Photo by Kevin H.

COMEDY: The Bentzen Ball, a four-day comedy festival presented by Brightest Young Things, officially kicks off tonight. The festival is loaded with stand-up at venues all over town, including HR-57, Studio Theatre, Bohemian Caverns, Lincoln Theatre and Ben’s Chili Bowl (where free impromptu stand-up sets are promised). Because there is so much going on, and so many names to mention, it’s best to look at the schedule and see what fits you best. Part of the proceeds will benefit Walter Reed. Also note: festival passes are sold out, but individual tickets for the biggest events can still be had in advance, or at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis for the smaller ones.

MUSIC: Blues Alley hosts legendary trumpeter Terence Blanchard for the start of a four-night stand tonight. Nightly 8 and 10 p.m. sets will run you $35 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

Coincidence it may be, but you can have your pick of arboreal rock tonight, with DC9 hosting Lost In The Trees ($8/$10, 9 p.m.), and the Velvet Lounge hosting Tall Tall Trees (9 p.m., $8).

And of course, there’s that sold-out Gaslight Anthem show at the 9:30 Club. Good luck to you all.

ART: The Phillips Collection opens a new exhibit today called Icarus, a large-scale sculpture by Barbara Liotta made of strings suspended from the ceiling. The gallery is open until 8:30 p.m. tonight, and admission is, as always, $12.

Or stop by Long View Gallery’s housewarming tonight as it celebrates moving to its new location, which we previewed for you yesterday. The new space is located at 1234 9th St. NW, and tonight’s party will feature art by Dana Ellyn, Anna Davis, and Tony Savoie. E-mail info(at)longviewgallery.com to RSVP. 6:30 p.m.

THEATER: I got to see Lost in Yonkers at the DCJCC last night, and really enjoyed it. Tonight is their last night of a pay-what-you-can performance: curtain is at 7:30 p.m., and tickets can only be obtained at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.