The Blind Boys of Alabama The after effects of Hurricane Katrina rarely get headlines these days. A historic presidential election, economic troubles, and other natural disasters have seen to that. Still, the suffering continues for many despite the inattention of the national debate. While artists don’t have ability to enact policy changes to save a city on the brink, they can use the stage and microphone to draw attention to this ongoing issue. Thankfully,…

>> The National are playing a sold-out show at 9:30 Club tonight, with Shapes and Sizes & Talkdemonic, doors at 7:15 p.m. If you don’t have tickets, you have three options: Get thee to craigslist, park yourself at DC9 before the show and keep an eye out for folks who got stood up, or sit in the sweet, sweet air conditioning at home and tune into NPR’s live streaming web cast of the headliners…

>> The keepers of traditional New Orleans jazz, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (pictured), whose members range in age from 31 to 88, visit The Lincoln Theater tonight. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are $30. >> For those who prefer to look to the future instead of the past, fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty comes to The Birchmere to perform his unique blend of jazz, rock, and world music. The show begins at 7:30 p.m….