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Thursday, April 23: You can make a contest out of pretty much anything, and tonight’s event at the Rock & Roll Hotel proves it. The bar will host a wings-eating contest starting at 9 PM. Chefs from nearby restaurants on H Street, Northeast, will dole out their best chicken wings, while competitors try to eat the most (and the hottest) wings. Ten bucks gets you in, and sign-up starts at 9.
The Hirshhorn Museum screens The Universe of Keith Haring at 8 in its Ring Auditorium. Christina Clausen’s documentary reviews the short life of Keith Haring, a renowned street artist, social activist, and close friend to Andy Warhol.
Now in its 27th year, the Smithsonian Craft Show displays the work of 120 artists from across the country. This year’s participants were chosen from more than 1,300 applicants, and their crafts include basketry, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, and leather. All items will be for sale at the National Building Museum. Tickets are $15 and $12; under age 13 free. Thursday and Friday 10 to 8, Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 11 to 5.
Friday, April 24: During Georgetown’s French Market, which starts today and continues tomorrow, more than 30 boutiques and home-design stores will take over the sidewalks of upper Georgetown near Book Hill, the front lawn of the Georgetown public library. In addition to stocking up on cool antiques and home accessories—from stores such as For Your Home, Carling Nichols, A Mano, Sixteen Fifty-Nine, and Darrell Dean—you can browse clothing, jewelry, and beauty products from shops such as Proper Topper, Pink November, Sassanova, and Urban Chic. Stores are offering discounts up to 80 percent. 11 to 6.
Southern rockers Kings of Leon hit the Patriot Center tonight. Their wailing live show is reason enough to go check them out, but there’s a bonus: The Walkmen (who grew up in DC) are opening. $45; get tickets here.
Saturday, April 25: The Great Grapes! Wine, Arts and Food Festival will be at the Reston Town Center from noon to 6 on Saturday and Sunday. The outdoor festival will include tastings of more than 200 wines from 20 Virginia wineries, cooking demonstrations, live music, and arts and crafts. Admission is $20 in advance, $25 on-site for a single day, and $30 for a two-day ticket (available in advance only). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here or call 800-830-3976.
Get physical at the crack of dawn—7 to be exact—with the Aerobics Dance Party at Dupont Circle. Yes, you read right. 7 AM. Free coffee will be available. For more information, click here.
Sanford Gottlieb will read from his book, Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Grassroots Politics, at Politics and Prose at 1. Congressman Van Hollen and Mike McCurry, former press secretary for the Clinton administration, will be in attendance.
Liquid Muse blogger Natalie Bovis Nelsen will sign copies of her book, Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be, at Firefly. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The event, which runs from noon to 2, is open to all, but reservations are required. RSVP at rsvp_dc@kimptonhotels.com or call 202-466-1306.
“Flaunt: Photography & Fashion Collaboration” is a special exhibit opening tonight at the Honfleur Gallery (1227 Good Hope Rd., SE) showcasing the work of local fashion photographers. Free. 7 PM.
The True History of Coca-Cola in Mexico, a comedy about two filmmakers who travel to Mexico to document the influence of American culture on that country, is onstage at the Hispanic Gala Theatre. Showtime is 8, and tickets ($20 to $36) are available at the box office.
Saturday Night Live alum Finesse Mitchell will perform standup at the Arlington Cinema ’n’ Drafthouse. Tickets ($18) can be purchased here. 7:30 PM.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock screens at Landmark E Street Cinema as part of the theater’s Midnight Madness series. Tickets are $10.
Sunday, April 26: This year’s Georgetown Downtown Shop Around, sponsored by the Junior League of Washington, runs through May 3. The purchase of a $30 card grants you access to discounts at more than 20 local retail shops. All proceeds benefit the Junior League of Washington’s community programs. For a list of participating retailers and to purchase your ticket, click here.
FilmFest DC wraps up tonight with the Italian film We Can Do This at the Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 in DC. The film’s director will be in attendance for a Q&A session following the film. An after-party will be held at Bar Louie. Tickets ($20) include admission to the film and after-party. For more information, click here.
The Folger Shakespeare Library celebrates William Shakespeare’s 445th birthday with a party featuring jugglers and jesters. Also, tours of the library’s reading rooms will be given. Quill-pen writing and other activities will be offered for children. The free event runs from noon to 4.
