Photo by _vina.FRIDAY
ART: Calling all the single ladies (and gents) for the ArtJamz Singles Session at Lamont Bishop Gallery (1314 9th Street NW). Paint a masterpiece and maybe pick up some digits at this singles-only event. 6:30-10 p.m. $65 (includes paint supplies plus food and drink).
>> Hit the (e)merge art fair at the Captiol Skyline Hotel (10 I Street SW) tonight and this weekend to check out over 80 exhibitors presenting panels, performances, and art. We’ll have a full preview later this afternoon. 12-7 p.m. today and tomorrow, 12-5 p.m. Sunday. $15.
>> Also this weekend, check out But is it Art? (79 Hanover Place NW), a DIY contemporary art fair featuring the work of dozens of local artists. 12-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12- 5 p.m. Sunday.
BALLET: The National Ballet of China presents a fusion of Western and Chinese moves on stage at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street NW) tonight and tomorrow as a part of the CHINA: The Art of a Nation performance series. 8 p.m. $25-$60.
FRIGHT: The Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) continues its Friday Night Frights, with two more episodes of Tales from the Crypt: “Three’s a Crowd” and “The Thing From the Grave”. 7-8:30 p.m. Free.
FASHION: Irish organization Solas Nua is holding a fashion show featuring the work of four Irish designers at Fathom Creative (1333 14th Street NW) tonight. 7-9 p.m.
DANCE PARTY: Crimp your hair, toss on some day-glo and head to the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) for the Eighties Mayhem: Mega ’80s Dance Party. DJs Steve EP, Missguided, Killa K and Krasty McNasty will be on hand to keep you dancing all night. 9 p.m. $10.
MUSIC: Fleet Foxes and The Walkmen perform tonight at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia). 6 p.m. $25-$40.
>> Godfather of go-go Chuck Brown (watch this tiny desk concert and try not to wiggle) performs at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) for the final Woodrow Wilson Plaza concert series of the season. 5 p.m. Free.
HIP HOP: Drift Elemental, “D.C.’s First South Asian Hip-Hop Show”, plays Liv Nightclub (2001 11th Street, NW). 9 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
FUNDRAISER: The AIA Potomac Valley Chapter and the Potomac Valley Architecture Foundation are throwing a happy hour fundraiser at Todd Gray’s Watershed Restaurant (1225 First Street NE) to support and celebrate University of Maryland’s Solar Decathlon 2011 entry, a solar house called “WaterShed.” 5:30-7:30 p.m. $50.
TENNIS: The Verizon Center (601 F Street NW) hosts the HSBC Tennis Cup Champions Series tonight, featuring tennis stars Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Jim Courier and Pete Sampras. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35-$250.
SATURDAY
BOOKS: Over 100 authors, including David McCullough, Dave Eggers, Garrison Keillor and Toni Morrison, will be talking and reading at the National Book Festival, presented by the Library of Congress, this Saturday (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1-5:30 p.m.) on the National Mall. Free.
FESTIVAL: Head to 8th Street SE (500 to 700 blocks) this Saturday for the Barracks Row Fall Festival. There will be music, food, performances by the Trapeze School New York aerialists, a petting zoo, a cookoff between military chefs, Home of the Commandants tours, the DC Roller Girls, and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
>> If you’re looking for a block party on the other side of the Potomac, head to Clarendon Day for two stages of live music, two dozen arts and crafts exhibitors, dance performances, and food from local restaurants. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
>> Or, check out the arts, entertainment, vendors, and more at the 17th Street Festival. 2-6 p.m.
ENERGY: Tour some innovative and eco-friendly architecture during the 2011 Solar Decathlon at West Potomac Park (Constitution Avenue, Independence Avenue, 17th Street, NW) this weekend. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free.
HEALTH: Nickelodeon brings their Worldwide Day of Play to The Ellipse (Constitution Avenue NW between 17th and 15th Streets) on Saturday. Come out for baseball, football and soccer clinics, and Zumba classes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
>> The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is holding an open house this Saturday, showcasing their renovated U Street center and its rooftop terrace, teaching kitchen and new program space. Stop by for a cooking demonstration, free yoga class and a craft project. 11-4 p.m. Free.
ART: Artsy night owls and insomniacs may be interested in Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC, a late-night romp through galleries from Chinatown to Shaw. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Free.
CABARET: Tilted Torch is back at the Red Palace (1212 H Street NE) this Saturday with burlesque, hoop dancing, belly dancing, comedy, games, raffles and more. 9 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 day-of.
FOOD & DRINK: Tofu-eaters unite at DC VegFest in University Yard at George Washington University (H Street between 20th/21st Streets NW) this Saturday. The outdoor event will feature vegetarian food vendors (Amsterdam Falafelshop for the win), a Sticky Fingers cupcake eating contest and lots of speakers spreading the animal-friendly news of vegetarianism. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.
SPACE: Make the trip out to Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA) for a Star Party. Sean O’Brien of the Museum’s Albert Einstein Planetarium will host the event, and there will be telescopes on hand for you to check out the starry sky. 6:30-11 p.m. Free, though there is a $5 parking fee.
MUSIC: Kyuss Lives!, The Sword, and Monstro play the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW). 7 p.m. $30.
>> And check out even more options in the most recent Weekly Music Agenda.
SUNDAY
ART: Enjoy a free cup of joe, hear artists discuss their work, then swap craft material at the Coffee & Craft Artist Talk & Materials Swap from Scrap DC at the Center for Green Urbanism (3938 Benning Road NE). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5.
MUSIC: Wilco (hear their latest album on NPR’s website) plays Merriweather Post Pavilion (10476 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia) with Nick Lowe. 5:30 p.m. $30-$40
>> See your other Sunday music options in the WMA.
