Photo by furcafe

FRIDAY:

It’s Howard Homecoming weekend, which means there are a thousand affiliated parties, concerts and special events all over town. Tonight, we’re recommending Toronto-born rapper/actor Drake, who performs at Love along with another rapper you may have heard of: D.C.’s own Wale. $30-$200, 8 p.m.

Surely the biggest comedy festival ever to hit the nation’s capital, over 60 comics are in D.C. this weekend for the Bentzen Ball, presented by our friends over at Brightest Young Things. Tickets for most shows are available for $15 at the door, on first-come first-served basis, but you ought to buy your tickets to the big Sarah Silverman finale on Sunday in advance (and read our interview with Silverman). There’s a lot packed into this festival, so be sure to consult the full schedule.

Pianist Eric Lewis is one of the most energetic performers you’ll ever see, and is opening a whole new audience to jazz by putting contemporary alt-rock and pop into a jazz context. He’s returning to HR-57 tonight, but get there early because his shows are always packed. 9:30 p.m to 1 a.m. $20

Make a special trip to the National Portrait Gallery this weekend to check out the winners of the once-every-three-year contest, the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Winners are on display starting today.

Check out our preview of the 6th Annual Fall Festival of Indian Arts and catch a show tonight or Saturday.

Violinist James Stern, a University of Maryland music faculty member, will perform all six of J. S. Bach’s unaccompanied works for solo violin in a free concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Clarice Smith Center.

Tim George is on record as being one of DCist’s favorite local guitarists. Formerly of the Black & White Jacksons, he’s now a member of Dizzy Spells, who are part of a kick ass lineup at the Velvet Lounge tonight, along with D.C.’s Laughing Man and a couple out-of-towners, Brass Bed and Midnight Spin. $8, 10 p.m.