Photo by theqspeaks

FOOD & DRINK: We told you about it on Friday, and today marks the first day of the Fifth Annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival. During the two-week festival, Oyamel will offer informational cocktail sessions, open to the public, and intimate dinners complete with Tequila and Mezcal tastings. Mezcal and tequila experts will be visiting Oyamel during the festival to impart their cocktail wisdom, and lead these special events. Additionally, the beverage team at Oyamel has also created a variety of innovative cocktails perfect for pairing with the special menu from Chef Omar Rodriguez that highlights the flavors of Oaxaca and Jalisco in Mexico. Tonight: a complimentary cocktail session from 4-6 p.m., “Everything is Better with Mezcal.”

BEER: D.C. and New York will be representing with beer and beats at DC9 tonight. They’ll be hosting a tasting of beers from Brooklyn (Lager, Black Chocolate Stout, Local Two, Sorachi Ace, Brewmasters Reserve) and DC Brau (Public, Citizen, Corruption, Penn Quarter Porter, Wings of Armageddon) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Afterward, the bands playing the DC/NY band showcase at SXSW will kick off at 9 pm., including Another Brother, Deadbeat Darling, and Urban Cartel. Tickets are $20 for the beer tasting, and $8 for the music.

MOVIES: The Washington Psychotronic Film Society’s movie line up has a theme this month: “The Dogs of March.” It starts off tonight with the 1976 campy horror flick Dogs. 8:00 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

MUSIC: Though tonight’s Boyz II Men show at The Birchmere is sold out, Craig has a few tickets for those of you that really miss the Motown Philly sound. Alternatively, check out Lights at the 9:30 Club (7 p.m., $20), Korallreven at the Black Cat’s backstage (8 p.m., $15) or Prince Rama and Pygmy Lush at Comet Ping-Pong (9 p.m., $10).

READING: Not surprisingly, over the weekend Vladimir Putin won yet another election and will once again be serving as Russia’s president. The timing couldn’t be better for Masha Gessen to discuss The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin tonight at Politics & Prose. 7 p.m. Free.