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January always feels like it lasts forever, but believe or not, we’re in the last full week of the month. Spend it sampling mumbo sauce dishes, catching an indie movie, showing off your trivia skills, and more.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27
SPECIAL SAUCE: Three D.C. restaurants have whipped up their own spins on our city’s signature flavor: mumbo sauce. Now diners can participate in a contest to determine the best recipe. This week, when patrons choose one of the mumbo sauce dishes at Lucky Buns, Mintwood Place, and The Game Sports Pub, they’ll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift card to one of those restaurants. The business to give out the most tickets is crowned the winner. Dishes include Lucky Buns’ mumbo-topped Thai fried chicken sandwich, The Game’s wings coated in a Filipino-style mumbo sauce, and Mintwood’s duck wings slathered in mumbo. (Various locations, through Sunday, prices vary)
POLARIZED: Ezra Klein (co-founder and editor at large of Vox) will talk with Jamelle Bouie about a topic a lot of us in D.C. are familiar with: political polarization. Klein will talk specifically about “structural and psychological forces” that got us to the point where we are today. (Sixth & I, 7 p.m., $20)
POP GOES THE COCKTAIL: Soon-to-open Indian cocktail bar Daru will host a special popup event at Adams Morgan’s Green Zone on Monday evening. The H Street bar from part of the team behind Rasika will bring their unique spin on classic cocktails for spirit lovers to try—think old fashioneds with jackfruit or green daiquiris. (The Green Zone, 6 p.m.-11 p.m., free entry)
MORE: Profs & Pints: Primates and Conflict (Bier Baron Tavern, 6 p.m., $12), Swinging to Freedom: Pilsner Jazz Band (Kennedy Center, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE), DC Run Crew “HIIT and RUN” January Sessions (New Balance DC, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28
GAINS: As part of its Vies d’Artistes film series, the French embassy will screen the 2010 movie Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life. Director Joann Sfar has a bold vision in her dramatization of the life of French singer Serge Gainsbourg, including having the musician interact with an animated version of himself. (French Embassy, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)
TWO TO TANGO (AND CASH): Shaolin Jazz will bring its unique live production to the beloved Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell action classic Tango and Cash at Songbyrd on Tuesday. Shaolin Jazz screens action movies that are scored live by DJ 2-Tone. (Songbyrd, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)
WESTWARD: The theme for this week’s trivia event at Pinstripes is Aaron Sorkin’s much-beloved The West Wing. As is usual with these games, come prepared to show off your knowledge of Barlet, CJ, Leo, Josh, Toby, and the rest of the cast in celebration of the best television dramas of all time. (Pinstripes Georgetown, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Underground Comedy at The Big Hunt (Big Hunt, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE), Pilsen: Past & Present (Embassy of the Czech Republic, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration), Self Defense Workshop with Heidi Lyndaker (Summit to Soul, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $25)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29
TINY CATS: Indie rock lovers should recognize the name Miniature Tigers as they prepare to hit the stage at Rock & Roll Hotel on Wednesday. The band first hit the scene in the late aughts with their stunning debut, Tell It to the Volcano. Their latest album, Vampires in the Daylight, has been praised for showing lyrical maturity as it chronicles a devastating breakup. (Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m., $20)
DISASSEMBLE: Breaking down a whole fish can be a complicated task for even the most accomplished of chefs, which is why it might be worthwhile to watch one actually do it live. Mess Hall will offer up that very opportunity as Zach Ramos of Sushi Taro will break down a 100-pound bluefin tuna. (Mess Hall, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $85)
ICY: NOVA’s upcoming film, Polar Extremes, will screen at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History ahead of its February premiere on PBS. The film details a mysterious trend of fossils showing up in unconventional places, with Earth’s dramatic climate history serving as the template for hints about our future. A panel discussion about the film will follow. (National Museum of Natural History, 6:45 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: Nada Surf (Black Cat, 7:30 p.m., $25), The National Ballet of Canada (Kennedy Center, 7:30 p.m., $29-$149), Broadway Center Stage: Next to Normal (Kennedy Center, 8 p.m., $69)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
GLOW: In honor of the Chinese New Year, Kennedy Center’s The REACH is displaying a special art show, including more than 10,000 colored LED lights across 100 different lanterns. Visitors can also enjoy special artisan demonstrations, food trucks, and more. (Kennedy Center’s The REACH, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)
ANIMATED: Animation lovers should be sure to visit Big Chief on Thursday night for a special art show devoted to all of your favorite shows. The Art From the Heart World Tour sees a collection of creatives team up to showcase all kinds of different art (including body painting and clothing design) inspired by like the Powerpuff Girls, Invader Zim, and other IP. (Big Chief, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., $25)
SNEAKY: As technology as progressed and gotten dramatically better, so have the tools intelligence officers use to conduct their spycraft. The Institute of World Politics will shine a light on these developments in a panel discussion hosted by energy and security analyst Patricia Schouker as she explains just how much has changed—and how much continues to change—in the world of espionage. (The Institute of World Politics, 5 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE with registration)
ALMOST: Artist Robin Ha will visit East City Bookshop as she celebrates the release of her original graphic novel Almost American Girl. The memoir is a coming-of-age story about Ha (who has had her art published by Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine) and her immigration journey. (East City Bookshop, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: Guest House – Film Screening (Sixth & I, 7 p.m,, $12), Billy F.Gibbons, Carmine & Vinny Appice, Franky Perez, Ron Holloway and more! (Pearl Street Warehouse, 7 p.m., $35), Baila Thursdays @ La Cosecha (La Cosecha, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $7)
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