>> One of the biggest names in smooth jazz, altoist David Sanborn, begins a five night stint at Blues Alley tonight with daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Our first must see of the week takes place at Twins Jazz, where the club will feature three ensembles under the direction of local saxophonist Brad Linde. The University of Maryland Jazz Chamber Ensemble will play the first set…

Let’s take a look back at a week that raised this Zen koan: if Kevin Federline got into a wrestling ring with a wrestler, who would you root for? Austinist was in an entertainment state of mind as they covered the dickens out of the Austin Film Festival, depicted all the Big 12 football coaches as South Park characters, and interviewed Jose Gonzalez. Chicagoist talked about the passion as they bid adieu to Bell’s Beer,…

After getting thrashed at home by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the tune of 11-1, the Nationals experienced something of a wake-up call. The Nats might have looked around and found out that they were in the basement of one of the worst divisions in baseball. They might have done some research and found out that Friday night’s beat-down was at the hands of franchise whose entire existence has been marred by futility…

This Monday will bring the first installment of the F.W. Thomas Performances, and you, gentle DCist readers, are largely to blame. The series, which bills itself as a “monthly literary variety show featuring live presentations from area writers, artists and musicians,” was started in part because of the great turnout for a reading by writers John Hodgman, Adam Mazmanian and others here in D.C. in December — an event that we’re told DCist readers showed…

Driving up Massachusetts Avenue beyond Dupont Circle and Sheridan Circle one quickly comes across Embassy Row — the expanse of real estate stretching up towards the National Cathedral occupied primarily by the embassies and residences of the many countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the U.S. And while the houses and buildings speak of stately tradition, what happens within may not. Law students at American University’s Washington College of Law are taking to the courts…

The -ist world has not made its way down to South Florida yet. But that doesn’t mean the blogging world hasn’t. DCSOB, who has been on vacation in Miami the past week or so, returns from the land of Marisleysis Gonzalez, “Miami Vice”, the NBC power sit-com trifecta “Empty Nest,” “Golden Girls” (above) and “Nurses” and the “pathetic Metromover downtown circulator system” to report that things are better here in the nation’s capital –…

Jammed packed with cells in various stages of development, Teo Gonzalez’s minimalist paintings are something of an obsessive pursuit. Fortunately for Gonzalez, his meticulous efforts have recently been rewarded by his work being acquired by major museums on both coasts (MoMA, LACMA and NGA). D.C. art enthusiasts have until Saturday to catch Gonzalez’s current solo show at Irvine Contemporary Art in Dupont Circle and see for themselves what all the fuss is about. Gonzalez’s paintings…

Along with the following picks, don’t forget to check out DCist’s Arts Agenda (First Fridays in Dupont!) and Music Agenda for events that might tickle your fancy this weekend. FRIDAY: >> Intimate roots-rocker Jolie Holland (at right) brings her sparse yet uplifting music to Jammin Java in Vienna. With guitarist Brooks Williams. 8 p.m., $12. >> If you’re a fellow The OC freak (hey, we wear our obsession proudly on our sleeve), you’ll remember pre-lesbian…