Sasheer Zamata appears to have the contemporary comedy scene figured out. Before becoming Saturday Night Live’s newest (and most underutilized) comic, the Upright Citizens Brigade alumna was making a name for herself with the snarky, all-too-real, occasionally embarrassing YouTube series Pursuit of Sexiness. With real-life friend Nicole Byer (MTV’s Girl Code), Zamata muses on one-night stands, Facebook relationships, and dancing on the New York City Subway. Being a woman of color with wide comedic appeal may have helped get Zamata on TV, but the everyday awkwardness she channels on the stage makes her an even more appealing performer. Read more >>> Sasheer Zamata performs with Kenny DeForest at 9 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $15. (202) 667-4490. blackcatdc.com. (Jordan-Marie Smith)
EAT THIS
Burgers at a Japanese restaurant? Sure, why not. Daikaya Izakaya is hosting a late-night burger smackdown on Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Members of the kitchen staff will each create their own custom burger to see who’s buns and patty are best. (Washington City Paper’s Jessica Sidman is among the judges.) Burgers are $5 each, and bartender Jamie MacBain will serve up boozy milkshakes and pony beers. Daikaya, 705 6th St. NW. (202) 589-1600. daikaya.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Friday: Bring your picnic of cigarettes and chocolate milk to see Rufus Wainwright perform at Wolf Trap with the National Symphony Orchestra. 8:15 p.m. at 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. $25-58.
Friday: Brooklyn dream-pop trio Lazyeyes plays an early show at DC9 with the Teen Age. 6:30 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $10.
Saturday: Were they alive today, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Edith Bouvier Beale, would undoubtedly invite extended tabloid scrutiny. They had famous family connections (Jacqueline Kennedy was their niece and cousin, respectively), yearned for careers in the arts (both wanted to be singers and actresses), and lived like eccentrics (“pet” raccoons roamed their rundown mansion). The Edies have inspired pop songs, Broadway musicals, an HBO film, and plenty of other tributes, but their sustaining legacy is Grey Gardens, the 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles that chronicled the titular mansion’s squalid conditions and its residents’ sequestration from the outside world. Read more >>> The film screens at 1 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. (202) 737-4215. nga.gov. (Caroline Jones)
Saturday: Join artist Amy Hughes Braden for a discussion of “feminine constructs and other lady topics” at Transformer, pegged to her current exhibition of work, “Mrs. Alex Braden.” 1 p.m. at 1404 P St. NW. Free.
Saturday: In It Together Fest’s main marathon showcase runs at St. Stephen’s, featuring D.C.-area acts the Black Sparks, Pygmy Lush, and Two Inch Astronaut, plus headliners Cayetana and Thou. Read our In It Together Fest guide for more on the weekend’s shows. 5 p.m. at 1525 Newton St. NW. $15.
Sunday: More than 50 years after the primes of their careers, Maxine Brown, Baby Washington, and the members of D.C. girl group the Jewels have held on to their talents: strong voices rooted in the gospel of African-American Baptist and Pentecostal churches. They continue to entertain folks who grew up hearing soul music as well as those who learned the style from later performers like their Sunday co-headliner, Shirleta Settles. Read more >>> Maxine Brown performs with Baby Washington, the Jewels, and Shirleta Settles at 7:30 p.m. at Bethesda Blues and Jazz, 7719 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $35. (240) 330-4500. bethesdabluesjazz.com. (Steve Kiviat)
Sunday: Close out the weekend with rootsy Americana tunes from Dear Creek at the Black Cat Backstage with Ampersand String Band. 7:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $10.
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