Thursday, August 9: Tonight at 7, as part of the 12th Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival at the Freer Gallery of Art (Jefferson Dr. and 12th St., NW; 202-633-4880), there’ll be a free film and dance performance, “Hop Fu: Hip Hop Meets Kung Fu.” DJ IXL and DJ Excess will synchronize a score to the kicks and punches of the 1982 film Prodigal Son. For more on the festival, look here.
This is the last evening for Sunset Serenades at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-633-4800), a free summer concert series on Lion/Tiger Hill. From 6:30 to 8, the Grandsons play lively rockabilly. Bring a picnic or buy food on-site from the Mane Restaurant.
Friday, August 10: You might not have heard of Le Loup before now, but this just-outta-the-gate local band has already stridden light years ahead of the pack. It has a record deal with Sub Pop and more buzz than it knows what to do with. And for good reason: The seven-piece band puts on an atmospheric, ebullient show that showcases its upbeat and bombastic indie rock. Tonight Le Loup is at the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., NE; 202-388-ROCK), and if you get there before 9 PM, you can get in for free; otherwise it’s just $10.
Saturday, August 11: There’s no denying that leather is the choice for most designer bags, but there are animal-friendly options, too. One designer making a name for himself with his “vegan” bags is Inder Bedi of the Matt & Nat line. Bedi will be chatting at Cusp in Georgetown (3030 M St., NW; 202-625-0893) and showing off his wares. The store will also be offering complimentary vegan desserts. 1 to 5 PM; free.
The National Museum of the American Indian puts on the National Powwow at Verizon Center (601 F St., NW) throughout this weekend (it starts on Friday). The powwow is an event where more than 800 Native Americans come for dance and drum competitions; there will also be food and crafts for sale. $15; ages 5 to 11, $12; 4 and younger, free. Things get started at 10 AM and go till 10 PM (8 on Sunday); see the full schedule of events here.
Are you the type who breaks out home movies of your childhood or your last trip to Europe at the drop of the hat? Then you may want to attend the Library of Congress’s Home Movie Day. Historic home movies from the library’s archives along with selected screenings of films brought by the public will be shown throughout the day. Plus, expert archivists will be around to show you how to archive or restore home 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm films. Free; 1 to 4 PM at the Pickford Theater (third floor of the library’s James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave., SE).
Two of my favorite new albums this year are by the Cribs and the White Rabbits—and lucky for me, the two groups happen to be touring together. The Cribs play free-wheeling, spazzy pop rock with hooks that will have you bopping for hours; the White Rabbits churn out dancey, layered music and put on an effervescent show. It’s a must-see concert. They’ll be at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., NW; 202-667-7960) this evening. Doors open at 9; $12.
Sunday, August 12: Hong Kong film fanatics are anticipating today’s free screening at the Freer Gallery of Art (Jefferson Dr. and 12th St., NW; 202-633-4880) of Election, Johnnie To’s 2005 movie about the election of a new leader within a Hong Kong triad. The film, which screens at 2 PM, was in competition at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and won nine Golden Horse Awards, the Chinese equivalent of the Oscars.
Today is the last day to catch the excellent Wolfgang Tillmans exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum (Independence Ave. and Seventh St., SW; 202-633-1000), from 10 to 5:30. Tillmans’s mesmerizing photographs—capturing everything from club kids to everyday objects, including a pair of pants hanging on a railing—are imbued with an air of mystery.
