Photo by dmclici

ART: During the month of August, the Phillps Collection hosts its After 5 party every Thursday night from 5 – 8:30 p.m. Tonight you’ll find peach sangria, beer tasting, a screening of the French film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, a gallery talk on Blitzkrieg Shock: Postwar Trauma’s Effect on Painting, and music from DJ Danny Harris of Fatback DC. Free with your $12 museum admission.

MOVIE: As part of the Asia Trash! series at the Freer Gallery, catch a screening of Tears of the Black Tiger at 7 p.m. for free (though make sure to reserve a ticket). Director Wisit Sasanatieng’s Thai cult film is a parody of the American Western.

Velvet Lounge is getting into the increasingly popular bar movie night with a screening of So Yearn, a never-been-seen outside of YouTube film by Chis Habib, with a soundtrack by F.O.O.T. (Thurston Moore, Don Fleming, and former WHFS DJ Jim Dunbar.) Habib’s film is a ten-year project shot on 8 mm film which shows him take on, “Paris, New Orleans, cemeteries, kooky street scenes, skaters, Sonic Youth off-the-clock, and various other poetic and intimate weirdnesses.” For showtimes, call 202-462-3213.

LECTURE: If you can head out of work early today, catch Howard Dean at Politics and Prose at 4 p.m. Dean will discuss and sign copies of his book, Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform, gleaned from his expertise as a doctor, former governor, and DNC Chairman.

Or at 6 p.m head to the K Street Busboys and Poets for a panel discussion on “The Death of the Date.” Panelists, including Janks Morton, director of the film What Black Men Think, and a couple of local relationship therapists, will discuss the question: “Is the date dead or have the rules simply changed?” NB: Early promotional materials made it seem like reality TV star Omarosa was also appearing on the panel, but in fact she’s just an “invited guest,” so she may or may not be there.

MUSIC: Hot jazz bassist Cheikh Ndoye is playing at 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley with his band, Siguil. Tickets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.