Learn improv and sip wine afterwards at American Poetry Museum tonight. (Photo courtesy of The Den)
Discover a cheesy 90s sci-fi comedy, learn improv, and more in this roundup of the week’s most intriguing events.
MONDAY, JULY 31
A LIFE LIVED: Sarah Menkedick spent her twenties traveling around the world alone, and then turned to motherhood for her 30s. She’s got stories, she wrote ’em down in Homing Instincts, and she’ll discuss them. (Politics and Prose; 7 p.m.; FREE)
GOOF: The Washington Psychotronic Film Society protects and promotes little-seen films that deserve to stand the test of time — or so it believes. Tonight, it’s screening Space Truckers, “a low-budget, B-movie space opera that’s a parody of low-budget, B-movie space operas.” Expect outlandish costumes, dorky dialogue and a rollicking good time. (Smoke & Barrel; 7:30 to 11 p.m.; FREE)
LAUGH EASY: Dying is funny, comedy is hard, improv is harder. Work on that last bit through meditative warm-ups and a freeing workshop with a trained instructor. Sounds stressful? Fear not: There’s wine afterwards. (American Poetry Museum; 7 to 9 p.m.; $15 to $115)
More: Gillian Welch at Kennedy Center; Monday Open Mic Poetry at Busboys and Poets
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
Explore cities through short film on Tuesday. (Photo by Clif Burns)
URBAN PLANNING: Cities are cool — but if you’re reading this, you probably don’t need me to tell you that. If you do need more reinforcement, though, a visual exploration of cities through short films, both avant-garde and retro, will be on display to answer any questions. (Suns Cinema; 8 to 11 p.m.; FREE)
HAPPY HAPPY: Zeba is turning six on Tuesday, which means “Dave cooking up some of that Persian food, moonshine being passed around” and a good time had by all. (Zeba Bar; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; FREE)
BEND AND SNAP: Elle Woods is a movie icon, but now she’s a stage icon, too. Those who only know her from the former have a new opportunity to enjoy the latter, thanks to a production doubling as a fundraiser for the news nonprofit Lancar Ink. (Little Theater of Alexandria; 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; $28 to $300)
More: Marine Corps Sunset Parade; Georgetown Sunset Cinema: Erin Brokovich; Jack Gilbert at Politics and Prose; Sam Kean at Politics and Prose; Dan Zak at Kramerbooks
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
Art, waffles and wings converge at Coloring Ivy City on Wednesday. (Photo by Daniel Kelly)
STATUS UPDATE: It’s been 50 years since President Lyndon Johnson established a commission to examine the causes of nationwide civil unrest in 1967. What’s changed and what hasn’t? A panel of experts will discuss the relationship between race and police following a screening of The Blood is at the Doorstep, which chronicles a fatal police shooting and its aftermath. (Newseum; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; FREE)
STARS IN THE MAKING: Each year, Teens N Theatre partners with the D.C. Summer Youth Employment program to teach students how to act, dance, and sing. The final product is a musical theater production they wrote themselves. This year’s is called A Night of Magic. (Anacostia Arts Center; 6:30 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20 at the door)
WINNERS ALL AROUND: Is there a better combination than art, waffles, and wings? The answer is easy: No. Soak all three in at once at the latest Coloring Ivy City, part of an ongoing celebration of a neighborhood on the rise. (2002 Fenwick St. NE; 7 to 11 p.m.; $5-$10)
More: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno; Ivy Summer Soiree; Tracy Crow and Jerri Bell at Politics and Prose; 25th Anniversary Screening of Unforgiven; NoMa BID presents The Ides of March; Sweet Yonder at the Tabard Inn; Palestinian Movie Night
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
Meet the under-35 crowd at Ford’s Theatre on Thursday. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)
BEYOND THE HEADLINE: “Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?” Get the answer during a mingling event at the iconic Ford’s Theatre and attached museum. Meet the organization’s under-35 staff, learn about the history (aside from That Night), and come away with party conversation fodder, if nothing else. (Ford’s Theatre; 6 to 8 p.m.; $18)
WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?: It’s safe to say that Donald Trump is not the best source of information on what’s currently happening in Mexico. Jimena Vergara, a Mexican activist and professor, is better positioned for a nuanced discussion of the country’s current situation. (The Potter’s House; 7 to 9 p.m.; FREE)
WORK’S OVER, TIME TO SAVOR: August has arrived, which means the time has come for weekly displays of dynamic art at the Hirshhorn, complete with after-work drinks and thought-provoking conversation. The description implicitly likens this event to a snowflake: “No nights are alike.” Presumably the event won’t get its feelings hurt if its attendees criticize its political beliefs; that’s a different kind of snowflake. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; 5 to 8:30 p.m.; FREE)
More: Heather Harpham at Politics and Prose; Summer Evenings at Hirshhorn; Pancakes & Booze Art Show; Dinner at the Chef’s Table: Summer Risotto
