Thursday, January 29
SOCIAL ISSUES: Mock trials might remind you of high school, but NPR is hosting an event called Scholars & Scoundrels that sounds quite interesting: The public often gets ahold of digital evidence in criminal proceedings (see the Eric Garner case), which has fundamentally changed how trials go. Real judges, media members, and attorneys will try a hypothetical case and discuss things such as privacy and jury tampering while doing it. Free. 6 PM.
BOOKS: You’ve definitely got a favorite article of clothing, and if you think about it, there’s probably a narrative that goes along with it. Emily Spivack asked more than 60 people to tell her a story while weaving in (get it?) their clothes’ role in it, which resulted in Worn Stories. She’ll be talking about the process and signing books at Sixth & I Synagogue. A single ticket is $12, or get a book and two tickets for $25. 7 PM.
DANCE: Every year, Red Bull throws a deejay contest. Tonight is the DC qualifiers at U Street Music Hall—check it out for a free night of dancing and the chance to see a bunch of up-and-coming local deejays. Free. 9 PM.
Friday, January 30
BEER: Port City is turning four years old, and it’s releasing Colossal IV, a Belgian-style quad beer for the occasion. There’ll be food trucks, a photo booth, live music, and, of course, lots of beer. Free. 3 to 10 PM.
COMEDY: Recovery Comedy was formed as a way to help recovering alcoholics and drug addicts with their rehab—three comedians who have been through the program will be performing at DC Improv. They’ll talk (and joke) about their lives before they sought help, the recovery process, and their lives since. Tickets ($15) are available online. 8 and 10:30 PM.
KARAOKE: It’s a good day to be a punk in DC—Black Cat is screening Salad Days, a documentary about the history of DIY punk in the city. Afterward, head down downstairs for punk-rock karaoke, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Film: $8, 9 PM
Karaoke: $5, 9 PM
Saturday, January 31
DANCE: Malmaison is taking us to Rio with its Samba Supper Club. Gerard Pangaud, who has two Michelin stars, will serve up Brazilian eats, and there’ll be a bossa nova and samba band and lots of dancing. Tickets ($59) are available online. 6 and 8:30 PM.
ART: The Manor hosts Corporate Cannibal, an art and fashion show that explores how dressing for big business has changed in the past few years. There’ll be live visual installations, a musical performance, and a photography exhibit, in addition to a celebration of the end of big suits and outdated looks. Tickets ($20) are available online. 8 PM.
SIDESHOW: Artisphere presents “Shocked and Amazed,” in which the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum heads comes to DC for a night of oddball comedy, sideshow, circus acts, burlesque, and vaudeville. There’s also a pop-up gallery art show with a similar theme. There will be snacks, and DC Brau will be discounted for the event. Tickets ($17) are available online. 9 PM.
MUSICALS: The ’20s-themed Broadway musical Nice Work If You Can Get It is at Warner Theatre this weekend. The new production (it premiered on Broadway in 2012 and is now touring for the first time) tells the story of a rough woman bootlegger during the Prohibition era who falls in love with a rich playboy. Tickets ($42 to $72) are available online. 8 PM.
Sunday, February 1
SUPER BOWL: As you may have heard, there’s some sort of sports match going on this weekend. Let’s hope it’s finally the end of #deflategate, which has already been going on for far too long. Duke’s Grocery is serving fancy beers and Fireball for $4 all night; for other ideas on where to head—or where to pick up grub for your house party—check out our guide to food and drink specials.
MUSICALS: America will be pretty solidly focused on the Big Game, but if football’s not your speed, you can check out Gigi at the Kennedy Center. It stars Vanessa Hudgens as a free-spirited woman in Paris who falls in love with a wealthy playboy (where have I heard this before?). Then again, if you’re the type who is going to skip the Super Bowl for a musical, you probably know plenty about the performance already. Tickets ($45 to $150) are available online. 7:30 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter at @jason_koebler.
