Making a career as a contemporary classical composer is not exactly the most secure path to fame and fortune, but Mason Bates seems to know what he’s doing. A local kid who hit it big in both the classical and EDM worlds, Bates is a hot property, and several orchestras want to offer him a perch: He’s been named the Kennedy Center’s first ever composer-in-residence, having just finished a similar stint with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As part of his D.C. residency, he’s been throwing (“curating”) multimedia cocktail parties dubbed “KC Jukebox,” with chamber ensembles playing music by various new-ish composers, mixed with video and other art installations. Read more >>> The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab, 2700 F St. NW. $20. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Mike Paarlberg)
EAT THIS
El Camino is offering a special margarita menu this evening in honor of the faux-holiday of National Margarita Day. The $8 drinks include a blueberry margarita, a prickly pear and pineapple margarita, and an orange margarita made with Grand Marnier and orange bitters. Pair the drinks with chorizo tacos or wild mushroom tamales off of El Camino’s regular menu. El Camino, 108 Rhode Island Ave. NE. (202) 847-0419. elcaminodc.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
At Source, Rainbow Theatre Project presents a reading of Tennessee Williams‘ classic play Suddenly Last Summer, about a man who uses the affection of women to pursue the young men he desires, only to meet a disastrous end. 7:30 p.m. at 1835 14th St. NW. $15.
Rapper Jadakiss, the mouth behind such early aughts hits as “Why?” and “U Make Me Wanna,” takes the stage at the Howard Theatre. 9 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $25–$65.
Folk rock icon and songwriter Leon Russell performs at The Birchmere with Georgia-based vocalist Jefferson Grizzard. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $39.50.
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