If your knowledge of Native Americans serving in the U.S. military begins and ends with Johnny Cash’s rendition of “The Ballad of Ira Hayes,” you’ll learn more at the National Museum of the American Indian’s new exhibition. A series of placards with text and photos, Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Armed Forces, includes the feel-good Civil War story of Ely S. Parker, a Seneca Indian and the highest-ranking Native American in the Union Army, who drafted the terms of surrender as Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary. Another placard is devoted to Hayes, a Pima Indian serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, who was among the Marines raising the American flag over Iwo Jima in the famous Associated Press photograph. Read more >>> The exhibit is on view daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. (202) 633-1000. nmai.si.edu. (Diana Michele Yap)
EAT THIS
Iron Gate’s “Tunnel of Love” Valentine’s Day pop-up is up and running. Channel your inner Seal fan and order the “Kiss from a Rose” cocktail with gin, grenadine, rosewater-infused Cocchi Rosa, lemon, house-made yogurt, and a rose petal garnish ($13). The over-the-top pop-up lasts until Feb. 14 and is available in the courtyard and bar. Iron Gate, 1734 N St. NW. (202) 524-5202. irongaterestaurantdc.com. (Laura Hayes)
OH AND ALSO
Friday: Old 97s frontman Rhett Miller plays a solo show at The Hamilton with opening act Joe Purdy. 8 p.m. at 600 14th St. NW. $20–$39.75.
Friday: Comet Ping Pong hosts an experimental triple bill featuring sets from Super Silver Haze, Outer Spaces, and Video Love. 10 p.m. at 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. $12.
Friday: Raise money for worthy causes while enjoying music from Downtown Boys, Two Inch Astronaut, and Loi Loi at Black Cat tonight. Proceeds benefit the ACLU. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $15.
Saturday: Carl Maria Von Weber‘s 1821 opera Der Freischütz (The Marksman, or in Virginia Opera’s version, The Magic Marksman) didn’t have the lasting power of The Ring Cycle or The Flying Dutchman or any of his proto-fascist successor’s great works, but it set the stage for a lot of them with its basis in German folklore, supernatural elements, and use of motif. It tells the story of a fool in love who unwittingly makes a deal with the devil to win a shooting contest with magic bullets, thereby securing the affection of his crush. Read more >>> The opera begins at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. $54–$110. (703) 993-2787. cfa.gmu.edu. (Mike Paarlberg)
Saturday: Performance artist Joan Jonas collaborates with Jason Moran, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, on Reanimation, a multimedia project based on an Icelandic novel. 7 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $26.
Saturday: Synth duo Black Marble plays an early show at DC9 with opening act You. 7:30 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $12.
Sunday: Over the past few years, the world of comedy has overflowed its traditional boundaries, spilling out of sitcoms, sketch shows, and open mic nights into podcasts, web series, and other experimental and improvisational forms. If you dip your toes in these brilliant comedic pools, you’ve probably already seen Kate Berlant and John Early, thanks to her subversive sets and sketches and his scene-stealing turns on Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Search Party. To launch their new Vimeo show, 555, Berlant and Early will screen the first episode at the Howard Theatre. Read more >>> John Early and Kate Berlant at 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $15–$25. (202) 803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com. (Chris Kelly)
Sunday: For those humans uninterested in football, indie rock outfit Wylder wraps up the weekend with a free show on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.
Sunday: GALA Hispanic Theatre begins performances of Yo Tambien Hablo de la Rosa, a Spanish-language drama about two Mexican teens who cause a trail to derail and debate the consequences with members of their community. 2 p.m. at 3333 14th St. NW. $40.