After Hours Blog

Where & When: What to Do Tonight

For our complete guide to events happening this weekend, click here. Also, check out our calendar of events.

Friday, November 6
Once upon a time, you were a Lego master, constructing sprawling cities, fire stations, and pirate ships until your older brother kicked them to pieces. Get building again today at Arundel Mills mall (7000 Arundel Mills Cir., Hanover ) as it celebrates the grand opening of the Lego store. Join a top Lego architect to build a 12-foot Christmas tree. The event is free and runs today until 7 and starts back up tomorrow at 11. We promise your brother won’t be involved.

College of William and Mary alumna [Ed. Note: Tribe Pride!] Thao Nguyen knows how to rock. She and her alternative folk/rock band, Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, will be back on their home turf tonight when they play on the Black Cat mainstage . Also playing are the Portland Cello Project and David Shultz. Tickets are $15. Show starts at 9.

A picture’s worth a thousand words, so when five emerging local photographerss display their work at the Rock & Roll Hotel, there’ll be more than enough words to go around. As part of FotoWeek DC, the shutterbugs will exhibit their art tonight from 6 to 11. Free.

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events

Ten under $10

Journey around the world through photographers’ lenses at FotoWeek DC, travel back to 1920s Bolivia with free films, or channel your inner child to help construct a 12-foot-tall Christmas tree made from Legos—all in this week’s top budget bets.

1. This week marks your last chance to grab some popcorn and catch the free DC Latin American Film Showcase. On Thursday, E Street Cinema will screen Proyect Grey—a Salvadorian film about a camping trip gone awry—at 6:30 and at 8:30, The Maid, which explores class issues in modern Chile. Tickets are first come, first-served and are distributed one per person 30 minutes prior to the film.

2. Tucked as it is between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce in the federal dictionary, it’s easy to overlook the US Department of Bhangra. Dedicated to bringing a hot monthly Indian dance party to Washington, its employees work at Bossa on Thursday night, keep odd hours (10 PM to 2 AM), and require very little funding (an $8 cover). For more information, visit Bhangra’s official Web site.

3. Winner of the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 2009 Open Exhibition Opportunity, artist Renee van der Stelt will showcase ten large sculptures and drawings that resemble satellite images of Earth at the gallery on Friday from 6 to 8. This free exhibit is accompanied by an artist’s talk at 7.

Winning the Lottery: Apply for Christmas Tree Lighting Tickets

The lottery for free tickets is open until Friday, November 6 at 11:59 PM.

The lottery for free tickets to the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony opened bright and early today at 12:01 AM. Applicants have until 11:59 PM on Friday, November 6, to get their names in the hat.

This year, you can fill out an online application or call 877-444-6777 for a chance to secure one of the 2,800 seated tickets or 7,000 standing-room tickets. (Note: Standing-room tickets will have a view of the tree, but not the performance stage.) Applicants may submit only one application but can apply for up to five tickets. Ticket seekers can check the status of their request online or by phone from November 9 through 16. Tickets will be mailed by November 15.

The ceremony, which is scheduled for 5 PM on December 3, kicks off the holiday season in Washington with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees, representing the states, five territories, and DC. It includes live entertainment by well-known performers—this year's lineup has yet to be announced—and the United States Marine Corps Band. The president usually makes an appearance.

If you're not among the lucky ones, you can watch the ceremony here via live Webcast on December 3. And remember, you can see the lit tree without tickets every night through January 1. The lights go off at 11 PM.

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Monday, November 2
The Cabral/Truth Circle hosts “Stories of Hope and Struggle,” a film and panel discussion about the plight of Haitian women, at Busboys and Poets at 14th and V streets, Northwest. The film Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy profiles five Haitian women whose stories shed light on their country’s hardships. York College assistant professor of African American studies and anthropology Mark Schuller, who produced and co-directed the film, will lead a panel discussion. Event starts at 6.

Tuesday, November 3
In Mexican culture, the souls of the dead visit their living friends and family in the beginning of November. National Geographic Live! (1600 M St., NW; 202-857-7700) will screen La Ofrenda: Days of the Dead, a 50-minute film that shows the runs of Mitla, the gateway to the underworld, according to Mexican Indians. Produced by Lourdes Portillo and Susana Muñoz, the 1989 movie also explores the Latino community’s Day of the Dead traditions in California. Noon.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

What to do for fun this week!

Monday: Noir DC
Get gritty with the Noir DC Film Festival, playing through Wednesday at the AFI Silver Theatre. Tonight, you can catch a double feature of Shakedown and Night Editor for just $10. 6:30 PM.

Tuesday: Girls at the Black Cat
Haven't yet heard of Girls? They're on the rise as one of the hottest bands of the year. The San Francisco duo (which is actually two men, though their name may lead you to believe otherwise) plays sunny, lovely pop music reminiscent of the Beach Boys or Elvis Costello. The duo plays the Black Cat's mainstage with Real Estate as opening act. Tickets are $12. 8 PM.

Wednesday: Winter Beer
Warm up as the weather gets colder with a winter beer tasting at the new Birch & Barley and ChurchKey. Taste some of the winter offerings from Flying Dog Brewery, Harpoon, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, and more. 5 PM.

Ten Under $10

Halloween is the centerpiece of this frighteningly fun weekend, but we’ve rounded up more than just ghoul-themed activities. From beer to Beethoven to Bobby Fischer, here are ten ways to get out and about on a budget.

1. You can take the edge off at McFadden’s from 4 to 7 each weekday, when all beers and appetizers are half off. If you’ve had a tough week in the office, you can up the ante with the bar’s Get Bombed Thursdays, where all beers, vodka flavors, and everything on McFadden’s new Bomb Menu are 50 percent off. Between chicken wings, fried mozzarella sticks, and popcorn shrimp for $5 or less, you can afford to drink on a full stomach.

2. A new season of American Idol is almost upon us. You can test your own auditioning skills at Logan Circle’s 1409 Playbill Café, where Monday and Thursday karaoke, which kicks off at 9:30, is encouraged by $4 pints of Bass Ale and select vodka and rum drinks.

3. Pre-game for Halloween by heading to Policy on Thursday for the free Just the Tip Halloween Throw Down. Five DJs will spin, beers are $3, and shooters cost $4. The party starts at 9:30. Come dressed to frighten.

Photos: High Heel Drag Race

Every October, the best-dressed drag queens DC has to offer come out to 17th Street to compete in a high heel race. And last night, we were out in the rain to document the best and the brightest of the costumes and the crowd. There was everything from a Marilyn Monroe to a Washington Monument costume—even Mayor Fenty came to see the fun. Check out our photos of the creatively-attired queens here.

>> See the full slideshow.

Were you there? What was the best getup you saw? Tell us in the comments below.

Funny Town: This Week’s Comedy Events

We keep you tickled with a roundup of comedy events and standup performances.

Wednesday, October 28
The DC Improv is combining comedy and good deeds for its 5th Annual Children’s Hospital Halloween Benefit and Collection Drive. The DC Improv Comedy School Cast will headline the event, during which the club will collect costumes, toys and Halloween-themed decorations to distribute to Children’s Hospital. Bring your Halloween merch and enjoy the improv team. All donations must be brand-new for disease and infection control. Doors open at 7, and the show starts at 8:30. Tickets are $15. Visit here for more information.

Thursday, October 29, through Sunday, November 1
The fourth installment of the series written by Jaston Williams and Joe Sears, Tuna Does Vegas premieres in DC at the Warner Theatre. Despite being a two-man show, the comedy revolves around 20 characters living in Tuna, Texas. Catch Williams and Sears, clad in dresses, purses and wigs, playing characters such as snotty Vera Carp and dog killer Pearl Burras. In this one, the small-towners hit Sin City.Tickets are $26 to $56. For show times, click here.

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Monday, October 26
Halau Ho’omau I ka Wai Ola O Hawai’i! Find out what that means at the National Theatre’s Hawaiian Celebration, a night dedicated to the 50th state’s 50th birthday. Dancers, directed by Suz and Manu Ikaika, will perform both ancient and modern hula routines to Hawaiian music and chants. The show starts at 6 in the Helen Hayes Gallery, and free tickets are available 30 minutes before the show on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuesday, October 27
A staple Washington event, the High Heel Race takes place in DC’s Dupont Circle the Tuesday before Halloween. Spectators gather on 17th Street between P and S streets, Northwest, to watch drag queens and other participants show off their outrageous outfits and teach onlookers a thing or two about running in heels. The race kicks off at 9, but bring your camera around 6—racers usually gather early for photo ops.

Wednesday, October 28
Poets Barbara Goldberg and Brian Brodeur come together at the Kensington Row Bookshop (3786 Howard Ave., Kensington; 301-949-9416) for a reading. Goldberg has published four books, coedited two anthologies, and won two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. Brodeur, a resident of Fairfax, has authored Other Latitudes and So the Night Cannot Go Without Us and runs the blog How a Poem Happens. The event starts at 7 and is followed by an open reading in which attendees can present one poem no longer than a page.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

Monday: Halloween in Washington
This week is the lead-up to one of the most fun events of the year—Halloween in DC (and on a Saturday, to boot!). We've got everything you'll need to make this Halloween the greatest one yet, from a roundup of costume stores to a guide to Halloween parties to cheap costume ideas and lots more.

Tuesday: High Heel Drag Race
It's a Halloween DC classic—the Dupont Circle High Heel Race. Between 17th and P Streets, NW, hundreds of spectacularly-outfitted drag queens will parade up and down the street. At 9 PM, they'll race in their heels. Get there as early as 6 PM if you want to get a solid viewing spot. Looking for more Halloween events this week? Make sure to check out our guide.

Wednesday: Mad Men Into Modern Gentlemen
Long for the days when you could drink whiskey at work? When smoking a cigar in the office was the norm? When the cut of a suit mattered? We think you'll enjoy indulging in your nostalgia when Jason Tesauro, author of The Modern Gentleman: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy & Vice, teaches a series on how to be a "Modern Gentleman" at the Morrison House. Tonight, learn all you ever wanted about cigar and whiskey; there are three more classes in the series. $80, 7 PM; call 703-838-8000 to reserve a space.

Rewind: HouseQuake

We attended the premiere of a documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at how the Democrats made a comeback in 2006.

An assassin lurking in the shadows, a shark in the water—that’s how Rahm Emanuel is described in the new documentary HouseQuake, which premiered at the E Street Cinema on Wednesday night.

The film—directed by Karen Price, daughter of Representative David Price—offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 2006 campaign and how Emanuel orchestrated one of the country’s most historic congressional elections. Price and her crew followed seven Democratic candidates: Heath Shuler, Tammy Duckworth, Baron Hill, Diane Farrell, Brad Ellsworth, Tim Mahoney, and Jerry McNerney.

In 2006, Democrats picked up 31 seats to seize control of the House, ending the “Republican revolution” that had reigned for 12 years. As President George W. Bush famously remarked, “It was a thumpin’.”

The think tank Third Way and Representative Chris Van Hollen hosted the premiere. Also in the audience were Representatives Price, Jerry McNerney, Baron Hill, and Ed Whitfield, and the Washington Post’s David Broder.

Drunken Pumpkin: Pumpkin Beers at Local Bars

Nothing says fall to us like a tall pint of pumpkin ale. Here is where you can get some of the best around town.

No other beer manages to be quite as contentious as a tall glass of pumpkin ale. Since the Colonial era, brewmasters have quarreled over pumpkin beer’s merits every October as the seasonal brew makes its annual reemergence. It’s all in the flavor, really: Some beer aficionados croon over the subtle hints of squash, while others pinch their nose at the cloying pumpkin-pie sweetness.

The story of pumpkin beer is as old as America. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were all said to have experimented with it when English barley was too rare to procure. And the following bars are ready to continue the Founding Fathers’ tradition this month as they roll out new flavors fresh from the pumpkin patch.

Birreria Paradiso (2029 P St., NW, 202-223-1245; 3282 M St., NW; 202-337-1245)
At the Dupont Circle location, you’ll find Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, a hoppy beer with a clean, refreshing taste that bar manager Greg Jasgur says “you can drink a lot of.” A more traditional pumpkin ale, this beer harkens back to the olden days of pumpkin brewing. Meanwhile, on tap in Georgetown is Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which has a sweeter, spicier pumpkin-pie flavor, and Cape Ann’s Fisherman’s Pumpkin Stout, with a strong roasted flavor, fewer pumpkin-pie notes, and a taste of fresh pumpkin.
How much longer: Through October.
Price: $7 a pint.

Ten Under $10

Whether you’re interested in burning calories by learning to lap dance or packing them on drinking Peronis poured by Italian beer models, this week’s Ten Under $10 offers a wealth of fun ways that both the wealthy and the wanting can keep their wallets in check.

1. Help celebrate the YWCA’s annual Week Without Violence campaign by learning how to fight. Starting at 6 on Thursday, men and women are invited to the Penn Quarter YMCA (624 Ninth St., NW) for a free one-hour self-defense workshop with Sara Salam. The class will cover both holistic and physical ways to channel fear into strength in order to confront attackers.

2. You’re young, ambitious, and working to change the world. Isn’t it time society gave something back to you other than a barely livable wage? Following the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network gala at the White House on Thursday, BlackFinn American Saloon is throwing an after-party for Washington’s young nonprofit workers and their friends starting at 6. A $5 donation is suggested at the door; Miller Lites are just $2, and glasses of house wine, Champagne, and rail drinks are $3. BlackFinn will provide free food. The networking is up to you.

3. The Bethesda-based Chic Physique fitness club is kicking off its grand-opening weekend with a free Friday-night Sexy Halloween Party at 7, followed by a free pole-dancing demonstration at 9 by Jessalynn Medairy, who teaches the gym’s Ooh La La Lap Dance classes. The fitness center is also offering free trial lessons from noon to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Classes include Pole Tease, Lap Dance, FlirTease, and Hot Hips.

Funny Town: This Week’s Comedy Events

We keep you tickled with a roundup of comedy events and standup performances.

If you’re looking for comedy this week, you’ve come to the right place: The Bentzen Ball is bringing nationally recognized standup acts into town by the truckload for four days of comedy. We’ve already written about it here; you can also check out our interviews with performers Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Lizz Winstead, and Tig Notaro. Ticket prices range from $15 (for most one-time shows) to $110 (for a weekend pass). The festival runs October 22 through 25; click here for a full schedule.

Buzzed: Toasted-Spice Apple-Cider Punch

Just in time for Halloween, PS 7’s mixtress Gina Chersevani demonstrates how to make a killer apple-cider punch.

When hosting a Halloween party, there are three elements critical for success: (1) a great costume, (2) a good music selection (bonus points if you have a DJ), and (3) killer drinks. The last is perhaps the most critical element—the tastier the drinks, the more your guests will consume, and the drunker they get, the less likely they are to care about (1) or (2).

For advice on the perfect drink to serve at a party, we enlisted PS 7’s Gina Chersevani, who recommended putting together a punch: “Punches are great when you’re entertaining, especially during the upcoming holidays.” Her Toasted-Spice Apple-Cider Punch recipe is made with fresh apple cider, pressed at the restaurant. If you don’t have a cider press, an electric juicer will do the trick—just make sure you remove the apple cores before. To make three cups, you’ll need about 12 pounds of apples. If you’re pinching pennies, here’s some good news: Chersevani recommends making the cider using bruised or slightly damaged apples, which sell for much less than regular apples. Of course, if you’d rather skip the hard work, you can buy premade cider.

Below, Chersevani demonstrates how to make the punch and how to properly toast the spices used in the drink. Check out the videos, and make sure to get the recipe after the jump.

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Monday, October 19
Head to the National Theatre’s Helen Hayes Gallery for a night of smooth a cappella as Reverb performs its brand of gospel-inspired soul at 6 and 7:30. Tickets are distributed one per person on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before the show.

Tuesday, October 20
Author Steve Early reads and signs his new book, Embedded With Organized Labor: Journalistic Reflections on the Class War at Home, at Busboys and Poets at DC’s 14th and V streets, Northwest. Early’s book describes how union activists have successfully organized to fight employer opposition and includes a series of essays on social and economic justice. 6 PM.

Wednesday, October 21
Join Kay Ryan, US poet laureate, at the Library of Congress’s Coolidge Auditorium as she reads from her work. The evening marks the opening of the library’s fall literary season of poetry readings and lectures. The reading at 7 will be followed by a book signing and reception in the Great Hall.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

Reel Affirmations, the Bentzen Ball, ’90s pop bands, and more.

Monday, October 19: Reel-y Good Shorts
Reel Affirmations, Washington’s lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender film festival runs through October 24. More than 40 films will be screened, including shorts and documentaries. Tonight, a collection of some of the best short films will be shown at the Harman Center for the Arts at 7. Tickets ($10) can be purchased online here, or at the venue’s box office.

Tuesday, October 20: ’90s Dance Party
Rewind the clock and relive the greatest decade ever: the ’90s. Two seminal bands of that decade are in town tonight. There’s the effervescent brothers Hanson, which plays at the 9:30 Club, and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” singer Lenny Kravitz, who’ll perform at the Warner Theatre. Tickets are $30 for Hanson and $59.50 for Lenny Kravitz—a bit steep for acts that haven’t had a hit in a decade, but who said nostalgia’s cheap?

Wednesday, October 21: Judith & Julia
Knopf editor Judith Jones, the woman responsible for putting Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking on bookshelves, is inaugurating an author series at Zola Wine + Kitchen sponsored by Hooks Books Events and Stir Food Group. The event, which runs from 6 to 8, will include a discussion with Jones and a cooking demo. Tickets are $75 and include a copy of Jones’s latest book, appetizers, and two glasses of wine. For reservations, click here.

Fall Into Art

If you’re looking for a creative outlet this season, throw out those boring colored pencils and brushes. Here’s a roundup of some of the most interesting art classes going on in the area.

The Art League School
Card-Weaving Workshop
For anyone in need of a creative pick-me-up, the Art League School will have a one-day workshop on card weaving, a method that dates back to 400 BC and can be used to make trendy straps, belts, or pet leashes. The class will be held on November 21 from 1 to 6. Taught by Linda Hurt, the five-hour session will focus on easy-to-learn weaving patterns. The workshop is $55. To register, click here.

Washington Glass School
Painting With Wax: Basic Encaustic Workshop
Ditch the oil paints and acrylics for this one: On October 17 and 18 from 10 to 3, students can try encaustic painting using beeswax. The versatile method allows the wax to be carved, collaged, or decorated with Xerox transfers. Instructor Ellyn Weiss will demonstrate how to use wax in its molten form and fuse it with heat onto a canvas or board. Tuition is $325, which includes materials.

Xtreme Lava Lovers Weekend
The Washington Glass School is teaming up with the DC Glassworks studio for their hottest weekend yet—literally. In this two-day session, you can liquefy solid glass and aluminum to create beautiful sculptures and practical items such as bowls and plates. Ewin Timmers and Dave D’Orio will supervise this metal crash course on November 7 at the Washington Glass School and November 8 at DC Glassworks in Hyattsville. Each session runs from 1 to 5. The class costs $400.

The Bentzen Ball Preview: Sarah Silverman

To preview the upcoming Bentzen Ball, we’re interviewing several of the comedians who are performing at the festival. Today, we chat with Sarah Silverman.

Blithely offensive with no regard for social taboos and lots of foul language, Sarah Silverman has been called “the most outrageously funny woman alive” by Rolling Stone. Her performance on her Comedy Central series, The Sarah Silverman Program, garnered her an Emmy nomination in July, and she wrote and starred in her own film, Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic, in 2005. She’s appearing in DC this month at the four-day Bentzen Ball comedy festival. See her on closing night, performing with her sister Laura Silverman, Tig Notaro, Steve Agee, and Chelsea Peretti at the 9:30 Club at 8. You can view the full Bentzen Ball schedule—and purchase tickets—here.

More Bentzen Ball interviews:
Lizz Winstead
Tig Notaro
Patton Oswalt

The Bentzen Ball Preview: Patton Oswalt

To preview the upcoming Bentzen Ball, we’re interviewing several of the comedians who are performing at the festival. Today, we chat with Patton Oswalt

The standup-comedy favorite Patton Oswalt recently starred as a Giants-obsessed sports nut in Rob Siegel’s Big Fan and also appeared in Observe and Report and The Informant! He’s one of a slew of comedians coming to town for the Bentzen Ball comedy festival, October 22 through 25. Catch him on opening night with Todd Barry, Tig Notaro, Kyle Kinane, Ian Edwards, and Rory Scovel at 8 at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets—for single shows or for weekend passes—are available here. We caught up with Oswalt to talk about other comedians in the Bentzen Ball, his obsessions in life, and the health-care crisis.

Read our interviews with Lizz Winstead and Tig Notaro here and here.

When the Weather’s Too Cold: Indoor Fun in Washington

Just because the temperature’s dropping doesn’t mean your spirits have to as well. Washington offers some great opportunities for indoor fun and games, so as the leaves fall, don’t let the weather keep you at home.

For most of us, mini-golf season ends when summer does. But not at H Street Country Club, where putters can find a nine-hole indoor course, skeeball, daily drink specials, and a large Tex-Mex menu. The DC-themed course offers holes featuring monuments, Presidents, and even a putt-putt-size U Street complete with the landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl. The course opens at 5, and games are $7 per person. Ages 21 and up, except on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

Looking to bring out the kid in you? Well, let’s hope he or she is a good shot—you’ll need it at Ultrazone Laser Tag (3447 Carlin Springs Rd., Falls Church; 703-578-6001). The largest laser-tag facility in Washington, this multi-level battleground equips you with the most advanced technology in infrared warfare, including vests that transmit play-by-play updates to spectators in the lobby. Weekends are packed at Ultrazone, where up to 60 players can engage in the 6,000-square-foot arena. Don’t miss high-school night on Wednesday and college night on Thursday, when students can play all night for just $10. Other times, individual games are $8.50, or $24.95 for unlimited play.

Ten Under $10

Zip through otherworldly wormholes at the Smithsonian, shuck oysters in St. Mary’s County, and peer out at Russia from your back yard (no, really) with this week’s Ten Under $10.

1. In only the 12th time since 1980 that Richard Nixon’s presidential tapes have been opened to the public, visitors can hear him negotiate a peace treaty with the Vietnamese government, arrange for American POWs to be returned home, and listen to statements made during the Watergate trial. Listening stations are free but available on a first-come, first-served basis. The tapes are available weekdays from 9 to 5, and you’ll need a photo ID to get them. National Archives at College Park.

2. For a new take on an old story, head to the AFI Silver Theatre Thursday at 7:30 for a free screening of Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags. This roller-coaster tale of labor and greed is an official selection at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival and chronicles the once-robust United States manufacturing industry and its relationship with unions and governments. Tickets are available at the box office starting Thursday at noon, limit two per person.

Funny Town: This Week’s Comedy Events

We round up events around town that are sure to tickle your funny bone.

Developed in the Sundance Institute’s Jordan-based Middle East Screenwriters Lab last year, Maysoon Zayid’s Little American Whore: A One Woman Show is a funny, irreverent, unexpectedly dirty comedic performance about her complicated identity as a Palestinian Muslim woman with cerebral palsy from New Jersey. (She says she’s the “first shaking comic without a drug problem.”) Zayid is cofounder and co-executive producer of the acclaimed New York Arab-American Comedy Festival, currently in its sixth year. The show debuted in 2006 at Comedy Central Space in Los Angeles, but this is the first time Little American Whore has come to Washington. See it Saturday, October 17, in the Langston Room at Busboys and Poets. $20; 7 PM.

The Bentzen Ball Preview: Tig Notaro

To preview the upcoming Bentzen Ball—which runs from October 22 to 25—we’re interviewing several of the comedians who are performing at the festival. Today, we chat with the brains behind the whole thing, Tig Notaro.

Never heard of Tig Notaro? Maybe you should have. The tough, sardonic West Coast comic plays Officer Tig on The Sarah Silverman Show, and she has called Tig one of her best friends. Notaro is slated to appear as Joan Jett’s mom in the 2010 film The Runaways—and she’s the central, magnetic force behind the Bentzen Ball. She’ll be performing standup at the festival every night; view the schedule or purchase tickets for any of the shows here. You can catch her on opening night with Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry, Kyle Kinane, Ian Edwards, and Rory Scovel at the Lincoln Theatre.

Read yesterday's interview with Lizz Winstead here.

To Do: “Weapons of Mass Disruption” Exhibit at the International Spy Museum

Low-ceilinged and striped with neon, the newest exhibit at the International Spy Museum feels more like a top-secret command center than an educational gallery. Glossy black walls are lined with flashing lights and flickering computer screens. Headlines scroll along a red-lettered marquee, and at the front of the room, a color-coded map of the United States outlines the location of power grids.

Suddenly, the lights fizzle out and the sleek little room is plunged into darkness. The computer screens fade until one video slowly comes into greenish focus, outlining a budding crisis: A cyber attack has shut the system down, incapacitating major parts of the infrastructure.

That means no communication.

No transportation.

No electricity.

No food.

No water.

The Bentzen Ball Preview: Lizz Winstead

To preview the upcoming Bentzen Ball, we’re interviewing several of the comedians who are performing at the festival. Today, we chat with "Daily Show" creator Lizz Winstead.

Lizz Winstead might not be a household name, but one of her creations—The Daily Show—has become a decade-long cultural phenomenon. Not surprisingly, her defunct weekly off-Broadway show, Shoot the Messenger, was also dedicated to exposing media fluff to biting sarcasm. Winstead will be in Washington performing standup at the Bentzen Ball comedy festival, going on from October 22 through 25. You can see her the first three days of the festival; her first show is Thursday, October 22, at 7 at Bohemian Caverns with Natasha Leggero, Chelsea Peretti, Hugh Moore, Chris Fairbanks, Ruby Wendell, and Jason Weems. Tickets for single shows and weekend passes are available here. We talked to her about the festival, some of her favorite comedians, and political comedy.

“Don’t Go in There!”: Scary Movies Around Town

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Monday, October 12
The Smithsonian is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of events, including gallery tours such as this one on Latino art and culture. The tour, offered in English and Spanish, spotlights the past 200 years of Latino history in the United States, reflected in the work of Hispanic-American artists. Meet in the F Street lobby of the American Art Museum. 12:30. Call 202-633-5330 for more information.

Tuesday, October 13
On Tuesdays, stop by the weekly concert series at the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St., NW). This week, you can listen to selections from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by Irina Katz from the Levine School of Music. Donations—all of which go to the performer—are encouraged. 12:10 to 1. You can download the full Tuesday Concert Series schedule here.

Make this your most relaxing Tuesday in a while: Free yoga classes are being held with Krista at BE Yoga in DC’s Cleveland Park. The hourlong, open-level class starts at 6:15, and the introductory class, also an hour, starts at 7:30. Both are the first classes of ten-week sessions; only the first class is free.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

Three nights of shopping, an after-hours event at a museum, and more.

Monday, October 12: Laramie Revisited
The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later revisits Laramie, Wyoming for a look at the long-lasting effects of Matthew Shepard's murder on the local community. It premieres tonight at 8 in an Arena Stage production at the Lincoln Theatre, the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, and the Reston Community Center, with simultaneous stagings all over the world. The local will be preceded by a broadcast of a pre-performance discussion at New York’s Lincoln Center as well as a discussion after the show. The Arena Stage and University of Maryland productions are free, with reservations required for Arena; the Reston production is $15 for Reston residents, $25 for others. For more information, call 202-488-3300 for Arena, 301-405-2787 for the University of Maryland, 703-476-4500 for Reston.

Tuesday, October 13: Girl's Night Out
Sample beauty treatments and shop while sipping cosmopolitans at Shecky's Girl's Night Out at DAR Constitution Hall. Tickets ($25 in advance; $35 at the door) include the legendary Shecky’s goodie bag, which in the past has included body scrub, books, and lip gloss. For more information, click here. 5 PM to 10 PM.

Wednesday, October 14: Quixotic Pursuit
The Washington Ballet stages novelist Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, about an out-of-wits fiftysomething countryman and his trusty sidekick Sancho Panza, at the Kennedy Center. Tickets ($25-$125) can be purchased here. 8 PM.

Red Bulls on Parade: “Art of Can” Exhibition Opens in Union Station

A bull, an octopus, and a shark—just some of the aluminum creatures on display at Union Station as part of Washington’s first “Art of Can” exhibition.

Sponsored by Red Bull, the energy-drink company that “gives you wings,” the exhibit kicked off last night, attracting a crowd of art wonks and caffeine addicts alike.

Through October 19, Washingtonians are invited to check out (for free!) some of the country’s most highly carbonated contemporary artworks—all created or inspired by Red Bull’s iconic blue-and-silver cans—on display at Union Station’s main lobby.

Fifty-six works are on display, including an eight-foot octopus and a larger-than-life bull, which incorporates more than 2,000 cans into the design. The artists responsible for the sculptures come from all walks of life: students, industrial designers, sales professionals. Most are from the United States, but some have traveled from as far away as the United Kingdom.

Check out photographs of the exhibit.

Funny Town: This Week’s Comedy Events

We keep you tickled with a roundup of comedy events and standup performances.

While attending Georgetown University, Mike Birbiglia won a competition for funniest man on campus, earning him the opportunity to perform at DC Improv. He’s since emerged into comedic fame across the country as a regular contributor on radio’s The Bob and Tom Show and This American Life plus the star of his one-man off-Broadway show, Sleepwalk With Me, detailing his experiences with a sleeping disorder. He writes the blog My Secret Public Journal, where personal anecdotes become fodder for his deadpan wit. Birbiglia returns to Washington on Saturday, October 10, for a standup show at the Warner Theatre at 8. Tickets ($23 to $33) can be purchased by calling 877-598-8696 or 800-551-7328 or by clicking here.

Tyler Perry of House of Payne fame is coming to Washington for a performance of his 11th play, Laugh to Keep From Crying. It’s intended as a lighthearted look at a tough world, performed à la Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Perry’s show will be performed October 13 through 17 at the Warner Theatre; the show starts at 8 every night, with a 3 PM matinee on Saturday. Tickets ($47 to $57) can be purchased by calling either 877-598-8696 or 800-551-7328 or by clicking here.

Ten Under $10

Peer into the future on the Mall, loosen your belt in Georgetown, and rotate clockwise while standing on the North Pole at the Hirshhorn. Whether your idea of a good time is raving with the same sex or ogling naughty schoolgirls, this week’s Ten Under $10 has something for you.

1. Arrgh! Apparently there’s no spell check aboard the S.S. Bad-Idea-for-a-Bar, but there are great specials on Thievin’ Thursdays at at Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring. Granted, the place looks like a miniature-golf-course-meets-Johnny-Depp-inspired Epcot ride, but it’ll all blur together with $5 rum “Piratz drynks,” half-price “grog” (a mixture of three types of rum and ginger beer), and $3 Coronas, Amstels, Heinekens, and Blue Moons from 5 to 7. Fill up on half-price appetizers, befriend a parrot, and try not to stumble off the plank.

2. Populists, unite! Environmentalist/Green Party candidate/lecturer/consumer watchdog/author Ralph Nader will sign copies of his new book, Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!, at Busboys and Poets on Thursday at 6. Taking a page from Thomas Paine and Upton Sinclair, Nader’s novel imagines what our nation would be like if the wealthiest individuals suddenly became altruistic do-gooders. Supporting Nader by showing up to the event is free—though if you’re a Democrat, it might cost you an election.

Video Buzzed: Green Lantern

1905’s bar manager, Melyssa Mason, demonstrates how to make the restaurant’s staple drink, the Green Lantern.

Absinthe may still be the main draw at this second-story Shaw restaurant, which opened at the height of the spirit’s craze last year, but bar manager Melyssa Mason has created a cocktail menu with a more well-rounded selection. There’s the 4 O’Clock Rocks ($10), which mixes Hendrick’s gin with muddled cucumbers and limes, and the Mely’s Milkshake ($10)—named after Mason—that’s a combination of vanilla vodka, Frangelico, and Bailey’s.

Also on the menu: 1905’s signature cocktail, the Green Lantern ($11). This gin drink is made with muddled limes and basil, a splash of pineapple juice, and a house-made pineapple simple syrup—the secrets of this last ingredient, says Mason, can’t be revealed. “But regular simple syrup also works,” she adds, tauntingly.

Get a demonstration of how to make the Green Lantern below, and make sure to stop by 1905 for a taste of the fall cocktail lineup, which Mason says will feature some warmed Scotch drinks. The recipe for the Green Lantern is included after the jump.

To Do: The Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival

Be honest: When was the last time you had a good, tear-inducing, stomach-wrenching, oh-God-I-can’t-breathe laugh?

Been a while?

Try this: The DC social Web site BrightestYoungThings.com has joined forces with the Los Angeles-based comedian Tig Notaro to present an all-out, four-day comedy festival, the Bentzen Ball, to be held at the end of October, featuring appearances by some of the best-regarded comedic minds in the country—nearly 60 of them, in fact. Here’s how it breaks down: 21 shows, each comprising seven or eight standup performances, will be held at a smattering of U Street and 14th Street, Northwest, venues between Thursday, October 22, and Sunday, October 25. You can purchase tickets for individual shows, or you can go whole hog and buy a weekend pass.

Local Listens: Memphis 59

Welcome to Local Listens, where we profile some of our favorite Washington musicians. This week, we shine the spotlight on the Memphis 59.

A band without a permanent guitarist might sound like a disaster, but for the Arlington-based group Memphis 59, it works. The band rotates through several guitarists, but its backbone is composed of singer/songwriter Scott Kurt, bassist Richard Lewis, and drummer Chris Zogby. Formed in early 2008, Memphis 59 performs live several times a month. The band was nominated for a 2008 Washington Area Music Award for new artist of the year.

Memphis 59 has several songs to stream on MySpace—we like “Me, Myself and Eyes,” a love song about giving a relationship a second chance. With lyrics such as “I know this is where you want to be. You think you’re alone, but I think you’re with me, myself and eyes that shine brighter than the stars at night,” Kurt sings about listening to your heart even when the timing for a relationship isn’t right.

If the songs online aren’t enough to satisfy your Memphis 59 fix, don’t fret: The guys are in the process of recording an album, and Kurt says new music should be out in late fall or early winter. Until then, check out a live performance Thursday, October 8, at the Light Horse in Old Town.

Breast Cancer Awareness Events

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a 5K run/fitness walk that raises money and honors those who’ve lost the cancer battle, takes place worldwide and counts more than a million participants since 2005. This year’s Maryland run will take place in Hunt Valley on October 18. The Parade of Pink, a walk to celebrate survivors of breast cancer, takes place at 6:45 AM. People who wish to participate can register online to start or join a team, join as an individual, or register a group or family. To register, click here.

The Tigerlily Foundation, an organization in Reston that provides advocacy and support for young women affected by breast cancer, will host its first annual gala on October 22. In addition to honoring Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her work with young women with breast cancer, awards will be presented to breast-cancer survivors. Some of the award presenters include Sarah Frasier of Hot 99.5 FM radio, Julie Parker of ABC 7, Chick Hernandez of Comcast SportsNet, and Beverly Kirk of Channel 8 News. The night’s mistress of ceremony will be Andrea Roane of WUSA 9. The event will be held from 7 to 10 at the Willard InterContinental hotel. Tickets can be purchased here for $150.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

Monday, October 5: Text Your Knowledge
It’s a battle of the wits and quickest thumbs at DC9’s SMS Trivia Smackdown. Teams are required to text in their answers to the moderator. The winning team gets a $50 bar discount as well as the right to select the music playlist for the following week. 7 PM.

Tuesday, October 6: (Cat)Walk on Water
Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Eric Finn Custom Clothing sponsor a fashion show with an over-the-pool runway at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel’s rooftop. The event benefits Becky’s Fund, a domestic-violence-prevention nonprofit. A number of athletes from the Redskins and DC United teams are expected to attend. Tickets ($125 to $300) can be purchased at beckysfund.org. 6 PM.

Wednesday, October 7: Me Talk Pretty One Day
Popular author David Sedaris—who has a knack for pointing out life’s many absurdities with his sharp sense of humor—will read his work, answer questions, and sign copies of his books at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Tickets ($40 to $45) can be purchased here or by calling 301-808-6900. 8 PM.

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Saturday, October 3

Baseball season may be winding down, but fans can keep that slugging spirit alive at the Baseball Americana symposium in the Library of Congress. Starting at 9 AM, Coolidge Auditorium will host a series of panel discussions about baseball’s cultural impact by former players, memorabilia experts, and a stadium groundskeeper. The last presentation will be an interview with the beloved Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks, an 11-time All Star and the first African-American to play with the Chicago Cubs. Tickets are free, but advance registration is required. To register, go here.

Some people were born for calligraphy. Others need a little help. If you’re of the latter kind, head to the Sackler Gallery for a free workshop taught by associate curator of Chinese art Joseph Chang. It begins at 2:30, and no experience is necessary. Registration is required; call 202-633-0465.

Sunday, October 4

Join renowned oceanographer and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Sylvia Earle at Washington National Cathedral for a discussion on the importance of the earth’s oceans to the future survival of the planet. Earle will examine the crucial role oceanic life plays and the dangerous circumstances affecting our waters. The discussion begins at 10:10 and will be followed by a book signing for Earle’s The World Is Blue: How Our Fate and the Oceans Are One.

Freefall: Fun Autumn Activities That Don’t Cost a Dime

You can have fun this fall without spending a thing. Check out our guide to fun and free fall events.

From November 1 through next spring, admission—usually $8 for adults—is free for the Dumbarton Oaks garden. The elegant landscaping and sculptures made of Indiana limestone are much more peaceful when the summer crowds have gone home. The art museum, with Byzantine and pre-Colombian collections, is free, too. Both are open Tuesday through Sunday 2 to 5.

At the snug, folky Iota Club & Café, a free ongoing poetry series features readings by both established and amateur poets. It’s held the second Sunday of each month from 6 to 8, hosted by poet and Word Works founder Miles David Moore. Sign up at the cafe if you’d like to perform your own work, or just browse the bar menu and enjoy the show.

Ten Under $10

From Turkey to Takoma Park, the National Cathedral to the apocalypse, and one Amazing Baby, this week’s Ten Under $10 may tempt you to adopt a pet and peer into the future, but it’ll certainly hold your wallet in check.

1. They fetch your newspaper, lick your stamps, and got that cutie in the park to actually talk to you, so isn’t it time you gave something back to your dog? Walk man’s best friend to Barkley Square Dog Bakery (2006 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-548-3644) for Barktoberfest this Thursday from 5 to 9. The $5 suggested admission gets you complimentary pretzels, bratwurst, and hot dogs, while your leashed companion munches on free treats. Beer and wine will be available for $4, and dogs and cats will be up for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

2. What would happen if MGMT conceived a child with U2 in Brooklyn? Amazing Baby! Part psycho-electronic, part up-tempo vocals, and far more impressive than your infant, Amazing Baby has been featured in MTV’s Buzzworthy blog and is bringing its space-age guitar riffs to DC9 on Thursday at 9. Tickets cost $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Must be 18 or over to enter.

Rewind: U2 at FedEx Field

U2 hit all the right notes at FedEx Field on Tuesday night.

>> See the full slideshow of our photos from the U2 concert

Say what you will about Bono—the man knows how to make a statement like no one else. Late in the band’s set last night at a nearly full FedEx Field, he pulled a flag-bearing U2 fan clad in a red turban onstage to help him sing “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” After getting his chance to belt the song, the fan stepped back behind Bono and held his US flag above his head with both hands, letting it waft in the wind. The camera angle shown on the screen—with Bono singing and the fan behind him—was striking, to say the least, and just a drop in the bucket at what was at times an overtly political concert. But hey, what did you expect from a U2 show?

Bono knows better than to take sides, especially in the nation’s capital, so he spent the night being overtly nonpartisan. Nancy Pelosi got not one but two shout-outs while Bono also big-upped Eunice Shriver, Ted Kennedy, Pat Leahy (“the John Wayne of . . .”), Tom Daschle, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and a host of other Beltway superstars who have supported Bono on the issues he lobbies for, such as debt relief and AIDS drugs.

Funny Town: This Week’s Comedy Events

We keep you tickled with a roundup of comedy events and standup performances.

Following his sarcastic how-to book Get Rich Cheating, comedian Jeff Kreisler will perform standup at the DC Arts Center tonight at 7:30. Tickets, available here, are $10 for DCAC members and $15 to $25 for the general public—although it’d be hard for Kreisler to press charges if you sneak in. His routine, based on the book’s lessons, encourages you to cheat, lie, and fake your way to the top—just like professional athletes, successful politicians, and corporate executives. Does it work? “Trust me,” says the law-educated Kreisler. “I’m a lawyer.”

Also tonight, the much-hyped Funniest Celebrity in Washington contest takes place at 7 at the DC Improv. Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher will be there—seriously—along with a slew of other names you never thought you’d see at a comedy fest: president of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist, the Washington Times’ Richard Miniter, and Politico’s Patrick Gavin. Senator Ben Nelson is being given a lifetime-achievement award. Baratunde Thurston, who edits the Onion, is the emcee. The proceeds benefit Standup for Kids, a nonprofit to help homeless and at-risk youth, and tickets aren’t cheap—$200. If you’re really in the mood to splurge, you can get a VIP pass, a table for eight, and seating with a celeb for $5,000. Call 202-250-9193 for tickets.

Video Buzzed: Orr Shtuhl's Phillips

This week, we get a cocktail demonstration from the Washington City Paper’s Beerspotter blogger, Orr Shtuhl.

He may be the City Paper’s beer expert, but on Saturday, Orr Shtuhl will temporarily ditch the mug for cocktail gear and step behind the bar to host Spice, a cocktail party at the Warehouse (1021 7th St., NW). On the menu: five original drinks—plus some punch and shooters—created by Shtuhl and priced at no more than $7. What makes the party even more sweet: DJ Sean P of Fatback will emcee the event.

The Phillips, a variant of a screwdriver that’s made with paprika-infused vodka, is one of the menu’s more interesting offerings. To infuse the vodka, Shtuhl drew inspiration from a previous Buzzed cocktail demonstration and used a home version of the sous vide technique. Find out how he created the drink below, and make sure to get the recipe as well as a look at the party’s menu after the jump.

Culture Vulture

A compilation of interesting—and, most important, free—lectures, cultural events, and more throughout the week.

Monday, September 28
The Marine String Quartet, part of the nation’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization, performs for free at the National Theatre tonight at 6 and 7:30. Tickets are doled out on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes prior to the performance. For more information on the venue’s Monday Night at the National program, click here.

Tuesday, September 29
Susan Serafin makes you question preconceived notions of gender identity in her “Multiplying the Body” installation at Hillyer Art Space (9 Hillyer Ct., NW). Landscape, ethnography, and the body as remembered experience are all recurring themes in this art exhibit. Tuesday through Friday 10 to 7. Call 202-338-0680 for more information

Wednesday, September 30
Save the cheetahs! The animal’s population has declined by 85 percent since 1900. National Zoo director Steve Monfort is hosting a panel discussion to provide a deeper understanding of cheetah biology and the struggle to maintain the endangered animal’s existence in the wild. 7 PM in the visitor auditorium. Reservations are requested.

Where & When: This Week in Washington Nightlife

Free theater, cheap pizza, Oktoberfest menus and more!

Monday: Free Theater!
Starting tonight, the National Theatre is kicking off their fall series of free theater and music concerts, which will take place every Monday night through December. The performances take place twice a night, at 6 and 7:30 PM. Tonight, you can catch the Marine String Quartet. Want more free theater and discounted tickets? Check out our roundup.

Tuesday: These Arms Are Snakes
The big show in town tonight is, duh, U2 hitting FedEx field. But if you're not making the trek out to Landover, you can still catch some great music tonight in a slightly more intimate venue. Imperial China, These Arms Are Snakes, and DD/MM/YY are playing DC9; the three groups have a talent for churning out angular, metallic rock. $12, 8:30 PM.

Wednesday: Happy Hour Pizza
Tonight, enjoy half-price drafts and good deals on the delicious pizzas from upstairs at Birreria Paradiso in Georgetown. Want more great happy hours? Make sure to check out our Happy Hour Finder, where you can find the best drink deals all over the city.

Local Listens: Elijah Jamal Balbed

We shine an occasional spotlight on area musicians. This week, we talk to a 20-year-old saxophone player.

When he was a kid growing up in Silver Spring, all saxophone player Elijah Jamal Balbed wanted to be was a karate fighter. The dream was even somewhat plausible—he got a second-degree black belt when he was 12—but in high school, when he began playing jazz seriously, he decided to change career paths.

Now a jazz-studies major at Howard University, Elijah Jamal has become a well-known staple in the Washington jazz world, playing steady gigs Monday and Thursday nights along U Street, Northwest. Additional résumé highlights include performing at Twins Jazz Club, HR 57, Strathmore, and the Kennedy Center—where he’ll play for the fourth time on November 6 with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Amid practicing, performing, and going to school, Elijah also teaches and helps out at local music stores, in the name of getting more people interested in jazz.

In a scene where Elijah is often the youngest musician in the room, he’s snagged quite a few credentials that put him on par with people who’ve been playing longer. In 2007, Elijah earned a Maryland Distinguished Scholar award, an Overall Best Soloist award in the Maryland Band Director’s Association Big Band Festival, and a Best Soloist award at the 2008 Festival Disney Jazz competition. Additionally, he’s been called a “major talent” by Fred Foss, a former saxophonist in Ray Charles’s band.

Still, Elijah hasn’t let all this go to his head. He says his accomplishments are “great, but I still have a long way to go.”

Read on to find out more about Elijah, the Washington jazz scene, and his local gigs.

Best of Arlington: Fun Nights Out

Good reasons to head to Arlington after dark.

Signature Theatre in Shirlington has received national acclaim for its musicals—particularly productions of Stephen Sondheim’s work—as well as premieres and other plays; this year it won the Tony Award for regional theater. Dirty Blonde, Show Boat, and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd are among this season’s offerings.

Gunston Arts Center (2700 S. Lang St.; 703-228-1850)—run by the county and housed in what was once a middle school—offers music, dance, and theater performances. The former school auditorium is a 460-seat theater, and the library is now a smaller “black box” space.

At the Arlington Cinema ’n’ Drafthouse, you can eat pizza and sip a microbrew while watching a movie. Admission is $1 on Monday, $2 on Tuesday, $3 on Wednesday, and $5.50 on other days. The old-fashioned cinema also hosts comedy shows.

You can catch live music nearly every night at Iota Club & Café. The intimate venue attracts mostly folk and rock bands, and tickets generally range from $10 to $15. There’s also a cafe with a patio where you can kick back with food and drinks.

Galaxy Hut is an Arlington favorite with cozy booths, funky art, and occasional live music. It has 20 beers on tap and plenty more by the bottle. And did we mention pinball and Ms. Pac-Man?

Funny Town: The Week’s Comedy Events

Welcome to a new feature on Washingtonian.com, where we’ll keep you tickled with a roundup of comedy events and standup performances.

• The premise of DC’s Funniest Fed Competition might sound like a joke in itself: Who’s the funniest federal employee in Washington? In place of the punchline, though, is this five-week drama that just gets funnier and funnier, with a field of 32 government-employed aspiring comedians ultimately winnowed down to one winner. This contest made its debut in 2007—that year’s winner worked at the Federal Aviation Administration—and, after a yearlong hiatus, has returned to its old digs at the Arlington Cinem ’N’ Drafthouse.

Round one has passed, but round two takes place tonight at 7:30, and round three is on Wednesday, September 30, also at 7:30. Admission is $10 for each show. The semifinals ($12 admission) will take place Wednesday, October 7, at 7:30, and the finals ($15) will be held Friday, October 23, at 8. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which supports the families of Army veterans.

Ten Under $10

Whether you’re a minimum-wage intern or a mansion-hopping socialite, a library bookworm, a basement-dwelling video gamer, or just a regular guy with a taste for White Russians, this week’s Ten Under $10 has something for you.

1. Singer/songwriter Vandaveer, also known as Mark Charles Heidinger, is bringing his brand of Dylanesque acoustic alt-folk to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Thursday for a free performance. The DC-based musician starts strumming at 6, but tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so try to clock out of work early.

2. Champagne, live music, and the chance to beef up your French culture for just $10? Pas de problème! Whip out your French dictionary and sashay over to the Alliance Française’s Back to France happy-hour soiree on Thursday at 6:30 to hear about the group’s upcoming art and cultural events. Tickets are free for Alliance Française members and $10 for the general public. Call 202-234-7911 to RSVP.

3. Blame it on the recession, a quarter-life crisis, or that you’ve been busy “finding yourself,” but that liberal-arts degree didn’t really pan out as you had hoped, eh? If so, come mingle with kindred spirits on Thursday at McFadden’s Intern Night Out and enjoy $2 rail drinks and a free appetizer buffet starting at 7. Flash an intern badge or out-of-state ID to cash in. Just don’t forget to bring your Starbucks card, because the bartenders might need you to get them some coffee.

Video Buzzed: Goulart Sparkling Mojito

This week, we drop by Occidental Grill & Seafood for a final taste of summer.

The calendar may suggest otherwise, but the mugginess outside tells us summer is still here in Washington. So what better time to grab a mojito—the quintessential summer cocktail? Occidental Grill & Seafood, the historic Washington dining room just a short walk from the White House, has a tasty version of this drink that’s easy (and cheap!) to recreate at home: The bottle of Goulart Rosé Spanish Cava, used to top off the drink and give it distinctive taste and red tint, is just $18 at most liquor stores.

Check out our video below to find out how to make this refreshing drink—or stop by the Occidental for the mojito ($12). The recipe is after the jump.