Photo by cacophony76

HAPPY HOUR: Today is Belgium’s Independence Day. Belga Cafe (514 8th Street SE) is celebrating by offering half-priced drafts all day until 10:30 p.m., and after 10:30, enjoy a DJ and beers on the house at their annual party (with a suggested $10 donation to a local children’s charity).

MUSIC: Diane Birch has been gaining fans on the strength of her debut LP, Bible Belt, with her sunny ’70s-inspired singer-songwriter pop with a hint of soul. Birch is playing tonight at Iota. $10, 8:30 p.m.

LECTURE: The National Portrait Gallery hosts a free talk tonight with Joyce Hill Stoner, paintings conservator and director of the University of Delaware Preservation Studies Doctoral Program. She’ll discuss potential collaborations between artists and conservators, leaning on her experience with Andrew Wyeth and his son, Jamie Wyeth. 6 p.m.

DESIGN: Enter to win a $500 grand prize in condo developer Solea’s Live-Work space design contest, at a special party tonight hosted by the Pink Line Project. Also on hand at the event: free sno-cones, happy hour-priced drinks, plus carnival-style games including a ring toss, and, so we’re told, Skeeball. At Solea (1405 Florida Avenue NW) from 6-8 p.m.

THEATER: Looking for a laugh? Consider booking a $20 standing-room only ticket to Woolly Mammoth’s presidential farce, Barack Stars, which our critic thought was very funny, if a bit self-congratulatory. 8 p.m.