>> 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…

>> One of the funniest comedic performers out there today, Amy Sedaris is at the Historic Sixth and I Synagogue tonight to promote her recent book, I Like You, at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are no longer available, but a few seats can apparently still be had at the door for $25 — a small price to pay to be entertained by the woman who brought us the wonder that is Jerri Blank. >>…

DCist’s highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week. Foreign: 2007 Washington Jewish Film Festival The Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center’s annual film festival has become one of the largest and longest running of the local festivals. This year’s program encompasses over 40 films, from 11 countries. Nearly half of the selections are films from Israel, in recognition of the nation’s 60th year. The event…

>> The Corcoran is all abuzz these days with their newly-announced director and blockbuster shows featuring Andy Warhol and D.C.’s beloved Sam Gilliam. A new exhibition opens there on Saturday that focuses on the depiction of banjos in paintings, drawings and photographs, including the ca. 1895 photo of the woman at right. Interestingly, the exhibit is partially funded by the Steve Martin Charitable Foundation, according to the museum’s website. (Who knew that Steve Martin was…