Friday

There's no must-attend event tonight, so it's best to hit up your hipster hangout of choice. I'm going to stick with my standby, DC9, for Liberation Dance Party (and its $6 open bar (rail drinks) from 9-10:30). There's talk that Sorted at the Black Cat backstage could be decent with the sold-out Bon Iver show upstairs (Sorted is usually really fun, kind of lame, or full of teenagers on [what I presume is] ecstasy ... you can make your own call as to how the last one falls on the fun spectrum). You also have your first Friday Disco City at RnR. If you simply must Will Eastman, head over to Napoleon. Eighteenth Street Lounge has their regular Friday night crew. If you're a Velvet Lounger or enjoy folk rock, Stella Schindler's CD release party is going on.

Saturday

All this weekend, it's MidCity's Dog Days of Summer Sidewalk Sale. So head over to your favorite U St. and 14th St. stores for some good discounts (and don't forget, Pop is having its closing sale). Also, on Saturday, you can star in DC Vote's music video. Not only will you be thrust into immediate municipal stardom, you'll get free DC Vote swag.

The show of the weekend is probably We Are Scientists at the Cat (there's also Wag on the backstage). AutoRock brings you Mass Appeal at RnR. Dekka is having Dog Day Night: A Celebration of Artists from 7-10. If you're really into Hitchcock, go see the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. If you're looking to ditch the "Hitch" part, it's Taint at DC9. This event has gotten pretty popular with boys who like boys, so get there at a reasonable hour to avoid a line. If you're willing to take a gamble, hit up U B U at The Red and the Black. If this one is hopping, you're guaranteed to go home satified, but, as how it goes on H St., if not, it could just be lame.

Sunday

Avoid daylight, lay low, and get "culture" by hitting up E Street for your indie film of choice.