Photo by John J Young.

ELVES: The Black Cat will screen The Lord of the Rings Trilogy throughout the month during “Middle Earth Mondays.” Tonight features a screening of The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Costumes encouraged. Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) 8 p.m. Free

FRIENDS: Rent a friend any weekday this year thanks to the #BFFDC project, where you’ll spend two hours of one-on-one time with performance artist Brian Feldman. Chinatown Friendship Archway (7th Street NW & H Street NW) 6-8 p.m. $30

FINALE: It’s the last Industry Takeover Night at Graffiato before the Hip-Hop Dinners take over. Enjoy complimentary bites and discounted drinks by chefs and mixologists from Mike Isabella Concepts restaurants. Graffiato (707 6th Street NW) 10 p.m.-1 a.m. $10

Later this week…

TUESDAY: Watch seven top illusionists perform acts of levitation, mind-reading, disappearance, escape, and more when The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible tour comes to DC for six nights. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F Street NW) 7:30 p.m. $39-145

WEDNESDAY:Head to Dock 5 at Union Market for an ensemble concert featuring seven National Symphony Orchestra musicians. Union Market (1309 5th Street NE-2nd Floor) 7-8 p.m. Free

THURSDAY: Get a preview of One Eight Distilling on 1/8 (well that was well planned, wasn’t it?) Grab District Made Vodka and Rock Creek White Whiskey cocktails at the cash bar and bites from Dirty South Deli, and be one of the first to purchase a first batch bottle. One Eight Distilling (1135 Okie Street NE) 7-10 p.m. Free entry