FRIDAY: >> The city’s free concert series follows MC Hammer with a rare appearance by salsa legend Willie Colon, 7-9 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson Center. >> President Nixon’s White House counsel John Dean will be at Politics and Prose to discuss his book, Broken Government, which examines “the institutional damage he believes the Republican Party has inflicted on the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government during the Bush administration.” 7 p.m. He’ll also be…

>> Sheffield’s The Long Blondes, often called a female-fronted version of the Arctic Monkeys, are at Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with Nicole Atkins and the Sea and Five Four. $12, 8 p.m. >> Latin jazz legend and Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri begins a four-night stint at Blues Alley tonight, with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets through Sunday. Tickets are $35. >> John Updike will be at Temple Sinai to read from his book…

>> The funky sounds of New Orleans come to the Wonderland Ballroom tonight with Yamomanem. The music starts at 9 p.m. >> It may come as a surprise, but some of the most innovative jazz in the world is now coming out of Norway. The scene’s music is known for its fearlessness and avant-garde sensibilities. The Zanussi Five, led by bassist Per Zanussi, is one such group and they are making a stop at Twins…