For our complete guide to events happening this weekend, click here. Also, check out our calendar of events. And, don't forget out awesome Fourth of July guide!

Thursday, July 2
The AFI Silver Theatre has gotten a lot of mileage out of its “Totally Awesome” 1980s film retrospective. Now in its third year, the summer series is one of the theater’s most successful. This year, it opens with a brand-new 35-millimeter print of Ghostbusters, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Recently, star Harold Ramis announced he’d be directing a third Ghostbusters film, slated for a 2012 release. It’ll feature the original cast—Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd included—as well as new characters. We can’t wait. $10; 7PM.

At this point in his career, Tony Bennett needs no introduction. He’s been recording for more than 50 years and singing even longer. He’s won 14 Grammys, has had worldwide crossover success, and has even appeared on The Simpsons. At 82, he still puts on a rousing show—see for yourself tonight at Wolf Trap. Tickets cost $25 to $48; 8 PM.

Bars in DC’s Dupont Circle will host a patriotic bar crawl featuring food and drink specials such as $2 Coors Light, $3 Blue Moon, and half-price burgers, wings, and more. The event starts at Mackey’s Public House at 5 and continues to Rumors, Singapore Bistro, Recessions, Black Rooster Pub, James Hoban’s Irish Bar, Madhatter, the Front Page, Ozio, Steve’s Bar Room, and Public Bar. The event costs $13, or $10 if you bring two cans of food, which will be donated to Manna Food Center. You can also pay in advance online for $9 tickets.

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

The ultimate under-$10 deal this week is obviously fireworks on the Mall and other Independence Day-related extravaganzas. Learn more about those deals with our Fourth of July guide.

1. Z-Burger is hosting a burger-eating contest Thursday afternoon, and you’re invited to watch for free. You won’t go hungry, either—the restaurant is giving out free samples during the competition.

2. Get to know some of DC’s watering holes a bit better with the 10th Annual Midtown Liberty Bar Tour Thursday night. You’ll get discounts on food and drinks at 12 bars around DC’s Dupont Circle. Attendees are encouraged to come decked out in red, white, and blue. Remember to bring two canned-food donations to get a ticket for $10—otherwise, you’ll pay $13. Get advance tickets here.

3. On Thursday, Caddyshack is screening at DC’s Capitol Riverfront as part of the Best of the ’80s free film series. Wear an ’80s golf shirt and pretend you’re Tiger. The film starts at sundown (around 8:45).

4. Celebrate summer and check out some of Washington’s top DJs Friday night at the 9:30 Club’s Blisspop Summer Extravaganza, featuring DJs Tittsworth, Nadastrom, Will Eastman, and Dmerit. Tickets are $10.

5. BrightestYoungThings is throwing another camp-themed pool party on Saturday. This weekend it’s Fat Camp with bacon-flavored snacks and eating contests. Ten bucks gets you in all day. If utter gluttony doesn’t appeal to you, check out the Liaison Capitol Hill’s pool party on Sunday celebrating the grand opening of the hotel’s rooftop pool. You can get free admission from 1 to 3, but the party goes until 10. Cover will be $10 from 3 to 5 and $20 from 5 to 10.

Monday, June 29
If you’ve outgrown the kickball field and overthrown the softball diamond, it might be time for a new after-work sport. The Monday Night Mall Field Hockey pickup league meets weekly at the Smithsonian Metro. Male and female twenty- to fiftysomethings are invited to bust out their old sticks and take part in the fun starting at 6 PM. Read more and join the Yahoo group here.

Tuesday, June 30
Fans of the Beach Boys and Safaris should check out the DC-based surf-and-rockabilly band Monsters From the Surf’s twilight summer concert tonight at the Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. The show is free and runs from 6:30 to 8. Preview the music here.

Wednesday, July 1
Afro-Cuban salsa and mambo music takes the stage at Rossyln’s Party at the Plaza. Head to the lobby of Rossyln Plaza (1611 N. Kent St., Arlington) after work for the sounds of Sin Miedo, free dance lessons, and drinks. The weekly event runs from 5:30 to 8 and will be canceled only if there are severe thunderstorms. Call 703-276-7596 for more information.

Monday, June 29: Gay Rights
"StoneWall: 40 Years of Landmark GLBT Plays," a series of plays mounted in different locations around the city to honor the birth of the gay rights movement, wraps up today with the performance of Terrence McNally's Some Men. The play follows a series of gay individuals through different generations, weaving a tapestry of the gay experience in our country over the last few decades. Some Men will be performed at the Human Rights Campaign building (1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW; 202-628-4160) at 7. For more information, click here.

Tuesday, June 30: Magical Thinking
The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion's harrowing account of the loss of her husband and her daughter's close encounter with death, has been adapted for the stage by Joy Zinoman at Studio Theatre. The one-person show stars actress Helen Hedman in the role of Didion. Tickets ($41-$45)) can be purchased here. 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, July 1: Singing the Blues Away
The free outdoors film festival in the NoMa neighborhood continues with the screening of Lady Sings the Blues, the story of jazz musician Billie Holiday. The film, which stars Diana Ross as Holiday, plays at 7. For more information about the festival, click here.

Kid Architect is still a relatively new band—it formed in Fairfax in 2008. Though the guys are taking baby steps to release a full-length album, they’ve wasted no time recording and releasing an EP, PhilosoRaptor, to introduce Kid Architect into the Washington music scene. The band’s experimental rock sound is influenced heavily by Incubus (vocals) and Coldplay (the piano-infused songs), while bits of other inspirations from its own members are sprinkled throughout.

Mike Douaire (lead guitar), Thomas Bridgwood (piano, vocals, acoustic guitar), Clint Petty (bass), and Tommy Alter (drums and percussion) combined their musical talents after experiences with other local bands. Their four-song EP includes “Mata Hari,” a piano-driven tune about the exotic dancer and World War I spy. This track and three others can be streamed on Kid Architect’s MySpace page, where fans can also order the CD.

On Sunday, Kid Architect will headline the CD-release party for PhilosoRaptor at Jammin' Java in Vienna. Tickets are $8, and the show begins at 1:30 PM.

Read our interview to learn which member played the cello, when new music will be in the works, and their thoughts on the local scene.

Related:
Guide to the Fourth of July
Great Bars With Outdoor Seating
Cool Off: Pools in Washington

Saturday, June 27: What do African-American oral expression, Latino music, and Welsh culture have in common? They’re all available for exploration at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Spend the day wandering from tent to tent on the Mall, and stay through the evening for concerts and storytelling sessions. General hours for the festival, which began Wednesday, are 11 to 5:30. Click here for the complete schedule and visitor information.

A pooch happy hour, barbecue everywhere you look, an Italian street festival, free music and movies, and more are in this weekend's nightlife guide. 

>> Get the full guide here 

With its citrus tang, sugary sweetness, and crisp mint flavor, a mojito is like an adult lemonade—the ultimate summer thirst quencher. We asked DC native Kevin Diedrich, head bartender at Georgetown’s Bourbon Steak, to give us a recipe—and words of wisdom—on how to make a killer version.
Diedrich claps the mint leaves between his hands to release their oils before gently crushing them, being careful not to cause bruising. Too much handling, he says, can cause the mint flavor to turn bitter. Shaved or crushed ice is essential to keep the drink cold and dilute it.

Related:
Belga's Beer Cocktail
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Fourth of July Guide

Kevin Diedrich’s Mojito
4 to 5 fresh mint sprigs
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
¾ ounce sugar-cane syrup
2 ounces 10 Cane rum
Crushed or shaved ice
Soda water

Put mint, lime juice, and cane syrup into a tall glass and gently crush or “muddle” with the back of a wooden spoon. Add rum. Top with crushed ice. Stir gently with a bar spoon. Top with soda water to taste and garnish with a mint sprig.