Photo by LaTur.

FUNDRAISER: If you’ve been to the Red and Black Bar (now the Red Palace) you’ve probably met Al, the bar cat. No longer content with just being cute, he’s making an effort to make a difference in the world and is throwing his own event tonight: My Furry Friends: An Animal Lovers’ Fundraiser, a happy hour and variety show which will raise money for the the Humane Society’s Sofie’s Fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to pet owners. Happy hour ($4 Harpoons, $3 Smirnoff drinks, $2 PBR) 6-9 p.m. $5 (with $5 discount for the variety show). Or, just the show at 9 p.m. $10.

CONTEST: Love tater tots? Never want to eat them again? Bar Louie (701 7th Street NW) invites you to gorge yourself on pounds of those crispy morsels at the Rock the Tots competitive eating contest tonight. The winner receives a $50 gift certificate and free tots for a year (which is exactly what the winner will want after this, I’m sure). From 4 to 7 p.m., those in the audience can get drink deals and $1.50 plates of tots. The eating begins at 8 p.m. No entry fee, sign up at the bar in advance or when you show up.

FOOD & DRINK: Restaurant 3 (2950 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington) is bringing in the Hogettes (for support, not to eat) for their pig roast tonight. Come out for the first of this new monthly event for pulled pork sandwiches, bacon-on-a-stick, $5 bacon Bloody Marys, $3 beers and $5 glasses of wine. The event will also raise money for Ronald McDonald House. 4-8 p.m.

TALK: Leandro Pisano, director of the Italian Interferenze festival, comes to Artisphere’s Dome Theatre (1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington) tonight to talk about “The Food Side of Sound Aesthetics,” including “comparing molecular gastronomy to experimental digital music.” 7 p.m. Pay what you can.

MUSIC: Maps & Atlases plays the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE) with Delicate Steve and Gypsyblood. 8:30 p.m. $14.