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THURSDAY

When George Clinton sang, “Paint the White House Black,” did he have Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in mind? Tonight’s “We Elect the Black President” is a posthumous birthday celebration for Afrobeat’s patriarch, organized by the Red Hot Organization to increase awareness of AIDS, the disease that ultimately took Fela’s life. The festivities include a release party for Red Hot + Riot, a tribute to Fela that features music by Talib Kweli, Macy Gray, Meshell Ndegeocello, the criminally underrated Dead Prez, and many others. Later in the evening, there will be a screening of Maria Lovett’s documentary Red Hot & Africa. The film is an attempt to spread knowledge about AIDS in Africa, particularly in Fela’s homeland of Nigeria. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. at Visions Cinema Bistro Lounge, 1927 Florida Ave. NW. Free (with an $8.50 charge for the screening). (202) 667-0090. (David Dunlap Jr.)