MUSIC: Celebrate the release of their debut LP with alt-country local faves These United States at Iota in Arlington. $10, 8:30 p.m.

READING: Brookings Institution scholar E.J. Dionne is at Politics and Prose tonight to read from and sign copies of his new book, Souled Out, which examines the intersection of politics and religion. 7 p.m.

OPERA: Perhaps you’ve seen the YouTube video of the episode of Britain’s Got Talent (the UK version of American Idol) featuring Welsh cell phone salesman Paul Potts singing the aria Nessun dorma, where he totally blew the judges away. Potts has since launched a professional singing careers, and has a recital tonight at Lisner Auditorium at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available for $42.50.

CLASSICAL: The closest thing the classical violin has to a rock star, Joshua Bell, performs tonight at the Kennedy Center, with Jeremy Denk accompanying him on the piano. The show is sold out, but it’s worth calling the box office, 202-467-4600, to check for last-minute cancellations.

SPORTS: The Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins tonight at the Verizon Center. Game starts at 7 p.m., and tickets as cheap as $10 can still be had in person at the box office, or by calling 202-628-3200.

Photo by Pianoman75

The listed events were chosen by the editors of DCist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla.