Thursday, April 24: More than 70 features, documentaries, and shorts from around the world come to local screens in the annual Filmfest DC, which kicks off tonight. Check out The Tracey Fragments, with Juno star Ellen Page playing the main character, a runaway searching for her brother during a Canadian blizzard. Get more information and schedules here.
It’s another Thursday night of “intelligent lounging” at the Modernist Society at Bourbon (2321 18th St., NW; 202-332-0800) this evening. Tonight at 9, there’s a screening of the award-winning documentary a/k/a Tommy Chong, followed by a conversation with director Josh Gilbert.
In his hilarious online chat with us yesterday, Nick Stumpf, lead singer of the French Kicks, revealed some juicy information for fans: The band has just finished recording a series of cover songs, some of which it may or may not perform tonight at the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., NE; 202-388-7625). “You’ll have to come to the show to find out,” he teased. So do just that. 8 PM; $15. Get tickets here.
Friday, April 25: This weekend is the last for two great, quirky art shows at local galleries. First up is the Craigslist show at Civilian Art Projects (406 Seventh St., NW; 202-347-0022). The exhibit explores how four artists used the community site to create their pieces of art. On the other end of the spectrum is the Sartorialist show at Adamson Gallery (1515 14th St., NW; 202-842-9220). Fashion street photographer Scott Schuman—who runs the Sartorialist blog—captures iconic images of New Yorkers, all of whom exhibit their own sense of unique and beautiful fashion. Both shows close Saturday, so get out there.
Saturday, April 26: More than 30 local vendors—including fashion favorites Sassanova, Sugar, Proper Topper, and Pink November—set up shop from 11 AM to 6 PM for the fifth annual French Market, Georgetown’s biggest sidewalk sale. Head to the stretch of Wisconsin Avenue from Reservoir Road to P Street for big discounts; see the full list of vendors (and plan your route) over here. (Want more shopping and fashion events? Check out our roundup over here.)
An eight-hour bar crawl! Must be springtime. If you’re up for drinking and discounted beer at several bars from 1 to 9 PM today, head over to Mackey’s with $13, which will get you specials including $2 Miller Lite bottles, $3 Miller Chill bottles, and $3.50 Sparks cans at a variety of bars including Porter’s, the Black Rooster, the Front Page, and more. You can get $7 advance tickets here.
After eight hours of drinking, you might finally have the liquid courage necessary to try out McFadden’s famed mechanical bull, which is back tonight from 9 PM to 1 AM at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; there’s also a $20 open bar.
WalkingTown DC is always a treat, especially on a weekend that promises to be as gorgeous as this one. The concept is simple: Cultural Tourism DC puts on 80 free walking tours (and a few bike tours) in 18 neighborhoods across the city. There’s everything from a tour of Mount Pleasant and its history to another of the Mall called “What the Memorials Don’t Tell You,” which promises to be full of historical tidbits. Click here for more information.
Sunday, April 27: We’ve been loving the grand, sweeping Brit rock of the UK band Elbow. Tonight it’s playing the lovely Historic Sixth & I Synagogue (which has been doing a fine job of booking great acts lately). 8:30 PM; $20. Get tickets here.
It’s the Bard’s birthday, and the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 E. Capitol St., SE) is going all out for its annual celebration. For his 444th (we swear he doesn’t look a day past 400), there will be tours, treasure hunts, readings, and birthday cake for all. Noon to 4; free. Click here for more information.
Want more arts & events and nightlife posts? Click here. Or try our handy Events Calendar.
