Photo by dr_kim_veis [”o ].

FOOD & DRINK: Mixologist J.P. Caceres dispenses a little drink history while teaching you to how to make four classic cocktails at Againn‘s interactive “Art of the Cocktail Class” (1099 New York Avenue NW). Call 202-639-9830 to reserve your space. 6:30 p.m. $35.

OPENING: The official grand opening of DC9’s new roof deck is tonight, complete with a DJ, full service bar, and a late summer breeze. 9 p.m. (We’ll have a sneak peek of the deck for you soon.)

MUSIC: It’s a “garage rock showcase” at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW), with performances by Those Darlins, Strange Boys, and Gentlemen Jesse & His Men. $13, 8 p.m.

HAPPY HOUR: Let the food truck voting begin for 2010 Curbside Cookoff! Brightest Young Things celebrates with a kick-off party happy hour, featuring “$3 (nice) beer specials,” at Chinatown Coffee Company (475 H Street NW). 6 p.m.

BOOK: Author Gregory Levey explains How to Make Peace in the Middle East in Six Months or Less: Without Leaving Your Apartment at Borders Books & Music (18th and L Streets NW). He’s also the author of Shut Up, I’m Talking: And Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli Government — A Memoir. 6:30 p.m., free.

MOVIE: The National Archives presents a screening and discussion of clips from the PBS miniseries, For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, which incorporates “letters, diaries, and historical text, film, and photographs” to examine the roles of African-American men and women in the military. The film’s director and historian will be on hand for a panel discussion along with Regina Akers, historian at the Naval History and Heritage Command. Head to the William G. McGowan Theater (Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW) for the screening at 7 p.m. Free.