How many words, altogether, have already been written about Zadie Smith’s NW? It’s her first book in eight years, following On Beauty, which we—the effete liberal crowd—all sort of ignored because we cared more for the importance and bombasticness and precociousness of her first novel, White Teeth. This is also because NW addresses class, race, wealth, public housing, childhood friends, and gentrification. In a world that can’t get away from any of the above, we’ve latched onto NW to soothe our social-justice consciouses. Read more >>> (Alex Baca)
Zadie Smith discusses her work at 7 p.m. at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $27 admission includes book. sixthandi.org. (202) 408-3100.
OH AND ALSO
All-over-the-place jazz Renaissance men Thiefs touch down at La Maison Francaise this evening. 7:30 p.m. at 4101 Reservoir Road NW. $25; $15 for students.
Annual showcase VelocityDC has become a one-stop-shop for local dance, and it all starts tonight at Sidney Harman Hall. Drop by this evening to see short performances from Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Company | E, Step Afrika!, and plenty of others. Tickets, as usual, are affordable. 8 p.m. at 6th and F streets NW. $18. Runs to Oct. 21.
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