One of the quietest D.C. art programs is also one of its best. The Washington Project for the Arts’ ongoing Experimental Media series, begun in 2006, brings together artists, curators, and new-media nerds for an event that is part exhibition, part movie night. “Experimental media” is sort of a catch-all term for works of art that involve screens: Sometimes it’s video, sometimes it’s an iPhone. (Sometimes it’s performance, too.) The binding theme is that curators pick the show, and to that end, the WPA strives to bring in talent from D.C. and beyond. Case in point, the latest installment features media works picked by Max Kazemzadeh, a professor of media art at Gallaudet University, and Jonah Brucker-Cohen, a professor of design and technology at Parsons the New School for Design—both established new-media artists in their own right, and neither of them the usual suspects. On paper, a new-media art series is one of the worst reasons to leave the house; ostensibly you could download or stream many, if not most, of the experimental works Brucker-Cohen and Kazemzadeh will show. But in practice, you won’t do that—and besides, watching art movies when you do know what’s coming is a blast. Screenings take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Admission is by donation. wpadc.org. (202) 234-7103. (Kriston Capps)
MUSIC
London’s Allo Darlin’ spent a few years making starter-set twee pop—-no Aislers Set devotee would be caught copping their latest 7-inch—-but on their new album Europe, the group has graduated to sweet, sophisticated guitar pop in the Sundays vein. At 8 p.m. at Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $12. (202) 667-7960
New Orleans duo Quintron and Miss Pussycat—-he an organist and singer, she a puppeteer and harmonizer—-make something called “swamp-tech,” which basically means lo-fi, manic, shouty, distorted-keyboard dance pop. Got that? Shit will be rousing. Also, Quintron is making a musical house. With locals Heavy Breathing at 8 p.m. at Red Palace, 1212 H St. NE. (202) 399-3201. $12.
I am dubious of anything called “Underground Rebel Bingo Club,” but this Brightest Young Things event at the Howard Theatre might be cool on the strength of LCD Soundsystem‘s Nancy Whang, who’s delivering a DJ set. At 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $25.
FILM
Pour out some rye for Levon Helm on your way to Artisphere tonight: They’re showing The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese‘s classic chronicle of The Band‘s farewell concert. At 7:30 p.m. at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd. $8. (703) 875-1100
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