Tonight, Comet Ping Pong hosts a benefit for the Travis Jackson Memorial Fund, honoring the late Points drummer and Windian Records founder and featuring local acts Title Tracks (pictured), Passing Phases, and Cane & the Sticks. While Title Tracks plays more power-pop and stands in contrast to the Points’ party punk sound, both groups found a home at Windian Records. Windian co-owner Eric Brady remembers that Jackson loved that a group like Title Tracks challenged the harder rock sound people expected from the label. “One of Travis’ things,” he says, “was to never have a mold.” Read more >>>Title Tracks performs with Passing Phases, Cane & the Sticks, and DJs Kim and Sara at 10 p.m. at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. $10. (202) 364-0404. cometpingpong.com. (Rachel Kurzius)

EAT THIS

Attention, all grilled cheese lovers: new cheese-centric restaurant, GCDC, officially opens its doors today. Located just one block from the White House, the new grilled cheese shop will operate as a fast-casual lunchtime spot by day and a cheese and wine bar by night. This Saturday, GCDC will celebrate faux-holiday National Grilled Cheese Day with $5 grilled cheese sandwiches and half-priced draft beers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read more about GCDC on Young & Hungry. GCDC. 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. (202) 393-4232. grilledcheesedc.com. (Raphaella Baek)

OH AND ALSO

Friday: Malian musician and Prince George’s County resident Cheick Hamala Diabate plays an intimate show at Tropicalia with Himuzik. 8 p.m. at 2001 14th St. NW. $10.

Friday: Banished? productions presents its latest performance, TYGER, a recreation of the work of acclaimed ’80s theater collective No Inglés, at Hillyer Art Space. 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. at 9 Hillyer Court NW. $10–$50.

Friday: Local rock acts the Walking Sticks, Brnda, and the Sea Life play a triple bill at Rock & Roll Hotel. 9 p.m.  at 1353 H St. NE. $12.

Saturday: Synthpunk has existed since punk emerged. Yet even 40 years after the fact, synth music and punk are often considered opposites, which is why Select D.C.’s Vanguard Festival still seems like a novel idea. The 14 acts on the bill all owe a debt to 1970s synthpunk, even if none of their music particularly sounds like it. Los Angeles composer John Wiese creates noisy soundworks that could fit on a Sonic Circuits bill, while locals Protect-U and DJ Jay Simon drop tracks that would get any dance floor bumping. Somewhere in the middle is D.C.’s Olivia Neutron-John, whose bedroom pop is about as tinny and cold as Earthen Sea (a new project from Jacob Long of Mi Ami) is wet and warm. Read more >>> The show begins at 4 p.m. at Union Arts DC, 411 New York Ave. NE. $15–$20. unionartsdc.com. (Christopher Porter)

Saturday: Washington Performing Arts Society celebrates the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson‘s concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a tribute performance at Constitution Hall, the same venue that turned Anderson away decades ago. 7 p.m. at 1776 D St. NW. $150.

Saturday: Head to the Anacostia Arts Center for Countdown to Yuri’s Night, an annual celebration of the first manned space flight featuring burlesque performances, live music, and a dance party featuring artist and DJ Adrian Loving. 8 p.m. at 1231 Good Hope Road SE. $25–$30.

Sunday: The songs on It’s Her Fault, the new album by Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, were reportedly worked over for months on the rural Athens, Ga., property owned by Golightly and partner/bandmate David “Lawyer Dave” Drake, the primary Brokeoff.  She’s got way more twang now, but her cool confidence is still firmly in place. Read more >>> Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs perform with Rifle Cleaning Party at 9 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $10–$12. (202) 483-5000. dcnine.com. (Joe Warminsky)

Sunday: Bon Iver collaborator S. Carey closes out the weekend with a show at Rock & Roll Hotel. White Hinterland also performs. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $10.

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