Photo by ewilfong.

PARTY: Degas’s ballerinas set the tone for Phillips after 5 at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street NW) tonight. Hear from Washington Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webre and see ballet demonstrations, listen to The Glenn Pearson Trio’s rendition of Duke Ellington’s “The Degas Suite” and try a “Degas Dance” cocktail from Urbana. 5-8:30 p.m. $12.

FOOD & DRINK: Chef Peter Smith presents an evening of Italian food based on family recipes (like rice balls with mozzarella and linguini carbonara with pancetta) at PS 7’s (777 I Street NW), for one night only. Call (202-742-8550 for reservations. 5:30-9:45 p.m. Menu options range from $4 to $19.

>> “A Taste of Armenia” at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church (4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda), is a three-day bazaar of Armenian food, baked goods, merchants’ items, folk music and more. Stop by today from 12-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12-10 p.m.

BOOK: Authors Deepak Chopra and Leonard Mlodinow discuss their new book War of the Worldviews: Science vs. Spirituality tonight at Sixth and I Historic Synogogue (600 I Street NW). Doors open at 6:15 p.m., talk at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and include a copy of the book.

BEER: Whether you’re a fan of beer or a fan of science, the Science on Tap event at Maryland Science Center (601 Light Street, Baltimore) is definitely for you. DcClaw Brewmaster Jim Wagner will be on hand to talk about beer ingredients and processes, while attendees enjoy food and drink. Call (410) 545-5980 for tickets. 7-9 p.m. $45.

CONGRESS: Former members of Congress, authors and public policy scholars come together to discuss The Broken Branch: How Congress is Failing America and How to Get it Back on Track at the National Archives’ William G. McGowan Theater (7th and Constitution Avenue NW). 7 p.m. Free.

MUSIC: The Screaming Females play the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) with The Underground Railroad to Candyland tonight. 8 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

>> The Bangles play the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) with another all-female rock band, Antigone Rising. 7 p.m. $25.

ART: Artist Nina Chanel Abney gives a Visiting Artists Lecture at the Corcoran (500 Seventeenth Street NW) tonight. 7 p.m. Free.