Photo by LaTur.

MOVIES: The DC Shorts Film Festival kicks off tonight with showcases of short films. See Showcase 1 at 7 p.m. and Showcase 2 at 10 p.m. at the Landmark E Street Cinema (555 11th Street NW), and catch Showcase 6 at 9 p.m. and Showcase 7 at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). There is also a “Celebrity Party” at Madame Tussaud’s (1001 F Street NW) at 9 p.m., but tickets are going fast. Tickets for each showcase are $12 (plus a $1.29 fee), and the party is $10 (with a $1.24 fee). The festival continues through September 16, check out the complete schedule here.

POETRY: Busboys and Poets (2021 14th Street NW) presents “Nine On The Ninth,” their monthly poetry open mic night. Participate, or just sit back and watch. The featured poet of the night is Patrick Washington, who has performed for HBO’s Def Poetry and at the Kennedy Center; poet Derrick Weston Brown hosts. 9 p.m. Free.

PERFORMANCE: Head to the Palace of Wonders (1210 H Street NE) for the D.C. Variety Showcase, a night of fire, swords, dancing, and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 9. $10.

>> Last week we checked out the giant tent being erected; tonight, OVO, by Cirque du Soleil, begins its run at National Harbor. Tickets range from $55 to $255, performances at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

MUSIC: Canadian punk band Fucked Up comes to the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE) tonight, with Cloud Nothings and Give. 8:30 p.m., $12/$14.