Tuesday, February 25

5:30 – 9:30 PM, 16th Annual St. Jude's Gourmet Gala at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Benefits St. Jude’s Research Hospital. $350, includes food and drink tastings, silent and live auction, music. info.

7:00 PM, DC–CAPITAL STARS: A Tribute to Broadway at The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. 10 talented High School finalists compete for college scholarships – gala reception follows. $35/show-only, $500/show + gala, info.

6:00 – 8:00 PM,The Case for Authentic Design: Pecha-Kucha Stylest Ligne Roset / FLOS DC, 2201 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres served. Free, info.

8:30 – 10:30 PM, The Last Resort Comedy Show Live! at Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd St. NW. Local comedians from DC Improv, Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, Laugh Factory and more perform. Free, info.

7:00 PM, Elizabeth Kolbert Signing and Discussion of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural Historyat Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW. Free, info.

Wednesday, February 26

6:30 – 9:30 PM, 48 Hour Filmmaker Launch Happy Hour at Passenger Bar, 1021 7th St. NW. Includes 48 hour filmfest registration, info.

7:00 PM, Dating in the District: A Panel with Local Bloggers and Washington Post’s Date Lab at Georgetown Public Library, 3260 R St. NW. Free, info.

7:00 PM, Pre-Screenings of 86th Academy Award Nominees at the National Archives –McGowan Theater, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Highlights four categories: Documentary Feature, Documentary Shorts, Live Action Shorts, and Animated Shorts. Continues thru March 2. Free, info.

Thursday, February 27

8:00 PM, Frequent Tonight Show guest Justin Willman’s Full of It Tour at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. Performance of magic, comedy and music. $15 - $18, info.

6:00 PM, Hands on DC Charity Bartending Happy Hour at Thomas Foolery, 2029 P St NW. ALL tips benefit Hands On projects and scholarships. Free, info.

7:00 PM, TECHnically Speaking w/ Google's Eric Schmidt at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $18, includes talk and book, info.

8:30 – 10:30 PM, LYGO DC Comics Against Humanity at Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd St. NW. $10, includes two drinks with advance reservation and after-party, info.

8:00 PM, Art Soiree's & Alliance Francaise DC present 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade at L2 Lounge, 3315 Cady's Alley NW.  Masks, Dancing, and New Orleans style Jazz. info.

Friday, February 28

10:30 PM – 1:00 AM, Cocktails for a Cause at Mio, 1110 Vermont Ave NW. Benefits We Will Survive Cancer. $20, info.

6:30 – 10:30 PM, Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce’s World Police and Fire Games Casino Night at Westwood Country Club. Benefits Fairfax 2015. $80/advance, $90/door, info.

Saturday, March 1

8:00pm - 12:00am, 4th Annual Hope for Hearts Casino Night at the Sphinx Club at Franklin Square. 1315 K Street NW.  Benefits the Hope Marietta Foundation.  $105, includes premium open bar and food, silent auction, photo booth, live casino action, music and dancing. Info and Ticket Sales.