science and humanity. Although I haven't witnessed it in person, my favorite sounding event is Richard Milner's one man musical Charles Darwin: Live and In Concert, which will be performed this year in New York, Washington DC , Seattle and other venues. I've heard a few songs and interviews, both of Milner and Milner-as-Darwin, and found them to be entertaining and educational, if a bit whimsical.

Listen to some silly evolution songs here, including some from the musical, and an interview with Richard Milner here (fast forward to 11 min. 47 sec). Visit the 2008 page on the Darwin Day website for a partial list of celebrations.

Charles Darwin would have been 199 on February 12, 2008. His seminal work, The Origin of Species, was published 149 years ago, in 1859.