She’s penned some of this century’s best country songs, and now she’s taking her turn behind the mic. Vocalist Brandy Clark’s second studio album, Big Day in a Small Town, has brought her widespread acclaim after her previous album12 Stories garnered two 2015 Grammy nominations. But Clark isn’t your typical country star. She’s openly gay and grew up in a tiny logging town in Washington state. As a writer, her music doubles as storytelling, with the dark humor and intricate detail behind the melody often as intriguing as the sound itself. Read more >>> Brandy Clark performs with Karen Jonas at 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $29.50. (703) 549-7500. birchmere.com. (Noa Rosinplotz)

EAT THIS

Lupo Verde has a new chef. Matteo Venini, a Lake Como native, came over from Tosca to run the 14th Street Corridor kitchen. He’s already started to roll out dishes, including cappellacci pasta stuffed with roasted butternut squash, ricotta salata, fresh ricotta, golden raisins, sage, and amaretto cookies in a brown butter garlic sage sauce. Pastas are typically priced from $19 to $23. Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, (202) 827-4752, lupoverdedc.com. (Laura Hayes)

OH AND ALSO

Violin and piano duo Igudesman and Joo blend pop music with classical symphonies when they bring their “And Now Mozart” show to the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. 8 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $20–$75.

TT The Artist headlines a night of hip-hop at U Street Music Hall featuring sets from Mighty Mark, Phizzals, and DJ Mane Squeeze. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $15.

Swedish artist El Perro del Mar performs at Rock & Roll Hotel in support of her latest album, KoKoro, with opening act Den-Mate. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $14.

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