Out and About: Weekend Picks
FRIDAY:
>> Our friends at the New Gay present their second Homo/Sonic co-ed dance party "for queer folk and their friends" at the Black Cat Backstage. The night will feature a mix of Brit-pop and indie rock with a spotlight on queer artists. $5, 9:30 p.m., 18 and over. RSVP for the event on Facebook.
>> Hemphill Fine Arts opens a new show by John Watson, Better now than they once was, in a temporary art space at 1341 H Street NE. Reception is 7 to 9 p.m. The temporary gallery will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November 1.
>> Three Stars alums Death By Sexy are at the Velvet Lounge with The Expotentials and The Chance. $8, 9 p.m.
Photo by Aardvark_For_Freedom
SATURDAY:
>> Cultural Tourism DC presents another of its wildly successful free walking tour weekends, with WalkingTown DC's fall 2008 edition. Check the schedule to pick out one of dozens of free walking tours on offer this Saturday and Sunday.
>> Don't forget to consult our film picks of the week, including a marathon screening of the 18-part Berlin Alexanderplatz series at the Goethe Institut. >> Much like the successful Yo! MTV Raps party last year, PUMA will be opening its Georgetown store (1237 Wisconsin Ave NW) up to hip-hop legends Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force and Kurtis Blow. Also scheduled to perform are Kokayi, Asheru, Wes Felton, (Three Stars alum) Flex >> Jane Franklin Dance presents a free performance of Breaking Ground, which combines round wall skate boarding with company dancers. 6:30 p.m. at Powhatan Springs Park in Arlington. >> The Child Ballads headline the Velvet Lounge with San Francisco folk-psych band Dame Satan, and Foreign Press, which features members of Three Stars alums The Caribbean and Plums. 9 p.m. doors (no price listed). >> The Washington International Arts Expo is holding its second annual event at the Convention Center this weekend. The Washington Project for the Arts and Eighty-Eight DC will host an art party to celebrate at 9 p.m. ($15). See the entire calendar of events here. >> Local Afrofunk band Chopteeth will release their self-titled debut album next week and will celebrate with a show at the Black Cat. Joining them will be Head-Roc, Farafina Kan, and DJ Nitekrawler. $15, 9 p.m. SUNDAY: >> The National Zoo is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Fiesta Musical, a free party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring live music, ballet folklorico performances and a selection of Latin American foods. >> One of the most influential music labels of the 20th Century, Stax Records put out more than its fair share of Southern soul. Recently reinvigorated, the imprint is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with Booker T & the MG's and Eddie Floyd. They'll be at the 9:30 Club. $40, 7 p.m. >> DCist Unbuckled alums Le Loup play one of their first local gigs in some time at Iota, opening for Benjy Feree. They'll be debuting a new sound and a changed line-up, performing for the first time as a six-piece after losing two members and gaining one new one. $10, 8:30 p.m. >> Fans of Persepolis may be intrigued to hear what rock 'n' roll fueled by the same rebellious spirit that inspired Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel/movie sounds like. Tehran's Hypernova had to come by their influences in secret, as well as record their debut record illegally. They'll play the Red and the Black with The Blue Line. $8, 9 p.m.
Mathews, and Emoni Fela with Grap Luva playing host. Free with RSVP (pumarsvp@pookieslounge.com), 9 p.m.