MONDAY, OCT. 2

DEATH IN CONGRESS: Various members of Congress have died while in office — John C. Calhoun, John McCain, and now Dianne Feinstein. Eerily timed, Profs and Pints DC is hosting a talk about the prevalence of deaths on Capitol Hill and the political importance of some of these passings. Marvin Overby, a professor of political science and director of the School of Public Affairs at Pennsylvania State University, will provide a historical analysis of senator and representative deaths. (Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31)

BANNED BOOKS: It’s Banned Books Week. The DC Public Library is hosting events all week, and it begins with a conversation with artist Xaviera Simmons and Rhea Combs, the director of curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Simmons’ art, FREEDOM IS NOT GUARANTEED, will be displayed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library this fall. (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: Stage Fright (Sudhouse DC; 9:45 p.m.; FREE); Bre Kennedy (DC9; 8 p.m.; $15+), Conversation with Line Papin (Busboys and Poets K Street; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Charity Bingo (Nighthawk Brewery & Pizza; 7 p.m.; $5), DC Theater Preview (S. Dillon Ripley Center; 6:45 p.m.; $20+), Ambar Lucid (Black Cat; 7:30 p.m.; $20+)

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

SIP AND PAINT: Unwind with a paint-by-number tropical flower print and a glass of wine (or two). Shop Made in DC hosts a sip and paint, featuring the local art and creative business Cate Paper Co. The ticket includes multiple art supplies and two glasses of wine. (Shop Made in DC at The Wharf; 6 p.m.; $39)

OKTOBERFEST: Wunder Garten’s 9th Annual Oktoberfest Festival continues. Don your best traditional German outfit (think lederhosen and dirndl) and enjoy authentic German food, music, games and plenty of beer. The festival runs until Oct. 15, so revel in the festivities before it’s too late. (Wunder Garten 4 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: Amy Chua (Politics and Prose Connecticut Ave.; 7 p.m.; FREE), Tales from Netherworlds (Profs and Pints Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31), The Lil Smokies and Town Mountain (The Birchmere; 7:30 p.m.; $29.50)

SPONSORED THE CHAMELEON: What’s your superpower? Theater J’s first world premiere of the season is an intergenerational, laugh-out-loud play about assimilation, the effects of social media in the modern age, and family dynamics. Plus, a ton of comic book action. (Goldman Theater, Oct. 11-Nov. 5)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4

EDIT-A-THON: While Wikipedia is one of the most visited sites on the web, women of color are underrepresented — in terms of contributors and people written about. The Anacostia Community Museum and Wikimedia DC are trying to change that, specifically in the environmental justice space. Edit Wikipedia pages and bring awareness to Black women’s contributions to the field at this edit-a-thon. No Wikipedia editing experience is necessary, and training will be provided. (Anacostia Community Museum; 4 p.m.; FREE)

LGBTQ+ HISTORY: Learn about the LGBTQ+ history of Lafayette Square, led by expert and Department of Treasury curator Jon Frederick. The square has long been a place of LGBTQ+ activism and protests. After the tour, the group will go to Trade for a happy hour. (General Marquis Lafayette statue; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)

ARTIST TALK: Hear from artists about their process in creating their work for the Free-doms art exhibition — a display all about freedom and what it means for the individual and the collective, historically and in contemporary times. Dwayne Martin, Selena Noir, Khadija Jahmila, and Underdog the DJ are featured at the exhibit. (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 6 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: Best of Film at Mason Showcase (Mason Exhibitions Arlington; 6 p.m.; FREE), Street Fighter 6 Tournament (District E; 7 p.m.; FREE), Learn to Process Film with Plants (Rhizome DC; 6 p.m.; $15), Seascape Watercoloring Class (Hank’s Oyster Bar Old Town; 6 p.m.; $75), The Beer Lover’s Guide to Cider: American Ciders for Craft Beer Fans to Explore book signing and discussion with author Beth Demmon (Churchkey; 6 p.m.; FREE), Perfect Liars Club (The Comedy Loft Of DC; 7 p.m.; $15), Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key (Sixth & I and virtual; 7 p.m.; $37+)

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

TACO DAY: Celebrate National Taco Day with Rosslyn’s first-ever Taco Crawl. Explore the Rosslyn neighborhood — discover new spots, and visit restaurants you know and love. A guide will be leading the tour, so no need to be a Rosslyn regular. (Central Place Plaza; 5:30 p.m.; $15)

ROCKY HORROR TRIVIA: Calling all Rocky Horror superfans — flex your knowledge at Rocky Horror trivia. Bring a team to Atlas Brew Works for a chance to win a $50 Atlas gift card, or a six-pack of Atlas beer for the second-place winner. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so get there early to nab a seat. (Atlas Brew Works Ivy City; 7 p.m.; FREE)

SWEET AND SPOOKY: Attend a Halloween-themed burlesque and variety show to kick off October. Sweet and Spooky will feature eight performers including Bebe Bardeaux and Curly Bright, and will be hosted by Burlesque dancer Victoria Vixen. Stick around for the after-party, too, which is an extra $5. (The Owl Room; 7 p.m.; $20+)

BOOK CLUB: It’s like Romeo and Juliet, but zombies. Join Folger Shakespeare Library’s book club to discuss the New York Times bestselling novel Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. It follows the zombie “R” in his journey of falling in love with a human woman, Julie. This star-crossed lovers story is a perfect read for Halloween month. (Virtual; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)

SPONSORED SMITHSONIAN CRAFT SHOW: Looking for handcrafted wearables and beautiful home goods? You will find the them at CRAFT: Fashion + Home, the Smithsonian’s Women’s Committee reimagined fall craft show. The show takes place October 5-8 at the National Building Museum and showcases the work of over 80 top U.S. artisans. (Opening party, Oct. 5, $125; Daily tickets. $20)

MORE: “Curving Lines” Opening Reception (Takoma Park Community Center; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Arlington Art Walk (Multiple locations; 3 p.m.; FREE), Mondrian’s Dress (National Gallery of Art; 4 p.m.; FREE), Art + Wine + Cheese: Dorothy Gillespie (Nepenthe Gallery; 6 p.m.; FREE), Phillip Phillips (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $25), Drag[on] Extravaganza (Howard Community College Horowitz Center; 6 p.m.; FREE), Rai Jackson (Bowie Center for the Performing Arts; 7 p.m.; $50)