Photo by Stanislav Stricevic

COMPETITION: Time for constructive criticism … to the death! Well, not quite, but there will be competition and elimination at the Literary Death Match at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I Street NW) tonight. Four authors will read their writing, be judged by a panel, and move on to the next round (or not!). Judges will include Dan Kois (editor of Slate’s Book Review), Lisa Bonos (assistant editor for Washington Post’s Outlook section), and Eric Schulze (co-founder and creative director at thirstDC). 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show. $12 in advance, $15 day of.

PAINTING: Spend a few hours painting on canvas while you have a drink and listen to DJs at the Artz Bazaar at the ArtJamz Dupont Studio (1728 Connecticut Ave NW) this evening. 8:30 p.m.-midnight. Tickets: $15 (includes one drink, studio time, paint and art material. Canvas sold separately).

COMEDY: Eight comedians take part in the Identity Crisis Comedy Showcase at the Black Cat Backstage (1811 14th Street NW) this evening. The funny-makers, who’ve all either been headliners or won comedy festivals, include: Randolph Terrance, Herbie Gill, Chelsea Shorte, Jessica Brodkin, Becca Steinhoff, Stavros Halkias, Noel Manzullo, and Ryan Schutt. 8 p.m. $10.

BEER: Right Proper Brewing Company teams up with the Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW) for History and Hops, an evening of Right Proper brews and tours of the Brewmaster’s Castle. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $30.

MUSIC: Attention nerds, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents “Space Music: A Sci-Fi Spectacular with George Takei.” That’s right, George Takei acts as narrator and host for a night of your favorite sci-fi tunes at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda (5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD). 8 p.m. $46-$109 – Matt Cohen