Events to Peep for the Weekend - 10.28 - 10.30

On Friday, the highly-anticipated movie debut of "Moonlight,"which follows a young man's struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life, hits theaters in limited release. Lauded by writer Ta-Nehisi Coates as one of the "best films I've seen in a long time," grab a seat and a box of tissues, and enjoy. Go to www.moonlight-movie.com for showtimes and tickets.

It's almost ghouls & goblins time! So, don your favorite costume and party with those creepy creatures on Friday night at Cities for its annual Halloween Party. Music by DJ Swerve. Free. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Cities Restaurant & Lounge. 1909 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. www.citiesdc.com

Songbird Toni Braxton "lands" on the Modell Performing Arts stage on Saturday for a one-night only show. Enjoy classic hits as well as material from her recent collaboration with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, "Love, Marriage, & Divorce." 8 p.m. Tickets: $50. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric. 110 West Mt. Royal Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201. www.lyricbaltimore.com

If you're looking for laughs on Saturday night instead, settle in for the comedy stylings of comedian veteran and former "Living Single" star, Kim Coles, as she brings the laughter to the Cramton Auditorirum stage. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25. Cramton Auditorium - Howard University. 2455 6th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001.

In addition to spooking us, ghouls and goblins need to eat too! So, keep the party going with them on Sunday at Compass Rose for its first "Brunch of the Living Dead." DJ Harry Hotter and DJ Smudge will feature the music of musicians no longer with us, from Elvis to Tupac. 11 a.m. Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen. 1346 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.compassrosedc.com

"Scare up" some good eats and drinks on Sunday at the Taste on Wheels, when you sample food truck tastings for $3 or under! Every general admission entry ticket purchase comes with a drink ticket; Bottomless Drinks ticket holders will receive unlimited pours of beer, wine, and mimosas. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $5-$19. The Yards Parking Lot. 1300 1st Street SE, Washington, District of Columbia 20003. Search: "Taste on Wheels" on www.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets.

Looking Ahead: Jazz "funkmaster" Brian Culbertson will "blow" into town on Wednesday and Thursday to tear the roof off the Birchmere as a two-night stop on his national "Funk Tour." Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $55. The Birchmere Music Hall. 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22305. www.birchmere.com


Life's short. Be entertained. XO

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 10.21 - 10.23

On Friday, head to Anacostia and prepare to have your thoughts provoked when you take in a showing of stage play, "Chocolate Covered Ants," by playwright Steven A. Butler Jr., which explores the complex psyche of the modern American black man. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35-$45. Anacostia Playhouse. 2020 Shannon Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020. www.restorationstage.com. Insider's Tip: Discount tickets available through Goldstar. 

Hold on to your funny bones on Friday night, when comedian Earthquake lands on the DC Improv stage to "shake up" DC with fun and laughter. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

On Saturday, head to "the Yard" in celebration of Howard University's homecoming and cheer on the hometown Bison as they take on North Carolina A&T. 1 p.m. Tickets: $30. William H. Greene Stadium. 2400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059. www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday night, Annapolis is the place to be, when the sensational Avery*Sunshine sheds her light on the Rams Head stage and performs her latest hit, "Come Do Nothing," as well as her classic hits that put her on the musical map. 8 p.m. Tickets: $46.50. Rams Head Tavern. www.ramsheadtavern.com/annapolis

Make brunch extra fun on Sunday at Radiator, where you'll seat yourself and enjoy your huevos rancheros and mimosas next to an outdoor fire pit, and life size games of Connect Four and Jenga, to help burn off those extra calories. Brunch hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Radiator. 1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. www.radiatordc.com

Feeling nostalgic? After brunch on Sunday, take a trip down memory lane when Songbyrd hosts a listening party featuring Billie Holiday's last released 1958 "Lady in Satin" album for Songbyrd's Classic Album Sundays. 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $7. Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe. 2477 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.songbyrddc.com

Looking Ahead: On Thursday, the Kennedy Center debuts Debbie Allen's "Freeze Frame," a profoundly relevant theatrical narrative fusing movement, music, art, and cinema to explore violence and race relations with honesty and poignancy. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29-$109. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Life's short. Be entertained. XO

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 10.14 - 10.16

On Friday night, be taken "to the moon and back again," when neo-soul crooner Eric Roberson takes the Birchmere stage joined by Chicago's own D. Maurice. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $45. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com

Feel like a laugh or 10 instead? Hit your local movie theater on Friday night for the debut of Kevin Hart's latest comedy concert feature, "What Now?" filmed in 2015 in front of 50,000 people at Lincoln Financial Field in his hometown of Philadelphia.

Spend a crisp fall Saturday sampling over 50 wines from such wineries as Linganore, Cove Point, and Triple Creek at the Autumn Wine Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $24-$45. Pemberton Historical Park. 5561 Plantation Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801. www.autumnwinefestival.org

Prefer the sampling of food instead on Saturday? Then head to the 2016 Curbside Cookoff--the DMV's original food truck party. Mobile retailers, local craft beer, and an artisans market will be on site. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $39, which includes tickets to try 4 trucks and 1 beverage. NoMa Storey Park. 1005 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.dmvfta.org

"Wind up" your Sunday brunch when The Chuck Brown Band rocks the Howard Theatre stage while you rock out on a sumptuous breakfast buffet. 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$40. The Howard Theatre. 620 T Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. www.thehowardtheatre.com

Looking Ahead: On Monday, treat yourself to a thought-provoking luncheon discussion when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and the author of more than a dozen books, discusses his latest work, “Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White.” 12:30 p.m. Tickets: $38. The National Press Club. 529 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20045. www.press.org

Life's short. Be entertained. XO

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 10.7 - 10.9

On Friday night, who you gonna call? Of course: Ghostbusters! The original acclaimed 80s sci-fi comedy will be Union Market's last drive-in showing for the season. So gas up your car and get ready for a cinematic trip down memory lane! Roller Girls will be on hand for snack and food orders. Movie showing is free. Time: 7 p.m. Union Market. 1309 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.unionmarketdc.com

If the long work week finds you needing your funny bone tickled instead, head to the Kennedy Center on Friday night when The Daily Show's own Trevor Noah takes the Concert Hall stage. Time: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets: $55-$125. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

On Saturday and Sunday, get your taste buds ready for the Taste of DC-- the city's largest food, beer, and wine festival featuring more than 60 restaurants offering samplings of their finest dishes for $1 and $3 tastings, in addition to select menu favorites available for $8 or less. 1 p.m./11 a.m. - 8 p.m./6 p.m. 7th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. www.thetasteofdc.org

Feeling a bit more nostalgic instead? Then grab your tankards, bodices, and jerkins, and head to the Maryland Renaissance Festival on Saturday and Sunday for food, jousting entertainment, contests, and more. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tickets: $10-$24. Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.rennfest.com

Calling all foodies (and "drinkies"). On Sunday, leave all apologies for your bad ways behind when you stop by DC's newest restaurant offering, Dirty Habit. Indulge on a menu including Bagel & Lox and Eggs Benedict, but leave room for a cocktail from its expansive spirits list, which includes over 100 brands of whiskey, mezcal, tequila, and rum. Breakfast time: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Dirty Habit. 555 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.dirtyhabitdc.com

Looking Ahead: On Thursday, get "sax'ed" up, when saxophonist Plunky & Oneness take to the Blues Alley stage for two shows that are sure to "funk up" your Friday eve. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets: $25. Blues Alley. 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007. www.bluesalley.com




Life's short. Be entertained. XO