D.C. arts briefs: Aug. 10

Tom Nichols plays the D.C. Center this weekend. (Photo courtesy Nichols)

A little night music

Singer-songwriter Tom Nichols performs Saturday night at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) starting at 8 p.m. Guests are suggested to make a $10 donation upon entry.

During his musical career, Nichols has experimented with a wide range of genres, including classical, folk, rock and pop. The openly gay singer/songwriter has also co-produced an independent musical on film, directed various choirs and has provided aspiring musicians voice and guitar lessons.

Nichols has produced 11 full-length albums, and has performed at impressive venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and Boston Symphony Hall.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at thedccenter.org. For more information on Nichols, visit tomnicholsmusic.com.

Olympics at Nellie’s

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) has extended hours during the Olympic games.

Today the bar will open two hours early at 3 p.m.; “Beat the Clock” happy hour will start at 5, featuring $2 bottles of Miller Lite and house vodka drinks from 5-6.

Nellie’s will start screening the Olympics at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning and the Olympic closing ceremony at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with $4 Miller Lite and house vodka drinks and $15 buckets of beer.

For more details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

A gay ole’ time

Now in their seventh year, the Queer Queens of Qomedy are bringing the laughs to Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Poppy Champlin, a producer and internationally popular comedian, selects the best lesbian comics from around the country for each performance. Michelle Balan, who has performed with the Queer Queens before, and newcomer Zoe Lewis will be featured in the Birchmere show along with Champlin.

Balan was a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and regularly performs at the NY Friars Club. Lewis is a musical comedian, supplementing her jokes with her piano and ukulele skills.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at thebirchmere.org. For more information on the show, visit queerqueensofqomedy.com.

Magic show launched at Helix Lounge

Kimpton’s Hotel Helix (1430 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) launches a new Friday night magic show series, “THINK: An Evening of Mind Reading and Magic,” featuring magician Josh Norris tonight at 8 p.m.

Norris is a D.C. native, magician and mind reader.

Ticketholders can enjoy an extended Helix Lounge happy hour by arriving early, as well as $4 “Magic Hat” beers and $8 “Magic Martinis.” Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at joshnorris.com. The show is recommended for ages 18 and older, but guests as young as 13 are welcome to attend.