They look striking from the outside, it’s true. But the reason many of the nation’s Beaux-Arts landmarks, including Grand Central Terminal and Carnegie Hall, are so beloved is the tile and mortar work of Rafael Guastavino Sr. The Spanish builder’s tile-arch signature can be found in D.C. in the U.S. Supreme Court and the National Museum of Natural History. The National Building Museum, then, is a fitting stop for “Palaces for the People,” a survey of Guastavino’s work that seeks to illuminate his process in part by presenting a full-scale tiled vault. Read more>>> The exhibit is on view Mondays–Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. $8. (202) 272-2448. nbm.org. (Kriston Capps)

EAT THIS

Radius Pizza has been open for a while now and also has its liquor license, but owners Matt and Lenka Culbertson have just introduced a few new specials and menu items. Several of the latest additions are only $5, including fried risotto balls, fried pickes, and pizza dogs. Lenka is also now making cake pops—$2 each or $6 for four. (Check the Radius Twitter feed for the latest flavors.) In addition, Tuesdays are half price pasta days, so you might want to opt for the gorgonzola cream gnocchi or fettuccini carbonara. The restaurant has also updated its wine list “with the sequester in mind,” and all red and white wines are now $7 by the glass and $28 for a bottle. On Thursdays, get half price bottles of wine for only $14. Check out other daily specials here. Radius Pizza, 3155 Mount Pleasant St. NW. (202) 234-0202. radiuspizza.com. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

Combining electronic beats with traditional folk music from North Africa and the Balkans might be a recipe for disaster or it might be great. Find out when Balkan Beat Box performs at 9:30 Club with Delhi 2 Dublin, DJ Joro Boro, and DJ Who Am I. 7 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $22.

New wave synth-pop duo Pleasure Curses perform at DC9 tonight. The show also includes short sets from Nightpanther and Lenorable. 8:30 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $8.

Signature Theatre and Ford’s Theatre continue their collaboration with a new production of Hello, Dolly! featuring Broadway veteran Nancy Opel and local favorite Edward Gero. 7:30 p.m. at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. $15–$90.

The circus is in town, which means that tonight, elephants will be wandering the streets downtown on their way to Verizon Center. Neighborhood restaurants including Carmine’s and Vapiano will feature food and drink specials while the parade passes by. 8 p.m. on F Street NW between the National Mall and 6th Street NW. Free.

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