Monday

>>Provided these thunderstorms pass us by in time, the place to be tonight is Fort Reno. First off, it's free, and we know everyone's wallets are light from all that gas you're having to put in the car just to make a run to the beach. Second, recent Three Stars alums Garland of Hours are taking the stage, along with The Aerialist, and the excellently named Lady in the Radiator. 7:15 p.m., $0.

>>On the other side of the spectrum, you can drop a pretty penny for some scary sounds on a summer night. Marilyn Manson and Slayer will do their best to pound your eardrums into submission tonight at Merriweather. Gates at 5:30 p.m., $30-$45.

Tuesday

>> Local favorite and former DCist interview subject Paul Michel, headlines a backstage show at the Black Cat. Michel's intimate singer-songwriter sound should suit the small room perfectly. With Tereu Tereu and Rocky's Revival. 9 p.m., $8.

>>Brightest Young Things appear to be big fans of Donny Hue and the Colors, a band that brings together members of the Carlsonics, Nethers, Washington Social Club and Meredith Bragg. After reading their description, we think we might be, too. You can get a taste for free at the Kennedy Center's Millenium stage Tuesday evening. Because we know you're wondering what an autoharp will sound like in a rock band. 6 p.m., $0.

>>Longtime cult faves Guster take the Filene Center stage at Wolftrap along with singer/songwriter Pete Yorn. 7:30 p.m., $25-$36.

Wednesday

>> Oakland experimental pop collective XBXRX have been at it for over 10 years and are continuing to push the envelope with their improvisational style. They'll play the Rock & Roll hotel with locals Edie Sedgewick, The Mae Shi, and Double Dagger. 8 p.m., $8

>> Continuing with the joint "outdoors" and "free" themes in this week's agenda, Strathmore Hall presents the next entry in their Outdoor Concert series on their lawn with Little Bit A Blues, featuring Jay Summerour and Warner Williams, who are promoting a new record, and Mike Baytop and Rick Franklin. 7 p.m., $0.

Thursday

>>Morgantown, WV's The Librarians are generating a good bit of buzz with their dark-edged, synth heavy sound. They'll visit The Red and the Black along with hard rocking recent Three Stars alums Scanner Freaks and Meet the Speakers. 9 p.m., $8

>> It's the "Night of 1,000 Cakes" at Fort Reno! Come for the cake, stay for Dischord keyboard and drum duo The Aquarium and yet another Three Stars alum, the hardest working man in D.C. music, Benjy Ferree, along with Yell County. 7:15 p.m., $0.

>> If you weren't aware, the D.C. area has it's very own school of rock, operated in Vienna by Paul Green for nearly a decade. We imagine it must be exactly like the movie. As any student of rock can tell you, there's only so much you can learn in a classroom. The true test is on the stage, so the class of Summer Camp Session #2 is headed to Jammin' Java in Vienna to show the fans just what they've learned. Yes, it's during the day, but if you work in Tyson's and can manage to sneak out for a late lunch, we're betting it's totally worth it. Featuring the music of the Go-Gos, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Green Day and their own compositions. 3 p.m., $0.

Friday

>> NYC's The Red Romance just finished a tour with The Killers and are now bringing their jangly guitar pop to The Rock and Roll Hotel along with 1990s and locals Telograph. 9 p.m., $10.

>> The Sketches, who count an ex-Monopoli member among their roster, are getting ready for a month-long residency at Jammin' Java in September. This week they headline a night of four bands at the Black Cat, as they are joined by The Aerialist (who you may have caught earlier in the week at Fort Reno), Brandon Butler, and Dennis Kane. 9 p.m., $10.

Saturday

>> The parade of the ghosts of Three Stars past continues. Alums Full Minute of Mercury play their last show ever of hard-driving, metal-tinged rock this weekend at TT Reynolds in Fairfax. The alliterative lineup is completed by Fistful of Fifties and A Farewell Mercy. 9 p.m., $5.

>> If you've been following These United States' tour diary here on DCist, you may already know that the tour swings by locally at Iota this weekend. They'll be joined by Revival and Cartright. 9:30 p.m., $10

Sunday

>>The "Mega Fest 2007 - Blues Night Concert" at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro is misleadingly named. The event's soulful performers-- Bobby Womack, Millie Jackson, Clarence Carter, Roy C, and Mel Waiters-- will not be strumming acoustic 12 bar laments, but instead will be combining Sunday morning gospel vocal techniques with late Saturday night lascivious lyrics over horns and strings grooves. 8 p.m., $60.

>> We know how much fun a night of air guitar can be. DC Air Guitar presents a night of punk and glam from 1970-85 at DC9. Costumes are encouraged, because it really completes the effect of a good routine, but also because it makes things even better for us, the drunken audience. If you want to compete, sign up on DC Air Guitar's website. $5 admission to the show.

Amanda Mattos, Steve Kiviat, Mehan Jayasuriya, and W Jacarl Melton contributed to this week's agenda.