Let's Party Arty!

This weekend, you've got your pick of two art events turning up the volume on the concept of "the opening."

Georgetown gallery District Fine Arts launches its music-themed group exhibition, "Hit Me With Music," tonight with a bash that'll include an acoustic set by lauded local singer Justin Jones (who must see it all when it comes to music, being a bartender at the 9:30 club and all). The show includes photos such as Chester Simpson's shot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the old 9:30 club back in 1986, and Leah Tinari's modern paintings of dance parties and the music life (if you're looking for cred, she's been written up in Paper and the New York Times Magazine). The sculptures? They are working electric guitars made from such unusual items as chessboards. Free. Catch the reception tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.; Jones performs at 7 p.m. Through Dec. 8. District Fine Arts, 1639 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-328-9100.

And tonight and tomorrow, Project 4 and the Pink Line Project present two days of Luster, a pair of pretty-shiny parties in a vacant business space on 14th Street to raise money for Pink Line Project's emerging-artist grant program. Tonight, the beautiful people behind 88 Music spin electronica, cocktails are served and you and your friends, probably also beautiful people, can check out the exhibition, a 13-artist show that explores consumption, commercialism and excess (a pair of gold-plated Nikes are one example). Go tomorrow, and you'll be served champagne and mimosas and music by Yoko K at a more laid-back affair. $10 suggested donation at the door. 7 p.m.-midnight tonight, Sunday noon-5 p.m. Lee Jensen Brake Shop, 1333 14th St. NW. 202-232-4340.

Save the Date

THE SCENE: A Halloween Apparition: Edgar Allan Poe The Lyceum has long held a Halloween-timed program in which an actor comes to the historic museum to re-create Poe's 1849 Virginia visit. Actor David Keltz, dressed to the nines as the troubled writer, mixes up the program every year but always makes room for a few of the favorites, including "The Raven" or "The Cask of Amontillado." $12. Oct. 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria. 703-838-4994.

CONCERT: Yo La Tengo The trio, together nearly 25 years, puts on a pretty spectacular live show (comfy shoes are a requirement, since the concerts can last three hours). But the New Jersey indie rockers will stretch the concept of "concert" at the Birchmere later this month, when they'll play a mostly acoustic set stretching back through their catalogue, chat with the crowd and offer a handful of stories from their history as a band. $25. Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.

LITERATURE: Mid-Atlantic Radical Bookfair This annual Baltimore event spotlights independent publishers, bookstores and authors, and this year ties in a new Radical Film Festival, a day of screenings on Oct. 19. Films include Bill Brown's "Homeland Insecurity" and Catherine Pancake's life-in-Appalachia doc "Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice." The book fair, Oct. 20-21, will feature such speakers as China Martens, a punk anarchist mom who published a zine offering guidance on child-rearing with the punk anarchist ethos, and M.K. Asante Jr., a filmmaker and poet who has penned "Beautiful. And Ugly Too." Film festival, $5 donation recommended. Noon-10 p.m. Book fair, free. 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. both days. 2640, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore. 410-230-0450. http://www.redemmas.org/bookfair/2007.

The District

Today

FOR FAMILIES: Navy Day This event will be celebrated at three spots in the District today: The Navy Memorial plaza (where you can see military drill team performances, a coastal warfare boat and more, 10 a.m.-sunset), DAR Constitution Hall (where there is a free ticketed concert with the U.S. Navy Band and former "American Idol" contestant Phil Stacey at 8 p.m.) and the Washington Navy Yard (where you can tour a real destroyer and check out the Navy Museum, noon-5 p.m.). Get tickets for the concert at DAR between 5-6 p.m. For a full list of events and locations, visit http://navymemorial.org/se_navy_bday.php.

Tuesday

CONCERT: Experience Hendrix It's the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, and this show at DAR, with Robbie Krieger of the Doors, Mick Taylor of the Stones, Jonny Lang and many other big names trying to channel Hendrix's guitar-hero antics, is perhaps the biggest way to experience one of that generation's biggest stars: Jimi Hendrix. $65. 8 p.m. DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and C streets NW. 202-397-7328.