Photo by kimberlyfayeFRIDAY
COMEDY: Actor and comedian Pauly Shore takes up residence at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA) this weekend for two nights and four sets of performances. See him tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. $25.
>> Brandon Wardell & Friends bring their Comedy Happy Hour to the Velvet Lounge (915 U Street NW) tonight. Come laugh it up while you sling back $2 Natty Bohs other drink specials. 7:00-9:00 p.m. $5.
VARIETY: Head to the Red Palace (1212 H Street NE) tonight for an evening of sideshow, burlesque, magic, and vaudeville at the DC Variety Social Aide Society Benefit (and celebration of Mab Just Mab’s birthday). Proceeds from the event will go to help out artists in the variety act community. Doors 8:30 p.m., show 9:30 p.m. $15.
MOVIE: This weekend rounds out the end of the DC Shorts Film Festival. Tonight, at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street NE) check out Pink Shorts at 7 p.m. and Sexy Films at 9:30 p.m., or head over to the US Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) instead for Showcase 8 at 7 p.m. or Showcase 9 at 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday both offer Best of the Fest roundups, and Saturday features a closing party.
FOOD & DRINK: Attend A Harvest Party this evening to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the National Garden at the United States Botanic Garden (100 Maryland Avenue SW). The event includes food and drink prepared by a host of DC food experts, including Mixologist Gina Chersevani (PS 7’s), Scott Drewno (The Source), Beer Master Greg Engert (Churchkey), and many others. Brace yourself though, tickets run a steep $125. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
>> Agora Restaurant (1527 17th Street NW) is offering four courses of Turkish dishes for $30 (plus tax and tip) as part of DC’s Turkish Restaurant Week, which runs today through September 25th. 5 p.m.-midnight.
MUSIC: Lupe Fiasco performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD) tonight with Miguel, Tinie Tempah, Big Sean, and Wale. 5:30 p.m. $36 lawn, $60 pavilion.
>> Hit the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) tonight for Savage Republic, Tone (20th Anniversary Show), and Caspian. 9:00 p.m. $15.
>> And be sure to consult the Sonic Circuits Festival lineup and the Weekly Music Agenda for a few more options.
SATURDAY
FESTIVAL: Take to the streets at the H Street Festival (800-1300 blocks of H Street NE) this Saturday for live music on 4 stages, art cars, a pie eating contest, a fleet of food trucks, and lots more. 12-7 p.m.
MUSIC: HFStival, which had its heyday in the 90s, is back at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD) Saturday. The music fest has quite a variety of artists on its lineup, including The Avett Brothers, Flogging Molly, Dr. Dog, Clutch, Gin Blossoms, Minus the Bear, Diane Birch, and more. 10:00 a.m. Tickets: $35-$50.
>> Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, whose songs are as catchy as their name, play the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) Saturday with Polica. 10:00 p.m. $20.
>> The Fillmore’s (8656 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD) grand opening weekend continues Saturday with a performance by Grammy winner John Legend. 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $69. 50.
CLASS: Do you dream of starting your own cupcake shop/truck/reality show, but don’t actually know how to make cupcakes? Learn how at Hello Cupcake’s (1361 Connecticut Avenue NW) Cupcake Basics class this Saturday. You’ll learn the basics of baking, craft some buttercream icing, and walk out with a fresh dozen to take home. $75
BAR CRAWL: Get to know the libations of nine bars and restaurants around the Shaw neighborhood at the Shaw Main Streets Bar Crawl (Start at 9th and U Streets NW by Nellies and Etete). 1:00-6:00 p.m. Tickets: $35.
TALENT: Kollaboration DC is presented by the Metropolitan DC Asian American and Pacific Islanders organization, in an effort to showcase Asian American talent in the area. This competition will take place Saturday at the Theater of Performing Arts at UDC (4200 Connecticut Avenue NW), and will feature hip-hop groups, singers, dance crews, and more. Doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Tickets $20-$45.
PARTY: The DC Shorts Film Festival concludes this weekend with not one, but two parties Saturday night (both from 9 p.m. to midnight): a Brazilian Carnaval at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Boulevard Arlington VA) and a Closing Bash at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street NE). Most importantly, both offer open bars.
SUNDAY
FOOD & DRINK: Enjoy wines from Spain and South America, food, jazz, and salsa dancing at the Vintage Crystal: A Taste of Wine and Jazz event in Crystal City (220 20th Street South, Arlington VA). 2:00-6:00 p.m. $20 for food and drinks, or $10 for just food.
BOOKS: The Fall for the Book Festival at George Mason University (4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA) begins Sunday and continues through September 23rd, with author talks and readings (sorry, the Stephen King talk is sold out). Free.
MOVIE: Bring the kids for six short films at the All Roads Film Festival Family Program at National Geographic Live (1600 M Street NW). 12 p.m. Free.
FITNESS: Running nonprofit Back on My Feet is hosting a 5K Fun Run and Pool Party at Hains Point (972 Ohio Street SW) Sunday. Registration required. 10:00 a.m. $10.
FESTIVAL: Join in at the Fiesta Muiscal at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW) Sunday, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dancers, crafts, and Latin American food. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
TALK: Jane Goodall, known best for her work with chimpanzees, gives A Conversation on Peace at the American University Woods-Brown Amphitheater (4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW) Sunday. 1:00-2:15 p.m. Tickets: $10 students, $15 general.
