>> OK, Joyce Carol Oates really IS going to be at Politics and Prose tonight, where she'll read from and sign copies of her latest novel, The Gravedigger's Daughter. Get there well before the 7 p.m. start time to stake out a seat.

>> The Smithsonian Latino center presents From Mambo to Hip Hop: A Bronx Tale, a 55 minute documentary about how the South Bronx' Boricua community makes its own brand of music which the film describes as "culturally specific and universally appealing." The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Ripley Center lecture hall (the little domed building by the Smithsonian castle). Tickets will be distributed first-come-first-serve starting at 6:30 p.m.

>> The Washington Psychotronic Film Society presents Brian Trenchard-Smith's Escape 2000 (aka Turkey Shoot) combines 1980s shlock and libertarian distopian fantasies for the ultimate in nerdiness. The Government is putting anyone who's too smart or interesting in a special camp, where you'll either be retrained to go along or shot in an elaborate game of "Turkey Shoot." Plus a lot of gratuitous nudity! At Dr. Dremo's, $2 suggested donation, 8 p.m.

Photo by Eye Captain. Adam Bailey contributed.