Photo by Rich Renomeron.FRIDAY
COMEDY PODCAST: Comedians will debate “outlandish topics” at LYGO DC’s Argument and Grievances live recorded comedy podcast at Bier Baron (1523 22nd Street NW) this evening. Some topics on the table will be “McRib vs. MacBeth” and Hugs vs. Drugs.” 7-10 p.m. Free (but $10 donation suggested). — Elisabeth Grant
CIGARETTE: No, I’m not telling you to go smoke, but rather go see quiet, introspective indie band Cigarette—whose album, Gush, was one of our favorites of 2013—as the first guest of District Sounds. District Sounds, a new monthly performance and discussion series, will bring some of the area’s best bands to the Hill Center in the Old Naval Hospital, where they’ll perform and then take part in a discussion with Washington Post pop music critic Chris Richards. Starts at 7 p.m. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital is located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Tickets are $10-$15.
FILM: “They influence our decisions without our knowing it. They numb our senses without our feeling it. They control our lives without our realizing it.” “They” are aliens in John Carpenter’s 1988 satire They Live, but “they” could as easily be modern advertising executives, as philosopher Slavoj Žižek discussed in The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology. Žižek failed to note the irony in the world’s defense against such insidious ideology being played by one-time pro wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, but there you go. The AFI will be screening a 35mm print. Screens tonight at 9:20 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theater. $12, tickets here. — Pat Padua
SATURDAY
FILM: Watch “the best DC Shorts films of the last 10 years” at DC Shorts Rewind this Saturday, part of the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street NE). Shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 for one or $25 for two. — Elisabeth Grant
MARGARITA DAY: In case you didn’t know, Saturday is Margarita Day! Celebrate accordingly by trekking over to El Chucho in Columbia Heights. They’ll be opening at 11:30 a.m., serving $4 margs on tap and $5 frozen margs all day and night. El Chucho is located at 3313 11th Street NW.
TEQUILA TASTING: And if you’re not margarita’d out, Casa Oaxaca and Fortaleza Tequila are hosting a seminar on the art of drinking tequila. A dinner portion, which includes a three-course meal is $65, while the tasting flight only is $25. 5 to 7 p.m. All info and tickets can be found here. Casa Oaxaca is located at 2106 18th Street NW.
PIEFEST: The Brixton will be holding a PieFest on Saturday. Come and enjoy unlimited samples from D.C.’s best pie shops. Details here. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. $10. The Brixton is located at 901 U Street NW.
BRENDA: D.C.’s indie/post-punk outfit Brenda are having their single release party at The Dunes on Saturday night. Also on the bill: D.C.’s The North Country, and Lonnie Walker and Lilac Shadows from Raleigh, Nc. Starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. The Dunes is located at 1402 Meridian Place NW.
SUNDAY
QUILTING: Artist Jennifer Lindsay will offer the first of three hands-on quilt workshops for anyone 10 and up (children 10 to 14 must be accompanied by adults) on Sunday. It’s all going down at National Museum for Women in the Arts from noon to 5 p.m. Cost is $15. The museum is located at 1250 New York Avenue. NW.
D.C. LOVES DILLA: The ninth annual tribute to the late hip hop producer J. Dilla will take place Sunday at U Street Music Hall. On the bill: DJ Roddyrod, DJ 2Tone Jones, Jahsonic, DJ Book, Supa Qool DJ Quartermaine, DJ Stylus, DJ Minus Nine, DJ RBI. Tickets are $10 and it starts at 9 p.m. Get ’em here.
FILM: The AFI’s Overdrive: L.A. Modern series continues this week with a new digital remaster of director Thom Andersen’s fascinating 2003 documentary on the representations and misrepresenations of Los Angeles in the movies. The film’s running time may be daunting, but the range of clips—from established classics to forgotten underground films (Andersen’s title comes from 1970s gay porn)—and the incisive commentary make it an easy three hours. I only wish the director would update it to include the Malibu mansion featured in most of David DeCoteau’s direct-to-video talking animal movies. Introduced by the National Building Museum’s Deborah Sorensen. Starts at 3:45 p.m. and you can snag tickets here for $12. — Pat Padua
