Thursday, October 17
FILM: The
AFI International Spooky Film Festival continues with
Chastity Bites, a horror comedy that also has a bit to say about abstinence-only education, as a
serial killer who has taken up “bathing in virgin blood” is on the loose. Luckily,
she’s a sex-ed teacher in conservative America, so she’s got plenty of teens to choose
from. Tickets ($12) are available online. 7 PM.
THEATER: You’ve seen
Rocky Horror onscreen, and you’ve probably even seen it with people in front of that screen. But
now’s your chance to see it without those pesky moving images.
American University is taking us back to the days when
Rocky Horror was simply a musical, with a staging of the story of the transvestite mad scientist
Frank ’N’ Furter. Tickets ($15) are available online. 8 PM.
Friday, October 18
BURLESQUE: In real life, there’s no competition between Queen Bey and Rihanna—the queen stays
the queen. But the dancers of
Brown Girls Burlesque are gonna give the matchup a try anyway, imitating the two in a burlesque dance-off
at Black Cat. But we all know who runs the world, right? Tickets ($12) are available
online. 8:45 and 11 PM.
LITERATURE:
Barrelhouse, a fiction and poetry magazine, is launching its 12th issue with a night of readings
and light food at the Black Squirrel. Readers include Caryn Lazzuri, Dan Brady, Kelcey
Parker, and Tara Laskowski. Free. 7 PM.
MUSIC: Remember when Trent Reznor pretended like
Nine Inch Nails were done back in 2009? We all knew that wouldn’t stick: The man is too prolific to
stay away for long. His three-year hiatus from touring is the norm for lots of bands,
but we’re glad he’s back anyway. The band are touring behind their latest,
Hesitation Marks, and they’ll hit the Verizon Center this weekend. Tickets ($38.50 to $102.50) are
available online. 8 PM.
MUSIC: Shred Fest was formed three years ago in Portland, Oregon, to help publish the first issue of
She Shreds Magazine, which is dedicated to women who rock. After hitting Austin last year, the festival
makes its way to Comet Ping Pong and St. Stephen’s Church. Each night features bands
from all over the country, most of them with women on guitars or bass.
Friday: Comet Ping Pong, 10 PM, $12
Saturday: St. Stephen’s Church, 3 PM, $12
Saturday, October 19
BEER: If you can get out to Bull Run, it’s worth checking out the
Northern Virginia Brewfest, featuring more than 40 breweries, live music, arts and crafts, and tons of food.
Breweries represented include Ommegang, Devil’s Backbone, Tröegs, and dozens more.
Admission includes four sampling tickets; additional ones can be purchased for a buck
apiece. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. 11 to 7 (also Sunday).
BAR CRAWL: H Street Festival was a couple of weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to
stop. At
Fall for H Street you can stumble or eat your way down the corridor with specials at 15 restaurants
and bars. There’ll be free mini golf at H Street Country Club, all-you-can-drink brunch
punch for $15 at Boundary Road, and cheap half liters of Oktoberfest beer at Biergarten
Haus, as well as specials at H &Pizza, Kahn’s, Granville Moore’s, and more. Tickets
($15) are available online. 1 to 6 PM.
MORE BEER: Snallygaster, DC’s most epically named beer festival, moves over to Union Market this year. Named
after a snaggletoothed mythical beast that used to terrorize the metro area, the festival
features more than 150 craft beers (including many that have never made their way
to DC), food trucks, games, and, if you go VIP, an awesome Snallygaster beer mug.
Regular admission is $10; VIP admission ($30 to $50) includes drink tickets and is
a bit complicated. Check out the details on the event’s website. 1 to 6 PM.
FILM: E Street Cinema screens
Shaun of the Dead, the funniest zombie movie ever (sorry,
Zombieland) at midnight. Costumes are encouraged, and there’ll be live (dead?) zombies for you
to freak out and throw vinyl records at (please don’t actually do this—leave it to
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost). $9. Midnight.
Sunday, October 20
GRAFFITI: If you missed screenings of
The Legend of Cool “Disco” Dan
when it originally came out last year, AFI Silver is giving you a chance to make
up for it. The man was DC’s most important graffiti artist and a mysterious, Banksy-esque
presence during the ’80s. But most important, the documentary takes a look at what
DC was like during the decade, a time long before gentrification took hold, when go-go
and hardcore punk ruled the music scene and the Mayor for Life was still in charge.
The filmmakers and Cool Disco Dan himself will be on hand to answer questions, introduce
the film, and talk about DC 30 years ago. Tickets ($15) are available online. 5:15
and 7:30 PM (Cool Disco Dan appearing at 5:15 only).
HAS-BEENS: It’s unclear when or if you’ll ever be able to see
Aaron Carter sing about How He Beat Shaq or invite you to Aaron’s Party again, so take these opportunities
as they come. The has-been early aughts icon is desperately trying to make a comeback,
and you can watch it live, in concert, for yourself at the Fillmore. Tickets ($33)
are available online. 7:30 PM.
FLEA MARKET: DC Flea is taking things inside at Marvin. That means you can find recycled and vintage clothing,
new arts and crafts, and all sorts of cool trinkets, then head up to the roof and
grab a beer or dance. Sounds like a plan. Free. 1 to 6 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter.
