Weekly Music Agenda

THURSDAY
>> It seems like everyone between the age of 25 and 30 owned or knew somebody who owned a Cranberries CD. Most are probably in a dusty used bin somewhere along with Puff Daddy, Smashmouth, and Hootie discs. The band's singer, Dolores O'Riordan, is at the 9:30 Club with Jessie Baylin for only $35.

>> Locals Evan Bliss & the Welchers just finished their debut CD and are having their record release show at The Red and the Black tonight along with Seneca Hawk and Rome in a Day. 9:30 p.m., $8.

>> There’s more to Sri Lankan music than MIA. In association with the Portugal exhibit at the Sackler, the Gypsies Band will be dispensing Afro-Portuguese baila on the Freer Gallery steps (rain location: Meyer Auditorium) at 7 p.m.

>> The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker will be at Iota. Charles who, you ask? Walker is an old-school soul performer who sang at the Apollo but never quite made it big. Now he is back, and singing with the Nashville-based Dynamites who specialize in James Brown style funk and soul. 9 p.m., $10.

FRIDAY
>> Nigerian star Femi Kuti (pictured) brings his jazzy afrobeat to the 9:30 Club today. Sure to be a good show from the son of the legendary Fela Kuti. $25.

>> Continuing the DCist faves theme, it's a Three Stars reunion tonight at the Black Cat, as Metropolitan, City-State and The Vita Ruins take the stage. The Vita Ruins will be treating the crowd to free copies of their CD. $10, 9 p.m.

>> If you have kids and like rock, or kids who like rock, get them to The Sippy Cups, a rock-for-kids band playing two shows at Jammin' Java in Vienna. The show is free for those under 1 years of age, $12.50 for the rest. 10:30 a.m.

>> Want to celebrate Bastille Day the night before with music, crêpes, French cheese, pâté and Champagne? Uh, it is a little pricey ($32 – $39) but you can do so with a French DJ, the Groanbox Boys, a London based French-American guitar and accordion duo who play old-school Cajun, blues and country, and Simone March and Quentin Bruno who will perform French traditional songs at the Alliance Française. 2142 Wyoming Avenue NW. Reservations are mandatory with prepayment before July 11, call 202-234-7911.

SATURDAY
>> It's a busy day for good shows. If you like your rock quirky and literary, go to the Merriwether Post Pavillion for The Decemberists tonight with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Given that this is Bastille Day, we're sure they'll do something French. Hopefully "The Legionnaire's Lament." 8 p.m., $40-75.

>> When he's not in movies or on Chappelle's Show re-runs, Mos Def is racking up Grammy nominations, like 2004's The New Danger album and this year's "Undeniable." He'll be at the 9:30 Club for an early show, 7 p.m. $30.

>> Unsigned singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson (pictured) has had songs all over the TV, including "Grey's Anatomy," which is kind of like the new OC when it comes to music. She'll be in our area twice, at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis today, and Jammin' Java on Monday.

>> Austin's St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) has been getting some buzz recently for her complex guitar playing. She'll be at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. No sign of the Grenadines.

>> South African trumpeter Hugh Masekala blends jazz with afro-pop and R&B and has played with the aforementioned Fela Kuti. He'll be at Zanzibar on the Waterfront tonight for two shows, 8:30 and 11 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

>> Lez Zeppelin is just what it sounds like - an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. They'll be at the State Theatre in Falls Church. 9 p.m., $16.

>> For some reason zydeco has never been hailed as hip as bluegrass by 21st century roots and Americana fans even though its blend of Afro-Creole and rural country stylings is fast, funky, traditionally-based, and fun. Give it a chance (or educate others if you already like it) when Louisiana’s Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-chas bring their version of the sound for free from 7:30 to 10 at the Reston Town Center

SUNDAY
>>After everything that happened Saturday, we can understand a quieter concert day. But if you still want loud, try the Max Levine Ensemble, a punk-pop group from right here in D.C. at the Rock and Roll Hotel. 6:30 p.m., $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

>> Is there a large Mongolian population in Arlington? What does their music sound like? Find out at the Mongolian Naadam Festival at Barcroft Park, 4100 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington Free. 12-6 p.m.

>> Louisiana singer Marc Broussard’s latest CD, Save Our Soul (S.O.S.), features this rootsy guy covering the likes of Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. He will be paying tribute to R&B history with Shannon McNally at the 9:30 Club.

Steve Kiviat and W Jacarl Melton contributed to this week's agenda. Smashing Pumpkins image from their Myspace. Ingrid Michaelson image from her Myspace. Femi Kuti image from his website.