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What You're Doing This Weekend

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What are you doing this week? Niteside offers up some suggestions:

Seattle lovelies Fleet Foxes perform at the Merriweather Post Pavillion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md.). The group describes their sounds as "baroque harmonic pop jams." 6 p.m.; $25-$40.

Black Cat (1811 14th St. N.W.) hosts Eighties Mayhem, "a mega '80s dance party," with DJs Steve EP, Missguided, Killa K and Krasty McNasty. 9 p.m. doors; $10.

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The first annual SW Artsfest, themed "Discover Southwest," takes place at various venues throughout the quadrant. The festival, which runs through Sunday, includes art fairs, kids' activities, hand dance performances (so you know Mayor Gray will wanna go!), the 10th Annual D.C. Jazz Preservation Festival and the Human Rights Film Festival. Admission fees vary depending on event.

The 17th Street Festival features performances by DJs, local musicians and dancers, and Drag City: DC; plus special zones for kids and pets, a marketplace and vendor booths. Local bars and restaurants offer will specials during the fest. See the complete program here (PDF). 2-6 p.m.; free admission.

Blocktoberfest at The Yards Park (10 Water St. S.E.) will host several throwback musicians including German '80s legends Herr Metal and '90s cover band White Ford Bronco. 2-10 p.m.; $20 admission or $50 for VIP access and unlimited beer; tickets available here.

Take a stroll at the Barracks Row Fall Festival (500-700 blocks of 8th Street N.E.). Trapeze artists, musical ensembles, staged swordfights and Redskins cheerleader events will be featured all day. Docents will lead tours of Marine Barracks for a bit of a history lesson. Also worth checking out, the military chef gourmet cook-off to decide top chef. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; free.

Enjoy an all-night cultural experience at Nuit Blanche D.C., stretching from Chinatown to Shaw. Venues include the Wonder Bread "Factory" (641 S St. N.W.), Pocket Park (Rhode Island Avenue and 9th Street N.W.) and the Warehouse Theater (1021 7th St. N.W., Rear). Started in Paris in 2002, this all-night festival combines visual arts, live music and street performances to celebrate contemporary art in the area. See the complete program here (PDF). 7 p.m.- 3 a.m.; free admission.

At D.C. VegFest, learn about the meatless life, sample healthy fare from local restos, and hear from authors of books like "The 30-Day Vegan Challenge." Also, a vitally important cupcake-eating contest will take place at 12:55 p.m., sponsored by Sticky Fingers Bakery. It's happening at GW's University Yard (surrounded by G and H streets, and 20th and 21 streets N.W.). 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; free admission.

The National Book Festival will gather dozens of authors on the National Mal for discussions, signings, bookselling, and even the reading of Julianne Moore's children's book -- by the author/actress herself. Catch authors such as Pulitzer Prize winners Toni Morrison, Jennifer Egan and Michael Cunningham; plus Dave Eggers, Garrison Keillor, David McCullough and Sarah Vowell. See the complete schedule here. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free admission.

Say guten tag to good beer at the Das Best Oktoberfest at the National Harbor (137 National Plaza, National Harbor, Md). The price of admission includes a souvenir mug -- and if you dress in traditional German attire, you'll score extra beer tokens! Saturday: Noon-6 p.m. (VIP entry at 11 a.m.); $25 advance; $30 on-site. Sunday: Noon–4 p.m.; $45 advance; $55 at-site. Grand Oompah two-day All-Access Pass $85 advance-only.

Tysons Galleria pack a week’s worth of fashion events into a weekend during All Access: Fashion. Catch runway shows at Center Court, mingle with style icons and check out looks from 7 for All Mankind, Elle Tahari, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson and more. A minimum of 10 percent of total sales from participating stores will also benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. See the full schedule here.

Alt-country gods Wilco head to Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.). Expect to hear new tunes from "The Whole Love" -- the followup to 2009's successful "Wilco (The Album)" -- which will be released Tuesday. Doors 5:30 p.m.; $30-$40.

Filmmaker Kevin Smith holds an hour-long Q&A and Hollywood Babble-On podcast following the screening of his new film "Red State" at AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring). 10 p.m.; $20.

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