FRIDAY:
>> The National Press Club is hosting a charity event tonight featuring an impressive list of local journalists doing … standup comedy. This could either be awful or amazing. Among the journos taking the mic: Conde Nast’s Matt Cooper, Mother Jones’ David Corn, Newsweek’s Mark Hosenball, Bloomberg’s Scott Lanman, Anna Mulrine of US News and World Report, The Washington Post’s Delphine Schrank, WUSA’s Mike Walter, UPI’s Shaun Waterman, and McClatchy’s Nancy Youssef. Proceeds go to Reporters Without Borders and the Eric Friedheim Memorial Library. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Pre-show reception starts at 7 p.m., with comedy at 8.
>> Busboys & Poets on 14th Street hosts author and journalist Clay Risen, who will discuss and sign copies of his new book, A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination. Risen will also interview a panel of speakers who will share first hand accounts of their experiences during the ’68 riots. Among the panelists will be Paul Deverouax, the architect behind the Reeves Center. 6 p.m., free.
>> Zhang Yimou’s superb 2002 martial arts film Hero screens for free tonight at 7 p.m. at the Library of Congress’ Mary Pickford Theater. Free. Call (202) 707-5677 to reserve a seat.
>> Also at the Library of Congress, in the Coolidge Auditorium, there’s a classical concert by the Dominant Quartet. Making their debut in North American, this group of Russian women from Moscow will play quartets by Haydn, Beethoven, and Vainberg. Free, but tickets are required: get in the stand-by line at 6:30 p.m.
>> Vocalist Monday Michiru is the daughter of legendary jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, and one of few contemporary performers who manages to blend jazz and R&B without succumbing to the blandness one normally associates with smooth jazz. She’s at Bohemian Caverns tonight and Saturday in support of her new release, Nexus. Tickets to the 8 and 11 p.m. sets are $22.50.
>> A trio of local acts are playing at Comet Ping Pong tonight, including Blues Control, The Cheniers, and Protect-U. 9 p.m.
>> We’re admittedly excited about the prospect of tonight’s No Scrubs vs. Oops … I Did It Again dance night at the Black Cat. Alternating ’90s and ’00s dance classics is just what the doctor ordered to shake off the work week and get this weekend started right. $10, 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY:
>> The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The route travels along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets NW, and runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Mind the street closures associated with the parade. Afterword, head to the Sakura Matsuri Street Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue between 12th and 14th Streets NW, which will feature a Kirin beer garden, martial arts demonstrations and traditional crafts.
>> Check out our film picks of the week, including Fire in the East, a short documentary about the life and work of photographer and filmmaker Robert Frank, in conjunction with the National Gallery‘s Looking In: Robert Frank’s “The Americans” exhibition. 12:30 p.m. in the East Building Concourse Auditorium. Free.
>> The Marvin Gaye Music Festival is happening from 2 to 8 p.m. at Marvin Gaye Park, including the unveiling of a Deanwood heritage trail and Motown-themed performances from a variety of artists, including plenty of Marvin Gaye songs, natch. Free.
>> The Nationals’ annual pre-season series against the Orioles comes to Nationals Park tonight, and plenty of tickets are still available. Get a sneak peak at some of the changes to the ballpark, now in its second year. 6:05 p.m.
>> Conner Contemporary gallery celebrates their 10th anniversary with concurrent solo exhibitions of new work by three gallery artists: Erik Thor Sandberg, Dean Kessmann and Isaac Maiselman. Toast to the decade of success at the opening reception, 6 to 8 p.m.
>> The National Symphony Orchestra and organist Dennis James will perform the score for Buster Keaton’s classic silent film The General during a complete screening in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets: $20 to $65. 8 p.m.
>> Mates of State and the Black Kids are sold out at the 9:30 Club, but try Craig. 8 p.m.
>> Definitely one of the hottest tickets of the weekend is the Yuri’s Night party at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, just one event that’s part of a worldwide celebration of man’s first foray into space. Local favorites Middle Distance Runner and DJ Scientific are set to perform. 8 p.m., $10 advance, $20 at the door. Sci-fi attire is encouraged.
>> DJ Nitekrawler‘s monthly “Moneytown” party is back at Dahlak (1771 U Street NW) with guest DJ Jared Boxx out of New York. Free, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY:
>> The Washington National Cathedral choir will perform their traditional Palm Sunday concert of Bach’s St. John Passion at 4 p.m. Tickets: $20-$80.
