Photo by army.arch

MOVIES: Dress up in your finest housecoats and fishing vests, it’s time for Dude Fest, the annual celebration of The Big Lebowski, at the Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington). Doors open at 7 p.m., with themed music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to be there by 8:40 p.m. for trivia, bowling, and the Best Costume Awards. And last but not least, the feature presentation, a showing of the The Big Lebowski, begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 plus a $0.45 convenience fee if you buy them online, or you can buy them at the door.

The Maryland Film Festival begins tonight with “Opening Night Shorts” at the MICA Brown Center’s Falvey Hall. Tickets to the kick-off are $50.

ARTS: It’s the second to last night to catch 5 Years, 5000 Images, a special anniversary show from local arts non-profit Critical Exposure at the Edison Place Gallery (702 8th Street NW). Free, 6-8 p.m.

HAPPY HOURS: What are two free beers worth to you? Sign up here to be added to the What’s the Deal and H Street Country Club’s mailing lists and receive two free beers at a happy hour at the H Street Country Club (1335 H Street NE) from 6-8 p.m. tonight.

MUSIC: The ukulele-playing Julia Nunes performs with indie folk rocker Jessica Louise Dye at DC9. 8 p.m., $15.

It’s folksy at the Black Cat Backstage too, with Horse Feathers and Lay Low. 9 p.m., $10.

Catch the Crash Ensemble at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (2700 F St. NW) for a “blend of music, video, and electronics.” Free, 6 p.m.