TGIF! Celebrate the end of the week at the downstairs bar at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW) (yes, downstairs) for some nighttime fun as the space becomes Marquis. Dance to an electronic music party featuring local beatmakers Micah Vellian and Outputmessage, and guest DJs Will Eastman and Deep Sang. 11 p.m.-4 a.m.; $5.
Begin the weekend in style by mingling with three Miss America contestants -- and you'll be support a good cause, too. Katie Marie Grinold (Miss DC), Tara Wheeler (Miss Virginia) and Leigh-Taylor Smith (Miss New York) are hosting a fundraiser tonight at Midtown Lounge (1219 Connecticut Ave. NW) in honor of this Saturday's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. With a $5 donation, you can schmooze with the beauty queens at the open bar from 8-9 p.m. Sounds like a good time to us, but runners-up should probably steer clear. RSVP to rsvp@midtownn-dc.com.
Celebrate Fairfax! (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA) kicks off with Blues Traveler at 8 p.m. Enjoy the array of food, craft vendors and carnival rides at Northern Virginia's largest community celebration. Not a Blues Traveler fan? Check out live concerts on any one of the five stages, or showcase your own pipes in a karaoke contest. Be sure to stick around for the nighttime fireworks. 6 p.m.-12 a.m.; adults $12, kids $5; carnival entry $25 before 5 p.m.
