Thursday, November 15
FILM: The 25th version of the
European Union Film Showcase has taken over AFI Silver the past week or so—tonight, choose from six films, including
Our Children, which is Belgium’s nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy
Awards. That film follows a young couple as they fall in love and marry, and the woman
begins to have a psychological breakdown.
Our Children screens tonight at 7:10; for a complete schedule, visit AFI’s website. Tickets ($11)
are available online.
DRINK: Wear pink or blue (or really whatever you want) to
Men Against Breast Cancer’s Pink and Blue Thanksgiving Soiree at Opera Lounge. A $10 donation gets you in the door, where you’ll dance to music
by DJ Jeremy Whitham, snack on hors d’oeuvres, and sip specialty cocktails. 6 PM.
Friday, November 16
THEATER: Students from American University will perform
Kaleidoscope, a look at the life of Vaclav Havel, a Czech playwright who eventually became President,
at Shaw’s Bistro Bohem. The space is European-ish and, uhhh, bohemian, so it probably
makes a sweet, if unorthodox, place to check out a play. Free. 7 and 9 PM.
WINE: Vino Volo is leaving the safe haven that airports offer and is trying to see if its wine bars
can make it on the big bad streets where no security clearance is required. It chose
downtown Bethesda for its first venture—show up around 4 for a free glass of Champagne
and some hors d’oeuvres. Free.
DANCE: Black Cat is trying out a new weekly dance party called
Catalyst (get it?). Instead of your standard hits, deejays are tasked with finding new and
underground songs before they get big. If you’re into new music, check it out. Absolut
drinks are $5 all night. $5. 10 PM.
FASHION: For the past week, the old Fashion One store on H Street, Northeast, has been taken
over with a ton of art. Things at
Submerge wrap up this weekend, but not before two blowout events. Friday’s “Get Fashion” isn’t
just for people looking for new pieces from local designers and vendors—after 11 PM,
the space will host live bands and deejays (that means dancing), beer from local breweries,
and food from H Street institutions. Free. 6 PM.
Saturday, November 17
WHISKEY: Because sticking to just Kentucky bourbons or Scotch can get a little boring, Occidental
Wine Room is sayin’ hasta la vista to vino for the night and hosting a
Whiskeys of the World dinner. You’ll get a five-course meal paired with whiskeys from Scotland, Ireland, Canada,
and Tennessee. Tickets are $79; call 202-783-1475 to reserve. 7 PM.
NERDS: Before Think got big, DC9’s
Nerd Nite was the only refuge for people who were into things like stellar evolution and deep-sea
robots and drinking beer. Never fear, for the original is back, and you’ll hear about
those topics and more during three sometimes irreverent but mostly informative lectures.
Stick around for Peach Pit, the ’90s dance night that kicks off as soon as Nerd Nite
is over.
Nerd Nite: $10, 6 PM
Peach Pit: $5, 10:30 PM
MUSIC: To shut down the Submerge space,
All Things Go is taking over with a concert and dance night featuring live performances from party-staring
bands Turning Violet Violet, Dance for the Dying, Young Rapids, BRETT, and Brooklyn’s
Body Language, who are almost definitely he next big thing in hipster dance music.
You’ll also get deejay sets from Nacey of Nouveau Riche (who always makes things go
nuts) and DJ Spicoli. Tickets ($12) are available through Eventbrite. 7 PM.
PARTY:
FotoWeekDC is also wrapping up, with a party at the old Spanish ambassador’s residence on 16th
Street. You’ll get dancing, drinks, the chance to talk about your favorite exhibits,
and live music from Empresarios. Tickets should be available at the door, but check
ahead. $25; call 855-270-3632 for ticket availability closer to the event. 8 PM.
Sunday, November 18
ARTS: ArtJamz opened in 2010 as a place where you could paint, have a few brews, and meet other
artists at a relatively low price. In the meantime, a whole bunch of amateur and professional
artists have made some pretty cool stuff. Sunday brings a chance for artists to sell
their works to the public. With pieces starting at $35, you can line your walls without
emptying your bank account. Free. Noon to 4.
CRAFTS: For the 25th year, the
Washington Craft Show hits DC. This time, you’ll find works by about 200 nationally recognized arts-and-craftsists.
Besides being able to grab some new serving bowls to hold your cranberry sauce, you
can also check out lectures, an art installation, and a film screening. $15. 11 to
5 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.