MONDAY >> Were you out of town this weekend, wishing you were home soaking in the goodness that was the DAM! Festival? Fear not. Tonight there is one more show, and it happens to be the festival's biggest. The chanteuse to give all other indie chanteuses a run for their money, Cat Power, is taking the 9:30 Club stage with the Dirty Delta Blues, and a little help from openers Childballads. $25 or your... more ›

>> Sheffield's The Long Blondes, often called a female-fronted version of the Arctic Monkeys, are at Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with Nicole Atkins and the Sea and Five Four. $12, 8 p.m. more ›

FRIDAY: >> We told you all about the Buzzlife White Party at Five yesterday, so follow the link for more details. >> ArtOutlet presents its first ever Flash animation film festival, called Flick, at Warehouse. Tim Bracken opens the event with an alt-country set at 7 p.m., with screenings from selected artists beginning at 8. $5 suggested donation, also Saturday. SATURDAY: >> Like we mentioned in this week's music agenda, the artwork of Mingering Mike,... more ›

After the whirlwind of April arts events, May looks to be a little quieter, perhaps even serene at times. Though if you're looking for a party, we've got the info for this week's Artomatic events, which is only just past its halfway point. >> Ever dream of being one of those madly rich people with original Van Goghs or Kandinskys in your climate controlled, wood paneled library (in the east wing)? Bring your envious eyes... more ›

DCist will be at the Hirshhorn Museum and Scultpure Garden this Thurs. night at 7 p.m. (book signing starts at 6 p.m.) to hear celebrated Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto give an artist lecture about his new exhibition at the Museum, a retrospective of his 30-year career, which opens the same day. Sugimoto is well known for his attempts to convey a sense of time in his still photography, like in his Theatre series (5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, 1997 is shown at right), where the artist photographs an entire motion picture until all that's left is an eerie glow that shows the elapsed time of the film. more ›

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DCist sources at this evening's book signing and reading by Jessica Cutler, aka Washingtonienne, tell us that the infamous Capitol Hill harlot-turned-author was served with papers at Olsson's bookstore on Seventh Street downtown. Yes indeed. Someone apparently representing Robert Steinbuch, the Judiciary Committee counsel for Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine (R), served Ms. Cutler with papers relating to Mr. Steinbuch's lawsuit which charges Cutler with invasion of privacy and emotional distress. Apparently, Steinbuch is R.S., who... more ›

Pardon us for shamelessly plugging the book of this DCist's childhood friend and college newspaper colleague, David Enders. The only real connection to D.C. that we know of is that Enders wrote portions of "Baghdad Bulletin" from the basement of our old place in Glover Park while on hiatus from the Mideast. But in Washington, there is certainly interest in Iraq policy, so we encourage you to come out Wednesday for Enders' 7 p.m. book signing at Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Ave. more ›

>> As reported by DC Art News, two new galleries have joined the D.C. arts scene. Emma Mae Gallery, founded by Sandra Butler-Truesdale, has opened at 1515 U St. NW. JET Artworks opens Friday in Elizabeth Roberts' old space at 2108 R St. NW. The gallery's inaugural exhibition features the work of Conor McGrady, Greg Murr, Gregory Euclide, Michel Tsouris and Ken Bucklew. more ›

(Compiled by Cyndi Spain) more ›

We think everyone has caught on to our love for Jon Stewart’s irreverence here at DCist. We admit it, we have a crush. So, as we wipe the drool from our keyboards, we have an obligation to declare tomorrow a perfect day to play hookie from the office. Why? To catch the 1 p.m. Jon Stewart and Ben Karlin book signing at Politics and Prose, silly. more ›

Looking to meet some of your favorite authors, NBA stars, or characters from your favorite PBS kid's shows this weekend? The Library of Congress and first lady (and former librarian) Laura Bush bring the 2004 National Book Festival to the Mall on Saturday. Now in its fourth year, the festival features more than 70 writers from across the literary spectrum. Notables appearing include R.L. Stine, E.L. Konigsburg, Joyce Carol Oates, Clive Cussler, Azar Nafisi, Anna Quindlen, Neal Gaiman, and Ted Kooser. more ›

General Tommy Franks, former commander of U.S. Central Command, will be promoting his new book, "American Soldier," in the District next week. more ›