Photo by alliecarroll

MUSIC: The Velvet Lounge will host a guitar trio double bill tonight, featuring two bands composed of members from Fugazi, The Thievery Corporation, and Sonic Suicide Squad, among others. One of the trios, Private Language Argument, also features Chris Haskett of The Rollins Band; 9 p.m., 18+, $8.

The Black Cat is once again celebrating longtime bartender Chad America’s birthday tonight with their annual Chad America’s Birthday Bash, featuring: The Electricutions, Pessimist Parade, and Suns of Gun for free at 9 p.m. Backstage.

READING: Busboys and Poets (14th and V NW) hosts an author event tonight with Marjorie Cohn. Cohn will discuss and sign Rules of Disengagement: The Politics and Honor of Military Dissent, which “takes readers into the courtroom where sailors, soldiers, and Marines have argued that [the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq] are illegal under international law and unconstitutional under U.S. law.” Free, 6:30 p.m.

SPORTS: The Nationals play the Florida Marlins tonight at 7:05 p.m., $10+

FILM: See Séraphine, a film which won seven Césars (French Oscars) including Best Film, Best Actress and Best Cinematography, tonight at the Bethesda Row Cinema at either 7:10 or 9:55 p.m. The film tells the story of an artist and the relationship she develops with an art dealer as she transforms herself from from a humble servant to a gifted, self-taught painter whose brilliantly colorful canvases reside in some of the most famous galleries in the world.