MONDAY
>> At age 95, Mississippi born Pinetop Perkins is still hammering out the blues on his piano. He will be performing for free with the Nighthawks at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab (a Millennium Stage production). He may even be sneaking a smoke onstage, like he was when we saw him a few years back—doesn't he know that's gonna knock years off his life? Free, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY
>> We were mighty disappointed when they cancelled Meredith Bragg's Dahlak gig last week. Luckily we didn't have long to wait for another, as the Three Stars alum will be playing at the Black Cat backstage along with Montreal's Miracle Fortress and Title Tracks, the new project risen from the ashes of Georgie James. $10 Backstage, 9 p.m.

>> The Old Blind Dogs (Scottish traditional) and Téada (Irish traditional) bring the folksy sounds of the old world to the Birchmere. $29.50, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY
>> Glaswegian post-rockers Mogwai are coming back to town, and they're bringing the heavy experimentalists in Fuck Buttons along for the ride. $20, 7 p.m.

>> These United States/Apparitions-associated project Vandaveer will start off the evening at DC9, before Basia Bulat, indie rock's favorite auto harp/hammered dulcimer player headlines. $10, 8:30 p.m.

>> If you like hiphop, Bulgarian harmonies, rock and reggae mixed in your Eastern European klezmer, then the Balkan Beatbox show at the Black Cat should have you dancing. With Joro Boro. $15, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY
>> This show seems likely to come near to the capacity of the Black Cat's backstage, as it features two well known local bands. After Buffalo's Red Tag Rummage Sale start the night, ex-Dismemberment Planners Statehood are up next, followed by the reunited Faraquet. $8, 9 p.m.

>> We interviewed Olivia Mancini & the Housemates back in the spring, and they played an Unbuckled show a couple of years ago, so they should be pretty familiar to our readers by now. They'll be at the Velvet Lounge with Oscillating Fan Club, Marshall Costan & the Awesome Few, as well as Donny Hue & the Colors, who they frequently share a bill with. $7, 9:30 p.m.

>> The Simon Shaheen Ensemble is led by Palestinian oud player Shaheen who blends traditional Arabic music with jazz and a bit of Anglo pop. They will be offering their global approach at the University of Maryland Clarice Smith Center. $35, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY
>> Way back in 2005, DCist started profiling local bands in regular end-of-the-month features we like to call Three Stars. And the very first band we profiled was Death By Sexy. Considering the ephemeral nature of D.C. bands, we're happy to report that they're still together and playing this week at the Velvet Lounge with The Expotentials and The Chance. $8, 9 p.m.

>> the break/s is a multimedia history of hip-hop that will be presented in verse, dance, and film by poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph at the Kennedy Center (through Sat. 9/20) $20, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY
>> Former Jonathan*Fire Eater singer Stuart Lupton has been performing for quite a while now as The Childballads, and the band (now billing themselves as The Child Ballads) recently released their debut EP. They'll headline at the Velvet Lounge with San Francisco folk-psych band Dame Satan, and Foreign Press, which features members of Three Stars alums The Caribbean and Plums. 9 p.m. (no price listed)

>> Chopteeth, a D.C. outfit into old-school Nigerian afrobeat will be having their CD release party at the Black Cat with ngoni player Cheick Hamala Diabate and rapper Head-Roc joining them, and West African drumming and dance orchestra Farafina Kan opening. $15, 9 p.m.

>> Our own Nestor Diaz was enamored of Club Scout's hook-heavy, guitar-driven power pop when he saw them open for Pash and Poor But Sexy two weeks ago. If you missed out, you can catch them this week in a benefit show at Electric Maid in Takoma Park. They'll take the stage with A Born Idler and Oak Oak Okay. Electric Maid is a community arts space that has hosted bands, artists, and community groups, but as is always the case for alternative spaces, funding is never easy. So head out to Takoma Park and throw a few dollars their way for an evening of excellent entertainment. $5 (but, of course, feel free to donate more if you're feeling generous), 8 p.m.

>> The Queen of hiphop-soul Mary J. Blige returns to the area with Robin Thicke (future king of blue-eyed hiphop-soul?) at Nissan Pavilion. $49.75-$125.75, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY
>> Fans of Persepolis may be intrigued to hear what rock 'n' roll fueled by the same rebellious spirit that inspired Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel/movie sounds like. Tehran's Hypernova had to come by their influences in secret, as well as record their debut record illegally. We figure when a band that has to whisper about its very existence probably makes a pretty thunderous noise once they finally get to play without having to look over their shoulders. They'll play the Red and the Black with The Blue Line. $8, 9 p.m.

>> The World Music Folklife Center presents Kal, a Romani Gypsy outfit, will be bringing their unique Eastern European sound to the Cherry Hill Park Conference Center in College Park. $20, dance lesson 5:30; concert 7:30.

>> La India, a onetime Latin disco singer turned salsa star, will be singing her island-rooted hits at the Salsa Room (formerly Cecelia's) in Arlington. $35, 9 p.m.

>> Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stax Records with the earthy soul of Booker T. & the MGs and Eddie "Knock on Wood" Floyd at the 9:30 Club. $40.

Steve Kiviat contributed to this week's agenda.