It’s Halloween week, y’all! There’s plenty of time to get spooky this week, especially when a Roy Orbison hologram is lurking about. You can check him out, as well as a host of other events—from leading indie singer-songwriters performing together to the display of a 19th century treaty to former Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton reading aloud once again. Stick around until the end of this newsletter to check out the latest in ticket sales for newly announced shows.
FRIDAY
NSO Pops: Andrew Bird and Gabriel KahaneGabriel Kahane may be the first musician to go from playing at Jammin Java to playing with the National Symphony Orchestra in less than two months, but hopefully he won’t be the last. Kahane is among a growing group of artists who are taken seriously as both classical composers and folk singer-songwriters. Read more>>>Andrew Bird and Gabriel Kahane perform with the National Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. $25-$119. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Rebecca J. Ritzel)
The National Museum of the American Indian presents Dia de los Muertos After Hours, featuring Mexican folk dance group Bailes de Mi Tierra, traditional Mexican food and drink, the chance to participate in making an interactive mural and paper marigolds, and exclusive access to the museum’s galleries. 6:30 p.m. at 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free.
West End Library presents a screening of Basquiat, a biopic about the brief life of the iconic New York artist whose work remains relevant and highly sought after. 3 p.m. at 2301 L St. NW. Free.
Vermont-based rock band Twiddle performs at 9:30 Club. 8 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $20.
SATURDAY
The Fort Laramie TreatyThe United States is pretty lousy when it comes to Native American treaties: both in volume and in keeping them. Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations, a 4-year-old exhibition at National Museum of the American Indian, has a new addition. This weekend, the museum commemorates the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty with a display of portions from the actual 1868 treaty. Read more>>>The treaty is on view to March 2019 at the National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. (202) 633-1000. americanindian.si.edu. (John Anderson)
Comedian and former MADtv cast member Aries Spears performs at the DC Improv. 6 p.m.; 8:15 p.m.; 10:30 p.m. at 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $27.
Rubblebucket, a Brooklyn art pop band, perform at U Street Music Hall. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $20.
Dance music act Phantoms performs a DJ set at Flash. 4 p.m. at 645 Florida Ave. NW. $15.
SUNDAY
Omar Epps and Etan ThomasActor Omar Epps is known to many as the star of such black classics as Love & Basketball, Juice, and The Wood—and to network television audiences as a diagnostic team member on House. But he’s also an author, and Sunday, groundbreaking Anacostia Arts Center bookseller MahoganyBooks will host his book talk. Read more>>>The talk begins at 3 p.m. at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Road SE. $30. (202) 631-6291. anacostiaartscenter.com. (Malika T. Benton)
Australian electronic pop duo Kllo performs at Union Stage. 8 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. $15.
The Birchmere presents an evening with bluegrass singer Kathy Mattea. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $35.
Psychedelic rock artist Roky Erickson performs at Black Cat. 7:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $25.
MONDAY
“Roy Orbison”Alvin and the Chipmunks. The keytar. The Microsoft Zune. Musical history is littered with examples of superfluous technological breakthroughs. Now, rock ’n’ roll scientists have released their most unnecessary innovation yet: Hologram Roy Orbison. Though the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died in 1988, he has been resurrected as a 3D hologram and sent out on a cross-country tour, which stops at MGM National Harbor on Monday for a concert that is intriguing and terrifying in equal measure. Read more>>>“Roy Orbison” performs at 8 p.m. at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill. $45–$58.18. (844) 346-4664. mgmnationalharbor.com. (Justin Peters)
Comedian and author Audrey Murray discusses her book Open Mic Night in Moscow, which chronicles her year of solo travels through the former Soviet Union, at Kramerbooks & Afterwords. 6:30 p.m. at 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Minneapolis-born soul pop artist Caleb Hawley performs at Songbyrd Music House. 8 p.m. at 2477 18th St. NW. $12–$14.
Body Thief, a Maryland indie rock outfit, perform at DC9. 7:30 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $10.
TUESDAY
Circa SurviveCirca Survive are one of the most dynamic alternative bands the genre has had the pleasure of claiming. Frontman and vocalist Anthony Green brings the band’s legions of fans poetic lyricism and trance-inducing melodies. Accompanying the moody king are bandmates Colin Frangicetto and Nick Beard, with Brendan Ekstrom (who once walked off stage to stop sexual harassment in the audience) shredding strings and Steve Clifford killing the prog metal drum kit. Read more>>>Circa Survive perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $27.50. (301) 960-9999. fillmoresilverspring.com. (Mikala Williams)
The Kennedy Center Opera House presents the opening performance of the touring musical Anastasia, based on the beloved animated film about the royal Romanovs. 7:30 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $49–$175.
MahoganyBooks presents an author talk and book signing with T.R. Simon, the author of Zora & Me: The Cursed Ground, a fictionalized account of Zora Neale Hurston‘s childhood adventures. 6:30 p.m. at 1231 Good Hope Road SE. Free.
Timothy Denevi discusses his book Freak Kingdom, about Hunter S. Thompson‘s fight against fascism and authoritarianism in America, at Politics and Prose. 7 p.m. at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
WEDNESDAY
LeVar Burton Reads LiveYou should spend this Halloween on the Reading Damn Rainbow! I can’t think of anything warmer or fuzzier than LeVar Burton reading great stories, Reading Rainbow style. If you didn’t watch Burton’s long-running PBS children’s show growing up, it’s not too late. The show is all about encouraging kids to read (take a look, it’s in a book; you can go anywhere) and fostering basic knowledge, and it’s still iconic. Read more>>>LeVar Burton reads at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. $35–$100. (202) 888-0050. thelincolndc.com. (Kayla Randall)
Funk icons George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic perform at the Howard Theatre. 8 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $55–$95.
Los Angeles DJ duo Slander performs at Echostage. 9 p.m. at 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE. $25–$35.
The National Museum of American History presents Ruby Slippers and American Culture Displays, which showcases pieces of 20th century pop culture, including Dorothy‘s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
THURSDAY
Wu-Tang ClanThis November, Wu-Tang Clan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the group’s first and best album. Now older than most of the rappers on the Billboard charts, the album is a time capsule that sounds very much of its time, but with a vitality and all-killer-no-filler assembly that still makes it an exciting spin. Read more>>>Wu-Tang Clan performs at 8 p.m. at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW. $85–$125. (202) 888-0020. theanthemdc.com. (Chris Kelly)
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opens Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Pulse, an interactive technology exhibition including three major installations from the Mexican-Canadian electronic artist. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Independence Avenue at 7th Street SW. Free.
Rapper and activist Brother Ali performs at Rock & Roll Hotel. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $25.
Massachusetts singer-songwriter Antje Duvekot performs at City Winery. 8 p.m. at 1350 Okie St. NE. $15.
NEWS & REVIEWS YOU CAN USE
Museums and Galleries: The Superfine! Fair wants to make art accessible for all.
Museums and Galleries: Hoodies sculpture in Foggy Bottom sparks dialogue, deep thoughts, and a friendship.
Theater: Constellation’s Aida is a sensory feast.
Theater: Sex and memory play integral roles in How I Learned to Drive and Actually.
Film: At this year’s Immigration Film Fest, a spotlight on stories of women.
Film: Robert Greene blends the realities of non-fiction filmmaking in Bisbee ’17.
Film: Studio 54 is an in-depth glimpse into the famed club.
OFFICE OF FUTURE PLANNING
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for British indie pop band The 1975, performing at The Anthem on May 21, 2019. 7 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $49.50–$69.50.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for contemporary R&B singer Ella Mai, performing at the Fillmore Silver Spring on March 15, 2019. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $27.50.
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