Over the course of a year, Washington D.C. plays host to any number of events. Key industry conferences, cultural offerings from the four corners of the globe, and marching axe-grinders willing to protest just about anything. But this year, only one group will make this promise: “Nearly every quadrant of the city will feel the impact of Digestive Disease Week.” MmmmmMMMMMmmM, yyEEAH! Are you prepared to FEEL IT, Washington? Because a quartet of medical societies…

FRIDAY: >> Bliss, the Black Cat’s indie rock dance party, presents a combination DJ/Live show. Kicking things off will be The Juan Maclean, followed by the always memorable (and not nearly as dead as you might have thought) Edie Sedgwick. 9 p.m., $12. >> We’re all by now familiar with the greatest hits of the Kubrick canon: The Shining, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, etc. But if you’ve never had the…

You guys gave us an impossible job, but we managed to narrow the field of over 200 amazing photographers to the short list you’ll find after the jump. We want to thank everyone who submitted their photos; we’re truly overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response, and hope this will pave the way to many shows in the future and more exposure for all of your great work. If your name is on the list below,…

FRIDAY: >> Nothing wrong with another strong all-local lineup: Washington Social Club, These United States and Let’s French will be on Black Cat’s mainstage. DCist has interviewed two of these bands before, and we’re set to get up close and personal with the third. So check ’em out. 9:30 p.m., $10. >> We’re definitely impressed with the speed at which DC Rollergirls have gotten their act together since hosting a series of recruitment happy hour/arm…

>> Where, oh where, to get your art and beer this week? There may not be many openings around town, but all you need is one big one, and Dr. Dremo’s is command central for the weekend’s launch activities. More than an art show, the Counter Culture Festival has music, dancing, and food to keep your creative side abuzz all evening. The festival is organized by DC Conspiracy, a group of comic creators, artists and…

FRIDAY: >> You don’t need us to tell you any more about local heavyweights Benjy Ferree, Meredith Bragg and the Terminals, or Greenland. But tonight is Ferree’s first time headlining at Black Cat’s mainstage, so don’t forget to show up and lend your support. 9 p.m., $10. SATURDAY: >> Guitarist Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will spin a DJ set at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $10 after 10 p.m., free before. >>…

The Shakespeare in Washington festival continues this week with the visit of the Kirov Ballet to the Kennedy Center Opera House. This year, the resident troupe of St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater has brought its traveling production of Leonid Lavrovsky’s choreography of Romeo and Juliet. Sergei Prokofiev wanted to premiere the sublime music of this ballet (op. 64) at the Mariinsky in the 1930s, but the theater ultimately balked. The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow also accepted…

The long, dark night of the Arts Agenda is almost over! Our fearless arts editor, DCist Heather, will return next week and restore confidence in our coverage of the arts. It has been an enjoyable task for me to fill in, but we are all relieved; let’s face it. THURSDAY: >> If you have not seen The Société Anonyme: Modernism for America at the Phillips Collection, you have to do it by this Sunday. Read…

When thinking of Emily Dickinson, one might picture a kindly woman in a white dress who periodically took breaks from her gardening to write a little poetry. Oh, Em, we hardly knew ye. BosmaDance’s vibrant work, Violet in my Winter, moves far beyond the breezy misanthropy and chuckling morbidity we encountered from Dickinson in grade school. Choreographer Meisha Bosma reveals a striking passion that resided beneath Dickinson’s seemingly quiet life. Violet in my Winter does…

FRIDAY: >> Baltimore’s Fertile Ground return to 9:30 Club for a concert with collaborator Raheem DeVaughn called Let’s Do It Again. Also singer Anthony David. 9 p.m., $22. >> Gallery Openings of Note: Maria Friberg opens her show, titled embedded, at Conner Contemporary, reception 6 to 8 p.m. That’s embedded #4 at left. Also we checked out a preview of Colby Caldwell’s new show, Small Game, at Hemphill Fine Arts on Wednesday, and definitely recommend…