The traveling exhibit “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music” ambitiously attempts to explore the roles of Latino musicians in five cities’ music scenes from the 1940s to the present. It largely succeeds, without tending toward excess simplicity or obscurity. Stowed away on the lowest level of the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, the program offers a multisensory experience of music and dance from New York, San Antonio, San Francisco, Miami, and Los Angeles, highlighting crossover stars and lesser-knowns alike. (Read more)
MUSIC
Guster and Jack’s Mannequin are at Wolf Trap tonight with opener Lady Danville. Bring earplugs—-for the screaming girls, at the very least. 7 p.m. $32 lawn, $40 in-house.
D.C. hardcore band The Mostly Dead plays the Black Cat Backstage with Canons and Voyage in Coma. 8 p.m. $8.
FILM
Screen on the Green wraps up another year tonight with Cool Hand Luke. Sundown on the National Mall between 12th and 14th streets. Free.
BOOKS
I was hoping Rory Stewart‘s book was a takedown of substance abuse intervention, but neigh, Can Intervention Work? is about U.S. military intervention in foreign conflicts. He speaks at Politics & Prose at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Free.
NON-ART
It’s D.C. Beer Week. Check out our listings to find something strange and delicious to drink tonight. (Oh, and it’s also Restaurant Week.)
THESE AREN’T THE DAYS
10,000 Maniacs has existed for 30 years. The band plays one of its 30-date, 30th-anniversary shows tonight at Birchmere… without Natalie Merchant. Huh. 7:30 p.m. $35.