Just because Scott Hutchison, primary tunesmith for Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit, expertly chronicles the death of romance, it doesn’t mean we should wish him a broken heart. But when Hutchison said 2013’s Pedestrian Verse LP was primarily about a wrecked romance, it’s fair to say it felt like a welcome return, however bittersweet, to classic weepy anthems like “Keep Yourself Warm.” The combination of his plaintive brogue and wicked wordplay alongside urgent guitars creates an emotional surge that provides succor for anyone wrestling with heartbreak. Read more >>> Frightened Rabbit performs with Augustines at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $30. (202) 265-0930. 930.com. (Christopher Porter)

EAT THIS

Hear what local celebrity chefs have to say about the D.C. dining scene, all things “local” and “sustainable,” and more at a Smithsonian seminar at the National Museum of Natural History tonight. Art and Soul’s Art Smith, Kapnos and Graffiato’s Mike Isabella, and Spike Mendelsohn of Good Stuff Eatery and Bearnaise will share their thoughts during a panel discussion moderated by me, Young & Hungry columnist Jessica Sidman. The discussion will be followed by a reception with bites from the chefs’ restaurants. The event goes from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $35 for Smithsonian members and $45 for general admission. Buy them in advance on the Smithsonian Associates website or at the door. National Museum of Natural History, Baird Auditorium, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. smithsonianassociates.org. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

Steely Dan co-founder and dad favorite Donald Fagen stops by Sixth & I Synagogue to discuss his career and his new book, Eminent Hipsters. 7 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $14–$27.

Dance companies making their Kennedy Center debut tend to be either up-and-comers or known quantities whose work is too edgy (or unwieldy) for the marble-bound proscenium stages. Susan Marshall & Company is certainly one of the latter. At the Kennedy Center, Marshall will present a mashup of live dance, live music and YouTube videos that she calls Play/Pause. Read more in our Fall Arts Guide. 7:30 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $36. (Rebecca J. Ritzel)

Subversive pop duo Cults performs at the Black Cat with Sacco and Mood Rings. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $20.

Country-rock group Southern Culture on the Skids brings a touch of swamp pop to U Street Music Hall. Los Straitjackets and The Fleshtones also perform. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $25.

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