Getting Up Guide: Oyster shucking, Phillips After 5

What are your plans tonight? The Getting Up Guide is here to help you answer that question. Here's what's happening on Thursday:

Rogue Ales Oyster Fest

One of the most popular events at the 2009 D.C. Beer Week, this features thousands of freshly shucked oysters, seven Rogue beers and three Rogue spirits. Three shuckers will handle 3,000 oysters while bartenders pour seven Rogue beers (Dead Guy, Rogue Irish Lager, XS I2PA, XS Imperial YSB, Chatoe Orgasmic, Somer Honey Orange Ale and John John Hazlenut) and offer samples of Rogue's Dead Guy Whiskey, Dark Rum and Spruce Gin. The shucking starts at 5, though early arrival is necessary -- it didn't take long for the oysters to disappear last year, even though the beer and spirits kept flowing. For more D.C. Beer Week events, click here.

Phillips After 5: End of Summer White Party (UPDATE: Phillips After 5 is now sold out)

Summer's running out, and the Phillips Collection wants to give you one more shot to wear white before Labor Day. The museum is collaborating with the Pink Line Project and Bluebrain on their monthly after-hours soiree, which features Latin and Caribbean jazz, wine tastings (white wine, of course) and a gallery talk covering the ongoing, monochromatic "Pousette-Dart and Color: Beyond White" exhibition. Limited tickets remain, so book early.

Jay Brannan

Jay Brannan's music is not for the faint of heart, but it is perfect for the brokenhearted. Thematically, there is very little to smile about: Failed relationships, dishonesty, religious hypocrisy and insecurity all weigh heavily in the songwriter's lyrics, as he will demonstrate tonight at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Stylistically, however, Brannan's Cool Whip-smooth voice, which makes John Mayer sound downright abrasive, has ample room to soar above minimalist instrumentation.