Living in the Nation’s Capital, with so many free events going on year-round, it might seem silly to spend a princely sum of money for the privilege of becoming a Member of a local arts organization. But there are a number of good reasons to think about becoming a member — maybe you’re interested in a particular subject that’s only shown at a pay-for museum, maybe you’re an artist looking to grab a foothold in…

>> Artists Virgil Marti and Pae White, whose new conceptual piece has recently been installed in the lobby of the Hirshhorn, will give a Meet the Artists talk in the museum’s Ring Auditorium. [7th St. and Independence Ave. SW, Free, 7 p.m.] >> U Street neighborhood residents get the bait-and-switch from Mayor’s office. Until a day ago, Mayor Fenty was scheduled to meet tonight. Now the Cardozo/Shaw Neighborhood Association will settle for Deputy Mayor Neil…

Kayti Didriksen’s notorious painting of President Bush, “Man of Leisure: King George” (which was originally part of the City Museum’s “Funky Furniture” exhibition until deemed unsuitable for public display) can now be seen at Modern ARF in Clarendon. — This evening, head to the next installment of Artful Evenings at the Phillips Collection. Elizabeth Hutton Turner, the curator of the newly opened exhibit “Calder Miró,” will lead a discussion of the visual dialogue between the…