Now that anyone with a laptop and vocal chords can record a few sad wails and upload them to SoundCloud, the singer-songwriter scene is getting pretty crowded. Yet Julia Holter stands alone in her jagged songwriting style, which oscillates somewhere between plucky and provoked. Tonight, the L.A. native brings her avant-pop experimentation to Sixth & I, where she’ll kick off a tour in support of her forthcoming third studio album, Loud City Song. Read more >>> Julia Holter performs with Jessica Pratt at 8 p.m. at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $12–$15. (202) 408-3100. sixthandi.org. (Paula Mejia)

DRINK THIS

The Donovan House rooftop lounge is bringing in guest bartender and ice sculptor Gardner Dunn tonight at 7 p.m. to carve ice spheres for a special Japanese whisky punch. Tenzan Punch, a take on a summer highball, contains Hakushu 12-year-old whisky, lemon, yuzu, cucumber juice, and club soda with a garnish of shiso leaves. The drink costs $10 (including tax) and will be available when the rooftop opens at 5 p.m., although the spherical ice won’t be available until 7 p.m. No cover charge. DNV Rooftop Lounge, 1155 14th St. NW. (202) 737-1200. donovanhousehotel.com. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

The Capital Fringe Festival begins tonight! For all your Fringe coverage needs, direct your attention to our Fringe & Purge blog and follow @fringepurge on Twitter.

The super-mellow D.C. ensemble Cigarette plays an intimate show at Heurich House Museum this evening. Pack a picnic and enjoy some music in the garden. 7 p.m. at 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW. $10.

The Hip-Hop Theater Fest sponsors a preview screening of Big Words, a new drama about a reunited hip-hop crew, written and directed by former City Paper staffer Neil Drumming. 7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Family Theater, 2700 F St. NW. Free.

If you’re interested in beauty-pageant kiddies—-who may or may not be exploited children—-reality TV star Honey Boo Boo signs copies of her first book, How to Honey Boo Boo at the Tysons Corner Barnes & Noble. 6 p.m. at 7851 L. Tysons Corner Centre, McLean. Free.

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