MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
MUSEUM Espionage and trickery have always been weapons in war. The ancient Greeks in particular excelled at such deception; besides the Trojan Horse, Greek history is filled with intelligence operations and sneak attacks. Rose Mary Sheldon, a professor at the Virginia Military Institute and author of Ambush: Surprise Attack in Ancient Greek Warfare and Espionage in the Ancient World, will speak at the Spy Museum about the early days of espionage history. Tickets $20, 6:30 PM.
MUSIC Canadian singer-songwriter Alexz Johnson first found the spotlight as the star in The N’s show Instant Star from 2004 to 2008. In addition to her performances on the Instant Star soundtracks, Johnson has written and recorded her own solo albums; she’s celebrating the release of her third solo (non-Instant Star) album A Stranger Time at Jammin Java. Tickets $15, 7:30 PM.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
FOOD The Human Rights Campaign’s sixth annual Chefs For Equality fundraiser takes over Dock5 at Union Market. More than 140 DC-area chefs and mixologists will join in on this year’s theme, “Who Can Resist!” which is a response to the uncertain future of equal rights for the LGBT community. The event features tasting and drink stations, a five-course meal, and an auction. Tickets $200, 5:30 PM.
FILM Los Angeles grunge band L7 had a huge influence on the riot grrl bands that followed their heyday in the ’80s and ’90s. With the help of fans through Kickstarter, the documentary L7: Pretend We’re Dead, was finalized last year; the film is sourced from the band’s home movies as well as performance footage. The documentary will screen at the Black Cat and features interviews with Exene Cervenka, Krist Novoselic, and Allison Wolfe. Tickets $8, 7:30 PM.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
BEER The city of Alexandria is hosting weekly happy hours highlighting local breweries from September 20 through October 11 at Courthouse Square Park in the Carlyle neighborhood. The series, called Carlyle Canteen, will also feature local food trucks and an acoustic set by the Free Flowing Musical Experience. The series kicks off with Solace Brewing Company and will include Port City Brewing, Mustang Sally Brewing, and Evolution Brewing in future weeks. Free to attend, 5 PM to 8 PM.
LECTURE Much is being studied about the movement of animals across the globe, from annual migrations to the day-to-day routine movements animals make in their own environments. Smithsonian Associates is bringing three experts in animal tracking to the S. Dillon Ripley Center to discuss advances in technology and how this knowledge is being used to conserve animals. Jared Stabach, ecologist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, will discuss satellite tracking and drones; he’ll be joined by Oliver Uberti and James Cheshire, co-authors of Where the Animals Go: Tracking Wildlife with Technology in 50 Maps and Graphics. Tickets $45, 6:45 PM.
