Photo by Aardvark for FreedomMUSIC: A double bill of retro soul sounds at the Birchmere. James Hunter and Ryan Shaw will take you on an fantastic voyage in the wayback machine. $29.50, 7:30 p.m.
DANCE: The Mariinsky Ballet brings its production of Don Quixote to the Kennedy Center Opera House this week. Tonight at 7:30 p.m.; check the schedule for a full list of performances through Jan. 18. $47-$135.
MUSIC: Illinois (“indie/folk/two-step”), Drink Up Buttercup (“dub/grime/psychedelic”), and Oceanographer (“indie/shoegaze”) are all at DC9. $10, 9 p.m.
MUSIC: The excellent local organization Girls Rock DC! is having a benefit tonight at the Black Cat’s backstage. Support the camp that teaches girls how to rock with Equinox, Odd Girl Out, and Candy Coated Pain Pills. $8, 8 p.m.
HAPPY HOUR: Did you know there was a Museum of the American Cocktail? The organization is hosting a special lecture tonight at Rock Creek Restaurant at Mazza Gallerie called, “All Cocktails is Local – Presidential and Political Libations in American History.” For $35 in advance (more at the door), hear Derek Brown and Phil Greene of the Museum of the American Cocktail, bartender Nick Wineriter of Rock Creek, and Mount Vernon curator Dennis Pogue lead a discussion of cocktails throughout American history. Yes, drink samples and appetizers are included. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
