When it comes to romantic comedy meet-cutes, getting stranded on an Indian Ocean island after a plane crash with a handsome Turk is about as twee as it comes. But that’s exactly how neurotic German teenager Lena meets macho Cem in director Bora Dağtekin’s Turkish for Beginners. While the youngsters are stranded in paradise, Lena’s hippie mom and Cem’s police officer dad have a series of adorable rendezvous as they look for their missing children. Sure, the whole thing reads like a frothy romantic comedy, but remember: It’s German. The cultural contrast between Germans and Turks provides enough serious content to make this more significant than most cheesy rom-coms. Read more >>> The film shows at 6:30 p.m. at Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 7th St. NW. $4–$7. (202) 289-1200. goethe.de/washington. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
It’s piña colada season, but too often, these tropical drinks are loaded with sickly sweet syrups and canned juices. Thankfully, a number of the city’s top bartenders are serving versions that even the snobbiest cocktail drinkers will approve of. Suburbia at Union Market offers one with young baby coconut juice and cardamom simple syrup, while Doi Moi puts its fresh-squeezed juices through a siphon to give it a slight frizzante quality. Read more about where to find a legit piña colada on Young & Hungry. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Though the concerts were nearly canceled, live music returns to Fort Reno Park tonight with performances by ska group the Captivators and Virginia-based alt-punk group Malatese. 7 p.m. at Chesapeake Street and Nebraska Ave. NW. Free.
British R&B act Daley plays an acoustic show at 9:30 Club with Janine and the Mixtape. 8 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $20.
The Black Cat Backstage kicks off its Muggle Monday series with a screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Butterbeer drink specials. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. Free.
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