Photo by Backwards Bill.
FRIDAY
BEEP SPACE NINE: Deep Space Arts and Union Arts DC are putting on this free event, which features local visual artists paired with performances from experimental musicians and artists. In space, no one can hear you groove. Union Arts and Manufacturing, located at 411 New York Avenue NE. 9 p.m.
FOOD & DRINK: Jose Andres and his Zaytinya team are taking part in ATA-DC’s Turkish Cuisine and Restaurant Week, with a special three-course lunch and four-course dinner menu of Turkish cuisine. The menus are priced at $18 for lunch and $30 for dinner. Zaytinya is located at 701 9th Street NW.
BLACK CAT! BLACK CAT! The Black Cat turns 20! And they’re throwing a pair of awesome shows to celebrate! Tonight, harDCore legends Gray Matter headline, along with a recently reunited Girls Against Boys (with a special guest appearance from The Jesus Lizard’s David Yow), Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Shirks, Spoonboy, and a DJ set from Alec MacKaye. Party. Sold out, but try Craigslist if you’re dying to go. 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
COMIX The Small Press Expo, one of the largest independent comic conventions in North America, rolls into town again at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, Md.). This year’s stellar programming includes guest appearances, signings, and panels from Gary Panter, Lisa Hanawalt, Seth Gene Yang, Frank Santoro, and others. $10. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
COMEDY: The Capital City Showcase kicks off with a show at the D.C. Arts Center in Adams Morgan, with the Pink Collar Comedy Tour. The show features four female comedians, including Erin Judge (seen on Comedy Central), Carrie Gravenson (seen at Catch a Rising Star), Abbi Crutchfield (seen on VH1), and Kaytlin Bailey (seen at Vagabond Cafe). The show also features D.C. comedian Jessica Brodkin. There will be laughter. $15. 2438 18th Street NW. 10 p.m. $15.
NEON DRINKZ: Bright-N-Pint, a neon-themed bar crawl is going down. Strap on your finest brightly colored clothing and stumble down to Dupont Circle, where each participant will get brightly colored mugs, glow necklaces, etc. as you embark on a pub crawl throughout DuPont’s finest bars. Also, you’ll be very clearly visible to traffic, so that’s good. Meets at Rumors or The Front Page. $15-$20. 3 p.m. -11 p.m.
PART DEUX: Second night of Black Cat’s 20th anniversary party features performances from Shudder to Think, Tuscadero, New Wet Kojak, Mary Timony and Nathan Larson, Coup Sauvage and the Snips, and DJ’s Name Names and Kid Congo Powers. Sold out, but try Craigslist if you’re dying to go. 8 p.m.
SUNDAY
JAZZ: The Monk Competition has launched the career of many a jazz star. Each iteration features a different instrument with this year being the saxophone. The competition semi-finals will be held at Baird Auditorium in the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum at 1 p.m. on Sunday and is free and open to the public. The finals take place on Monday evening at the Kennedy Center on Monday and will be followed by a gala concert. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $50 to $75. — Sriram Gopal
ROCK: And just when you thought this week couldn’t pack any more shows worth your time, there’s the always reliable Pinback to round out your weekend. The ultra-precision bass and guitar interplay that is found on the band’s latest Information Retreived has been the band’s calling card since the late nineties. They’ll be sharing the 9:30 Club stage with D.C. glam rock aficionados and celebrity house lusters Deathfix. $20, 7 p.m. — Andy Hess
