Plenty of artists would cringe if the word “workmanlike” were used to describe their output, but Jill Townsley embraces it. In an exhibit appropriately titled “TOIL,” Townsley creates her art by painstakingly repeating humble processes like scribbling. That’s not a new idea—artists from Cy Twombly to Linn Meyers have tried it. But Townsley takes to her tasks with the jittery determination of Adrian Monk. As viewers move upstairs to the higher of Project 4’s two floors, they’re in for an even bigger surprise. Read more >>> (Louis Jacobson)

“Toil” is on view noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays to Oct. 13 at Project 4, 1353 U St. NW, Suite No. 302. Free. project4gallery.com. (202) 232-4340.

EAT THIS

FRESHFARM Markets is “popping up” at Union Market this weekend. That means you can get your squash and pears from vendors like Toigo Orchards and Spring Valley Farm and Orchard, who aren’t otherwise part of the new indoors artisan market. TaKorean will also be launching its fusion taco stand there this weekend. And as always, we recommend you grab a spot at Rappahannock Oyster Bar for some local beer and freshly shucked oysters. Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE. unionmarketdc.com. (Jessica Sidman)

OH AND ALSO

D.C. has plenty of record labels of national and local repute, but you rarely hear the ones run by Todd Hyman mentioned next to names like Dischord, ESL, Cuneiform, or Sockets. His labels Carpark and Paw Tracks, in particular, have helped incubate a number of fashionable indie-rock sounds that local musicmakers have stayed fairly isolated from: the pleading dream pop of Beach House, the echo-chamber psychedelics of Panda Bear. So Saturday’s show, a Carpark Records Showcase part of the sprawling Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Festival, is a welcome cultural exchange. Read more >>> (Jonathan L. Fischer)

Since the early 1960s, the Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi have specialized in theatricalized versions of dances normally performed at birth celebrations, funerals, and tributes to kings. Their infectious “Burundi beat,” recorded by French anthropologists for a 1968 field-recording compilation, has captivated the West for decades now. See the troupe Sunday at Hylton Performing Arts Center. Read more >>> (Steve Kiviat)

Shut out of the Jon Stewart/Bill O’Reilly debate on Saturday? Whatever! It’s Columbia Heights Day! Food trucks! Yoga! A cupcake-eating contest! Beer! See more at the festival’s website.

On Sunday, it’s the last D.C. Grey Market—-ever. Stop by for canned goodies and homemade foods. There’s a good chance it will be way less crowded than the Union or FRESHFARM markets. More information on Facebook and greydc.com.

And finally, don’t forget, there are three seriously major festivals happening this weekend: The aforementioned Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Festival, (e)merge Art Fair, and Virgin Mobile FreeFest. (FreeFest is “sold out,” but if you show up at the 9:30 Club box office at noon today, you can still buy $20 tickets.)

Young Rapids photo by Kate Bentley

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