Photo by Mr. T in DC

ART: The Phillips Collection hosts Phillips After 5 tonight from 5 – 8:30 p.m. Tonight’s special event is a preview of Round House Theatre’s upcoming play, Permanent Collection, about a museum director engaged in a racially charged battle over the display of African sculptures (6:30 p.m.), along with a jazz performance and tours of the Man Ray, African Arts and the Modernist Lens exhibit, which closes this Sunday. Included with $12 museum admission.

JAZZ: Vocalist/pianist Mose Allison, a regular performer at Blues Alley, returns to the club on Thursday to begin a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

MUSIC: The monthly “Cakes and Kisses” party returns at Asylum, this time with a freestyle battle pitting the members of Rosetta Stoned against both Hipnosis & Nate Greyski and Pro’Verb & Mo Betta. Free, 9 p.m.

READING: Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, will be at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue to discuss her new book, Committed, at 7 p.m. The $30 ticket price includes a copy of the book. Call Politics and Prose at 202-364-1919 for tickets.