>> It’s the first night of Hanukkah, so if you’re not celebrating with family and friends at home, consider catching the Sinai Mountain Boys, a Maryland combo that melds the speedy strumming and twanging of bluegrass with Orthodox Jewish melodies. They’ll be offering an hour of unique sounds for free beginning at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. >> The Washington Jewish Film Festival presents Diane Crespo and Stefan Schaefer’s Arranged, the…

>> Should you expect crappy service at the Black Cat tonight, when they’re advertising a party celebrating their 14th anniversary tonight as an event where staffers “will be hanging out?” Maybe. But it’s a free night of noisy rock bands, and you know the guys and gals who pour your drinks night in and night out deserve some appreciation. Backstage, 8 p.m. >> Def Jux artist Aesop Rock has been redefining hip-hop since the…

During last year’s DAM!fest, I had some time to kill between shows one night and headed over to DC9 to catch some of the ridiculous bill that had bands like De Novo Dahl, Bound Stems and Bishop Allen all playing the same night. I got there right as the first band, Pela, were starting their set. I had read the name on a few different music blogs but wasn’t familiar with their music at…