Photo by Hopadidl

BOOKS: Ralph Nader promotes his book, Told You So: The Big Book of Ralph Nader Columns, at Busboys and Poets (2021 14th Street NW) tonight. The book presents “problems confronting our society and provides examples of the many actions an organized citizenry could and should take to create a more just and environmentally sustainable world.” 6:30 p.m.

OUTDOOR MOVIE: Crystal Screen (1851 S. Bell Street, Arlington) presents the gorgeously unnerving American Beauty, starring Kevin Spacey, outdoors tonight. Sundown. Free.

INDOOR MOVIE: The National Theatre’s (1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) Jimmy Stewart film retrospective continues tonight with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free (first-come, first seated. Tickets given out 30 minutes before the show).

MUSIC: Parno Graszt, a Roma folk music group, performs on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F Street NW) this evening as part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. 6 p.m. Free.

Coming up this week…

TUESDAY: Washington Improv Theater’s Harold Night at Source (1835 14th Street NW) this Tuesday and every Tuesday is a longform improv show that starts with suggestions from the audience. 9:40 p.m. Free.

WEDNESDAY: The Alien’s Guide to the Ruins of Washington, D.C. exhibit opens at the Corcoran (500 Seventeenth Street NW) this Wednesday, presenting a look into the future where humans are gone and the world is in ruins.

THURSDAY: Hill Country celebrates Independence Day with music and food at its continuing Backyard Barbecue on the lawn of the National Building Museum (Fifth Street NW, between F and G streets). The tunes begin at noon on Thursday with Mic Harrison and Kevin Abernathy, followed by South Rail at 3:00 p.m., and Justin Jones at 6:00 p.m. No cover.

FRIDAY: The National Gallery of Art’s (700 Constitution Avenue NW) Jazz in the Garden is a summer staple in D.C. Pack a picnic and kick back to the tunes of Ernest “EC3” Coleman and Friends. 5:00-8:30 p.m. Free.

SATURDAY: Loosen your pants, stretch out your stomach, and head over to Mac’s Donut-Eating Comeptition at the Arlington Courthouse Farmers’ Market (N. Courthouse Road and N. 14th Street, Arlington) this Saturday. The first participant to eat 50 miniature apple cider doughnuts wins a $100 Mac’s Donuts gift certificate. Competitors are responsible for cleaning up their own vomit. 11 a.m.

SUNDAY: The annual Seersucker Social bike ride, organized by the Dandies and Quaintrelles, is taking place Sunday. To attend, you must become a D and Q member, because the group is will be using National Parks and other venues where it is not allowed to do its usual ticketed event process.