THURSDAY, JANUARY 25
MUSEUMS The US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s benefit event, “The Threat of Genocide Today,” will discuss victims fleeing atrocities committed by ISIS in northern Iraq and the Assad regime in Syria. Speakers include Naomi Kikoler (Deputy Director, Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide) and Rob Satloff (Executive Director, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and author of Among the Righteous: Lost Stories from the Holocaust’s Long Reach into Arab Lands). $40, 6:30 PM.
BOOKS Former mayor of Philadelphia, Michael A. Nutter fondly recalls his two terms in office in his new book Mayor: The Best Job in Politics. He will discuss what future candidates need to do and the role’s problem-solving challenges at Politics and Prose at the Wharf. Free, 7 PM.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
CARS The Washington Auto Show starts on Friday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In addition to all the vehicles on display, there will be ride ‘n’ drive opportunities and appearances from celebrities and guests such as the Redskins’ Josh Norman (1/30) and the Wizards’ Otto Porter (1/31). Through February 4. $12.
MUSEUMS The International Spy Museum’s annual SpyFest gives families the opportunity to test out their spy skills with mini-missions, skill challenges, and demonstrations by experts. Learn how to analyze handwriting, pick a lock, and beat a polygraph test at this family-friendly event. Ages 5 and up. $14, 6-9 PM.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
PERFORMANCE The Monster Jam will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Capital One Arena. This racing and freestyle competition will feature monster trucks like Blue Thunder, Grave Digger, Megalodon, and Wonder Woman. Part of Monster Jam’s Triple Threat series, the show includes special vehicles (ATVs and Speedsters). Note that the two matinee shows feature a Pit Party at 10:30 AM for autographs and other activities. $15-$25. Saturday: noon and 6 PM; Sunday: noon.
BENEFIT The Junior Council of Children’s National Health System is hosting its 11th annual Dancing After Dark event at Dock 5 at Union Market. The event features live music, an open bar, and a silent auction and will benefit the organization’s new Fund for Every Child to ensure that every child can receive care, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. $100, 8 PM – Midnight.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
MUSEUMS The National Gallery of Art presents two new exhibits opening on Sunday. In the West Building, “Michel Sittow: Estonian Painter at the Courts of Renaissance Europe” is the first monographic exhibition of Estonian painter Michel Sittow and features his work alongside pieces by his contemporaries as well as his teacher Hans Memling. The East Building will showcase “Outliers and American Vanguard Art,” which pulls together 270 works by schooled and unschooled artists over the last century, exploring the role of the artist in contemporary culture. Both exhibits will be open through May 13.
MUSIC The Black Cat has been closed since the beginning of the year to upgrade and repair its Mainstage concert room. The venue’s re-opening night will feature Canadian rock band Destroyer, fronted by Dan Bejar of The New Pornographers and Swan Lake. Often lauded for Bejar’s songwriting skills, Destroyer released its twelfth studio album, ken, last year. $20 in advance or $25 at the show, 7:30 PM.
