Kind of a slow week around here. Did we miss anything? Add it in the comments.

MONDAY
>> Looks like slim pickings this Monday, though if you like odd pairings and bands with horrible names, you just might be in luck. Grampall Jookabox seems to alternate between grimey lo-fi hip-hop and dustbowl-era folk. Meanwhile, Thintap Woodsap covers the rest of the bases, from showtunes to musette to saloon songs. Black Cat Backstage, $7, 9pm.

TUESDAY
>> It’s Mardi Gras, and there are a couple of joints to check out. In Arlington, the annual Parade on Wilson is pretty self-explanatory, but get over to Iota for free “Gumbo shots” from 6 – 9 p.m. It’s free, and they’ll be playing some New Orleans tunes to celebrate the occasion.

>> Elsewhere, local Cajun and zydeco bands Junkyard Saints, Squeeze Bayou, & Little Red and the Renegades celebrate Mardi Gras out at the Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, MD from 7:30 to 11 p.m

WEDNESDAY
>> If you cringe at the very thought of the rock press hype machine, you’ll want to wear a garland of garlic and stay as far away as possible from the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. New York’s next big thing, progenitors of the burgeoning “African indie prep-pop” movement, Vampire Weekend, takes the stage with Brooklyn songwriter Sam Rosen for a sold out show. 8:30 p.m.

>> Missed out on Vampire Weekend tickets? There’s always Drunken Jenga upstairs instead. $2 PBRs and some retro dance-punk while you play. 8 p.m.

>> If you didn’t catch Lupe Fiasco’s sold-out set at the 9:30 Club last week, you can settle for his hook-singing partner in crime: Matthew Santos will be playing a solo set of his own tunes at the Black Cat’s Backstage with Andy Zipf. $12, 9 p.m.

>> Otis Taylor‘s an African-American blues guitarist & banjo player with a unique, 2 chord droning instrumental sound with semi-political lyrics. He will be on a bill with New Orleans resident Eric Lindell at the State Theatre in Falls Church at 8:30.

THURSDAY
>> It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which hopefully means you’re in the mood for the Sex Workers’ Art Show. Sort of a multimedia, cabaret style event featuring both the good and bad of sex work, which apparently includes a “celebration of prostitution.” Check it out for yourself at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $15, Doors at 8 p.m.