Photo by wolfkann

FOOD AND MUSEUM: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History kicks off their new Food in the Garden series tonight, launching a “summer for tastes, tours, and talks outside in the new Victory Garden on the east side of” the museum. This evening the focus is on “heirloom foods,” and will include a talk with cookbook authors, plant specialists, and farmers, as well as food samples from local farms and cocktails made with Green Hat Gin. 6 p.m. Tickets: $20 for each event, or $80 for the whole series (ticket price includes food samples and two cocktails).

FOOD AND DRINK: American Tap Room in Clarendon (3101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington) is throwing a Big Backyard Dinner and Party this evening, featuring the beers of Boulevard Brewing with special food pairings. The menu is all-you-can-eat-and-drink and includes Tank 7 paired with grilled cheese (tellagio, smoked ham, and green apple), Single Wide IPA paired with mini andouille hot dogs, 80 Acre paired with tuna tartare tacos, and Dark Truth Stout paired with Dark Truth infused marshmallows dipped in chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Email events@americantaproom.com for tickets, or get them at the door. 7 p.m. $30.

THEATER: The Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street NW) hosts a staged reading of the 1936 Noël Coward play Still Life this evening, in connection with their Georges Braque and the Cubist Still Life, 1928-1945 exhibit. “Taking place in the very English refreshment room of a railway station, the play contrasts the relationships of two couples: boisterous and fun-loving Myrtle and Albert, and serious and secretive Laura and Alec.” 6:30 p.m. $20.

MUSIC: Bearshark and the Washington Bach Consort play Fort Reno tonight. 7:15-9:30 p.m. Free.