THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
MUSIC: In the early ’90s, British band Ride looked like they were set for long-term success. But in 1996, six years after their debut album, the band broke up. (Member Andy Bell went on to join another big ’90s band: Oasis). It’s been 20 years since they last performed together live. This year, the band reunites for a series of shows across Europe and the US, including a gig at the 9:30 Club tonight. $35, 7 PM.
FOOD: It’s a farm to table block party for a good cause. Alexandria restaurant Jackson 20 puts on Soil to Soul annually to benefit the Old Town Farmers’ Market SNAP program. Farms will hand out samples of local fare, along with eats and cocktails by Jackson 20, BRABO, the Grille at Morrison House, Mason Social, Vermillion, and Society Fair. $35, 6 PM.
COMEDY: The October Issue, an improv show, is inspired by the stories featured in women’s magazine–quizzes, horoscopes, advice columns, and “hot tips.” The cast creates an “issue” with ideas and suggestions from the audience. The Washington Improv Theater’s entry into the Women’s Voices Theater Festival, the show begins its month-long run at Source tonight. $12, 8 PM.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
MUSEUMS: The Hirshhorn Museum’s After Hours gives you the opportunity to enjoy the museum in a whole new way–with cocktails and music. Friday’s event includes a performance by the band Tycho, and it’s also a good chance to view the Iranian art exhibit “Shirin Neshat: Facing History,” which closes September 20. The performance begins at 10:30 PM. $35, 8 PM.
COMEDY: Are you a fan of funny, occasionally embarassing stories? Then Storyleague, DC’s home for performance storytelling, is for you. The Fall Championships will be held at the Black Cat tonight; the audience gets to pick the winner of a $500 cash prize. $15, 9 PM.
FOOD: There’s nothing better than shucking oysters and drinking beer. Port City Brewery is re-releasing their oyster stout, Revival, so the brewery is celebrating with live music and food–including mollusks from the War Shore Oyster Company, whose Chesapeake Bay oysters are used to brew Revival. Get a pint of the beer and a half-dozen oysters for $17. 6 PM.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
EXPO: The Small Press Expo–one of the largest festivals in the country dedicated to independent artists, writers, cartoonists, graphic novels, and comics–returns to the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Guests include cartoonist Scott McCloud, Internet-famous punny illustrator Gemma Correll, and Canadian cartoonist Michael DeForge, who you might know from his design work for the show Adventure Time. $15, 11 AM.
FILM: E Street Cinema presents the documentary The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, hosted by the Advancement Project. The film explores the Black Panther Party’s inception, rise, and role in the civil rights movement. After the screening, there will be Q&A session with producer Laurens Grant. $9, 4:30 PM.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
FILM: The Freer and Sackler Galleries present Whisper if I Forget, as part of its free film series, “Close Up: Turkish Filmmaker Ҫağan Irmak.” The film follows the life of a woman who flees her hometown in the ’70s and moves to Istanbul, where she hopes to make it big as a singer. She returns 40 years later to reunite with her sister, who’s not exactly thrilled to see her. Irmak, the director, will be in attendance. 2 PM.
POETRY: Each month, Busboys & Poets and Split This Rock put on a poetry reading and open mic series for poets of all levels. On Sunday afternoon, poets David Ebenbach and Rachel Eliza Griffiths take the stage. 14th and V Streets, Northwest location. $5, 5 PM.
