>> Looking to practice your Spanish comprehension? The Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the OAS is hosting an interesting free movie screening tonight at the Art Museum of the Americas — but be warned, the film does not have English subtitles. Donde Acaban Los Caminos is based on the autobiographical novel by Mario Monteforte Toledo, about a young man who arrives in San Pedro La Laguna during the military dictatorship in the first decades of…

TUESDAY: Tomorrow is a treasure trove for science and sci-fi junkies. Our reviewer raved about The Dead Travel Fast: Stalking Vampires from Nosferatu to Count Chocula. Hear author Eric Nuzum muse on the undead at Wonderland Ballroom, 1101 Kenyon St. NW, which will offer drink specials, while Olsson’s will have books for sale at the bar. Fangs and capes encouraged. 7 p.m. Over at Politics and Prose, author Ira Flatow will discuss his lengthily titled…

What a perfectly simple city scene, probably a variation on every backyard in town and made a little classic with the red-on-red tones. Of course, the almost invisible lock securing the grill to the patio and the iron gate on the tiny window reminds you that this ain’t the suburbs. Flickr user christaki could have this put on a cover story of City Grillin’: How to Feed As Many People As You Can Squeeze…

There are good bands, and there are pros. Before that word sends you running to hide in your Slanted and Enchanted cave, go check out the Long Winters. John Roderick’s Seattle outfit are pros in the best sense of the word – affable, even hilarious indie rockers that seem born to take their word-stuffed pop songs on the road. The Winters came on stage a little late last night at the Rock and Roll Hotel,…

Oh, the holiday shopping season. Preparing the troops to invade local malls, throwing punches over a video game player, listening to Jingle Bells until your ears bleed. Good times. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Don’t know what to get mom-in-law? Finally impress her with your cultural know-how by gift wrapping some ART this holiday season. Galleries are listening, and have a few deals for you bargain shoppers. >>Cheap for Charity: What’s better…

Remember last week when we told you to mark your calendar for this evening? Force yourself away from the One Tree Hill season premiere and head down to the Corcoran Hammer Auditorium for Night 1 of the second Experimental Media Series. Presented by the Washington Project for the ArtsCorcoran, tonight promises Cowboys, Clichés, Codes, and Conspiracies. In this show curated by Peggy Parsons, the Head of the Department of Film at the National Gallery of…

FRIDAY: If loving Busta Rhymes’ new album, The Big Bang, is wrong — well we sure as hell don’t want to be right. Yes, Busta has always been one of those charismatic rap superstars without much substance to back him up, and yes, there was a time when his shortcomings had become awfully grating. But now that he’s hooked up with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label, that time appears to have ended. This is what summertime…