Tuesday, April 15: Since the Weekend section ran a story on Trivia nights, the pop-culture-heavy Quizzo has expanded both its space and range of questions. The game is now filling both the Penn Ave. Pour House and Politiki levels of the building, and host Neal Racioppo has added a new round of audio clues to the game -- you might hear soundbites of political speeches, vintage television clips or snippets of songs as part of a question. It's harder than it sounds, wise guy, so test yourself tonight at 7.

Thursday, April 10
In recent months, Five has sponsored some of the city's best hip-hop events, such as the Beat Society's battle of the producers and the weekly Grand Groove night. Tonight at Guerrilla Grammar, 20 MCs compete for lyrical supremacy, judged by the audience as well as a panel of their more experienced peers -- which includes Storm the Unpredictable, Cy Young and dCypha. The main event starts at 8, but arrive early for happy hour and stay late to hear hot hip-hop sounds, courtesy of DJs Trini (WKYS-93.9) and Celo (WPGC-95.5).

A couple of weeks ago, we encouraged you to visit one of the area's Rock Bottom Breweries and try their Fire Chief Ale. It's a special brew that the company makes every year, with sales benefiting local burn victims. Tonight, there's another Fire Chief fundraiser at the Bethesda location. Starting at 7, the main bar is host to a firefighter chili cook-off, guest bartenders and a silent auction. Again, all money goes to charity.

Friday, April 11
Two of Washington's finest DJs are spinning in new locations tonight. Desmond Williams of Eighteenth Street Lounge fame will bring his downtempo bossa, afro-beat and electronic sounds to a one-off guest spot at Lemur Lounge, the weekly house-downtempo-funk adventure at Casablanca restaurant in Alexandria. The North African atmosphere -- complete with hookah pipes -- is exotic and inviting. Also, DJ Dredd -- formerly of Aroma -- begins a new Friday night residency at the Blue Room, where he'll spin his usual mix of '70s funk, old-school hip-hop, downtempo house and Prince-related party music. As always, dress is casual but smart (no sneakers or jeans).

Dream has had scores of jiggy-averse D.C. residents scratching their heads for the past year or so. Folks who would swear in public against ever hoisting some cognac while shaking a leg to the newest Nelly tune have found themselves navigating Dream's velvet ropes to catch live appearances from well-regarded national acts. Amel Larrieux, the Roots and Mos Def have all rocked Washington's headquarters for the well-heeled party set. Tonight, arch-lyricist Common holds court, preaching to the small choir of displaced progressives and exposing the rest to the large body of work beyond his current hit single. It's a phenomenon that we have to give props to.

Saturday, April 12
Dozens of swing dancers from across the United States and Canada are expected to descend on Washington this weekend for the annual D.C. Lindy Exchange. Live bands are scheduled Friday through Sunday nights, but the organizers have included a few free, outdoor afternoon events. On Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5, the Lindy Hoppers are turning Dupont Circle into their ballroom. DJs will spin big band, blues and jazz music on a professional-quality sound system while dancers whirl around the fountain. It's an interesting afternoon, whether you're swinging out or just watching. For more information on the exchange, visit http://www.dclx.org.

Later this year, JV's bartender Scott Tucker will be participating in a cycling trip to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Today at 3 p.m. at the bar, he's hosting a fundraiser for the society. If you've never been, JV's is one of the coolest honky-tonks this area has to offer, and you should stick around for Honky Tonk Confidential, a great retro-country act with more twang than you'll find in most of the stuff that comes out of Nashville these days. Pedal steel player Bobby Martin is the featured guest.

Sunday, April 13
Spend a free evening with the Duke. Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra performs the Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn "Far East Suite" in the Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium. The orchestra was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for its recording of this vivid composition.

Swing dancing in Dupont Circle (see Saturday listing)

Monday, April 14
We're not exactly sure what happens when a party promoter decides that "Everyone is a VIP." Does every patron get his or her own bottle of Cris? Probably not, but for tonight's event at Cada Vez, there will be live performances by a whole slew of local R&B and hip-hop acts, including D.C. girl group du jour No Illusion. The giveaway swag will be courtesy of Def Jam Records.

Tuesday, April 15
Since the Weekend section ran a story on Trivia nights, the pop-culture-heavy Quizzo has expanded both its space and range of questions. The game is now filling both the Penn Ave. Pour House and Politiki levels of the building, and host Neal Racioppo has added a new round of audio clues to the game -- you might hear soundbites of political speeches, vintage television clips or snippets of songs as part of a question. It's harder than it sounds, wise guy, so test yourself tonight at 7.

Wednesday, April 16
The Rudebwoy Shuffle is a brand new addition to the calendar at Red, the ahead-of-the-curve dance club south of Dupont Circle. Rudebwoy features DJs from the respected 2Tuff drum 'n' bass crew and guests spinning whatever they want. There's no cover and no reason not to stick your head in.

Fritz Hahn is the Bars and Clubs editor of washingtonpost.com and a Going Out Guru. Rhome Anderson is a Going Out Guru and performs around town under the name DJ Stylus.