Kind of a slow week around here. Did we miss anything? Add it in the comments.

MONDAY
>> Looks like slim pickings this Monday, though if you like odd pairings and bands with horrible names, you just might be in luck. Grampall Jookabox seems to alternate between grimey lo-fi hip-hop and dustbowl-era folk. Meanwhile, Thintap Woodsap covers the rest of the bases, from showtunes to musette to saloon songs. Black Cat Backstage, $7, 9pm.

TUESDAY
>> It's Mardi Gras, and there are a couple of joints to check out. In Arlington, the annual Parade on Wilson is pretty self-explanatory, but get over to Iota for free "Gumbo shots" from 6 - 9 p.m. It's free, and they'll be playing some New Orleans tunes to celebrate the occasion.

>> Elsewhere, local Cajun and zydeco bands Junkyard Saints, Squeeze Bayou, & Little Red and the Renegades celebrate Mardi Gras out at the Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, MD from 7:30 to 11 p.m

WEDNESDAY
>> If you cringe at the very thought of the rock press hype machine, you'll want to wear a garland of garlic and stay as far away as possible from the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. New York's next big thing, progenitors of the burgeoning "African indie prep-pop" movement, Vampire Weekend, takes the stage with Brooklyn songwriter Sam Rosen for a sold out show. 8:30 p.m.

>> Missed out on Vampire Weekend tickets? There's always Drunken Jenga upstairs instead. $2 PBRs and some retro dance-punk while you play. 8 p.m.

>> If you didn't catch Lupe Fiasco's sold-out set at the 9:30 Club last week, you can settle for his hook-singing partner in crime: Matthew Santos will be playing a solo set of his own tunes at the Black Cat's Backstage with Andy Zipf. $12, 9 p.m.

>> Otis Taylor's an African-American blues guitarist & banjo player with a unique, 2 chord droning instrumental sound with semi-political lyrics. He will be on a bill with New Orleans resident Eric Lindell at the State Theatre in Falls Church at 8:30.

THURSDAY
>> It's nearly Valentine's Day, which hopefully means you're in the mood for the Sex Workers' Art Show. Sort of a multimedia, cabaret style event featuring both the good and bad of sex work, which apparently includes a "celebration of prostitution." Check it out for yourself at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $15, Doors at 8 p.m.

>> Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Anthony David has penned hits for India.Aire and recently released Red Clay Chronicles. He'll be at the Birchmere with opening act, and D.C. native, Purple St. James, formerly known as YahZarah. 7:30 p.m., $20.

>> The Black Cat backstage offers an alluring bill featuring local punk veterans The Loved Ones (not to be confused with The Only Ones, or The Bigger Lovers, or both). They're playing with Gaslight Anthem and LaGrecia. Tickets $10, includes heavy riffage. Doors 9 p.m.

>> The Barns at Wolf Trap hosts a strong, rootsy double bill of talented songwriter Erin McKeown with folk veteran Michelle Shocked. 8 p.m. $20.

FRIDAY
>> Ready for choreographed dancing, gorgeous harmonies, and velvet suits? No, you're not? Too bad. The '70s Soul Jam is rolling through town, stopping at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro with The Stylistics, The Emotions, Heatwave, Delfonics and Harold Melvin's Blues Notes. 8 p.m.

>> Looking to get your dance on come Friday night? The Black Cat backstage might be your best bet--their typically excellent "Black Catatonia" event features the analog-obsessed DJ DK (turntables only!), spinning hip-hop, soul, electro and just about anything else you can bust a move to. Free, 10 p.m.

>> As part of the "Japan! Culture + Hyperculture" festival, the Oki Dub Ainu Band and Marewrew will be offering their take on reggae mixed with their own indigenous sounds at 6 p.m. for free at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

SATURDAY
>> Imbued with a new sense of artistic relevance after his stint on American Idol a couple years back, Barry Manilow is touring. And he is coming to the Verizon Center. Rumor has it that there are tickets available for $9.99. Which is less than it costs to eat at Ruby Tuesday's, but tastes about the same.

SUNDAY
>> Liven up your lazy, post-football Sunday with the eclectic stylings of D.C.'s own The Cassettes, also the proprietors of D.C.'s most interesting band website. Check out their indie-pop-folkjokeopus-etc. at the Black Cat Backstage. With Beat Circus. Only $8, 9 p.m.

>> Angels and Airwaves at the 9:30 Club is sold out. We're sorry?

>> The Chinese New Year parade through what’s left of D.C.’s Chinatown will feature lion dancing and some Asian drumming at 2 p.m. on H. St NW between 6th & 8th.

W. Jacarl Melton, Mehan Jayasuriya and Steve Kiviat contributed to this agenda.