Photo by Matthew Lehner Photography

TALK: Actor John Lithgow, of Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and a million other things, speaks at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (3800 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park, Md.) this evening. 5:30 p.m. Free, but tickets required.

SCIENCE: Arati Prabhakar, who works for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), discusses “Taking Technology Higher” at tonight’s Science Cafe event at Busboys and Poets (5th and K Street NW). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

THEATER: The Young Playwrights’ Theater presents performances of student-written plays at the Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th Street NW) tonight. 7 p.m. Free.

Coming up this week…

TUESDAY: Taste and learn the difference between an American bourbon, rye, and straight whiskey from Kayleigh Kulp, author of Booze for Babes: the Smart Woman’s Guide to Drinking Spirits Right, at a tasting and book signing event at Graffiato (707 6th Street NW) this Tuesday. 6-7:30 p.m. $35 (includes one cocktail, tastings, food pairing, and a copy of the book).

WEDNESDAY: Head to Vinoteca (1940 11th Street NW) this Wednesday for the Green Hat Gin Cocktail Shakedown, where five Vinoteca mixologists will compete to create the best cocktail. The winner will be picked by a panel of judges including Anna Spiegel from Washington Magazine, Amy McKeever of Eater, Vinoteca owners, and the public. 7-9 p.m. $25.

THURSDAY: Artist Wade Guyton “uses everyday digital technologies such as desktop computers, scanners, and inkjet printers to explore traditional forms of art.” Hear him talk this Thursday as part of the Conversations with Artists series at the Phillips Collection’s Center for the Study of Modern Art (1600 21st Street NW) Thursday. 6:30 p.m. $20.

FRIDAY: Drink French wine at the French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Road NW) this Friday at their Beaujolais and Beyond event, celebrating the annual wine harvest in France. 8 p.m. $60 general admission, $95 VIP.

SATURDAY: In the wise words of Homer Simpson: “Mmm, doughnuts.” Stuff your face on the D.C. Donut Crawl this Saturday, beginning at Brightwood’s Chocolate Crust (5830 Georgia Avenue NW), then continuing on to GBD, Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken, and District Doughnut. The crawl will be by bike, so at least a few calories will be burned. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration required, donuts priced individually.