Though Nada Surf’s name invokes sunny tunes and dumb lyrics, the band’s songs don’t usually scream Southern California. Same goes for the band it plays with tonight, ascendant Roanoke act Eternal Summers. You’ve probably heard the former in the background of a dozen-odd TV shows and commercials (not to mention on the radio, because alt-rock stations still can’t get enough of its 1996 hit “Popular”), but the band hangs its hat on its live shows. Read more >>> Nada Surf and Eternal Summers perform at 7 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $22. (202) 265-0930. 930.com. (Julia Lloyd-George)
EAT THIS
A new restaurant and beer deck called Mad Momos opens today in Columbia Heights. The menu centers around momos, or Himalayan dumplings, but with some less-than-traditional fillings and dipping sauces. For example, there’s a shrimp, fish, and sweet-pea dumpling with lemon ginger shallot sauce as well as a vegan dumpling with mushrooms, carrots, kale, lentils, sweet corn, and brown rice paired with a nutty lime dipping sauce. Other menu items include a barbecue chicken sandwich, beer-steamed mussels with linguini, and vegetarian chili verde. There are also 16 craft beers on tap, which if it’s nice outside, you can enjoy on the rooftop deck. Mad Momos, 3605 14th St. NW; (202) 829-1450; madmomos.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
The Holiday Guys, Mark Kudisch and Jeffry Denman, bring their mix of Christmas cheer and irreverent song and dance to Signature Theatre. Catch them this week before they pack up the cheer and head for New York. 7:30 p.m. at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington. $41.
The Peter Pan story might be a little tired but, Maximum Summer: The Bepstein Documentary offers a new look by examining the curious case of Benjamin Epstein, a grown man who refuses to give up on his youthful passions. Special guests The Bepstein Show perform after the screening. Check out the preview and more information on the Black Cat’s website. 8 p.m. at the Black Cat Backstage, 1811 14th St. NW. $6.
After debuting their new work “Afoot in Vienna” at Artisphere last month, Bowen McCauley Dance Company returns to the stage with a holiday performance. Come prepared to sing and dance along with the pros in a participatory closing number. 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free.
Stop by the National Portrait Gallery today for the official unveiling of The Network, a video portrait combining 89 interviews by scientists, scholars, and other thought leaders. More information is available on The Network‘s site. 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m at the National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW. Free.
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