FRIDAY: >> Even though Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is an obvious choice for the movie-going crowd this weekend, the Avalon Theatre -- just north of the Potter madness at the Uptown -- is showing Talk to Me, the new biopic on the life of famed Washington, D.C., talk-show host and activist Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. 5:50 and 8:30 p.m. >> Unbuckled alumni The Vita Ruins celebrate the release of their... more ›

Though much of D.C.’s ever-diminishing Chinatown can now be found over in Rockville, a few stalwarts remain to pacify the tourist set with beef and broccoli, while delighting locals with more obscure fare. Eat First, along with Full Kee and Chinatown Express, is part of what we consider the trifecta of D.C.’s great Chinatown dining. The tiny vestibule that leads into the restaurant is festooned with all manner of coloful photocopies of local food media... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Seems like everyone's talking about the new nightlife options on H Street NE these days, thanks almost entirely to local bar Tsar Joe Englert. Englert's latest creation, Showbar Presents the Palace of Wonders (though we hear a lot people refering to it simply as the Freak Show Bar) has been open for a few weeks already to mixed buzz — the decor is cool, the drinks are standard, and the food is... more ›

About as close to celebrity-status as the District gets is when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt decide to buy a house here and Woody Harrelson spends a few days filming a few shots for an upcoming movie. That might soon change. Well, kind of. NBC 4 is reporting that the owners of the world famous Madame Tussauds wax museum are in talks with the District over the possibility of opening a museum in downtown D.C.... more ›

Lucky for you, someone's making things easier. Today and tomorrow at the Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue, MyTailor.com will be taking measurements for reasonably priced, custom made shirts that will make you look like a million, even if it's not in your account. Thanks to Tracie Rozhon in the Sunday New York Times Business Section, who confirmed in "The Thrifty Millionaire" that yes, custom tailoring reminiscent of the Hong Kong stopover is available for between $75 and $200 a shirt. Rozhon’s husband’s shirt was under $100. Not bad for French cuffs and 2-ply superfine custom made duds. We'd suggest you call rather than email for an appointment. more ›

>> The Washington D.C. Human Trafficking Meetup which tonight hosts freelance photographer Kay Chernush in the Langston Room at Busboys and Poets. Chernush will present photos she took while on assignment for the U.S. State Department in India, Thailand, Italy and Hong Kong in 2005 for their annual Trafficking in Persons Report which "serves as the primary diplomatic tool through which the U.S. Government encourages other countries to help fight forced labor, sexual exploitation, and... more ›

By DCist contributor Ari Charney more ›

All this month, the Kennedy Center is hosting the Festival of China, with a full schedule of concerts, exhibits, and other events. Although many do not really fall under the rubric of our Classical Music Agenda, we are leading off our suggestions for you with Chinese concerts. FESTIVAL OF CHINA: >> There are some interesting dance companies performing at the Kennedy Center this week, beginning with the National Ballet of China, in the Kennedy Center's... more ›

>> Proving once again that country legends, unlike most rock stars, actually can age well, Wanda Jackson (pictured right) makes an appearance on the Black Cat mainstage tonight, where she will no doubt trot out classic hits like "Big Iron Skillet" and "Let's Have A Party." But with over 50 albums worth of songs to choose from, including some backed up by the Oak Ridge Boys, let's hope she performs a few obscure numbers from her songbook. DCist is hoping for "Please Don't Sell My Daddy No Wine." With Rosie Flores. Doors at 9 p.m.; $18 adv., $20 at the door. more ›

Think you have to work on a tight deadline? Imagine how some of the filmmakers having premieres in D.C. felt last month. Tonight, the Warehouse Theater is showing the D.C. area films from the National Film Challenge. The challenge (a sister project to the D.C. based 48 Hour Film Challenge) was to write and complete a short film over the course of one weekend. Participating teams were only allowed to organize their equipment, crew, locations, and cast before 7 P.M. on October 1st. At 7 p.m., teams were e-mailed a randomly generated genre as well as three plot elements required in their short film. All creative elements for the films, including writing, editing, soundtracks and casting, had to take place over the weekend, with the finished product sent to the Challenge headquarters by Monday, Oct. 4. Tonight, the D.C. area filmmakers and their fans will get to see the results. more ›

From DCist contributor Rebecca Walters: more ›