MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
GAMES To all those nostalgic for the arcade games of the 1980s, Port City Brewing is hosting a Galaga tournament at the brewery. The two players with the top scores by 7:30 PM will battle it out head-to-head for the title of champion. Free, 4 PM.
FILM The comedy-horror film Gremlins has become a holiday classic, and the Black Cat has gotten on board with a double feature on Monday night. Drink specials include the “Gizmo Gimlet” and “Spike Cider.” Free, 7 PM.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
FOOD The newest location of Mediterranean fast-casual chain Cava Grill is in the Shay building in Shaw, and it opens with its regular hours on Wednesday. But on Tuesday night, the restaurant is offering free food from 5 to 8 PM and will be accepting donations to City Blossoms, a nonprofit that develops creative green spaces to foster healthy communities. Free, 5 PM.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
FILM French director André Téchiné (Wild Reeds) takes on the classic situation of opposites attracting with Being 17, a film about two French teenagers from different backgrounds. When a complicated home life forces them to live under the same roof, they have to work through their growing attraction. The film screens on Wednesday night at the Avalon. $12.25, 8 PM.
ART The Walter E. Washington Convention Center has a $4 million art collection, the largest in any convention center and also the largest public art collection in DC outside of a museum. On Wednesday evening, join a curator-led public art tour, Art at the Center, to view the collection’s 130+ works by both local and international artists. Free, 6:30 PM.
MUSIC For the fifth year in a row, Listen Local First is teaming up with the 9 Songwriter Series for the 9 Holiday Spectacular. Nine local singer-songwriters will perform traditional and original holiday music at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, both solo and in collaboration with each other. The performance will feature Gina Sobel, Gingerwolf, Flex Matthews, Drew Kid, Justin Trawick, Joe Maye, Saba Abraha, Janel Leppin, and Alison Carney. Free, 6 PM.
