FRIDAY:
>> Seems like it’s an unofficial Film Noir Week all over town. The National Film Registry is rolling out all their classic Noir prints at the Library of Congress’ Mary Pickford Theater — we’d recommend the chance to catch a free screening of Blake Edwards’ 1967 feature film version of the classic television detective, Gunn, at 7 p.m., preceded by a 30-minute episode of the show it’s based on, ABC’s Peter Gunn, from 1959 (sadly, not one of the episodes directed by the recently-deceased Robert Altman). Gunn, of course, is the coolest, smoothest, jazz-loving Los Angeles-based private dick ever imagined. Plus the soundtrack, courtesy Henry Mancini, is absolutely one of the greatest TV-themes of all time.
For more Noir-y goodness, head over to the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, where they’re hosting their own Film Noir series, starting tonight through Dec. 14. You can’t go wrong with The Postman Always Rings Twice, Lana Turner’s delicious turn as a hateful, plotting wife bent on murder. 9:10 p.m., also Monday in a double feature with Casablanca.
>> Or if you’re in a mood to rock out, head over to Black Cat to catch the First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Wanda Jackson, who really blew the lid off the place when she stopped by in summer of 2005. With the Lustre Kings, $20, 9 p.m.
SATURDAY:
>> Want to wish Fenty a happy birthday in person and absorb some local history and culture along the way? Then we recommend attending the opening ceremony of the Mount Pleasant Heritage Trail at 11:30 a.m. today. Fenty will be joining Jim Graham for the public opening of “Village in the City: Mount Pleasant Heritage Trail.” The trail features everything from the area’s first bodega to markers about historical local music. And even better — there’ll be lots of free drinks, snacks and discounts at local businesses along the way. The event gets started at Lamont and Mount Pleasant streets, NW. You can read more about the trail here.
>> If you’d like to make this a socially-conscious Christmas, why not hit up the District of Ladies’ Cheap Art Sale tonight? The collective is having an art sale where all pieces will be sold for under $100, with 50% of proceeds going to Hermanas Unidas, an empowerment program for Latina survivors of domestic violence. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., La Casa Community Center, 3166 Mt. Pleasant St NW.
>> Protecting “school hallways from shitty music” is an important duty, and one the Hall Monitors, a bluesy garage rock band from the District, seem more than happy to take care of. We called them “one of the most promising garage/R&B acts we’ve heard in a while” back in the Weekly Music Agenda, and that still stands. Check out some of their songs over here, then head to the Velvet Lounge to catch them at 9 p.m.
SUNDAY:
>> Seeing a GWAR concert is just one of those life experiences you really ought to have at least once. So bring a poncho and some moist toilettes and get ready to rock. At 9:30 Club, $18.
