Thursday, February 27
COMEDY: At Science Club’s educational comedy night, After Class, local comedians present a topic of their choice in a way that’ll make you learn something—sort of. Of course, the topics often end up being completely ridiculous, and the whole thing is a bit irreverent, but who couldn’t use a quick refresher on the history of mannequins or the intricacies of raising a handicapped ferret? Free. 8:30 PM.
FILM: The Washington Jewish Film Festival kicks off two weeks of screenings with The Wonders, a film noir about a Jerusalem bartender and graffiti artist who finds himself pulled into investigating the criminal underworld after he sees a man being held captive near his building. The 6:30 showing is sold out, but if you get there early for the 9:30, director Avi Nesher will be around to talk about the film and answer questions. Tickets ($12) are available at the door.
MAGIC: It’s tough to make it as a magician, but Justin Willman does it with a sense of humor, some good sleight of hand, and an ability to not take himself too seriously. You might remember him as the host of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, if you’re the kind of person who watches Cupcake Wars. He’ll be at Sixth & I tonight. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. 8 PM.
Friday, February 28
COMEDY: Don’t Block the Box, Wonderland’s comedy showcase, is back at the Columbia Heights institution. The event is a special sendoff for Brandon Wardell, a DC comic who has appeared at the Improv and BYT’s Bentzen Ball and on Lopez Tonight. He headlines before he moves out to LA to try to hit it big. Eight other DC comics will tell short sets before he takes the stage. $3. 7:30 PM.
DANCE: The Roots have made the switch to the Tonight show, but Questlove hasn’t gotten too big to come check out DC every now and then. He deejays at the Howard Theatre tonight, and you know things are gonna get crazy. Tickets ($26) are available online. 11 PM.
MORE DANCE: Black Cat’s Kicks! dance night eschews electronica and crazy beats for good ol’ guitar riffs, kick drums, and catchy hooks. Deejays Kim and Sara put on their favorite rock, punk, and power pop songs. Who says you need a beat drop to dance? Free. 10 PM.
Saturday, March 1
DRINK: It’s March (finally), and that means an entire month of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, as it’s the only kind-of fun holiday between that pair of three-day weekends in January and Memorial Day in May (Valentine’s Day is just too stressful for everyone involved). Things get started just hours after the calendar flips, with an all-day pub crawl around Dupont Circle’s bars. Specials include $2 beers, $5 Bushmill and Baileys drinks, and a whole bunch of bagpipers to provide you a soundtrack. Tickets ($14) are available online. 1 to 9 PM.
BEER: With enough training, pretty much anyone can run a 5K. But it takes someone truly motivated to walk one whole kilometer while sampling some of the best wines and beers. I may have gotten that backward. Anyway, the Crystal City 1K Wine and Beer Walks are back—after the “race,” there’ll be more drinking and lots of music and dancing. Tickets ($40) are available online. 2 to 6 PM.
ART: Artist Greg Deal presents a performance-art piece at the Dunes as part of the opening of Romantic Nationalism. Deal’s piece, called “Traditional Washington Redskin Honor Ceremony,” will take on the name of the football team in a way that’s bound to be some mixture of shocking, eye-opening, heartbreaking, anger-inducing, bizarre, and satirical. Free. 7 PM.
DANCE: Sticky Rice launches a new dance party called Canine Teeth, featuring a late-night “dragon hour.” You’ll get happy hour pricing between midnight and 1, and if a dragon comes out and does a special dance, you’ll get free drinks. Let’s hope you’re lucky. Free. 10 PM.
MUSIC: Brightest Young Things presents its second Emerging Artists Sampler at the Howard Theatre. It’s a chance to see 12 musicians you’ve probably never heard of showcase their three best songs. In between acts, you’ll hear from 11 local standup comedians. Best of all, you’ll leave as an expert on the local scene. Tickets ($18) are available online. 7 PM.
Sunday, March 2
OSCARS: Get dressed up like you’re a movie star and head to Commissary for a red-carpet Oscars party. From 4 to 8 there’ll be a red-carpet happy hour with drinks and one complimentary Oscar cocktail, a popcorn bar, and movie-inspired food and drink specials all night. Then you’ll watch the awards show on a full-wall projector. You don’t have to show up in a white stretch limo, but you could. Free. 4 PM.
OSCARS: You can also dress down at the laid-back Snuggle With the Stars Oscar-watch pajama party at the US Navy Memorial, hosted by DC Shorts. The awards will be broadcast on a two-story HD screen, and there’ll be cocktails, Champagne, beer, wine, and lots of snacks. If you shell out for VIP, you’ll also get specialty cocktails and pizza. Tickets ($25, or $50 VIP) are available online. 6 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter.
