Thursday, February 21
COMEDY: Every Thursday,
the Pinch hosts an open-mike comedy night—come out to laugh (and potentially cringe) at some
of DC’s best up-and-coming comics. If you have the guts, get onstage and tell a few
jokes yourself. Free. 8 PM.
DANCE: Why is it that most of the best deejays in the world come out of Europe? Before Aviicii
and Madeon (who’s playing a sold-out show at 9:30 Club tonight), there was
Martyn, a Dutch deejay who’s been spinning since the ’90s. He’s changed with the times,
though, moving from drum and bass to dubstep and house. He’ll be at U Street Music
Hall with Youngsta, Biome, and four other deejays. Tickets ($12) are available online.
9 PM.
SOCIAL MEDIA: The
Post’s
Mike DeBonis, CNN’s
Stacey Samuel, and Motley Fool’s
Molly McCluskey discuss how Twitter has changed the news cycle and will let you know how they use
Twitter to gather and break news. If you’re at all interested in getting ahead in
this crazy social media game we all play (follow me, guys), check out the panel at
the National Press Club. Tickets ($27) are available through Eventbrite. 6:30 PM.
Friday, February 22
COMEDY: Wonderland Ballroom’s
Don’t Block the Box is definitely a step up from the open-mike nights: This week’s edition features Ben
Kronberg, who’s appeared on
Jimmy Kimmel Live and is about to film a special for Comedy Central. A host of proven DC comics, including
Michael Foody and Adam Friedland, will open up. Afterward, Wonderland devolves (evolves?)
into a ridiculous dance party. $3. 7:30 PM.
MUSEUM PARTY: The National Museum of African Art is staying up way past its bedtime and throwing
a sweet party (just don’t tell its parents).
Africa Underground will feature African music (with live performances by Eme and Heteru), dance, art,
and lots of drinks. Tickets are $25 online or $30 the day of and include one drink.
7 PM.
ART (KINDA): Black Cat’s
Super Art Fight is part
The Joy of Painting and part WWE showdown—you shout out various things the artists should paint while
live commentators ridicule whatever’s going on, and the Wheel of Death will throw
a wrench into the whole situation. They don’t call it the greatest live art competition
in the known universe for nothing—things get wild. Tickets ($12) are available online.
9:30 PM.
Saturday, February 23
ARM WRESTLING: The women of
DC Lady Arm Wrestlers are all ready to suit up for a royal rumble at Penn Social. Five bucks gets you in
the door, and proceeds benefit Critical Exposure, a nonprofit that teaches children
how to take photographs. Cheer and scream all you want; just hope for no broken arms.
Tickets ($5) are available through Eventbrite. 7 PM.
FASHION: Mount Pleasant’s
Nana is hosting a pop-up shop featuring clothing from Preloved, a Canadian clothing line
that makes new clothes using reclaimed, vintage fabrics. The event is this weekend
only. Noon.
GAMBLE: The
Hilton at Tysons Corner is hosting its 17th annual casino night, with proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation. The event features roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, slots, an open bar,
dancing, live auction, and a buffet. Tickets ($150) are available online. 7 PM.
DANCE: Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting
CupSet DC, a night of dubstep, soul, funk, crunk, and other music with heart-pounding bass.
Atlanta dubstep band Watch the Duck, who are a real, actual band, will also perform.
Tickets ($25) are available online. 10 PM.
Sunday, February 24
THROWBACK: The 9:30 Club’s
DC Funk-Punk Throwback Jam is exactly what it sounds like: A bunch of old DC punk and funk bands, including
Trouble Funk, Scream, Shady Groove, and Youth Brigade return to the stage. The show
is hosted by DC legend Henry Rollins (of Black Flag and being a really good spoken-word
artist fame). Tickets ($25) are available online. 3 PM.
GET SLEEPY: Throw on your PJs and head to Navy Memorial to watch the Oscars with DC Shorts
for its
Snuggle With the Stars party. The show will be broadcast on a two-story HDTV, which I’m guessing is bigger
than the one in your living room. Entry includes an open bar and a buffet. Tickets ($50)
are available online. 6 PM.
GET FANCY: On the other end of the spectrum,
Art Soiree is hosting a black-tie Oscar watch party at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton. You’ll enter
on a red carpet, and maybe people will pretend you’re a celeb; you’ve got about as
much a chance of winning Best Actor as Bradley Cooper does, after all. The show will
be broadcast on five TVs, and there’ll be a cash bar. Tickets ($40) are available
through Eventbrite. 7 PM.
DRINK: And if you want an Oscar party without the pretense—or the price tag—head to
Black Cat’s backstage. No specials, just a TV and a bunch of sloshed people yelling at the
screen. Free. 8 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.
