THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
MUSIC: As part of the DC Public Library’s mission to document the city’s culture, the DC Punk Archive has preserved source materials, including photographs, set lists, letters, and stickers, that focus on the local music scene. To celebrate the project’s anniversary, the library has planned a series of events this month, starting with a Library Basement Show at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, featuring local artists Title Tracks, BRNDA, and Art Sorority for Girls. Free, 6:30 PM.
FILM: The fifth annual DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival kicks off tonight and runs through October 4, with events at E Street Cinema, the Goethe Institute, and Tropicalia. On Thursday, check out the Wanted 18 by Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan at E Street Cinema. Using a mix of stop-motion animation, interviews, drawings, and archival footage, the film tells the strange-but-true story of the Israeli army’s search for 18 cows who were deemed a “threat to the national security.” After the film, there’s a Q&A session with Shomali and an opening reception for the festival. $15, 7:30 PM.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
FILM: Now in its 26th year, the AFI Latin American Film Festival celebrates the best filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. On Friday afternoon, head over to the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center for the documentary Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel García Márquez. The film dives into Márquez’s life– how he went from growing up in an impoverished, crime-ridden town in Colombia to becoming a Nobel Prize winner. $13, 5:15 PM.
CRAFTS: The National Building Museum hosts Craft2Wear–a sale of wearable art benefiting the Smithsonian. The museum’s great hall will be filled with beautiful, unique, and handmade jewelry, clothing, and accessories all weekend. $10, 10 AM.
DANCE: Show off your best Macarena and Tootsie Roll: DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion will play all of your favorite ’90s songs at the 9:30 Club’s No Scrubs Dance Party. $16, 9 PM.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
RUN: The Congressional Cemetery’s Dead Man’s Run is one of the more unique ways to celebrate the days leading up to Halloween. This spooky 5K goes along the cemetery and onto the Anacostia Trail. And it all starts with the sound of a funeral bell. Costumes and creative team names are encouraged. So is drinking from the beer tent after the race. Registration is $40 and includes a T-shirt and one free beer. 6 PM.
COMEDY: Comedian Phoebe Robinson started the podcast and blog Blaria, and it’s evolved into a hilarious live show with Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams in New York City. On Saturday night, as part of Brightest Young Things’ Bentzen Ball, their act comes to the Lincoln Theatre, accompanied by special guests Kamau Bell, Jacqueline Novak, Nore Davis, and Janeane Garofalo. $25, 5:30 PM.
DRINK: Munich’s Oktoberfest actually started September 20, but belated celebrations can be found stateside at NoMa beer garden Wunder Garten all week. Enjoy traditional Bavarian music, games, and Oktoberfest beers from Germany and local breweries. $10, 12 PM.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
OPERA: Modern opera company Urban Arias’ latest production is the groundbreaking one-act show As One. The opera follows the journey of a transgender woman named Hannah; a mezzo-soprano and a baritone share the role. Atlas Performing Arts Center. $25 to $29.50, 2 PM.
FILM: The Druid Underground Film Festival is the only nationally touring underground film festival in the country, but that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. The festival showcases the culty, incendiary, and strange–promising its attendees the opportunity to “see aliens rip their own faces off” and “learn how to detect if your child worships Satan.” $10, 7 PM.
