It’s kind of bone-chilling to realize the ’90s are the next frontier of nostalgia, but I’m determined to make the most of the Groundhog Day-like character of this autumn. For example: Recently, when I saw Superchunk, I didn’t try Goldschläger for the first time and wake up vomiting in a friend’s bed, making reunions uncomfortable for years to come. Next week, when I see Pavement, I will not go home and tearily insist an ex-girlfriend pick up the phone so I can tell her about “Zurich Is Stained” reminds me I was right about our final fight. And when I write up one of the Dismemberment Plan shows I'm seeing in January, I will not take the occasion (or, more accurately, will stop a helpful editor) to inform our readers that Washington, D.C., is "home of Fugazi."

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Fall is rich with opportunities for new beginnings such as these, a chance to trade summer’s torpor for a chance to see obscure French psych groups for $50, to watch Russians raise onion domes over George Gershwin music, to finally work on that resolution to learn more about opera. My fall looks like a lot of pop, a good amount of classical, and as many weird embassy events as I can squeeze in. TBD’s launch precluded our arts staff doing a comprehensive fall arts guide like the really good ones by the Washington Post and the Washington City Paper, so over the next two months the arts reporters here will just talk about some of what we’re looking forward to. Like hoping someone murmurs “Nirvana cover” if the Vaselines play “Molly’s Lips” at the 9:30 next month, so I can correct them. Some of the thrills of the ’90s never die. —Andrew Beaujon

THEATER AND ART

New venues, invented languages, and blood: Maura Judkis talks about what's gonna keep her in her seat. Also discussed: art exhibitions about sexual ambiguity, race and class in Colombia, and "Douche Bag City."

FILM

If you can't find a film festival that interests you, you are probably not very interesting. Ryan Kearney goes to Latin America, likes old vampire movies, and tries to restrain himself from gushing about The Wild Bunch.

MUSIC

Cartoon rappers, a Canadian rapper, and the question everyone's asking: Will M.I.A. have truffle fries on her rider? Sarah Godfrey looks forward to seeing shows indoors again, while Ally Schweitzer just wants to go to a Halloween show where she doesn't get punched.