D.C.-area nightlife, events and dining

The late Chuck Brown’s annual birthday concerts at the 9:30 Club were epic. The hours-long shows featured Brown, of course, but also a cavalcade of go-go stars performing to pay homage to the Godfather. This Saturday’s concert should blow the roof off the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in a similar fashion. In addition to Brown’s longtime backing band, the Original Soul Searchers, the bill includes a who’s who of go-go groups: Trouble Funk, Hot Cold Sweat, E.U., Backyard Band, Junkyard Bard and Suttle Thoughts. Brown’s daughter KK is among the hosts.

Aged, funky, sour beers are not for everyone, but if you like tongue-curling ales, you need to be at Smoke and Barrel next weekend. There will be 20 American, Belgian and German sour ales on draft all day, including six from Michigan's Jolly Pumpkin brewery that have been aging in the cellar of sister bar Meridian Pint.

DC Brau has been busy collaborating with brewers far and near in the past year, and the trailblazing District brewery will three new beers in three days during D.C. Beer Week. The most anticipated (for me) is Fight Club Anti-Gravity Lager, a collaboration with Devils Backbone Brewing. DC Brau brewer Jeff Hancock and DBBC brewer Jason Oliver were regulars at Fight Club, the underground skate park off Blagden Alley. In honor of the much-loved (and now-closed) skater hangout, they've created a Fight Club beer. The tapping party at Breadsoda will feature skate videos, skate-rat-friendly tunes and the first kegs of the 7.2 percent alcohol lager.

Jeremy Cohen, the founder of Coney Island and He'brew beers, takes over the Jack Rose rooftop with 15 beers on tap ($6 per pint all day), live performers and carney games. Look out for rare aged ales, including the 2006 He'brew Jubilation and the 2010 Rejewvenator. (A full tap list is below.)

Children and their favorite stuffed animal or doll are invited to a tea complete with a story called "Language of the Fans."

A group exhibition devoted to outsider art.

This exhibit explores the adage "what is old is new again" by presenting a collection of women artists who create new forms and artwork by using old form and materials. Materials are re-purposed, appropriated, borrowed and given new life by Laurie Brown, Catherine Kleeman, Virginia Spiegel, Jacqui Crocetta and Veronica Szalus.

The last day of school signals the beginning of the summer exhibition season for area art school grads, many of whom are putting their work in front of the public for the first time. For a more curated showcase, check out Conner Contemporary's annual "Academy" showcase, which rounds up the best of the MFA and BFA classes of 2012 from across the Baltimore-Washington region.

From August 13-19, enjoy fixed price lunches and dinners at dozens of local restaurants.

The 83-year-old is a little-known legend when it comes to Southern Appalachian country-blues.

DC Brau has been busy collaborating with brewers far and near in the past year, and the trailblazing District brewery unveils three new beers during D.C. Beer Week. On Sunday afternoon, DC Brau re-teams with Brian Strumke of Baltimore's Stillwater Artisanal Ales for Middle Name Danger, a one-time-only saison that Brau co-founder Brandon Skall says is dry-hopped with "an experimental nameless hop" and brewed with yeast from Belgium.

Jazz trumpeter Chrisian Scott is as likely as anyone to become the new face of the genre. He’s talented and charismatic enough to make non-jazz fans take notice but with enough respect within the genre to reach its upper echelons.

From August 13-19, enjoy fixed price lunches and dinners at dozens of local restaurants.

At the Filene Center.

Vs. the Sugar Land Skeeters. Faith & Family Night #2. Pinch's Birthday Party. Crab Feast in the Picnic Area. Education Awareness Pinch Fund Game.

Ellen Hill exhibit of mixed media paintings on wood panels closes

Vs. the Winston-Salem Dash. Keyote's Birthday Party: The team's mascot and his other mascot friends will celebrate. Sunday Funday and Meet the Team: Fans can play catch on the field and get autographs from players.

Vs. the Chicago Sky

Every Monday night, the Passenger welcomes a different charity to its bar. The charity gets to spread the word about its mission and takes home 10 percent of all food and drink sales between 5 and 8 p.m. This week’s beneficiary is the Ray of Hope Walk, which seeks to raise awareness about violence against women.

Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Society Fair is taking part in this year's promotion in which Alexandria restaurants offer $35 fixed price three-course dinners or $35 dinners for two.

Vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Kids Eat Free: Children age 12 and younger receive a free hot dog, chips and a soda.

Washington's theater community heads to Signature for "Summer Hummer," a variety show whose proceeds go to helping theater professionals with personal emergencies. Don't bring the kids to this one, folks. It's a bawdy vaudeville-type show with, well, minimal clothing. The revue will include dozens of Washington's biggest actors.

A screening of the documentary film examining Iran's ban of higher education for the Baha'I community, followed by human rights discussion led by Dr. Haideh Sabet. Vegan buffet available for $13

The comedian and "This American Life" contributor will discuss his book "Tasteful Nudes:a&and Other Misguided Attempts at Personal Growth and Validation"

Will discuss his book "On DuPont Circle: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the Progressives Who Shaped Our World"

At the Millennium Stage.

At the Helen Hayes Gallery.

At the Filene Center.

Vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Guaranteed Win: If the Keys lose, fans can reuse their ticket for another Monday-Thursday regular season game later in the season.

The circus-style dog show takes the stage.

Vs. the Lowell Spinners

Swing dance

Will discuss her book "Paris: A Love Story."

At the Millennium Stage.

Vs. the Atlanta Braves

Paintings on 8x10 inch canvases by Patricia Phillips Bowden

Show up between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to get 50 percent off all wines by the glass. Just as the specials end, the show begins.

Friday and Saturday late nights are given over to zydeco and R&B, but Wednesday through Saturday, starting around 6:30 p.m., the sounds of brass ring through the second-floor lounge.

The former president is a rock star in this musical.

Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Society Fair is taking part in this year's promotion in which Alexandria restaurants offer $35 fixed price three-course dinners or $35 dinners for two.

Rowdy and rambunctious. With Jason Myles Goss.

Part of Capitol Riverfront lunchtime concerts, the band plays blues.

The interactive show teaches children about science.

The guitarist performs original and traditional children's songs.

Swing dance

Adjust your GPS units accordingly: the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival, held for years at Strathmore in North Bethesda, is moving yet again: This year, the movie series will be held at Rockville's Mid-Pike Plaza. Concession sales benefit NIH Children's Charities. Local bands perform before the films begin.

Friday and Saturday late nights are given over to zydeco and R&B, but Wednesday through Saturday, starting around 6:30 p.m., the sounds of brass ring through the second-floor lounge.

The former president is a rock star in this musical.

Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Society Fair is taking part in this year's promotion in which Alexandria restaurants offer $35 fixed price three-course dinners or $35 dinners for two.

Lesson at 8:15. At the Ballroom Annex.

Vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Thirsty Thursday: Fans can buy a special ticket that will include food and beer in the Mattress Warehouse Club. German Heritage Night: The team celebrates all things German.

A talk about women and power to mark Women's Equality Day.

Historian Drew Gruber discusses the memoir of Decimus et Ultimus Barziza, a member of the 4th Texas Infantry who was at the Battle of Second Manassas.

Part of the U.S. Air Force Band