Can’t say I’ve paid much attention to Chris Cornell since I got sick of seeing the video for “Black Hole Sun” on never-ending repeat on MTV in the late ’90s. Audioslave had a few good tunes, but not enough to make me stop and take notice. So I was basically a blank slate heading into the 9:30 Club last night for Cornell’s solo show. Sure, I had heard the (mostly negative) buzz about his new…

TUESDAY Got someone in your life who neatly fits within the Young Adult demographic? They’d be pleased as punch to meet China Mieville, whose new fantasy novel, Un Lun Dun, reads like a Pan’s Labyrinth without all the blood-spatter and heavy overtones of European fascism. And, yeah, you grown-ups will probably dig it as well. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY There was a time when “hooking up” really meant something….

Before delving into the week’s picks, we want to point out a couple of hurricane benefits that are happening this week. This Thursday, come out and support musicians affected by hurricane Katrina. The State Theater in Falls Church hosts the Hell or High Water Benefit, featuring the legendary Chuck Brown. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, with all proceeds benefitting the MusiCares Katrina Fund. 7 p.m. If you’re feeling philanthropic as…

Spring has sprung (well, sort of), and concerts in the D.C. area are in full bloom. We thought we had enough on our plate with the upcoming April and May line ups, but with some concert announcements in the past week, there’s even more than we expected. >> Bright Eyes sold out quickly the last time he came around, but apparently he can’t get enough of the District – dreamboat Conor Oberst (at right) is…