Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is headlining the Pink Rocks the Runway fundraiser. Photograph by Brad Walsh
Thursday, October 20
THEATER: Don’t miss opening night of George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man at Constellation Theatre. Set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, the comedy tells the story of a Bulgarian woman who falls in love with a fugitive enemy soldier. Half the tickets for tonight and tomorrow night’s performances will be sold in advance online for $10; or you can stand in line the day of and pay what you can. If you’d like to catch a show after Friday, tickets ($25 to $40) can be purchased through Box Office Tickets. The show runs through November 20. Tonight’s performance is at 8 PM; the box office opens one hour earlier.
FILM: For one night only, thrill seekers and movie buffs alike can catch a screening of Tornado Alley 3-D at the Johnson IMAX Theater. Narrated by actor Bill Paxton, the film follows Sean Casey, star of Discovery Channel series Storm Chasers, and scientists from tornado research project VORTEX2 as they come face-to-face with the birth of a tornado. Casey, along with scientists from the film, will answer questions after the screening. Tickets ($7 for children, $10 for members, $13 for nonmembers) can be purchased through the Smithsonian’s Web site. 7 to 9 PM.
MUSIC: Indie-pop singer Christofer Drew Ingle, who goes by the stage name Never Shout Never, is dropping by the Fillmore tonight. The New York Times called Ingle a “clean singer, enamored of 1950s pop.” You can listen to some of his tracks here. Tickets ($30.95) can be purchased through Live Nation. 5 PM.
DANCE: The Velocity Dance Festival returns to Sidney Harman Hall tonight, and tickets ($18) are still available online. The four-day festival will feature the Washington Ballet, Urban Artistry, Flamenco Aparicio, and more. Tonight’s performance starts at 8 PM.
Friday, October 21
BENEFIT: Fashionistas won’t want to miss Pink Rocks the Runway, an annual breast cancer awareness extravaganza at the International Trade Center. Attendees will catch a sneak peak of Christian Siriano’s fall fashion line, plus a pink couture gown fashion show featuring young breast cancer survivors. VIP guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, access to a four-hour open bar, swag bags, and more. Tickets ($75 to $500) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. The runway show begins at 8 PM.
MUSIC: Gospel music legend the Blind Boys of Alabama are performing at the Strathmore tonight. Since 1948, the Grammy lifetime achievement award winners have recorded 70 albums and performed on nearly every continent. Country-bluegrass singer Jim Lauderdale will open. Tickets ($25 to $48) can be purchased through the Strathmore’s Web site. 8 PM.
WINE: Sample more than 250 different wines from around the world during Second Glass’s Wine Riot DC festival. Stop by DAR Constitution Hall for 20-minute wine seminars, Q&A sessions with wine experts, food pairings ($3 to $8), photobooth fun, and more. Tickets ($50 to $60) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. The festival runs through Saturday; tonight’s hours are 7 to 11 PM.
ART: Join fellow art lovers at the Corcoran’s second annual NOW at Night fundraiser. Dance the night away to tunes by DJ Spooky, sip on cocktails and other specialty drinks, peruse the gallery’s latest exhibit, “30 Americans,” and more. All proceeds will benefit upcoming programs. Tickets ($150) can be purchased through the Corcoran’s Web site, but if you tweet us the name of your favorite piece of local artwork, you could win two free tickets. The drawing takes place Friday morning. 8 PM to midnight.
Saturday, October 22
BEER: Bar Dupont is hosting a two-day Oktoberfest Festival with $5 drafts and $20 pitchers. Attendees can also fill up on traditional German cuisine—including grilled sausage and brockwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad, and soft pretzels. Saturday, 11 AM to 11 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 10 PM.
SQUARE DANCING: Break out the ten-gallon hats and plaid shirts for tonight’s Great American Square Dance Revival at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church (1525 Newton St., NW). Grab your partner and do-si-do to the sounds of live music from an old-time string band. Tickets ($5) can be purchased at the door. 8:30 to 11:30 PM.
ART: During the Mid City Artists open studios tour, 21 artists from Dupont and Logan circles will open their doors to the public. Art lovers can catch a rare glimpse into the creative process of painters, photographers, sculptors, and other creative types. Free. The tour runs through Saturday, noon to 5 PM, although individual studio times may vary.
FILM: The LGBT film festival Reel Affirmations is wrapping up with five screenings at the Lisner Auditorium. Today’s showings include Wish Me Away at 11 AM, the Wise Kids at 1 PM, Jitters at 3 PM, Pariah at 5 PM, and Loose Cannons at 7:15 PM. Tickets ($12 to $20) can be purchased through the festival’s Web site.
Sunday, October 23
KID-FRIENDLY: Washington’s wildest Halloween party, Boo at the Zoo, is back with haunted trails, animal encounters, zookeeper presentations, and more than 40 treat stations. Participating venues include Dolci Gelati, Newman’s Own, Whole Foods, Mars, Dole Fruit, and Honest Kids. Tickets ($20 for members, $30 for nonmembers) can be purchased through the National Zoo’s Web site. 5:30 to 8:30 PM. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Halloween Events Guide.
THEATER: Today’s your last chance to catch a showing of Witness for the Prosecution at Olney Theatre. Agatha Christie’s 1953 thriller takes a mysterious turn when a man on trial for murder faces a surprising twist in the courtroom—his wife testifying against him. Tickets ($49 for children, $54 for adults) can be purchased through the Olney’s Web site. 2 PM.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s the Heir Apparent is also closing today at the Lansburgh Theatre. Adapted from Jean-François Regnard’s 1708 masterpiece, the comedy follows a man desperately trying to secure an inheritance so that he can marry the love of his life. You can read our rave review here. Tickets ($55 to $95) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 2 PM.
FOOD: To celebrate National Cheese Month, Ripple is hosting a “cheese 101” class this afternoon. Executive chef Logan Cox will kick things off with a ricotta-making demonstration, followed by a lesson in crafting the perfect cheese plate. Tickets ($40) include a cheese tasting; call 202-244-7995 to reserve. 3:30 to 5 PM.
