FRIDAY:

>> Girls Rock! opens tonight at the Avalon Theater. The film follows one session of the Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls, focusing on just a few of the girls as they learn how to be rockers from the likes of Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, in a film that is reported to be equal parts inspiring, invigorating, and tear-jerking. Tonight’s 8 p.m. screening also includes live music from Girl Loves Distortion, Blue Black Betty, and DJ Natty Boom. Read DCist Ian’s writeup here.

>> The Hirshhorn’s After Hours parties start up again tonight, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Music will be provided by DJ Solomon Sanchez, Hooliganship — the “neon-clad archangels of hyper-digitized cell phone music” who also provide an epileptic-seizure-inducing video “preview” of tomorrow’s show at the Hirshhorn’s website — and Lucky Dragon, who create music that seems to involve a lot of touching strangers. Check out painter Amy Sillman’s new show Third Person Singular while you’re there, as well as the ongoing Recent Acquisitions and Black Box exhibits. Advance tickets have sold out, but they still have a number of tickets available at the door, $12.

SATURDAY:

>> There are tons of Cherry Blossom Festival activities this weekend, but the most spectacular happens Saturday night during the fireworks show down at the Waterfront. The official web site tells us the best viewing places are East Potomac Park or Southwest Waterfront promenade, so get down there early to claim a spot, or to catch the three-hour musical prelude. Music start at 5 p.m., fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

>> If you missed out on Miami’s Winter Music Conference that went down last week, stop beating yourself up about it. Some of the conference’s D.C. participants are back with music to share. DJs Eurok, Stylus, and Sam “The Man” Burns, among others, will be working the turntables at the Warehouse Loft Studio (411 New York Ave NE, the alley entrance). Expect a little hip-hop, some souful house, and tunes you might never have heard before. $10, 9 p.m.

>> This is the last day of the Lida Moser retrospective at the Fraser Gallery. The incredibly succussful and prolific photographer shows off some of her best prints, from intimate portriats — a young Charles Mingus blurred as he aggressivly plays his bass — to urban scenes from New York’s street and skyscapes — the 1971 Construction, Exxon Building is as much fantastic architecture photo as it is storied photojournalism. Catch it while the gallery is open, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SUNDAY:

>> If you signed up for the Cherry Blossom Festival Ten Mile Run, take note that Metro will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday to accomodate everyone. Sign-ups are closed, but head on down anyway to watch the race and see the blossoms at sunrise. Race starts at 7:45 a.m.

>> Don’t forget to check out what’s going on this week as part of the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month. This Sunday is Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. Or head over to Bossa, as guitarist Leni Stern plays an 8:30 p.m. set and Rob Coltun‘s band, Improviso, performs a 10:30 p.m. set. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.

W Jacarl Melton contributed.

Photo by noahdevereaux

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