Bellman Barker

MONDAY
>> Provided any passing storms don't interfere, Fort Reno is back tonight. Indie rockers and Three Stars alums Bellman Barker are playing in the top slot, with the countryish The Moderate and jazz-punk experimentalists Gestures kicking things off. Free, 7:15 p.m.

>> Some world music acts try to throw in too many different genres. Decide whether Rupa & the April Fishes, a San Francisco band, can pull off the multi-style approach when they perform French chanson, Gypsy music, tango, Latin alternative, Indian music and who knows what else at DC9, along with local favorite Sarah Azzara. $8, 8:30 p.m.

>> We were big fans of the Oxford Collapse when they came to town a year and a half ago. They're back for another slot at the Black Cat backstage, along with Takka Takka and Scottish headliners Frightened Rabbit. $10, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY
>> San Francisco's Birds & Batteries are stylistically all over the place, fusing indie rock, country, and electronic beats to great effect. They've been garnering rave reviews all over. They'll be at the Red and the Black tomorrow with Your Black Star and Don't Be Glib. $8.

Lorelei

WEDNESDAY
>> Remember the Smoking Popes? The Chicago act was one of the raft of poppy punk bands that rode the Green Day wave back in the mid-90s, but actually managed to keep a cultish following throughout much of that decade with their distinctive Morrissey-meets-The Ramones style. We had no idea they were back in action as of a couple of years ago, but here they are at DC9 this week, with Baltimore's Oranges Band. $12, 9 p.m.

>> Tutu Jones (south Dallas blues and soul) and band plus CJ Chenier and His Red-Hot Louisiana Band (zydeco from Texas despite the name) will keep the dancefloor busy at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival's Texas Dancehall stage. Free, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY
>> Fort Reno's arsenic-free summer continues with a great trio of bands. There's the contemplative Perfect Souvenir, the beautifully melodic The Andalusians, whose sweet harmonies seem perfectly suited for a warm summer night, and the jammy The Makeshift Shakedown. Free, 7:15 p.m.

>> The Smithsonian Folklife Festival curators love Disneyesque "It's a Small World (after all)" themes and tonight they offer "Viva El Paso: Building Connections with Bhutan concert" at the Texas Opry House stage with Mariachi Los Arrieros from Texas, entertainers from the Bhutan Royal Academy of Performing Arts, and artists from the local Buddhist monk community. Free, 6 p.m.

>> Heavy shoegazers Lorelei have been kicking around the D.C. scene for nearly 20 years now, as an on-again, off-again project, with members coming back to the project here and there in the years since their initial breakup in 1996. They'll play the Black Cat backstage with Mahogany $8, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY
>> The Red and the Black is hosting a benefit for Independence Day. Name your price at the door, and whatever you throw down, be it one cent or a hundred bucks, goes to the three charities represented: Food & Friends, Jail Guitar Doors, and Students for a Free Tibet. The Whiz Bang Three will be providing the bulk of the entertainment with their own bluesy song stylings. And if that's not enough to drag you down to H Street, the evening will start with a Best Cover Song contest, and all rail drinks are a measly $3.

>> Wait, you're looking for something to do on Friday aside from barbecues and blowing stuff up? Do you hate America or something?

SATURDAY
>> Catchy and punky The Black and White Jacksons will bring the infectious energy we raved about in our Three Stars feature on the band to DC9 this weekend with a trio of supporting acts, just to make sure everyone gets more than their money's worth. Also on hand, Fever, Wild Fictions, and The Mirror Script $ 8.

>> Nashville-based, Texas-rooted country/folkie guitarist Guy Clark and boogie-woogie pianist Marcia Ball will keep the mall lively at 6 at the Texas Dancehall stage as part of the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival. Free, 6 p.m.

>> Could Wolf Trap be turned into the world's biggest open air discotheque this week? The Lady of the Night herself, Donna Summer, will do what she can to set that lawn to dancing. $25-45, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY
>> When it comes to Cambodian psych-pop with the occasional dose of Ethiopian jazz, there's no name bigger than Dengue Fever. OK, so there's no name apart from that. But the L.A. fusion artists have been pulling music together from unlikely sources and garnering quite a following as a result. They'll take the Black Cat's mainstage with Chicha Libra. $15, 8 p.m.

>> In case you hadn't heard, karaoke is back at Galaxy Hut. Starting in July, every Sunday night will be karaoke night, and if you were a regular back before they cut it off, you'll know that this is a Very Good Thing. Particularly when paired with lots of alcohol.

Bellman Barker photo from the band's Myspace, by Shervin Lainez; Lorelei photo from the band's Myspace. Steve Kiviat contributed to this week's agenda.