What You’re Doing This Week

What are you doing this week? We offer up our favorite picks for the five days ahead:

Dan Steinberg (D.C. Sports Bog) and Ben Standig (Word on the Street) host Bracketology 101 at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (600 I St. NW). Get tips on bracket-building strategies, Final Four faves and potential upsets.Admission includes entry into the Sixth & I March Madness pool and one free drink. 7 p.m.; $8 in advance; $10 the day of.

Gomez brings its Quinceañera Tour to the 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW). The (despite the name, English) indie rock band turns 15 this year, and they're asking strangers on the Internet to help determine their setlist. 7 p.m. doors; $20.

Staying in? Spend your evening planning for future pampering. Spa Week doesn't begin until April 16, but Monday, March 12 is the first day to book appointments. During Spa Week, local spas and salons offer special discounts and services for just $50 each. The earlier you book, the more choices you'll have. See details here.

Elephants tromp through the streets as the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus arrives at the Verizon Center. The Pachyderm Parade also features clowns, motorcycles, horses and more. Additionally, a handful of downtown bars and restos will offer specials before the parade. Happy hour 5:30-7 p.m.; parade 8 p.m.; parade viewing is free; parade locations and happy hour info here.

The Environmental Film Festival kicks off Tuesday, with nearly two weeks of movies and special events. Opening night features "Switch", about the energy revolution (of lack thereof) and "You've Been Trumped," about a group of Scottish homeowners who face off against Donald Trump when he buys one of Scotland's last wilderness areas to build a goft course. Through March 25; see schedule here.

SpeakeasyDC hosts a night of Whistle-blowers & Hell-raisers: Stories About Rebellion, Defiance and Subversive Activity at Town Danceboutique (2009 8th St. NW). 6:30 p.m. doors; 8 p.m. show; $15 online or cash at the door.

Shecky's Girls Night Out returns to DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St. NW) for a night of shopping wares from indie and up-and- coming designers who bring in their clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes and more. And obviously, there will be cocktails. Tue.-Wed. 5-10 p.m.; $10 general admission; $15 admission with goodie bag.

March is a month of martinis around the city during Artini Feature Nights. On Wednesday, Ronald Flores of Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave. NW) will be mixing up his entry for the Corcoran Gallery of Art's monthlong contest, which culminates in a gala March 31. 6:30–8:30 p.m.; no cover.

SOME (So Others Might Eat) hosts an Empty Bowls soup supper at St. Charles Borromeo Church (3304 Washington Blvd., Arlington). Guests are served a simple soup supper and can take home a handcrafted bowl to serve as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty. The bowls were donated by the Corcoran College of Art and Design and other local potters. Proceeds will help SOME provide more than 1,000 meals each day to the homeless. 6-8 p.m.; $20 per person at the door or online.

Mingle at the Museum introduces the new MathAlive! exhibit at the S. Dillon Ripley Center (1100 Jefferson Drive SW), which takes raw math and applies is to the worlds of design, technology, science and more... during, most helpfully, a happy hour: "Test geometry skills on a rock wall climb, explore sound waves as you create a music mix, crack espionage codes, and jump into a fractal dance party while enjoying light hors d'oeuvres and a specialty cocktail (Math-tini, anyone?)." 6:30-9 p.m.; $35-$45; admission includes drink ticket and light refreshments.

Author Jodi Picoult discusses her latest novel, "Lone Wolf," at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (600 I St. NW). The novel examines the conflict faced by family members when trying to decide the medical fate of a comatose father. Picoult will discuss the novel with Ron Charles of Washington Post Book World prior to a book signing. 7 p.m.; $28 for one book and one ticket, or $38 for one book and two tickets.

The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus opens at the Verizon Center with its new Fully Charged Tour, featuring the Fearless Fernandez Brothers, the Human Fuse and more. 7:30 p.m. Thurs; schedule varies other days; $14-$110.

ArtJamz is up and running in its new Dupont studio (1742 Connecticut Ave. NW). Settle into the cozy space for a night of cocktails and canvasses. Your $65 all-inclusive ticket includes beer, wine and vitaminwater zero, falafel plates, music, a canvas that you get to paint and keep, unlimited acrylic paints, brushes, art materials and painting tips. A $45 ticket with cash bar option is available as well. Groups of five get 15 percent off; email discounts@artjamzdc.com for details. 7-10 p.m.; $45-$65.

Derrick Carter and Alan Braxe help celebrate U Street Music Hall's (1115 U St. NW) second anniversary as part of a weeklong series of events. 10 p.m.; $10 in advance.

The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington presents an all-men's version of "The Rocky Horror Show" at GW's Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St. NW). Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m. (with ASL); $25-$50.

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What You're Doing This Week