FRIDAY:
>> At 11 a.m. today or noon tomorrow, grab the kids and a box or twelve of tissues and head down to the National Archives for a screening of An American Tail. Part of their celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, they’re sharing the story of Fivel and his cheese-paved streets with the next generation. We can only assume they’ll watch it over and over like we did, each time hoping Fivel doesn’t go running after that damn hat.
>> The American Chamber Players return to their home venue tonight, for a free concert at the Library of Congress. The group, founded in 1985 by violist Miles Hoffman (whom you may recognize as an NPR personality), first gave concerts in residence at the Library. Even if you do not have a ticket reserved in advance through Ticketmaster, you can stand on line to claim an unused seat. The Coolidge Auditorium is in the Jefferson Building, First St. and Independence Ave. SE, and you should enter through the doors at ground level, under the grand staircase. Free, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY:
>> Whether you’re part of DCist’s team or you’re doing good all on your own, don’t forget to come out and lend a hand for Servathon 2007.
>> For your Kentucky Derby viewing pleasure, we’d recommend heading over to one of Bourbon‘s two locations in Adams Morgan and Glover Park. Starting around 4 p.m., they’ll be serving up special mint juleps made with mint-steeped bourbon, hors d’oeuvres, and racing forms. The first 40 customers at each location also get bourbon-themed gift bags.
>> The fashionable cool kids you love to pretend to hate over at Brightest Young Things are throwing a party to celebrate their “Relaunch” into something that resembles more of a magazine (rather than a reposit for party photos, though we have a hard time imagining they’ll do away with those altogether). It’s a huge “Awesome Cover Songs Only” concert at Rock and Roll Hotel, including a huge roster of top local bands (who will play just a few songs each) like Georgie James, The Hard Tomorrows, These United States, Middle Distance Runner, Let’s French and many more. They’re promising covers ranging from Kenny Loggins to Pulp to Billy Idol to Britney Spears. Free before 9 p.m., $10 thereafter, with pretty good drink specials all night ($2 PBR, $3 rail, $4 Sparks).
>> We gave you the rundown on Free Comic Book Day yesterday, so don’t forget to take advantage of D.C.’s excellent local comic book stores.
>> Two words: Space Day.
>> Somewhere along the way, Cinco de Mayo became one St. Patrick’s Day 2.0, but you can catch a traditional Cinco de Mayo Festival on the National Mall, featuring the Manu Montero Dance Company, performing authentic Ballet Folklorico before being caught up in a horde of bar-goers doing tequila shots.
>> As if good deeds and horsies and faux-Mexican pride and fashionistas and free comics and outer freakin’ space weren’t enough to keep you busy, The Black Cat’s pulled together one heck of a local lineup on the mainstage. Le Loup is giving Georgie James a run for their money in the picking-up-buzz-at-a-ridiculous-rate arena. Give their extremely well-done recordings a listen and you’ll begin to see why. The seven piece that we lovingly think of as D.C.’s answer to Arcade Fire opens up for two old friends of DCist’s, Jukebox the Ghost and Exit Clov. $10, 9 p.m.
SUNDAY:
>> Join the lucky winner of our ticket giveaway contest and have a lovely evening at the 9:30 Club with Fields and Blonde Redhead. Or, do as This Week in Jazz told you and check out The Bad Plus in College Park.
>> Today’s your last chance to see Coriolanus at The Kennedy Center, which DCist Missy gave her seal of approval. 1:30 p.m., $61 – $70.
Amanda Mattos and Charles Downey contributed to this week’s picks
