Punk veterans Christina Billotte, Kathi Wilcox, and Steve Dore can namedrop a slew of impressive former bands they’ve played with, but for now, the trio is focusing on their band The Causal Dots. Billotte and company know what it takes to make purposefully sonic and complex songs; their 2004 self-titled album was able to present The Casual Dots as a new trio with a full set of teeth, showcasing a chasm of deep emotion on “I’ll Dry My Tears” and a clear understanding that its music needs no explanation on “Derailing.” Read more >>> The Casual Dots perform with Sneaks and Governess at 10 p.m. at Comet Ping Pong, 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW. $12. (202) 364-0404. cometpingpong.com. (Jordan-Marie Smith)

EAT THIS

Can chefs make cocktails? Seven of them from restaurants including Ocopa, Brine, and Bar Civita will put their mixology skills to the test at the Chefs Behind Bars event Jan. 17 benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. The event, hosted at Prequel, goes from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, and the $40 ticket includes drinks from each of the chefs. Attendees can vote for their favorite. Buy tickets in advance here. Chefs Behind Bars at Prequel, 918 F St. NW. ce.strength.org/events/chefs-behind-bars. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

Friday: Arena Stage begins performances of Sweat, Lynn Nottage‘s world premiere play about American industry, a closing factory, and a crime that shocks a Pennsylvania community. 8 p.m. at 1101 6th St. SW. $55–$100.

Friday: Rapper T.I. lets you have whatever you like when he performs at the Fillmore with opening act DJ Young Music. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $59.50.

Friday: Local rock band The Duskwhales takes the stage at Rock & Roll Hotel with fellow rock acts YUM. and Kid Claws. 9 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $12.

Saturday: In 2012, the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum confirmed what many have known for years: that video games aren’t mindless wastes of time; they’re works of art. On Saturday, the American Art Museum is bringing back video games, but in an entirely different fashion. The Museum’s Kogod Courtyard will be transformed into an Indie Arcade, with everything from classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Tron, to console games and indie games by new young developers. Read more >>> The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F streets NW. Free. (202) 633-7970. americanart.si.edu. (Matt Cohen)

Saturday: Hemphill opens its latest exhibition, “how to survive your own death,” a series of paintings by Colby Caldwell, and celebrates with an opening reception. 6 p.m. at 1515 14th St. NW. Free.

Saturday: Soul singer Royal Height performs an intimate set at Woodridge Library as part of Capital Fringe’s “Music in the Libraries” series. 2 p.m. at 1790 Douglas St. NE. Free.

Saturday: Comedian and cabaret performer Bridget Everett, recently seen in Trainwreck, brings her bawdy act to the 9:30 Club. 6 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $30.

Sunday: New Orleans-born trumpeter Christian Scott calls his genre (and his latest album) Stretch Music. Yes, it’s rooted in jazz, but Scott and his band have expanded the parameters a bit. Musically, Scott sounds most appealing when his work is more traditional and direct. On “Liberation over Gangsterism,” from his latest effort, his band begins with busy drums and piano rhythms, but it’s Scott’s gorgeous, ethereal tone that’s most powerful. Read more >>> Christian Scott performs at 8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda. $30–$40. (301) 581-5100. ampbystrathmore.com. (Steve Kiviat)

Sunday: Experimental Brazilian band Cabruêra plays a short set at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage before venturing east and playing a longer set at Bossa later in the evening. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free; 9 p.m. at 2463 18th St. NW. $10.

Sunday: Filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf‘s 2014 picture, The President, an allegory inspired by the Arab Spring, screens at the National Gallery of Art as part of the 20th annual Iranian Film Festival. 4 p.m. at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.

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