Seeing legendary comic artist Art Spiegelman is a treat on its own. But tonight at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, comic fans, history buffs, and lit geeks alike will be treated to a double whammy, when Spiegelman discusses the ins and outs of his best-loved work, Maus. In his 2011 book MetaMaus, Spiegelman unpacks the back story of his two-part anthropomorphous memoir, which he based on his Polish father’s life before, during, and after the Holocaust, with Jews depicted as mice, Nazis as cats, Poles as pigs, and so on. The new book documents the 13 years Spiegelman spent working on the project, offering insights into his artistic choices as well as his own life. His concept ignited the comic community, and elevated Maus to one of the century’s most lauded pieces of Holocaust literature—and the only comic book ever to win a Pulitzer Prize. Art Spiegelman talks at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. $20. washingtondcjcc.org. (202) 518-9400. (Christopher Heller)
MUSIC
Happy New Year is Eleanor Logan, a New York-based sound artist with a passion for fuzz. Check out her tracks on Bandcamp, and if you like what you hear, see her tonight with locals The Cornel West Theory and Redline Graffiti. 8 p.m. at Montserrat House, 2016 9th St. NW. $10. 18-plus.
EAT THIS
The latest local restaurant to get into the beer dinner game is Southwest D.C.’s Station 4, which tonight launches a new Monday night special: three courses with sudsy pairings for $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Granted, the three featured brews aren’t all that eclectic. We’re talking about mainstream labels Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Blue Moon. The menu offers a bit more diversity. Starters include flash-fried calamari, cream of artichoke and a salmon watercress salad. Entrees feature a choice between beef and lamb pie, grilled salmon, short ribs and ricotta ravioli. Dessert, meanwhile, is a sorbet duet or mango mousse with chocolate nibs. Not thirsty for beer? Get the same grub without the pairings for $20. Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW, (202) 488-0987. (Chris Shott)
LOOSE LIPS DEBATE!
Tonight also brings Washington City Paper‘s Ward 7 D.C. Council candidate debate! Tonight’s guest moderator is James Wright from the Washington Informer. 7 p.m. at Ray’s the Steaks East River, 3905 Dix St. NE.
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