In 1940, a polio-afflicted Jewish kid from Brooklyn named Jerome Felder heard blues shouter Joe Turner on the radio and the bittersweet music spoke to him. Two years later, a 17-year-old Felder, using the alias Doc Pomus so his parents wouldn’t know, began singing the blues in a Manhattan bar. The documentary AKA Doc Pomus, tells the story of Felder’s years as a singer, but focuses mostly on his later days penning rock, blues, and R&B classics like “This Magic Moment,” “Save The Last Dance For Me,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Lonely Avenue.” Read more >>> The film shows at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. $12.50. (202) 518-9400. washingtondcjcc.org. (Steve Kiviat)

EAT THIS

Following in the footsteps of Sweetgreen, Cava Mezze Grill launches a mobile payment and rewards app today that will allow diners to purchase their falafel bowl or braised lamb pita by scanning their phone when they reach the register. The free iPhone and Android app, created by LevelUp, will work at the local chains’ locations in Bethesda, Tenleytown, Columbia Heights, Merrifield, and Tysons Corner. The app allows users to find the nearest Cava location, peruse the menu, and keep track of purchases. It also has rewards: If you spend $100, you get a free meal on your birthday. Those who spend $1,000 will receive special Cava swag and access to invite-only events. And if you happen to have $2,500 to blow on crazy feta-filled meals? Well, those perks are a surprise. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

To book a Broadway theater these days, you either need a movie musical, a movie star, or Idina Menzel. The two promotion companies that recently took over D.C.’s National Theatre are betting that the one-time Wicked Tony winner can pack the National for five weeks this fall, and then take Manhattan next spring. Menzel will star in If/Then, a new musical from the creative team behind Next to Normal. Read more in our Fall Arts Guide. 7:30 p.m. at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $53–$153. (Rebecca J. Ritzel)

Denver alt-folk duo Gungor plays the Howard Theatre with special guest K.S. Rhoads. 8 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $22.

British electronic group Rudimental performs at U Street Music Hall with local DJ Stereo Faith. 10 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $15.

Cursive and The Good Life frontman Tim Kasher performs a solo show at Rock & Roll Hotel. Laura Stevenson and Des Ark open the show. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $12.

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