For our complete guide to events happening this weekend, click here. Also, check out our calendar of events.

Friday, November 6
Once upon a time, you were a Lego master, constructing sprawling cities, fire stations, and pirate ships until your older brother kicked them to pieces. Get building again today at Arundel Mills mall (7000 Arundel Mills Cir., Hanover ) as it celebrates the grand opening of the Lego store. Join a top Lego architect to build a 12-foot Christmas tree. The event is free and runs today until 7 and starts back up tomorrow at 11. We promise your brother won’t be involved.

College of William and Mary alumna [Ed. Note: Tribe Pride!] Thao Nguyen knows how to rock. She and her alternative folk/rock band, Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, will be back on their home turf tonight when they play on the Black Cat mainstage . Also playing are the Portland Cello Project and David Shultz. Tickets are $15. Show starts at 9.

A picture’s worth a thousand words, so when five emerging local photographerss display their work at the Rock & Roll Hotel, there’ll be more than enough words to go around. As part of FotoWeek DC, the shutterbugs will exhibit their art tonight from 6 to 11. Free.

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events 

1. This week marks your last chance to grab some popcorn and catch the free DC Latin American Film Showcase. On Thursday, E Street Cinema will screen Proyect Grey—a Salvadorian film about a camping trip gone awry—at 6:30 and at 8:30, The Maid, which explores class issues in modern Chile. Tickets are first come, first-served and are distributed one per person 30 minutes prior to the film.

2. Tucked as it is between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce in the federal dictionary, it’s easy to overlook the US Department of Bhangra. Dedicated to bringing a hot monthly Indian dance party to Washington, its employees work at Bossa on Thursday night, keep odd hours (10 PM to 2 AM), and require very little funding (an $8 cover). For more information, visit Bhangra’s official Web site.

3. Winner of the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 2009 Open Exhibition Opportunity, artist Renee van der Stelt will showcase ten large sculptures and drawings that resemble satellite images of Earth at the gallery on Friday from 6 to 8. This free exhibit is accompanied by an artist’s talk at 7.

The lottery for free tickets to the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony opened bright and early today at 12:01 AM. Applicants have until 11:59 PM on Friday, November 6, to get their names in the hat.

This year, you can fill out an online application or call 877-444-6777 for a chance to secure one of the 2,800 seated tickets or 7,000 standing-room tickets. (Note: Standing-room tickets will have a view of the tree, but not the performance stage.) Applicants may submit only one application but can apply for up to five tickets. Ticket seekers can check the status of their request online or by phone from November 9 through 16. Tickets will be mailed by November 15.

The ceremony, which is scheduled for 5 PM on December 3, kicks off the holiday season in Washington with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees, representing the states, five territories, and DC. It includes live entertainment by well-known performers—this year's lineup has yet to be announced—and the United States Marine Corps Band. The president usually makes an appearance.

If you're not among the lucky ones, you can watch the ceremony here via live Webcast on December 3. And remember, you can see the lit tree without tickets every night through January 1. The lights go off at 11 PM.

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events

Monday, November 2
The Cabral/Truth Circle hosts “Stories of Hope and Struggle,” a film and panel discussion about the plight of Haitian women, at Busboys and Poets at 14th and V streets, Northwest. The film Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy profiles five Haitian women whose stories shed light on their country’s hardships. York College assistant professor of African American studies and anthropology Mark Schuller, who produced and co-directed the film, will lead a panel discussion. Event starts at 6.

Tuesday, November 3
In Mexican culture, the souls of the dead visit their living friends and family in the beginning of November. National Geographic Live! (1600 M St., NW; 202-857-7700) will screen La Ofrenda: Days of the Dead, a 50-minute film that shows the runs of Mitla, the gateway to the underworld, according to Mexican Indians. Produced by Lourdes Portillo and Susana Muñoz, the 1989 movie also explores the Latino community’s Day of the Dead traditions in California. Noon.

Monday: Noir DC
Get gritty with the Noir DC Film Festival, playing through Wednesday at the AFI Silver Theatre. Tonight, you can catch a double feature of Shakedown and Night Editor for just $10. 6:30 PM.

Tuesday: Girls at the Black Cat
Haven't yet heard of Girls? They're on the rise as one of the hottest bands of the year. The San Francisco duo (which is actually two men, though their name may lead you to believe otherwise) plays sunny, lovely pop music reminiscent of the Beach Boys or Elvis Costello. The duo plays the Black Cat's mainstage with Real Estate as opening act. Tickets are $12. 8 PM.

Wednesday: Winter Beer
Warm up as the weather gets colder with a winter beer tasting at the new Birch & Barley and ChurchKey. Taste some of the winter offerings from Flying Dog Brewery, Harpoon, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, and more. 5 PM.

1. You can take the edge off at McFadden’s from 4 to 7 each weekday, when all beers and appetizers are half off. If you’ve had a tough week in the office, you can up the ante with the bar’s Get Bombed Thursdays, where all beers, vodka flavors, and everything on McFadden’s new Bomb Menu are 50 percent off. Between chicken wings, fried mozzarella sticks, and popcorn shrimp for $5 or less, you can afford to drink on a full stomach.

2. A new season of American Idol is almost upon us. You can test your own auditioning skills at Logan Circle’s 1409 Playbill Café, where Monday and Thursday karaoke, which kicks off at 9:30, is encouraged by $4 pints of Bass Ale and select vodka and rum drinks.

3. Pre-game for Halloween by heading to Policy on Thursday for the free Just the Tip Halloween Throw Down. Five DJs will spin, beers are $3, and shooters cost $4. The party starts at 9:30. Come dressed to frighten.

Every October, the best-dressed drag queens DC has to offer come out to 17th Street to compete in a high heel race. And last night, we were out in the rain to document the best and the brightest of the costumes and the crowd. There was everything from a Marilyn Monroe to a Washington Monument costume—even Mayor Fenty came to see the fun. Check out our photos of the creatively-attired queens here.

>> See the full slideshow.

Were you there? What was the best getup you saw? Tell us in the comments below.