FRIDAY:
>> The Black Cat hosts a special Eighties Mayhem dance night tonight. $10 gets you in upstairs for all the music you’d expect from DJs Steve EP, Missguided, Killa K, and Krasty McNasty. 9 p.m.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest is one of this town’s best bargains. Tonight the concert series will feature a “D.C. Master Jam” with a band featuring pianist Wade Beach, a member of Three Stars alums The Jazz Update, drummer Bertell Knox, and others. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> The Corcoran College of Art + Design’s Printmaking Department’s annual portfolio show, You Won’t Believe Your Eyes, opens tonight at Civilian Art Projects. Reception is 7 to 9 p.m.
SATURDAY:
>> 9:30 Club hosts BLOWOFF, a late night dance party DJ’d by Bob Mould and Richard Morel. $12, 11:30 p.m. doors.
>> American University’s Katzen Arts Center holds a free artists’ reception for its six current exhibitions, including New Work by Elena Sisto and Site/Possession by William Christenberry. Two gallery talks will be held on Saturday as well, with a 4 p.m. talk on artist Roger Brown with Curator Sidney Lawrence, and a 5 p.m. discussion with artist Carlos Luna, led by Curator Jack Rasmussen. Reception runs 6 to 9 p.m.
>> Don’t forget to cheer on your favorite local barista at the Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition at the Washington Convention Center, alongside Coffee Fest, a coffee products-related tradeshow. The second preliminary round takes place from 9 a.m. to noon, with the final from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission to the competition is free; Coffee Fest is for trade only.
>> Check out our cinema picks for the weekend, featuring Smiles of a Summer Night at the AFI Silver and schedules for your chance to see Oscar nominated foreign and short films at National Geographic and Landmark’s E Street Cinemas.
SUNDAY:
>> The National Museum of Natural History opened its new exhibition, Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution, this weekend. Over 300 live butterflies have been let loose in the Pavilion area, and new species from all over the world will be introduced each week, so you can watch them “co-evolve” with all kinds of interesting plants right in front of your eyes. The general exhibit is free; Butterfly Pavilion tickets are $6 for adults.
>> The stories and travels of both Vinx and KUKU are extensive. Vinx’s transition from burn victim to Olympic-caliber athlete is fascinating, but so is the fact he’s worked extensively with Sting and Herbie Hancock. KUKU has had his share of life changes which have taken him from Nigeria to D.C., and from graphic designer to soul guitarist. They’ll both be performing at Bohemian Caverns. 6:30 p.m./8:30 p.m., $20.
>> “Harajuku Evening” is the Kennedy Center’s Japan! Culture + Hyperculture festival finale that celebrates the Tokyo neighborhood known for its music, style and fashion. The Kennedy Center urges attendees to “Immerse yourself in the latest trends in global street culture and music, including hip-hop, punk, robot DJs, Ura-Hara, Goth-Lolitas, and more.” Find out more for free at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Dressing up Harajaku-style is encouraged.
>> EXPOSURE is hosting a multi-venue (including the 9:30 Club, Rock and Roll Hotel, and DC9) all day series highlighting over 20 local alternative and punk bands. $15, 11 a.m. doors.
Photo by intemporelle
The listed events were chosen by the editors of DCist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla.
