Monday, October 19: Reel-y Good Shorts
Reel Affirmations, Washington’s lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender film festival runs through October 24. More than 40 films will be screened, including shorts and documentaries. Tonight, a collection of some of the best short films will be shown at the Harman Center for the Arts at 7. Tickets ($10) can be purchased online here, or at the venue’s box office.

Tuesday, October 20: ’90s Dance Party
Rewind the clock and relive the greatest decade ever: the ’90s. Two seminal bands of that decade are in town tonight. There’s the effervescent brothers Hanson, which plays at the 9:30 Club, and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” singer Lenny Kravitz, who’ll perform at the Warner Theatre. Tickets are $30 for Hanson and $59.50 for Lenny Kravitz—a bit steep for acts that haven’t had a hit in a decade, but who said nostalgia’s cheap?

Wednesday, October 21: Judith & Julia
Knopf editor Judith Jones, the woman responsible for putting Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking on bookshelves, is inaugurating an author series at Zola Wine + Kitchen sponsored by Hooks Books Events and Stir Food Group. The event, which runs from 6 to 8, will include a discussion with Jones and a cooking demo. Tickets are $75 and include a copy of Jones’s latest book, appetizers, and two glasses of wine. For reservations, click here.

Thursday, October 22: Bentzen Ball
The Bentzen Ball, a four-day comedy festival orchestrated by comedian Tig Notaro and the local social Web site Brightest Young Things, kicks off today with an opening stand-up show at the Lincoln Theater. The lineup of performers include Patton Oswalt, Tig Notaro, Kyle Kinane, and Ian Edwards. Tickets ($30) can be purchased here. For more information about the Bentzen Ball, click here.

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