Photo by MudflapDC

MUSEUM PARTY: Smithsonian at 8, a new after-hours series, kicks off this evening with Yuri’s Night at the Smithsonian (S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW). Yuri’s Night celebrates the 52nd anniversary of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbiting the Earth (he was the first human to do so). Come out for “a party that celebrates space exploration’s past, looks to the future, and provides plenty of fun along the way.” Partners at the event include SpaceUp DC, Science Cheerleaders, ThinkGeek, Yuri’s Night DC, and DJ Collective OneLoveMassive. 8 p.m. -11 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $25 VIP (includes special talk and tastings).

FOOD & DRINK: The Food in the Garden summer series from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History continues tonight with “Foraging: Finding Food at Your Feet,” a look at finding food in your backyard. Speakers will include Matt Cohen (local forager and founder of Matt’s Habitats), Holly Poole-Kavana (Little Red Bird Botanicals), Nathan Zeender (WildCraft Sodas), and Lincoln Smith (Forested). There will also be Smithsonian Garden tours, acorn cooking demos, and locally made jam. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $20 (includes two cocktails and food).

BEER: Pizza Paradiso’s Georgetown location (3282 M Street NW) is hosting a Brewer’s Art Tasting this evening, featuring the Baltimore brewpub’s “Brimstone & Clover” saison, Ozzy, Resurrection, Birdhouse, and Seven Beauties beers. These drafts will be half-priced from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

MUSIC: The Buzz and Capital Ghost play Fort Reno tonight. 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m. Free.

OUTDOOR MOVIES: Capitol Riverfront Front Row Films (250 M Street SE at Canal Park) presents The Dark Knight on the outdoor screen this evening, as part as their continuing “DC versus Marvel Comics” series. Sundown. Free.

>> Bethesda Outdoor Movies (Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle, corner of Norfolk and Auburn avenues) goes Back to the Future tonight, halfway through their five consecutive night movie series. 9 p.m. Free.