Weekly Music Agenda
MONDAY
>> The wait is over! We've been anxiously awaiting the start of Fort Reno's season, and the day has finally arrived. Head up to the park and hear one of DCist's favorite local outfits, Deleted Scenes, along with Mass Movement of the Moth and The Boom Orangutangs.
>> It's movie night at Galaxy Hut, and tonight the theme is 80s Surf Films. Get your Point Break on and drink an Alagash or twelve. It may not be exactly music-related, but it'll rock you.
TUESDAY
>> Mark Heidinger is a man of many talents, and many bands. We interviewed him about one of his projects, The Apparitions, last year. This week, catch him solo as Vandaveer at DC9, with Hot Coffee, Mississippi and Arms and Legs. $8
>> We know what you're thinking. "When am I gonna get my fix of Tuvan throat singers?" Worry no more, The Warehouse Next Door is here to help. The Alash Ensemble and a host of other eclectic and "extra terrestrial" guests take the stage at 8:30. $8
>> Heard recently dueting with Shakira, Haitian-American rapper Wyclef Jean will be headlining a free bill of Caribbean performers including Shaggy, Jamaican combo The Ska-talites, and Plunky & Oneness at the Kennedy Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. outdoors on the South Plaza.
>> The presence of embassies in D.C. is sometimes good for area music fans. This summer, for example, Venezuela is sponsoring a series of unique shows. Tuesday, Eleggua, an Afro-Venezuelan percussion group, will be performing with C4 for free at 7 at the Venezuelan Embassy’s Bolivarian Hall, 2443 Mass. Ave NW
WEDNESDAY
>> The National are playing at the 9:30 Club. We know you already know this because you went and bought all the tickets before we got a chance to. So fine. Have fun. We'll be sitting at home, not at all bitter.
THURSDAY
>> If you didn't get your fill of former Unbuckled bands playing Fort Reno, you get a second shot later in the week as The Hard Tomorrows share the stage with Let's French (***) and The Mirror Script.
>> Southern fried rock courtesy of the loveable Bobby Bare Junior is taking over the Black Cat, with The Slip and Meowskers, $12, 8 p.m.
>> Tickets are still available to see Wilco at Merriweather. No matter what you think of Sky Blue Sky, you know Tweedy & Co. will do their due dilligence and bring you a great show. And, if you do yours and bring a can of food to donate, you'll get $10 off of a concert poster.
>> Stick to the city and catch one of our very favorite local bands, The Bang at Velvet Lounge. There's not much more you can ask for out of a Thursday night than the dueling guitars of Jon Lee and Anthony Pirog (***).
>> A few years back, Forro in the Dark, a NY band that plays rural Brazilian dance music
using an accordion, marching band like drum, and metal triangle, surprised Kennedy Center patrons by leaping off the stage and parading out of the building where they finished their encore. Hope for a similar ending at at Iota.
FRIDAY
>> Happy Birthday, The Red & The Black! The cozy club in North East is celebrating one year of awesomeness, and the Black Tie Revue, Nunchucks and The Subjects are providing the rock. Come for the $5 concert, the party, or the all-night-long drink specials.
>> The movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou did not get universal raves, but participant Seu Jorge’s renditions of David Bowie songs in Portuguese seemingly pleased everyone. Jorge, who’s from Brazil, will be opening for the Barefoot Diva, Cesaria Evora, from Cape Verde, at Wolf Trap. $40 – $20.
>> Thanks to Saturday’s D.C. Caribbean Carnival, a who’s who of soca and calypso performers will be in the area this weekend. One of tonight’s events, billed as “Til Morning Come,” will feature lilting sing-song melodies and speedy rhythms from the likes of Iwer George, Bunji Garlin, Talpree, Biggie Irie, and Fay Ann Crosovah, all backed by the XChange Band at the Galleria, 21 & M Streets NW.
SATURDAY
>> Bloggers about town Pygmalion In A Blanket put it best: "I did not know Rooney was a real band? I thought they were like the Monkees or something, for The OC gen?" Us too. Kinda. Rooney at the 9:30 Club, with Lemon Face. $15
>> Alter egos, solo acts and wearing sunscreen. One of these things is always a good idea. The others can be quite a gamble. We'll see what Tom Morello has up his sleeve as he brings his solo moniker The Nightwatchman to Jammin Java. Sold out.
>> If the mosquitos were too much for you to bear on Monday, catch Deleted Scenes indoors this weekend with The Motion Sick, The Antiques and The Roosevelt (***) (who we lovingly refer to as The Nicest Guys in D.C.) at DC9. $8
SUNDAY
>> Paris-Born Spaniard Manu Chao and his Radio Bemba Sound System will be making a rare local appearance as they bring their Clash meets Latin-folk meets ska tunes to Merriweather Post Pavilion on a bill with D.C.’s own Thievery Corporation, Brazilian bossa nova singer Bebel Gilberto, and some DJs.
Steve Kiviat contributed to this week's agenda