Back-to-school season is a good time to learn something new, like Brazilian dance or kombucha brewing. There’s also plenty of chances to sit back and enjoy local theater, cocktails, and music.

MONDAY, AUGUST 27

TIP YOUR ACTORS AND ACTRESSES: The Venn diagram of professionals in the hospitality industry and those in the performing arts tends to have a pretty large overlapping section. Post Shift Theatre wants to take advantage of that group by curating and promoting the work of playwrights, directors, technicians, and performers who also work in restaurants and bars. See what they’ve been up to at their annual Night of New Works, a series of short pieces all based around a theme. This year’s is “temperature.” Mingle with the talent at a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. before the first performance, or following the 9 p.m. show. (Republic Restoratives, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $10)

CHEERS: It’s the last week that a cocktail at Tail Up Goat comes with a warm fuzzy feeling inside … well, one that’s not a product of the alcohol content, anyway. The Adams Morgan restaurant has whipped up a special cocktail in honor of Miriam’s Kitchen, and $3 from the purchase of each of them in the month of August will go right back to the D.C. homelessness nonprofit. The MKColada includes Scarlet Ibis and Hamilton 151 rums, cream of coconut, and pomegranate, orange, and lime juices. Is it any good? Well, Tail Up Goat has already raised $1,400—that’s a lotta coladas. There will be additional ways to donate at the restaurant, if you’re not imbibing. (Tail Up Goat, through August 31, open 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.)

DANCE LIKE JFK IS WATCHING: There’s no shortage of online videos that allow you to do a Zumba workout in your living room, but wouldn’t dancing at D.C.’s most prestigious arts institution be much more inspiring? Monday’s Millennium Stage performance at the Kennedy Center is a Zumba class from Tanya Nuchols, instructor at Joy of Motion Dance Center. Sweat it out under the watchful eye of John F. Kennedy’s bust. (Kennedy Center, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)

MORE: The Bridges of Madison County (Keegan Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $59), In the Closet (DC Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30-$35)

(Photo by Like_the_Grand_Canyon)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28

GET (CREATIVE) JUICED: There’s no better place to get inspired in D.C. than at the latest Little Salon, a monthly series of readings, musical performances, art showings, and cocktail tastings. Don your best Gertrude Stein cosplay and head to the Apollo on H Street for the 41st (!) edition, including punch samples from The Haymaker, Americana tunes from Slim Rosa, book sales from Solid State Books, and sculpture displays from Chinedu Osuchukwu. Should you want additional drinks to sip on, the event is BYOB. (The Apollo, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $20)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-salon-41-tickets-49294077914

SLUSHY SHOWDOWN: We hate to see two of our favorite bars in D.C. fighting, but if it ends in more cocktails for us then hey, we’re not complaining. D.C.’s tiki titans, Archipelago and Cotton & Reed Distillery, are facing off in a Colada Throwdown, featuring each of the bar’s icy concoctions. We wouldn’t blame you for needing several samples of each to pick your favorite: This is science, after all. (Archipelago, 7 p.m., free entry)

STEP TO IT: Looking for a new hobby? The rhythmically inclined might enjoy Zouk, a Brazilian partner dance that’s something like sexy ballroom dance set to pop and R&B. (Here’s an example.) At this six-week introduction series, District Zouk will show you the ropes, and by the end, you’ll be able to impress all the guests at your Halloween party. (Dance Sport Dupont, through October 2, 6:45 p.m., $90)

MORE: A D.C. Theater Season Preview (S. Dillon Ripley Center, 6:45 p.m., $30-$45), King Lear (Landmark’s West End Cinema, 7 p.m., $15), 2nd Annual Kick It Forward & Summer Cocktail Tasting (El Techo, 1 p.m.-12 a.m., $50)

Fun House at the National Building Museum (Photo by Lori McCue)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29

HOUSE PARTY: In the penultimate week of Fun House at the National Building Museum, experience the giant, dreamy interactive exhibit after dark. At Wednesday’s late-night event, museum staff will offer tours of the exhibits, including Fun House, along with music, food, and drinks. Just wait 30 minutes after eating before you dive into the ball pool. (National Building Museum, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $10-$25 for adults, $5-$15 for children)

SHHHH: Some plays find their comedy in rapid-fire dialogue and witty repartee. Small Mouth Sounds does just the opposite. Set at a silent retreat, this nearly wordless play satirizes the cult of wellness, and explores how much people can get to know each other when they can’t use words to communicate. Bess Wohl’s 2015 off-off-Broadway play opens Round House Theatre’s 41st season. (Round House Theatre, through September 23, various times, $36-$67)

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID: Put all those Netflix hours to good use at Pinstripes this week for The Office-themed trivia. We’ll help you practice: What was Jan Levinson’s side business? What’s the thing Kevin does best? What kind of farm does Dwight own? If these are a piece of cake, the Assistant (to the) Regional Manager gig is in the bag. (For the record, it’s candle-making, cooking chili, and beets, respectively.) (Pinstripes Georgetown, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., free entry, registration required)

MORE: Dialogue with Neighbors (Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 6 p.m., FREE), SweetGreen x WithLoveDC Pop Up Yoga in Logan Circle (Logan Circle, 6 p.m., FREE), Live From the Lawn: The Sweetback Sisters (Strathmore, 7 p.m., FREE)

“Black Out” at the National Portrait Gallery (Photo by Kristi Malakoff courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30

CUT IT OUT: In the 19th century, photography was still a rare and expensive way to record what you looked like. Cut-paper silhouettes, on the other hand, were used to record the image of the richest and the poorest alike. The exhibit Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now, gathers silhouettes from the National Portrait Gallery’s archives and brings them to life. Stroll through the exhibit after-hours at Thursday’s Remix happy hour, including music and cocktails. (National Portrait Gallery, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE)

HOMETOWN PRIDE: D.C.-area native Marianne Khattar released her first self-recorded single “Stay With Me” at just 15, revealing she’s got the pipes to tackle both moody pop and jazz standards. In the five years since, her work has gotten much more ethereal and trip hop-inspired. See this soon-to-be rising star at Songbyrd in a free show Thursday. (Songbyrd Music House, 8 p.m., FREE)

SCHOOL OF BOOCH: For most, kombucha is either a gut-healthy elixir you spend too much money on for each bottle, or, if you’re averse to funky vinegar tastes, that nasty stuff your friends spend too much money on. For those in the first camp, it might be time to invest in classes so you can brew the good stuff at home. Learn the tricks of making and bottling your own booch at this class with Craft Kombucha. You’ll take home everything you need to do it at home, including a fermentation vessel, a SCOBY (click if you dare) and starter. (Union Market, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $50 for one, $80 for two)

MORE: Film Screening: Ten Canoes (Phillips Collection, 6 p.m., $15), Summer Sips Wine Series: Rosé, You Say? (City Winery, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $30), Evening at the Embassy of Bulgaria (Embassy of Bulgaria, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $50)