Photo by dinoanis

FOOD & DRINK: Del Ray Pizzeria (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria VA) hosts A Christmas in New Orleans tonight. This five-course dinner pairs Abita beers with New Orleans dishes like Red Fish Etouffee, Oysters Bienville, and Grillades and Grits. Call (703) 549-2999 to reserve your spot. $49 (plus tax and tip).

TALK: Women in their 20s and 30s are invited to learn running a culinary business at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I Street NW) talk “Stovetop Success: Women and the Business of Food.” Speakers will include Sara Polon, owner of Soupergirl, and Yael Krigman, owner of Baked by Yael. Bonnie Benwick, Deputy Food and Recipe Editor of The Washington Post will moderate. 7 p.m. Tickets: $10.

>> How do your surroundings affect your creativity? A genome analyst and staff from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation come together to discuss that and other questions at the DC Science Cafe talk, “Places Of Invention: Contexts for Creativity,” at Busboys and Poets (1025 5th Street NW) tonight. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

STORYTELLING: Prepare for your holiday travel with SpeakEasyDC’s storytelling event Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Stories about what happens on the way at the Town Danceboutique
(2009 8th Street NW) tonight. Doors 6:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. $14 in advance, $15 at the door.

MUSIC: Alas, Beirut is sold out at the 9:30 Club tonight. You can still get a live music fix at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) though, with Pueblo and Dolfish. 8 p.m. $8.