It’s Oct. 10, so if you’re not thinking about your Halloween costume, you’re doing it wrong. Anyone in dire need of inspiration should head to the Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival. The weeklong fest opens tonight with Excision, a flick about a high-school student who “retreats into her demented erotic fantasies of flesh, death, and salvation.” Hell yes! The real stand out may be the Tribeca audience favorite Resolution, which begins as a buddy comedy before it veers into something far more fucked up. Granted, few of these films will provide direct inspiration for your upcoming Halloween party—but maybe they’ll drive you to pick a costume that’s actually scary instead of dressing up like another goddamned character from your favorite Wes Anderson film. Read more >>> (Alan Zilberman)
The Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival runs Oct. 10-18 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Individual tickets $11.50. thespookymovie.com. (301) 495-6720.
EAT THIS
Logan Circle’s new gastropub, Drafting Table, is giving diners a 25 percent discount off all food today through Oct. 16 during its official opening week. The eclectic menu includes duck confit with grilled radicchio, caramelized shallots, grapes, and red wine jus; a burger with crispy blue cheese, apricot chutney, and onion jam; and fish and chips with tartar sauce and savory lemon curd. There are also 16 beers on tap and 20 by the bottle and can, but you’ll have to pay full price for those. Drafting Table, 1529 14th St. NW; (202) 621-7475;draftingtabledc.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
What makes American Art American? New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik attempts to answer that question at—-where else?—-the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Details here. 7 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets N.W. Free with ticket.
Acclaimed Chinese throat singer Wang Li makes noise tonight at the Millennium Stage. More information about what to expect here. 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. (202) 467-4600. Free.
James Taylor‘s son/doppelgänger Ben Taylor brings the familial blend of folk and acoustic rock to the Barns at Wolf Trap. Singer-songwriter Grace Weber opens. Tickets are available online or at the door. 8 p.m. at the Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna. (703) 938-2404. $20.