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There are many questions about who created ska music, the high-energy precursor to reggae. But there’s no question that The Skatalites are the Jamaican genre’s greatest band. A collection of the island’s best jazz musicians, led by saxophonist Tommy McCook, The Skatalites formed in 1964 and recorded prolifically. When trombonist and composer Don Drummond was jailed for murder in 1965, the group broke up, and it wasn’t until 1974 that the musicians resumed recording again as The Skatalites. The ensemble has been more or less together ever since. Read more >>> The Skatalites perform at 8 p.m. at The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $17.50–$22. (202) 803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com. (Christopher Porter)
EAT THIS
In honor of Movember, in which guys grow mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken has created a special Movember-inspired doughnut with vanilla glaze and a chocolate handlebar mustache. The treat will be available throughout the month with 10 percent of sales on the doughnut going to the Movember Foundation. Today only, Astro is giving away 200 Movember doughnuts beginning at 10:30 a.m. and asking guests to donate whatever amount they can via a donation jar. Limit one doughnut per person. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW. (202) 809-5565. astrodoughnuts.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Washington Stage Guild begins another season of pay-what-you-can readings. Tonight, they present George Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma. 7 p.m. at 900 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Pay what you can.
The Bourne legacy, as the phrase is used in Washington dance circles, has nothing to do with Matt Damon and everything to do with a choreographer whose controversial production of Swan Lake was cancelled in 2006. Now the Kennedy Center is betting that seven years and several fairy tales later, the city can handle Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty. The revisionist ballet features a surround-sound score, a Goth aesthetic and, for good measure, a Lilac Fairy King. Read more in our Fall Arts Guide. 7:30 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $30–$120. (Rebecca J. Ritzel)
Acclaimed author and book club favorite Ann Patchett discusses her new nonfiction volume, This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, at Politics & Prose. 7 p.m. at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Local electronic music producer Alex Young performs at U Street Music Hall with Brenton Duvall and Royal. 10 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $12.
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