Daniel Johnston is many things — a highly influential songwriter, a cult hero, a widely exhibited visual artist, an indie rock legend and a lo-fi pioneer — but he is anything but a consistent performer. At a show at last year's South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, Johnston barely made it through a shambling set with his new band, the Nightmares. He forgot words and chords, made a number of offensive comments and gestures......

We don't understand why Benjy Ferree is not a big star. The Three Stars alum plays roosty indie gems and has great stage presence — he's a funny and engaging and a strong performer. He's toured with Spoon and The New Pornographers and is signed to Domino Records (Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, etc). And his band is basically a D.C. supergroup, with Laura Harris of The Aquarium, Amy Domingues and Jonah Takagi from Garland......

FRIDAY >> The legendary Patti Smith is at the 9:30 Club tonight, and tickets are incredibly still available for $25. Doors at 9, show at 10 p.m. >> The idea of attending a lighting display, particularly after Christmas, might sound a bit cheesy. But the Garden of Lights in Wheaton might just change your mind. The designer tours the county gardens each year for inspiration for his display; this year, it invokes the four seasons.......

FRIDAY: >> It’s been over six years since he last had a properly released album, but crooner Bilal (left) has still managed to catch people’s attention with some of his latest material. Too bad it was illegally leaked and now his label is threatening never to let the refined product see the light of day. Regardless, his Black Cat performance should be noteworthy. 9 p.m., $22. >> We’ve told you about Deleted Scenes many times......

The male/female rock duo formula is a time tested tradition. Whether it owes to the simplicity of the setup, the contrasting timbres and harmonies possible, or some sort of subliminal sexual tension is anyone's guess. But from Richard & Linda Thompson to Quasi to the White Stripes to Sonny & Cher, and even, um, Roxette, there's no denying its appeal. The Aquarium popped up in D.C. a full half decade ago, quietly building a following......

Good morning, Washington. As you make your way into work on this fine morning, a note to fans of Canadian super group Stars: "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead"? Good song. "Set Yourself on Fire"? Good song. Setting your ex-lover on fire? Apparently not cool. Attack of the Dubyas: Washington Post Radio (WTWP) is shifting to a "personality driven talk format." And whose personalities (I hear you cry) will be driven into us courtesy of the once-anodyne......

>> It's the annual Night of 1,000 Cakes at Fort Reno. Did we mention the Free Cake? Free Cake! (in the form of cupcakes). Also Aquarium, Benjy Ferree and Yell County. 7:15 p.m. >> Jammin' Java in Vienna is trying something different tonight with Porto Beat, a night of electronic music featuring four of the area's top DJ talents: Ross Lara, DJ Lantern, Ramiro and DJ Nexius. All ages show, $10 for under 21,......

>> In the early 1970s, Charles Burnett made a film called Killer of Sheep as his MFA thesis film at UCLA, and it became an instant landmark in American cinema. But few people ever got a chance to see it, because the stellar soundtrack included too many classic songs by the likes of Etta James and Dinah Washington to make it affordable to release it into theaters. This week, Washingtonians have a rare chance......

MONDAY >> We've made no secret of our love for Benjy Ferree, and judging from the amount he seems to be playing around town, everyone else must be enjoying him as well. He's headed out into the great wide open for some of the summer touring season though, so better get over to the Black Cat backstage tonight before he hits the road. With Chicago's The 1900s. $8, 9 p.m. >> Nü metal may be......

Amy Domingues is busy. Aside from being a full time cello teacher, and aside from being the go-to cellist for local musicians (having played on records by Fugazi, Bob Mould, Ted Leo, Jenny Toomey, and Benjy Ferree, among many others), Amy also has her own band, Garland of Hours. The band is a shifting cast of characters; past players include Brendan Canty, Devin Ocampo, Jerry Busher and Mary Timony, and pretty much any of......

As we mentioned in the Morning Roundup today, there are plenty of ways to define the start of summer. For music lovers in the D.C. area however, once Fort Reno starts, you know the lazy days of fire fly catching and swimming pool splashing are officially upon us. We told you last week about the opening lineup for this summer's series on June 18, but we're happy to tell you now that the full......

FRIDAY: >> You don't need us to tell you any more about local heavyweights Benjy Ferree, Meredith Bragg and the Terminals, or Greenland. But tonight is Ferree's first time headlining at Black Cat's mainstage, so don't forget to show up and lend your support. 9 p.m., $10. SATURDAY: >> Guitarist Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will spin a DJ set at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $10 after 10 p.m., free before. >>......

MONDAY >>The alternately whimsical and dark Decemberists (who DCist caught the last time they came to town) perform their second show at the 9:30 club tonight in support of their recently released album The Crane's Wife. While this show is sold out, you can try your luck with both craigslist or enjoy the show from the comfort of your own couch on NPR. Lavender Diamond opens. 8:30pm >> Apples in Stereo will be playing with......

FRIDAY: >> Comets on Fire bring their detailed, funky prog sound to D.C., with openers Benjy Ferree(***) and (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope at Black Cat. I (heart) music tells us that if you love Deep Purple, you'll like Comets on Fire. Listen to a few tracks over at Hype Machine to test the waters. $12, 9:30 p.m. >> Looking for a straight-up chance to dance? Venezuela's Los Amigos Invisibles always deliver, with DJ Afro at......

Benjy Ferree is a seasoned local musician of whom you may not yet know. While he regularly plays local gigs, you will surely never be met head on with advertisements promoting his next show unlike other bands in D.C. -- his music already speaks loudly enough for him. Fans of Ferree’s music will attest to his robust voice and his ability to paint a warm emotional picture with his folk rock music and vivid lyrics......

FRIDAY: The Mozart Year is almost halfway over — the man's birthday was January 27 — but classical concert programming continues to celebrate it. Opera Lafayette gets in the game tonight and tomorrow (June 2 and 3, 7:30 p.m.) with a concert performance of Mozart's first important opera, Idomeneo, at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park. The vocal cast promises to be excellent, including an up-and-coming young singer named Millicent Scarlett, who......