If you’re sitting at your desk at work, a little bored and waiting for the weekend, we recommend surfing on over to the washingtonpost.com MP3 page, where in honor of their 4th birthday, they’ve picked out their top 20 downloads of the year. Otherwise, check out our suggestions for weekend fun below.
>> Vienna, Va. duo the Brindley Brothers, who also own local coffee house Jammin’ Java, bring their catchy hooks and layered harmonies to JJ tonight. 8 p.m., $10.
>> If you don’t mind making a bit o’ a drive, you should head up to Fletcher’s in Baltimore to check out The Bravery, who’s playing with our personal favorite, the adorably poppy Karmella’s Game.
SATURDAY:
>> Want to be a little more adventurous? Head on over to the Washington Convention Center for the Adventures in Travel Expo, where over 500 exhibitors and 70 seminars will help you research your next vacation. Interactive events include a zipwire and a rock-climbing wall. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $15.
>> We know many of you are distraught at the thought of not being able to gaze deep into Conor Oberst’s soulful eyes tonight at the sold-out Bright Eyes show. To console yourself, give a listen to this NPR chat with the 24 year-old crooner. Also, an astute reader tipped us off to the fact that the entire 9:30 Club show will be broadcast live on NPR on Saturday, starting at 9:30 p.m. The recording will be archived so you can listen to it later.
>> Since the Virginia Tech Hokies are this DCist’s sworn enemies for life (wahoowa!) it pains us to list this event, but given that it’s sponsored by Hard Times Cafe, purveyors of some of the best chili around, we figured we should drop our partisan differences and try to unite the community in the spirit of delicious food. Sigh. So: The Northern Virginia chapter of Tech alumni is hosting the Hokie Alum Chilifest at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria — but you don’t have to be a Hokie to attend. There’ll be DJs, tickets to Washington Wizards and DC United games and restaurant gift certificates, and more. 7 p.m., $35, $25 for designated drivers.
SUNDAY:
>> The Gerard ter Borch exhibit at the National Gallery of Art closes. We went a few weeks back to see the paintings and portraits of the Dutch artist — some who say is an equal to Vermeer — and thoroughly enjoyed it.
>> The Tommy Parlon Dance Projects, a group of modern dancers, performs at Dance Place. 4 p.m., $6-18.
>> Oh yeah, we hear there’s this Canadian band playing at the 9:30 Club. But we can’t remember their name. We hear the show is sold out, though.
