JD McPherson went from punk rocker to vintage in his band's debut album Signs and Signifiers. While in a record store in Oklahoma, the singer found his niche in the style of 1950's rhythm and blues and rockabilly. "There was a girl working there. And she was clearing out the clearance items, and she gave me a few CDs. But the one that really stuck with me was a double set of the Buddy Holly Decca recordings," he said in an interview with NPR's All Things Considered. Iota. Blues-rocker Jason Ager opens. 8:30 p.m. $12.
Philadelphia's Taalib Johnson, also known as Musiq or Musiq Soulchild performs atHoward Theatre. 8 p.m. $35 advance, $40 door.
It's like the Las Vegas desert around these parts this weekend. Stay cool, rock out to some shows around town or catch screenings of Spiderman or Take This Waltz.
BOOKS, OPEN MIC, ART, DANCE
The Union of Concerned Scientists study the art of keeping cool in Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living. Politics and Prose. Saturday. 6 p.m. Free.
DCypher: DCoded Joy of Motion Dance Center presents new works by Laura Edwards, Ama Henry, Maurice Johnson, Aurelia Michael and Viktor Wallace. Atlas Performing Arts Center. Saturday. 8 p.m.
Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow's Stocking the Fridge, featuring new works from the artist's past 31 Days in July projects and one from the first week of 2012 edition. Works are inspired by the morning news, most are a reflection of current events. The Fridge. Saturdayopening reception. 7 p.m.
Florence Williams, author and contributing editor at Outside, discusses her new book, Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History, an informative and humorous study in the breasts' life cycle. Politics and Prose. Sunday. 5 p.m.
Broadway ROCKS! A night of music from Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Dream Girls, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Rock of Ages, The Lion King and more, sung by Broadway performers Rob Evan, Morgan James, LaKisha Jones and Doug LaBrecque. Wolf Trap Filene Center. Friday. 8:15 p.m. $20 - $52.
Civilian Art Projects and Sasha Lord present Summer Scream 2 with music from electro-pop band Video Love, Heavy Breathing and Janka Nabay and interactive art and dancers. Comet Ping Pong. Friday. 10 p.m. $10.
Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Benefit featuring local bands Young Rapids, Gary B and the Notions, Graph Rabbit and The Sea Life at Black Cat Mainstage. Friday. 9 p.m. $10.
If you're missing out on Coldplay and Robyn at the Verizon Center this weekend, no worries. The Swedish DJ and producer takes the stage at U Street Music Hall. Saturday & Sunday. $30.Tickets sold at door for Saturday. Sunday's set is SOLD OUT.
Nostalgic for your youth? No Scrubs: 90's Dance Party with DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion. 9:30 Club. Saturday.9 p.m. $15.
Hasidic Jewish hip-hop singer Matisyahu & reggae-pop band Dirty Heads perform at Wolf Trap. Moon Taxi opens. Sunday. 3 p.m. $38 in-house, $29 lawn.
Pop-rock singer Trevor Hall performs at Rock and Roll Hotel. Justin Young and Justin Trawick open. Sunday. 7 p.m. $15.
FILM
An unusually true and bittersweet portrait of human relationships, Take This Waltz stars Michelle Williams as 28-year-old Margot, happily married to Lou, played by Seth Rogan. On a flight home she meets Daniel, an artist who turns out to be her neighbor, and their mutual attraction is undeniable. Avalon Theatre/E Street Theatre. Opens Friday.
A special screening of Frederick Wiseman's documentary, La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet, a riveting and immersive look into the world of the Paris Opera Ballet, from rehearsals to production design to costuming. Paris Opera Ballet's artistic director Brigitte Lefevre will appear in-person. AFI Silver Theatre. Friday. 7:15 p.m.
Whores' Glory, Michael Glawogger's third film in his globalization trilogy, following Megacities and Workingman's Death, is an explicit documentary of global prostitution. It's an intimate look into the lives of ordinary women who live in worlds where poverty and survival dictate their choices. Winner of the Orizzonti Special Jury Prize at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. E Street Cinema. Opens Friday.
H.P. Lovecraft Double Feature with screenings of the horror master's The Whisperer in Darkness and The Call of Cthulhu. Artisphere. Saturday.8 p.m. $8.
A British Invasion descends town in honor of Antony Gormley's exhibit at the Phillips Collection. Noted for his installations and public artworks, the London-born artist's exhibit, Drawing Space, features works often created at night, that explore the relationship between the body and space. The night features DJ Danny Harris, a Chocolate City Beer beer tasting (not included in the ticket price) of 1814 ESB, episodes from Monty Python's Flying Circus, and a gallery talk of Gormley's works. Phillips Collection. 5 p.m.$12.
Nada Surf's seventh studio album, The Stars are Indifferent to Anatomy is no departure from the indie bands' usual sound spanning the course of the past 20 years but in a comforting way. "About halfway through...singer Matthew Caws issues a mission statement to sum up this and all Nada Surf records: 'It's never too late for teenage dreams.'," reviews NPR. Ram's Head Live. Waters opens. 7 p.m. $20.
Independence Day is almost here, which means the beginning of the mini-weekend has arrived. This year, we're mostly thankful for our freedom to consume copious amounts of electricity, air conditioning, ice and for outlets to charge our gadgets.
BicycleSPACE launches its' Full Moon FireFly Ride edition tonight, one of a series of bike rides and picnics this summer. Done light colors in honor of fireflies. Glowsticks will be passed out. The ride will culminate with a grand late night picnic and musical guests. BicycleSPACE. 8 p.m. to midnight. Donations accepted.
MUSIC
The Jacksons Unity Tour 2012 at DAR Constitution Hall is canceled and Aerosmith at Jiffy Lube Live tonight is postponed.
It wouldn't be Independence Day without a bit of Will Smith. Remember that July 4th in '96 when we stood in line at the movie theaters to watch the premiere? (or maybe I just dated myself.) Relive the experience at NoMa Summer Screen's 'Is 2012: The End of the World?' outdoor film series screening of Independence day. The fun starts at 7 p.m., with films starting at sundown. @AmoriniPanini @Kababji and @GridsWaffles food trucks will be serving! 2nd & L Sts. NE.
July 4th Grillin' with DC Brau. Grillin' on the rooftop with a perfect view of the fireworks all over the city. DC Brau Beer's are 4 bucks, chefs Amber and Austina will be grillin' up meats and DJ Bill Spieler will be on deck with summer time music. What could be better? DC9. 12 p.m. 21+. Free.
BYT Summer Camp Presents: FAT CAMP pool party at Capitol Skyline Hotel. The first 100 get a free burger. 11 a.m. $15.
Power outages all over town, means escaping sweaty humid living rooms for air conditioned bars and movies out.
Irish acoustic singer-songwriter Mickey Harte hops the pond to perform at Iota tonight. The Benefit front manJohn Condron opens. 8:30 p.m. $15.
Crystal Screen's outdoor film on the lawn tonight is My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Pack a picnic and lay under the stars before the storms roll in again tomorrow. 1851 S. Bell St. Free. Sundown.
Pina and Beyond: Contemporary Dance in Film film series screens Pina Bausch and Café Müller at Goethe-Institut. Pina Bausch, filmed three years before the death of the famous German choreographer, tells the story of how she rose to fame. Café Müller was Bausch's most intimate performance. Goethe-Institut. 6:30 p.m. $7.
