The National Symphony Orchestra recently named quirky troubadour Ben Folds artistic advisor, which allows him to curate some pretty fantastic nights of music featuring some of his very notable friends. In his second one of these nights, he’s called upon the triple-threat Sara Bareilles (a Grammy and Tony Award nominee who also appears in her own musical, Waitress, on Broadway) and Caroline Shaw (a composer who recently won the Pulitzer Prize for Music) to join him at the Kennedy Center for a night of intimate music on the big stage. Both Bareilles and Folds are known for their piano skills and their confessional lyrics, and it’ll be special to see that paired with the exciting things Shaw’s been cooking up with modern classical music. Read more>>> The show begins at 9 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. $25–$75. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Diana Metzger) 

EAT THIS

Craving fried chicken? Make a reservation at Taqueria del Barrio in Petworth on Sunday when the restaurant serves a fried chicken dinner with a Mexican twist. The meal costs $35 per person, $65 per couple, and $7 for kids, and includes fried chicken with homemade guajillo hot sauce, chorizo mac and cheese, collards, jalapeño cornbread, and banana pudding for dessert. Try it from 4 p.m. to close on Sunday and look forward to future “Family Meal” nights when the restaurant features classic American dishes. Taqueria del Barrio, 821 Upshur St. NW. (202) 723-0200. taqueriadelbarrio.com. (Laura Hayes)

OH AND ALSO

Friday: Ohio alt-pop band Walk the Moon takes the stage at The Anthem with opening act Company of Thieves. 8 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $35–$99. 

Friday: Folk band Eddie from Ohio performs at the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $42.50. 

Saturday: Even if you’ve never heard his name, you’ve certainly heard RJD2’s music: The percussive and orchestral attack of his 2006 track “A Beautiful Mine” soundtracked Don Draper’s fall from grace in the opening credits of Mad Men. That anachronistic tidbit gives you an idea of what to expect from RJD2, born Ramble Jon Krohn, a producer best known for eclectic collages that combine hip-hop beats with dusty samples and lush instrumentation but often forgo rap vocals. It’s a style he has pushed and pulled in different directions since his 2002 album Deadringer—a seminal release by Definitive Jux, the label co-founded by Run The Jewels’ El-P—and one that continues all the way through to 2016’s Dame Fortune. Read more>>> RJD2 performs at 8 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $25. (202) 265-0930. 930.com. (Chris Kelly)

Saturday: DAR Constitution Hall hosts the DC Comedy Jam, with performances by Deray Davis, Dominique, and Earthquake. 7 p.m. at 1776 D St. NW. $95. 

Saturday: Hip-hop artist Fetty Wap, remembered fondly for his 2015 hit “Trap Queen,” performs at the Fillmore Silver Spring. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $35. 

Sunday: The Freer Gallery of Art’s annual festival of Iranian films has featured work from such award-winning directors as Asghar Farhadi, whose The Salesman won last year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and the late Abbas Kiarostami, whose final film, 24 Frames, makes its local premiere at the festival on February 18. Now in its 22nd year, the festival launches on its second day this weekend with director Narges Abyar’s drama about a 9-year-old girl who imagines that her poor family inhabits the beloved folktales she reads. Set during the Iranian Revolution of the 1970s and the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, Breath captures a pivotal time in the nation’s history through a child’s hopeful eyes, conveyed with animated vignettes that are inspired by the nation’s art and calligraphy. Read more>>> The film screens at 2 p.m. at the Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive and 12th St. SW. Free. (202) 633-1000. freersackler.si.edu. (Pat Padua)

Sunday: Funk, rock, and jazz group Black Alley performs at the Fillmore Silver Spring. 8:30 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $20. 

Sunday: The Howard Theatre presents its 4th Annual MLK Day Celebration featuring local go-go band Rare Essence. 10 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $25–$65. 

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