Martha and the Vandellas

FRIDAY:

>> Closing out the Live! On Woodrow Wilson Plaza concert series for the season will be none other than D.C. favorite, Chuck Brown. Free, 5 p.m.

>> Jacksonville, Florida's Black Kids headline a sold out Black Cat mainstage show, with The Virgins and Magic Wands. You can always try Craigslist, or trying to find someone with an extra ticket outside the show. 9 p.m.

>> The Arlington Arts Center, which is currently hosting the exhibit Picturing Politics 2008, will have an artist panel called From the Gallery to the Street. Welmoed Laanstra, Kriston Capps, and Josh Shannon will discuss political art and its impact outside the gallery. Begins 6:30 p.m., stay for debate watching at 7:30 p.m.

>> Velvet Lounge is hosting Wall of Soundfest DC, a multi-city celebration of experimental, noisy rock 'n' roll. D.C. will be represented by True Womanhood (who love to create percussive instruments out of just about anything) and Dark Sea Dream, with Seattle's Joy Wants Eternity and The Electric Lions from Detroit rounding out the bill. 9 p.m., $10.

SATURDAY:

>> See the work of some American icons at the Smithsonian American Art Museum this weekend when they open Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities.

>> Rock Creek Park celebrates 118 years with its regular Rock Creek Park Day event. Perfect for the kids, full schedule here.

>> The annual Clarendon Day street fair is back. Find all the details here. Noon to 7 p.m. Free.

>> Conner Contemporary opens their new gallery space at 1358-60 Florida Avenue NE. Stay tuned for our full preview, and check out our interview with featured artist Leo Villareal. Opening reception is 6 to 8 p.m., RSVP required: info [at] connercontemporary.com.

>> The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History's ambitious new Sant Ocean Hall opens to the public this Saturday. Check out our photographer's preview of what's in store for visitors. The grand opening runs 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will include musical performances by the Aloha Boys and a panel discussion at 1 p.m. with the team that created the new permanent exhibition.

>> Robert Pollard and his current band, the Boston Spaceships, will be accompanied by Philadelphia's nasally power pop trio The High Strung and Laundry Room Squelchers at the Black Cat Mainstage. 8 p.m., $15

>> The Carlyle Club in Alexandria has the incomparable Martha and the Vandellas. You'll be dancing in the streets for sure. Tickets are $50, dinner seating at 6:30, p.m., 2 drink minimum.

SUNDAY:

>> The Washington City Paper's Crafty Bastards craft fair is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Marie Reed Learning Center in Adams Morgan. Get a sneak peek at what the vendors will have in store at their handsomely designed online gallery.

>> Two acts preserving the traditions of African American music team up at the Kennedy Center for a double bill. The show will combine the New Orleans sound of Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the soulful gospel of the Blind Boys of Alabama, who will perform sets separately before sharing the stage. Check out our full preview. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $20 to $65.

>> The University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts hosts another great double bill with saxophone legend Wayne Shorter and his quartet, featuring pianist Danilo Perez, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist John Patitucci. The supergroup will join forces with world/classical quintet Imani Winds for what is sure to be a spectacular show. Tickets to the 6 p.m. show are sold out, but it's worth contacting the box office for last minute cancellations.

>> Raphael Saadiq has made a name for himself as a member of Tony!Toni!Tone!, Lucy Pearl, and as a solo artist. He'll be at the Black Cat performing songs from his Motown Sound-inspired release, The Way I See It. $28 in advance/$30, 8 p.m.

>> My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult is at DC9, with D.C.'s own gothic 23Rainydays. 9 p.m., $15 in advance/$17 day of show.

>> Sonic Circuits starts today with a CD release party for the festival's compilation, featuring performances by an extremely long list of bands at the Velvet Lounge. 7 p.m., $8.