FRIDAY:
>> Something tells us heading out to see a concert put on by a man who, due to a struggle with Hepatitis C, thought he might never be able to go on tour again will be an awfully positive, life-affirming experiece. And who couldn’t use a little of that? The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra (he’s pictured at right) is at 9:30 Club, with Lenny Kaye & Jon Dee Graham. $25, 8 p.m.

>> Film Festivals! All over town, there are film festivals! Did we mention the film festivals?

SATURDAY:
>> By now, everyone knows that Brazilian Girls are neither Brazilian nor mostly girls. But is an ironic name reason enough to spend $15? Maybe not, but a band that extolls the virtues of sex and marijuana in such a blatant manner clearly has other things going for it. They’re at 9:30 Club for a late night show, starting at 10 p.m.

>> IOTA has booked close to 20 D.C.-area musicians in an afternoon show to benefit the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts, including Phoebus and Jon Kaplan of Bicycle Thieves. $10 donation, 1 to 6 p.m. A full list of performers can be found here.

>> The Whirling Dirvishes of Istanbul will perform their traditional Mevlevi Sufi ritual at the Warner Theatre at 8 p.m. Alternatively, you could just offer your roommate a six-pack of beer to spin around in circles until he falls on his face. Which would be more entertaining? DCist isn’t quite sure, but no doubt the professionals will be able to keep up their whirling for a significantly longer amount of time. Tickets are $20 to $50.

>> We already told you to go down to the National Mall for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. But we’re telling you again. We’re annoying like that.

SUNDAY:
>> The Decemberists at 9:30 Club is sold out, but there’s always your pal Craig.

>> UPDATE: Did we forget to mention to consider Robbers on High Street at IOTA? How silly of us.