Thursday, January 8
FRANCE: Gigi is coming to the Kennedy Center, and to celebrate, Chez Billy is hosting a Gigi-themed happy hour, complete with fancy French cocktails, a style photo booth, a French-braid bar, and a makeup station. There’ll also be raffles to win tickets to see the show, which stars Vanessa Hudgens. Free. 6 PM.
DANCE: One way to stay warm in this absurdly cold weather is to dance it away—British deejay and producer Alex Metric is spinning at U Street Music Hall. The stuff he’s released has been remixed by La Roux, Depeche Mode, Phoenix, Ellie Goulding, and others. Tickets ($15) are available online. 9 PM.
DISTILLERIES: DC’s brand-new distillery, One Eight, has its grand opening in Northeast. It’s a welcome addition to Green Hat and proof that there’s demand for something other than locally made beer around these parts. You’ll get a distillery tour, food from Dirty South Deli, and the chance to try and buy District Made Vodka and Rock Creek White Whiskey. Free. 7 PM.
Friday, January 9
DANCE: The Knocks come to U Hall for their every-couple-month deejay set. If you haven’t caught them yet—or even if you have—this is worth a visit: The Brooklyn-based duo makes some of the best dance music out there (meaning it actually sounds like music, not aliens shooting lasers at each other). Tickets ($15) are available online. 10 PM.
FILM: DC Shorts is back with “Laughs,” which features a couple of funny short films along with live performances by standup comedians. Each showing will have seven short films (there are two different programs to choose from) and three comedians. If you don’t leave with your sides hurting at least a little, there’s probably something wrong with your funny bone. Tickets ($20) are available online. 7:30 and 9:30 PM.
LITERATURE: Naked Girls Reading, which is exactly what it sounds like, is back for its first show of 2015. This one is called “Come Into My Parlor,” and it’s all about staying warm in this freezing weather. Things may get slightly scandalous, but overall, the night is more about art, literature, and celebrating the human form. Tickets ($20) are available online. 10 PM.
Saturday, January 10
ELVIS: The King would have been 80 this year, so you should celebrate with… a wrestling-style grudge match between various Elvis impersonators? That’s what happens at Elvis’s Birthday Fight Club, hosted at Gala Theatre. There’ll be outrageous announcing, entertaining fighting, burlesque, and comedy in between (and probably during) the bout. Tickets ($18) are available online. 8 PM.
LIQUOR: If you couldn’t make it to One Eight’s grand-opening party on Thursday, it’s hosting tours this weekend. Tours are every half hour and feature tastings, food from Red Hook Lobster, and a chance to buy some branded swag. Free. 1 PM.
MARDI GRAS: The Gallery on O is hosting its 12th Night Mardi Gras bash, featuring king cake, live music, fire dancers, bellydancers, fortune tellers, booze, etc. It’s partially outdoors (probably because of the whole fire dancer thing), but if you get too chilly there’ll be plenty of space inside. Tickets ($10) are available online. 8 PM.
Sunday, January 11
COMEDY: Local comedian Russ Green hosts Grand Central’s Sunday Night Funnies, a weekly open-mike comedy night that’s the perfect way to wind down your weekend before the rude wakeup call of Monday morning. Free. 8 PM.
ANTIQUES: Katzen Arts Center hosts the Washington Winter Show, which it calls “DC’s answer to Antiques Roadshow.” If you have some old stuff that you want to get rid of—or at least learn the value of—bring it with yo. There’ll be appraisers, lectures, exhibitors, cocktails, and other fun stuff. Tickets ($20) are available online. 11 AM to 8 PM (also Friday and Saturday).
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter at @jason_koebler.
