Right now in the Phillips Collection, next to Odilon Redon‘s “Mystery,” which I highlighted this week in another story, there’s another fascinating painting. It’s Paul Gauguin‘s “The Ham,” which is, unsurprisingly, a painting of a ham (and onions and a drink, to be fair). As a still life, it’s much more grounded in reality than the symbol-heavy “Mystery,” but it’s not quite concerned with portraying the foodstuffs as they appeared before the painter. The blue hues that thickly border the onions recall Paul Cézanne‘s famous still lifes of geometric fruit baskets. This painting is from 1889, two years before Gauguin first ventured to Tahiti, where the landscape and people he encountered would dramatically change his painting style and make him (eventually) an influential figure for the Symbolists like Redon, a friend of his. When Gauguin died in Tahiti, Redon painted a portrait from memory of Gauguin’s profile floating in a symbolic, dreamlike void. But “The Ham” came before all that, and it hasn’t yet surrendered its attachments to depicting a recognizable world and everyday objects. It is, however, using its deep blue borders to push at art’s edges. —Emma Sarappo
FRIDAY
Kishi BashiThe musical abilities of multi-instrumentalist and singer Kishi Bashi defy neat categorization. Besides playing in bands Jupiter One and of Montreal, Kishi Bashi (born Kaoru Ishibashi) has toured as a violinist, scored films, and helped develop an original coffee blend. The fluidity of Ishibashi’s songs range from feverish strings to transcendent dream pop to bright, bouncy synth chords, all layered over pensive lyrics. Read more >>> Kishi Bashi performs at 8 p.m. at The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. $35. (202) 888-0050. thelincolndc.com. (Mercedes Hesselroth)
Watch Priced Out, a documentary about housing discrimination and gentrification in Portland, and discuss its resonances with Matt Birkhold of Visionary Organizing Lab. 10:30 a.m. at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. Free.
Barbara and Aaron Levine will discuss their collection of Marcel Duchamp‘s work, now on display in the Hirshhorn. 6 p.m. at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and 7th St. SW. Free.
Learn about—and sample!—botanical tonics and digestifs ahead of holiday cocktail season. 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. $35–$45.
SATURDAY
Jason Moran and The Bandwagon with Ingrid LaubrockJazz pianist and composer Jason Moran became the Kennedy Center’s artistic director for jazz in 2014. During his tenure, the venue’s programming has struck a hard-to-achieve balance between maintaining a respect for tradition while also venturing into the multi-faceted genre’s cutting edge. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Moran’s excellent trio, The Bandwagon, which includes the adventurous rhythm section of bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits. Read more >>> Jason Moran and the Bandwagon perform at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Family Theater, 2700 F St. NW. $29–$49. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Sriram Gopal)
If you’re a true crime enthusiast, then death might become you. Find out at Death Becomes Us this weekend—a Saturday talk will focus on the D.C. Sniper. 1 p.m. at GW Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. $25.
Or grab a taste of Salvadoran or Vietnamese food during Smithsonian Food History Weekend. 1 p.m. at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Free.
You can also watch the 13th annual parade of vintage East German Trabant cars roll down to the Spy Museum. 10 a.m. at the International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW. Free.
SUNDAY
The Blend Show 3Go-go music is in the news again; last week, the D.C. Council heard witnesses testifying in favor of making the funky, homegrown sound D.C.’s official genre—a legislative confirmation of what’s already true. Meanwhile, D.C.-area go-go bands keep pushing against the gentrification-related obstacles trying to mute them by playing nightly gigs, with or without governmental recognition. “The Blend Show 3” will offer a multi-generational showcase of some of the percussive style’s finest practitioners, including Rare Essence, Backyard Band, WHAT? Band, and TCB. The “blend show” title means that two bands at a time will set up on stage and will alternate songs without long gaps in between. Read more >>> The Blend Show 3 begins at 10 p.m. at Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE. $40–$50. (202) 503-2330. echostage.com. (Steve Kiviat)
Nate Bargatze, who’s already done a Comedy Central special and a set on Netflix’s The Standups, has nearly sold out his second Warner Theatre show. He guesses that’s a Good Problem to Have. 7 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. $33.
Punk the Capital chronicles D.C.’s storied punk and hardcore history on behind-the-scenes Super 8 footage. 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $11–$13.
Judge John Hodgman weighs in on the world’s biggest, most pressing questions, like: Is chili a soup or a stew? 8 p.m. at The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. $35.
MONDAY
Sinéad HarnettIn the music video for their R&B collaboration “Pulling Away,” Sinéad Harnett and Gallant play lovers caught at an emotional crossroads. As the pair sings about loss and reconciliation, they transcend locations together, finding each other in a forest, a field, and at a shoreline of breaking waves. Harnett’s first studio album, Lessons in Love, is an expanded account of the ebb and flow of romance, a sultry fusion that combines new cuts with two previously released singles. Read more >>> Sinéad Harnett performs at 7 p.m. at U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. $20. (202) 588-1889. ustreetmusichall.com. (Amy Guay)
Kick off the National Zoo’s week-long farewell to Bei Bei, the young panda heading to China on Nov. 19, by writing him a note at the postcard station outside his exhibit. 9 a.m. at the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Lindy West, a New York Times columnist, the author of Shrill, and a veteran of the feminist blogosphere, claims that The Witches Are Coming. 7 p.m. at Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW. $20–$45.
For Veterans’ Day, there will be a gathering at the World War II Memorial to honor and celebrate veterans of the war. 9 a.m. at the World War II Memorial, 1750 Independence Ave. SW. Free.
TUESDAY
ClairoGrab a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and lose yourself in Clairo’s music. The musician, born Claire Cottrill, stops in D.C. as part of her tour for debut album, Immunity. Despite this being her debut, she’s already on an international tour, thanks to the buzz generated by her 10 Bandcamp releases and her viral singles “Pretty Girl” and, yes, “Flaming Hot Cheetos.” In the three months since releasing Immunity, Clairo’s made television appearances on Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres’ shows and been recognized by Apple Music as an “Up Next” artist. Read more >>> Clairo performs at 7 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $25. (202) 265-0930. 930.com. (Sarah Smith)
Comedy Bang! Bang!goes live with a bang. 7:30 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. $35–$45.
Story District returns with a group of true tales about misunderstandings and mix-ups. 6:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $20.
Mark Allen Felton is a saxophonist with a diverse set of influences across genres. 7:30 p.m. at City Winery, 1350 Okie St. NE. $15–$25.
WEDNESDAY
Pivot GangThe fact that Chicago’s Pivot Gang take their name from a famous scene in Friends (the couch move from “The One with the Cop,” naturally) tells you a lot about the crew. Like that iconic ’90s cast of characters, Pivot Gang combine siblings and childhood friends: Brothers Saba and Joseph Chilliams and brothers Frsh Waters and squeakPIVOT are joined by rapper MFnMelo and producer daedaePIVOT in the group. And like moving a couch, Pivot Gang have made steady progress with small, calculated moves. Read more >>> Pivot Gang perform at 7 p.m. at MilkBoy ArtHouse, 7416 Baltimore Ave., College Park. $23.50. (240) 623-1423. milkboyarthouse.com. (Chris Kelly)
André Aciman discusses his new follow-up to Call Me By Your Name, Find Me, featuring an older Elio and Oliver. 7 p.m. at the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 1st St. SE. Free–$27.
Jeanine Basinger, who founded the Wesleyan film studies department, discusses her book on the history of the American movie musical. 7 p.m. at Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Big Bear Cafe’s monthly comedy series returns with fresh, local comedians. 8 p.m. at Big Bear Cafe, 1700 1st St. NW. $8–$10.
THURSDAY
Pokey LaFargeOne gets the sense that your average urban-rustic, stomp-and-holler-type band approaches its own aesthetic with cringing half-embarrassment. Not so with Americana time traveler Pokey LaFarge, who wears the uniform of 21st-century-renaissance-man turned turn-of-the-century-busker more naturally than anyone else around (except for maybe his hero, Tom Waits). The Normal, Illinois, native uses his throwback style and a guitar that’s older than most of his fanbase’s parents (a 1946 Epiphone Spartan) to craft original songs. Read more >>> Pokey LaFarge performs at 8 p.m. at Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl St. SW. $25–$30. (202) 380-9620. pearlstreetwarehouse.com. (Will Lennon)
Julia Nunes and Elizabeth and the Catapult forcefully assert that “the holidays CAN be fun.” 7:30 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. $15–$20.
Throw it back to the ’90s at the National Gallery of Art’s after hours event by making friendship bracelets, fortune tellers, and buttons. 6 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art’s East Building, Pennsylvania Avenue and 4th Street NW.
Lupe Fiasco makes his Kennedy Center debut with a show full of selections that span his career. 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. $39–$79.
NEWS AND REVIEWS YOU CAN USE
News: Hemphill Fine Arts is heading to Mount Vernon Square.
Theater: Little Shop of Horrors still has plenty of bite.
Theater: Something is missing from Everybody.
Theater: Theory is intelligently provocative and will keep you thinking long after you leave the theater.
Books: The Plateau examines a welcoming French region that shielded Jewish children during the Holocaust and welcomes refugees today.
Film: The de-aging effect in The Irishman covers up Robert De Niro‘s humanity.
Galleries: The Smithsonian museums aren’t the only ones with robust collections of art.
OFFICE OF FUTURE PLANNING
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for Mumford and Sons at The Anthem on Dec. 12. 5 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $70–$125.
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for Bat for Lashes at Sixth & I on Feb. 18. 8 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $25–$29.
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for Sturgill Simpson at The Anthem on March 15 and 16. 6 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $80.50–$100.50.
Tickets go on sale noon Friday for Bikini Kill at The Fillmore Silver Spring on May 12. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $39.50.
Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for AWOLNATION at The Anthem on May 26. 6:30 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $39.50–$75.