DC / Baltimore / DMV Global Music and More February 2025
Concert Calendar Gig List
Compiled &
curated list of area gigs by local and touring bands and djs by Steve
Kiviat. List is edited and updated
frequently (gigs @ Bossa and go-go shows are often just announced the week of
the show; Work your way down day by day.
Sorry this is late this month. Also, I do my best to notice cancelled &
postponed gigs but sometimes miss them. In these troubling times, music is a bit
helpful.
Calendar is posted, updated, and viewable here on the blog,
and events tweeted @stevekiviat and posted on my Bluesky & Threads.
Calendar is sometimes linked on my Facebook & Instagram (& may get own
pages there soon). Email list coming soon. Gig list includes international
(mainly African, Caribbean, Latin, Brazilian, Asian), roots, rap, soul, go-go,
rock, punk, pop, gospel, blues , & club dj dance and more DMV &
Baltimore & Annapolis gigs that I am interested in. Lots of local Ethiopian and Go-go. Some jazz
but I mainly leave that to Capital Bop.
Additional gigs added after first posting have an *asterisk.* Events listed have been found on websites,
Instagram, Facebook, email, postcards, flyers, tik-tok, & club voicemails.
To submit events (for
posting) or comments (that are not posted) e-mail stevenkiviat @ gmail.com
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February 2025- My Remaining Highlights (mostly visiting
acts) (then full list below w/ local & visiting).
Wed. Feb. 5- TJ Hooker- Taylor @ Eloquent Touch
Ballroom (soul by the late Johnnie Taylor’s son)
Thurs. Feb. 6- Kayhan Kalhor, Wu Man, and Sandeep Das
unite their musical prowess as DoosTrio, a group that brings together the
ancient traditions of Iran, China, and India @ Barns of Wolf Trap (sold out)
Fri. Feb. 7 - Go-go w/ Backyard Band & Junkyard
Band after Wizards basketball game v
Cleveland Cavs @ Capital One Arena
(included in ticket cost for the game)
Mon. Feb. 10- "Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat"
depressing must see sometimes inspiring film doc about US overthrowing Congo
Prez Lumumba & sending Louis Armstrong to perform there; & other jazz
musicians later protesting at UN w/ brief inclusion of Congo music @ 7 @ Rhizome (donations benefit show)
Tues. Feb. 11 – Mdou Moctar and band acoustic w/
opener Janel Leppin @ Birchmere (north
African headliner, DC opener on cello )
Thurs. Feb. 13- DC History week/DMV Hip-hop music
& conversations w/ DMV important names including DJ Kool, Stinky Dink, DC
Scorpio, Questionmark Asylum, Priest Da Nomad, DJ RBI & a tribute to recently passed DJ Celo @
6 to 10 @ Busboys & Poet, 2021 14th St NW
Fri. Feb.14- The Moles (Australian-bred, New
England-based Richard Davies from Cardinal) and Tobin Sprout w/ Bevel Web (from
Guided by Voices) @ Songbyrd ( garage guitar pop )
Sat. Feb 15- Cymande
@ Howard Theatre (reunited early 70s Brit Funk group)
Amapiano DMV w/ Musa Keys @ Culture Ivy City (South African dance club music tinged w/ r&b & hiphop)
Mon. Feb. 17- Toro y Moi, Panda Bear, Nourished by
Time @ 930 Club (quirky indie-rock & multi-genre rap/r& b/ rock )
Thurs. Feb. 20- Okan @Clarice Smith Center (jazzy Afro-Cuban music w/ vocals, violin & percussion. 2 Cuban leaders are now based in Toronto )
Hot 8 Brass Band @ Pearl St Warehouse (New Orleans)
Sat. Feb. 22- Capital Blues Fest/ Blues is Alright
Southern soul tour w/ King George,
Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, Lenny Williams, Jwonn @ DAR Const. Hall
Wed. Feb. 26- Dayme
Arocena free 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center
Millennium Stage ( Afro-Cuban singer now based in Florida)
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February 2025 Full list (*asterisks will be used to show
any additional events added throughout the month or changes *)
Sat. Feb. 1-
Slumberland 35th anniv. @ Comet Slumberland
Records 35th Anniversary Party w/ Lorelei, Jeanines, Lightheaded
Kankouran Dance Co
Dance Sanctuary @ K Ctr Reach (African
dance)
Pan American Symphony Orchestra (PASO) brings you a lush
symphonic extravaganza - works by three of Spain's most celebrated composers
Pablo de Sarasate, Joaquin Turina, and Manuel de Falla. @ K Ctr Terrace Theatre
Akua Allrich tribute to Nina Simone & Miriam Makeba @ PG Publick Playhouse
Lunar New Year family celebration w/ K-pop dancers, Chinese
lion dancers, Korean folk musicians and drummers @ 11:30 to 3 pm @ Smithsonian
American Art Museum
Lunar New Year @ the Freer & Sackler activities from 1
to 3; then lion dances and more from 3 to 7 sponsored by Freer/Sackler/Asian @
Arts & Industries Museum building
KC & the Sunshine Band @ MGM National Harbor
Fazil Say @ Linehan Concert Hall Baltimore (Turkish pianist)
New Impressionz @ 1313 Lounge
Backyard Band @ Urban Crab Boil
- Stone Pleasure Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Bob Marley Birthday Bash @ Bethesda Theater
the Rock a Sonics and Hot Club d'Brookmont @ the Brookmont
Church, 4000 Virginia Place, Bethesda (rockabilly and swing)
Rhinestone Hecklers, The Delarcos @ American Legion Post 41
Cissel-Saxon (garage rock )
Bob Marley’s 80th birthday reggae @ Bethesda Theater
Broommaker, Jason Anderson, Hotel Sewing Kit @ Rhizome
(indie folk)
Little Red & the Renegades @ 7:30 @ Creative Cauldron
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ Lu
Latin Hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ras Band w/ guest singers @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Rare Essence @ 11 @
Aqua (go-go)
Tropical Saturday Nights w/ Dj Ghost & G-Nice @ Carib
Express in Laurel
Proper Utensils @ Lake Presidential Golf Club
Nite Bjuti @ 7 @ Kennedy Center Reach
Steve Forbert @ Rams Head Annapolis
Afrobeats & r & B dj @
Gazuza Lounge
Tropical beats w/
Leon City Sounds djs @ Green Zone
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Sun. Feb. 2-
DC Chinese New Year parade w/ lion, dragon, & snake
dancers, bands and more starts @ 2 pm @ 6th and I sts NW and closes
at 6th and H with firecrackers
Choral tribute to MLK @ Kenn Ctr
Shadow Riot & Quattracenta @ Black Cat
Souk Li Beirut w/ Sarney & the Band, Mark Azar 4 to 9 @
Culture DC ( music, sweets, & more to benefit NAFTA NGO & Lebanese Red
Cross)
Fazil Say @ Peale Museum Baltimore (Turkish pianist) (sold
out)
Duah Saleh @ Union Stage (Sudan-American poet/rapper/ r&
b vocalist)
Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience’ at Busboys and Poets
‘Living the Dream, Singing the Dream’ MLK Tribute presented annually by Washington
Performing Arts and Choral Arts, w/ WPA’s men’s, women’s and children’s gospel
choirs, plus Choral Arts, local gospel’s Ralph Alan Herndon @ the Kennedy Center
Georgetown University
professor Maurice Jackson’s “Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience” book discusses
how Black Washingtonians used sports and
music to fight for equality, discussing icons like composer Duke Ellington and
basketball coach John Thompson and James
Reese Europe. Jackson talks about his book at Busboys and Poets 14th and V
location, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. Feb. 2 at 5 p.m.
Vava Carnival @ 8 @ Bossa
Spotlight Band @ Lamont’s
Time in the Wilderness @ Galaxy Hut
Bob Marley: One Love film @ 3 in Kennedy Center Reach
Steve Forbert @ Jammin Java (folk)
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Restaurant in Silver Spring (through Sunday)
Roots Band @ Makeda
Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian
music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian
music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @
Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @
Malcolm X Park returns in the spring
Afrobeats dj @ St
Ex
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Mon. Feb. 3 –
Accessory (Dehd songwriter and guitarist Jason Balla & Chicago-based
musicians) with Kiss Kiss (members of Clear Channel and Bottled Up, first show)
and Skate Stance @ Rhizome (post-punk)
Mama Moon & the Rumpshakers @ 6 to 9 @ Westminster
Church SW (blues)
Small old-school Go-go exhibit w/ photos ,
Globe posters, & record covers @ Brentwood Arts Exchange (Mon. thru Sat.
through March 8)
Ethiopian music
live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz @ Shalla
A Day without Immigrants restaurants closure protest
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Tues. Feb. 4-
Ethan WL, Raven Bauer Durham, J.M. Hart @ Rhizome
(fingerpick, American primitive singer /songwriter)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre @ Kennedy Center (to Feb.
9th)
Small old-school Go-go exhibit w/ photos , Globe posters,
& record covers @ Brentwood Arts Exchange (Mon. thru Sat. through March 8)
Ethiopian music @ Lion’s Den in
Falls Church
Blacc Print
Experience @ Martini's White Plains (go-go)
Dancehall reggae dj @ Society Lounge
*Still Familiar , Positive Vybez @ 8:30 @ Fast Eddie's (go-go)*
--------------------------------------------------------------
TJ Hooker- Taylor @
Eloquent Touch Ballroom (soul)
Shemekia Copeland @ Collective Encore Columbia (blues)
Yasmin Williams. 7PM, $30 @ Creative Alliance (fingerpicking
& more guitar)
Cuzzo w/ DJ Hollywood
Redds and R&B songwriter Omar Vacel @ Songbyrd (dc rapper)
Korean drumming collective GongMyoung free @ 6 to 7 @
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Forgotten Fugazi: Rediscovered Photos from 1995 Art Opening
@ Holy Frijoles Baltimore
Clive Carroll @ Jammin Java (British acoustic fingerstyle guitarist
)
----------------------------------------------------------
Thurs Feb. 6-
Kayhan Kalhor, Wu
Man, and Sandeep Das unite their musical prowess as DoosTrio, a group that
brings together the ancient traditions of Iran, China, and India @ Barns of
Wolf Trap (sold out)
Patti Labelle @ MGM National Harbor (r & b)
Shemekia Copeland @ Collective Encore Columbia (blues)
Fabio Carneirinho @ 9 @ Bossa (Brazilian forro)
Joy Oladokun @ Rams Head Annapolis
Jazzmeia Horn @ Blues Alley (jazz
singer)
Sue Foley @ Hamilton Live (blues and Americana)
Cinema Hearts @ Phillips Collection after 5 (indie-surf-pop)
Karyn White @ Birchmere (r & b)
Eban Brown @ Keystone Korner ( soul and gospel musician)
Bold and Beautiful: After Dark - after-hours event w/ a team
of poets who will create original works with input from visitors before typing
them up on vintage typewriters. W/ DJ Jerome Baker III while visitors can explore
the current exhibition, “A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts
Education in Washington, DC, 1900-2000,” or sample desserts, @ 7 to 10 p.m. @
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Dylan LeBlanc free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
(Louisiana/Alabama indie-rock-folk singer /songwriter)
Adwela & the Uprising Bob Marley tribute @ Pearl Street
Newgrounds Death Rugby, Bummer Hill, Spring Silver @ Comet P
Pong
Les the DJ @ Grazie Mille
The Thrills @ JVs (roots rock)
Longtimers @ Hank Dietle’s (roots rock inspired by classic New
Orleans r & b)
Live Ethiopian music w/ guitarist Selamino & band @ Shalla
Restaurant in Silver Spring
Roots Band @ Makeda
Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian
music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian
music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @
Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
What Band feat.
Killa Cal @ Martini's Ft Washington (go-go)
Afrobeats w/ DJ
Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge
Afro-Caribbean dj @
Kaldis
A-Team w/ Steve Roy
from Still Familiar 5 to 9 @ Next Level (go-go)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fri. Feb 7-
Kumar Sanu & Sadhna Sargam @ MGM National Harbor (India
playback singers for Bollywood movies)
Yasmin Williams , w/ Amadou Kouyate @ Birchmere (fingerpicking
guitar w/ locally based Malian kora player)
Joy Oladukun @ Howard (indie-folk-rock)
Perennial, Dim Wizard, Miri Tyler @ Black Cat (rock)
Owners w/ Zwei Null Zwei, Teen Cobra @ DC 9 ( Owners are
Black Cat bosses & employee ; ZNZ are Eli Janney, Geoff Sanoff, James
Canty, Sohrab Habibion: DC expats living in NY, making music inspired by
Düsseldorf and Dorf on Golf)
Fazil Say @ Lisner (Turkish pianist)
Save Your Soul w/ DJ Baby Alcatraz @ 9 pm @ Lithuanian Hall Baltimore
Jazzmeia Horn @ Bles Alley (jazz singer)
Baltimore Crankie Festival @ Creative Alliance (sold out)
Lutalo @ Songbyrd (indie-folk rock)
Sequoia Redwood Snyder free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center
Millennium Stage (jazz )
Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ Rhizome (jazz )
Edhochuli, Infinity Knives X Brian Ennals, Euclid C Finder X
Ixias, Holographic Brad @ 7PM @ Metro Baltimore
Tayls (East Nashville), Buko Buko (DC), XK Scenario @ Pie
Shop (rock, punk, prog-hop-rock)
Alberto Plaza @ Diamond Lounge (Chile
singer/songwriter/guitarist)
Dareyes De La Sierra, Los Arellano @ 90 Degrees
Los Adolescentes @ VIP Room in
Baltimore
Edmond Dédé's Morgiane (1st complete opera by a
fourth-generation free person of color born in 1827 New Orleans was recently
found & is now performed) @ U of MD Clarice Smith Center (pay what you
wish)
Pepe & Friends 6 to 9 @ Westminster Church SW (Latin
jazz & more w/ vocals )
DJ Crown Vic @ Cana (global dance music on vinyl)
After Thoughts Band @ Lamont’s
(soul)
Rare Essence @ Fast
Eddie’s (go-go)
Backyard Band @
Restaurant 55 (go-go)
New Impressionz @
10 @ Throw Social (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica
Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ Lu w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda
Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Live Ethiopian
music @ Shalla
Ethiopian
music @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian
music @ Black Rose Lounge
Live Ethiopian
instrumental music w/ guitarist Selamino & band 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
EU @ Air (go-go)
*Arabic music dj @ Green Zone *
*Asian City Pop Dance Party (w/ Korean, Cantonese, Japanese, Southeast Asian pop dance) -Chinatown Funk Express w/ DJ Les, Fredy J, Saucy Lady @ 8 @ 618 H St NW *
*Blacc Print Experience @ Urban Crab (go-go)*
-------------------------------------------
Sat. Feb. 8-
Joy Viver, Crowd Scene, Devin Ocampo (known from DC bands Medications,
Beauty Pill ) @ Rhizome ( dreamy guitar rock and more )
Mannywellz @ Howard (r & b/afrobeats )
New Impressionz, TOB, Drama Squad @ Fast Eddie’s (go-go)
Frederick Douglass birthday celebration w/ Washington Revels
Jubilee Voices at 12:15 pm @ Martha's Table in SE
Fred Folsom dc art exhibit opening at AU
Hand dancing 1 to 5 w/ DJ T-Play & food from hand dancer
Chef Geach @ Brentwood Volunteer Fire Department
Backyard Band @ Fire Station 1 (go-go)
Deep Dive DC w/ dj S.O.N.S. (Junction, Seoul) @10 @ 915 15th
St NW
Uzbek Cultural Show w/ Friendship Nation Ensemble and opera
baritone Jenisbek Piyazov free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble @ An Die Musik
Ebban & Ephraim Dorsey Quintet @ Keystone Korner
Dance Club w/ guest DJ Soso Tharpa, plus resident djs
Baronhawk Poitier, Tommy C, & Joyce Lim @ 11 @ DC 9 (techno)
Fanoplane, ¡FIASCO! and Freq Flag @ Comet (rock, punky jazz,
jazzy punk)
Los Adolescentes @ Casa de Campo in Annandale
Adoni @ Club One
Afrobeats & r & B dj @ Gazuza Lounge
DJ Crown Vic @ Green Zone (global dance music on vinyl)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ Lu
Latin Hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ras Band w/ guest singers @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Rare Essence @ 11 @
Aqua (go-go)
Rock-a-Sonics @ Hank Dietle’s (rockabilly & country)
*DJ John Murph @ Eaton House *
-------------------------------------------------
Sun. Feb 9-
Banda Los Recoditos, Banda Carnaval Y Primos De Tierra @ Rio
Cantina
James Baldwin in I Heard it through the Grapevine movie @ 2
@ National gallery of art
1252 Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Backyard Band @ Citizens & Culture (go-go)
Serenades for Art Daniels tribute event for late employee @
Galaxy Hut
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
(through Sunday)
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park returns in the spring
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Soundtrack to
a Coup d’Etat" important depressing must see film doc about US
overthrowing Congo Prez Lumumba & sending Louis Armstrong to perform there;
& other jazz musicians later protesting at UN w/ brief inclusion of Congo
music @ 7 @ Rhizome (donations benefit
show)
TNT – Linwood Taylor & Michael Tash Blues Band @ 6 to 9
@ Westminster Church SW (blues)
Small old-school Go-go exhibit w/ photos , Globe posters,
& record covers @ Brentwood Arts Exchange (Mon. thru Sat. through March 8)
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz @
Shalla
----------------------------------------------------------
Mdou Moctar and
band acoustic w/ opener Janel Leppin @
Birchmere (north African headliner, DC opener on cello )
Dom Flemons @ Rams Head Annapolis (blues/Americana roots)
Tim Heidecker & the Very Good Band @Black Cat
Our City, Our Music, Our Writers w/ local writers on jazz,
Georgetown University Professor Maurice Jackson and NEA Jazz Master Willard
Jenkins @ Hill Center. ( Jackson
just published Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians
Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality. He will also talk about DC
Jazz: Stories of Jazz Music in Washington, DC., which he co-edited. Jenkins, DC Jazz Festival’s artistic director
and WPFW radio host wrote Ain’t But a Few of Us. Black Music Writers Tell Their
Story)
Molchat Doma @ Anthem (Belarus postpunk synth rock)
Dino Maccabee & Zach Mason @ Rhizome (experimental
folk-pop & electronic drone music respectively)
In the Heights musical starts @ Signature Theatre (Latin
uptown NYC theme)
Ethiopian music @ Lion’s Den in Falls Church
Blacc Print Experience @ Martini's White Plains (go-go)
Dancehall reggae dj @
Society Lounge
Col. Josh Band @ Hank Dietle’s (honky-tonk rock)
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Wed. Feb. 12 –
Lizz Wright @ Kennedy Center (r& b/Americana vocalist)
Salsa meets go-go w/ Orquesta Manplesa and Too Much Talent
Band @ Pearl St Warehouse
DC Street Jocks Rocked the House (film doc by Beverly
Lindsay-Johnson about ‘70s Black DC dance music club djs) w/ a discussion after w/
Lindsay-Johnson, Gregg Diggs (The Classics) , DJ Kool@ 6 @ Francis Gregory
Neighborhood Library, 3600 Alabama Ave SE
DC history Week “Picture Day” panel discussion from 6 to 10 w/
producer One9, Ron Moten, & early
days of go-go photographer Greg Mr G Sanders who took photos of people at shows
in front of backdrops he set up; @ UDC
Hard Day’s Night (Beatles film ) @ 7
@ the Senator in Baltimore
Get Up Kids at
Black Cat (sold Out)
Lena Jonsson Trio
free from 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (Swedish folk, jazz,
American old-time, and electro-acoustic sounds)
Jazz Pianist
Lafayette Gilchrist spinning and then talking about 1965 Andrew Hill record
Point of Departure @ Idle Hour in Baltimore
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar
(go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
Kizomba and bachata dj & dancing @ Crossroads 2
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thurs. Feb. 13-
Countdown At Kusini ( 1976 film) @ Library of Congress Pickford Theatre . Directed by Ossie Davis.
Screenplay by Ossie Davis, Ladi Ladebo, and Al Freeman, Jr., based on the story
by ethnomusicologist John Storm Roberts about a Black jazz musician visiting an
independent African country who becomes
involved in the struggle against a puppet government controlled by
multinational corporations. Filmed in Nigeria in 1974. With Ruby Dee, Greg
Morris, Ossie Davis, Tom Aldredge, Michael Ebert, Thomas Baptiste. (99 min,
color, 35mm print) w/ Cameroonian Manu Dibango score . Free but first come, first seated in small 64
seat room.
Howard Hewett and Keith Washington @ Morgan State
From Wose to Farafina Kan: A Musical Celebration (African
dance & jazz- D.C. Jazz Festival’s artist-in-residence, bassist Corcoran
Holt, curated the lineup. Dancing is encouraged. DC Collective jazz with drum and dance
ensemble Farafina Kan) @ 7:30 @ Arena Stage’s Kogod Cradle. Pay what you can.
Des Demonas @ DC 9 (garage punk)
Flack @ VFW Post 350 Hells Bottom (roots rock)
Girls Rock ! DC benefit with musicians covering pop hits @ Songbyrd
Early James free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy
Center Millennium Stage (gravely Tom Waits like singer/songwriter/guitarist
)
Listening Sessions: R&B Love Songs Edition @ Kennedy
Center Studio K in the Reach
Yuridia @ Warner Theater (Mexican singer famed for being on a
tv show )
Devon Kay, Dollar Signs, Tiny Stills @ Quarry House
Bill Starks & David Chappell @ 5:30 @ Hank Dietle’s
(roots) Grandsons @ 8 pm there
Live Ethiopian music w/
guitarist Selamino & band @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
What Band feat. Killa Cal @ Martini's Ft Washington (go-go)
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldis
--------------------------------------------------------
Fri. Feb 14-
R & B Vibe tour w/ Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius,
Lyfe Jennings @ Eaglebank Arena
Real Estate @ Ottobar (sold out)
Buys II Men @ MGM National Harbor (r& b)
A Date With John Waters @ Soundstage Baltimore
Raheem Devaughn @ The Lyric (r & b)
Beirut Nights presents “Bae”rut to DC – a special Valentie
Day popup w/ sounds by Anthony Raad @ 530 Penn St NE
Africa with Love @ Smithsonian Museum of African Art (sold
out)
Backyard Band and Black Alley @ Kennedy Center Concert Hall (go-go)
TOB @ 10 @ Throw Social (bouncebeat go-go)
Los Iracundos, Susana Kiara, Dayan Aldana, Los Angeles
Negros @ Diamond Lounge
Grupo Mandingo Y Fer Martinez Y Sus Cuates De Olancho @ Club
One
Mandingo ,Los Caminantes ,Guardianes Del Amor Y La Sonora
Dinamita @ Cococabana
Los Cazadores Del Cerro @ Mexico Lindo (aka MXL)
Dina Paucar @ Papassitos
Chad America's Annual
Valentine's Day Rock & Roll Dance Party w/ dj Baby Alcatraz and more Doors at 9:00pm
Ashley Kutcher, Michael Marcagi @ 930 (rootsy tiktok singer/songwriters)
@ 930 Club
Eric Roberson @ Bethesda Theater
(neo-soul) (& on 15th)
Kevin Ross @ Birchmere (r & b)
Mid-Atlantic jazz fest 14th to 16th
Charles Covington jazz trio with singer Sandy Crawford free
@ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
The Set R&B djs @
The Club at Studio K Reach Bldg @ Kenn.
Center
Max Frost @ 7 @ Union Stage (pop-r’n’b singer) ; Kxllswxtch,
Sxmpra @ 10:30 @ Union Stage (trap metal rappers)
Blacc Print Experience @ Takoma Station (go-go)
After Thoughts Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Rare Essence @ Fast Eddie’s (go-go)
Backyard Band @ Restaurant 55 (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ Lu w/
Latin hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Live Ethiopian instrumental music w/ guitarist Selamino
& band 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Boil
(go-go)
*Arabic music dj @ Green Zone *
-----------------------------------------------
Cymande @ Howard
Theatre (reunited early 70s Brit Funk group)
70s Soul Jam w/ BlueNotes, Manhattans, Delfonics, The
Stylistics @ The Lyric in Baltimore
Adobo DMV event w/ Dj Pedro Night @ secret location tba
Amapiano DMV w/ Musa
Keys @ Culture Ivy City
Bartees Strange @ 930 Club (funky rock)
Lydia Loveless, John Calvin Abney @ Club 603 MD
Kelsea Ballerini @ Capital One (country)
Versa-Style street dance company from Los Angeles @ George
Mason U Center for the Arts
Kevin Ross @ Birchmere (r & b)
R & B invitation w/
singers Joe, Musiq Soulchild, and Eric Benét @ DAR
filmmaker Mati Diop ‘s Dahomey @ NGA (theatrical account of treasures
being returned to Benin/ nominated for awards/ she directed Atlantics )
Ekko Astral @ Comet P Pong (dc punk) (sold Out)
Thuy @ Filmore (Vietnamese American tiktok pop)
Md top djs tba @ Lamont’s
Eric Roberson @ Bethesda Theater (neo-soul)
Victoria Canal free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium
Stage (London-based Spanish-American singer)
Rumba Club @ Takoma Station Tavern (Latin jazz and salsa )
Afrobeats & r & B dj @ Gazuza Lounge
Tropical Head Dome w/ Leon City Sounds & DJ Jim T @
Neptune Room (salsa, cumbia, chicha on vinyl)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @
Bossa 1st floor & DJ Lu Latin Hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda
Restaurant (Ethiopian)
live Ethiopian
music @ Shalla
Ras Band w/ guest
singers @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Rare Essence @
11 @ Aqua (go-go)
*Michelle & Ayoni @ Atlantis (indie-pop) (sold out) *
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. Feb 16-
Toro y Moi, Panda
Bear, Nourished by Time @ 930 Club (sold out)
Trey Songz & Tamar Braxton @ ESA Arena se (r & b)
Step Afrika’s Step Classic” At Warner Theatre (step dancing)
Zacarias Ferreira Y Guardianes Del Amor @ Rio Cantina
El Jerry Gerardo Coronel @ VIP Room Baltimore
Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Black History Month
Celebration @ 2pm @ the Lyceum in Alexandria
Wolf Eyes, Lexie Mountain Boys, & TBA @ Ottobar
Buddy Holly Tribute @ Rosensteel Hall
Sarau de Samba @ 2 @ Glen Echo Park (Afro-Brazilian culture
celebration)
Eric Bellinger @ Howard Theatre (r& b singer)
Pianist Daryl Davis & band “Thanks for the Memories”
tribute to rock, r& b, Americana musicians who died in 2024, @ Birchmere
R & B Club homage to and discussion of new jack swing @ 12 noon @
Songbyrd
Hard Day’s Night (Beatles film ) @ 10 am @ the Senator in
Baltimore
Oliva O., Dead Calm, Shauna Dean Cokeland @ Comet
Rare Essence , Black Alley @ Hamilton Live (go-go)
XIB, UCB, Big Action @ V14 Lounge (go-go)
Backyard Band @ Throw Social
Maria Chavez, Valentina, DJ Kristy La Rat @ Suns Cinema
Rise Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Chopteeth @ Takoma Station (afrobeat and highlife)
David Barker, Lizard Hands @ Galaxy Hut
Les the Dj & Martin Miguel @
Grazie Mille
Jo-go Project @ Bossa (jazz & go-go)
Mezzanine Record Fair w/ beats by Magnus Andretti @ the Line
Hotel
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
(through Sunday)
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park returns in the spring
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Hula Monsters @ 6 @ Hank Dietle’s (roots & Hawaiian)
Kim Michelle Experience @ Hard Rock Café (go-go)
*Gilberto Santa Rosa @ MGM National Harbor (salsa)*
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Toro y Moi, Panda Bear, Nourished by Time @
930 Club (quirky indie-rock & multi-genre rap/r& b/ rock )
Asal, Frex @ Union
Stage (Asal is a Canadian-based Iranian alternative rapper)
Hard Day’s Night (Beatles film ) @ 4 @ the Senator in
Baltimore
Tba @ 6 to 9 @ Westminster Church SW
(blues)
DJ Crown Vic @ La Shukran ((global dance music on
vinyl)
Small old-school Go-go exhibit w/ photos ,
Globe posters, & record covers @ Brentwood Arts Exchange (Mon. thru Sat.
through March 8)
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz @ Shalla
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Tues. Feb 18-
Lauren Mayberry (of Chvrches) solo tour @ 930 (indie
rock/pop)
Ethiopian music @ Lion’s Den in Falls Church
Blacc Print Experience @ Martini's White Plains (go-go)
Dancehall reggae dj @
Society Lounge
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. Feb 19-
Jesse Welles @ Atlantis (young folkie liberal protest
singer) (sold out)
Billy F. Gibbons (of ZZ Top) @ Birchmere (sold out)
Supreme Divas @ Eloquent Touch Ballroom
DC the Don @ Union Stage ( Detroit rapper)
Sarah and the Safe Word, Everyone's Worried About Owen,
Machinery of the Human Heart @ Quarry House
Sirius Company @ Sobe (go-go)
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
Kizomba and bachata dj & dancing @ Crossroads 2
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall)
----------------------------------------------------------
Okan @Clarice Smith
Center (jazzy Afro-Cuban music w/ vocals, violin & percussion. 2 Cuban
leaders are now based in Toronto )
Hot 8 Brass Band @
Pearl St Warehouse (New Orleans)
Lennox @ the Palace (reggaeton) (sold out)
Fave @ Songbyrd (Nigerian pop & afrobeats)
Snehesh Nag Trio free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium
Stage (great locally based sitarist Nag w/ guitarist Hasan Iman Hamdani &
another musician)
Smithsonian Mother Tongue Film Fest through Feb 23 live (&
online Feb. 24 to March1 )
Rebecca Berlin, Leo
DiSanto, My Gay Banjo, Broommaker @
Rhizome (avante- folk singer/songwriters)
Brett Young @ Warner Theater (pop-country singer)
DJ Jahsonic @ Grazie Mille
David Chappell @ JVs (roots guitar)
Live Ethiopian music w/
guitarist Selamino & band @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
What Band feat. Killa Cal @ Martini's Ft Washington (go-go)
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldis
--------------------------------------------------------
Fri. Feb. 21-
King Face, Messthetics, Bedmaker @ Black Cat (DC punk &
rock)
T.I., Sirius Company after Wizards basketball game @ Capital One
Arena ( rapper concert included in game
ticket price)
Nessa Barrett @ Filmore (indie synthpop singer-songwriter)
Peabo Bryson @ Bethesda Theater (r& b)
K-pop night @ Union Stage
Proper Utensils @ Takoma Station (go-go)
After Thoughts Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Rare Essence @ Fast Eddie’s (go-go)
Backyard Band @ Restaurant 55 (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ Lu w/
Latin hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Live Ethiopian instrumental music w/ guitarist Selamino
& band 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
CCB @ Throw Social (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Boil (go-go)
*Arabic music dj @ Green Zone *
------------------------------------------------------
Capital Blues Fest/
Blues is Alright Southern soul tour w/
King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, Lenny Williams, Jwonn @ DAR Const.
Hall
Old Knife, Devin Ocamp/ Jerry Busher, and Roscoe Tripp @
Crooked Beat Records
the Divine 9 (participants
in the competition for 2025 National
Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Step Show title) @ George Mason U.
Newmyer Flyer Presents – Laurel Canyon: Golden Songs of Los
Angeles 1966-’72 @ Birchmere (sold out)
Afrobeats to the World dj @ Howard Theatre
Charles from Leon City Sounds djs @ Le Mont Royale
Super Bailable w/ Claudia from Leon City Sounds djs , Martin
Miguel, Marcello Bentine @ 618 H St NW
What Band @ Lamont’s (go-go)
Heaven Forbid @ Songbyrd (DC retro/classic country)
Alicia Waller & the Excursion free @ 6 to 7 @ Kennedy
Center Millennium Stage (jazz, soul & more)
BlankFor.ms, drummer
Marcus Gilmore, and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran on
piano @ Studio K in the Kennedy Center Reach Building
Afrobeats & r & B dj @ Gazuza Lounge
The Vibe Conductor dj @ Grazie Mille (r& b & classic
hiphop )
DJ Crown Vic @ La Shukran ((global dance music on
vinyl)
Czech artist Alphonse Mucha exhibit opens @ Phillips (
inspired 60s psychedelic art)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ Lu
Latin Hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ras Band w/ guest singers @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Rare Essence @ 11 @
Aqua (go-go)
Mose Allison Tribute w/ Craig Gildner, Nick Ruggieri &
John Previti @ 5 to 7 @ Hank Dietle’s
TCB’s Black Bo & Bustamove @ Martini’s Ft Washington (bouncebeat
go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience @ Cultural Center (go-go)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. Feb. 23-
Nathalie Joachim @ 3 to 4:15 @ National Gallery of Art East
Building ( Haitian-American
performing artist and composer) free
registration online required
Masha J. Davey - “Give Me Funk or Give Me Death!” celebration
of New Orleans’ musical history. From Congo Square’s hand drum rhythms to Mardi
Gras brass bands and hip-hop shaking grooves on Rampart St. @ Atlas Performing
Arts Center
Hast du Feuer presents INITIALIZE: Floorplan, Trouble Funk
& 30 more acts @ Republiq Hall NE DC
Johnny Spampinato and The Value Leaders @ 6 @ Hank Dietle’s
(for NRBQ fans)
1252 Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Bryce Vine @ the Howard Theatre (pop hiphop electro )
Mahogany, Linda Smith, Anocean @ Metro Baltimore (Linda
Smith is twee pop)
Black Rails, New
Passengers, Little A @ Galactic Panther
DC Record Fair ($5 11am to 12 noon; $2 noon to 5 @ 930 Club
BDX the Don, Big Mike & Friends @ Pearl Street Warehouse
(DC rap)
Can I Kick it w/ DJ 2-Tone Jones playing music as a martial
arts film shows @ Songbyrd
Chayce Beckham @ Birchmere (country singer who won on
American Idol)
Poison Ruïn, Béton Armé, Seclusion @ Comet P Pong
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
(through Sunday)
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park returns in the spring
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon. Feb. 24-
Mustafa @ Lincoln Theatre (Sudanese-Canadian
singer/songwriter)
Tba @ 6 to 9 @ Westminster Church SW (blues)
Strong Boys, Stockpile, Vicious Order, Glycine @ Rhizome
(Strong Boys are Ireland hardcore punk; others are hardcore punk from DMV)
Chris Travis @ Union Stage (Memphis, TN rapper)
Small old-school Go-go exhibit w/ photos , Globe posters,
& record covers @ Brentwood Arts Exchange (Mon. thru Sat. through March 8)
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz @
Shalla
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tues. Feb. 25-
Fiasco, Throwaway, Zam( Anthony Pirog trio w/ school pals) @
Rhizome
Ghost9 @ Union Stage (K-pop)
Skinny Lister @ Pearl Street Warehouse (UK folk-punk )
Carley Harvey record release event @ Blues Alley (blues)
George Thorogood & the Destroyers @ Warner Theatre (blues
and blues-rock)
Ethiopian music @ Lion’s Den in Falls Church
Blacc Print Experience @ Martini's White Plains (go-go)
Dancehall reggae dj @
Society Lounge
----------------------------------------------------------
Dayme Arocena free
6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
( Afro-Cuban singer)
Tiakola @ Union Stage (Congolese French rapper
Enter the Haggis @ Barns of Wolf Trap
Sirius Company @ Sobe (go-go)
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
Kizomba and bachata dj & dancing @ Crossroads 2
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Isbell @
Warner (Americana roots country)
Baghed , Saafewaay , Power Pants , Evil Weevil @ Rhizome
Maro (Portuguese), and Nasaya (Reunion Island-born) @ Union
Stage (synth pop)
Masters of Hawaiian Music w/ George Kahumoku Jr., Herb Ohta
Jr., Sonny Lim @ Barns of Wolf Trap
Trupa Trupa, Shadow Riot @ Quarry House
Rock-a-Sonics @ JVs
Thrills @ Hank Dietle’s (roots rock)
Live Ethiopian music w/
guitarist Selamino & band @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring
What Band feat. Killa Cal @ Martini's Ft Washington (go-go)
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldis
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri. Feb. 28-
Jason Isbell @ Warner (Americana roots country)
Bryson Tiller & DMV Winter Fest w/ Latto & more @ Capital One (r& b)
Corey Harris, Spice Cake @ Archie's Barbershop for an
old-fashioned rent party (blues)
Jose James @ LOC (r & B)
Elevator to the Gallows” (1958) Louis Malle movie @ 5:00 pm
- 6:33 pm @ Library of Congress Pickford Theater
(LM-302) In a late-night session on December 4, 1957, Miles Davis and his
French quintet recorded an improvised, modal score for Louis Malle’s debut film
“Ascenseur pour l'échafaud” (Elevator to the Gallows).
Sid Sriram sings indie pop in English from his latest album
rather than his earlier Bollywood @ Barns of Wolf Trap
House music DJ Doobie, Ebb King Magic @ Howard Theatre
Benjamim Booker (blues rocker) together with Kenny Segal (underground boom bap hiphop producer)
@ Union Stage
Sierra Hull @ Hamilton Live (bluegrass)
Aaron Watson @ Birchmere (country singer)
Rock Steady Project @ Takoma Station
Kyshona @ Slayton House in Wilde Lake part of Columbia , MD
Zack Keim, Mikey Carnevale, Cinema Hearts @ Comet P Pong
DJ Crown Viv @ Mercy Me ((global dance music on vinyl)
After Thoughts Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Rare Essence @ Fast Eddie’s (go-go)
Backyard Band @ Restaurant 55 (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ Lu w/
Latin hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
(Ethiopian)
Live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ethiopian music @ MHL
Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @
Black Rose Lounge
Live Ethiopian instrumental music w/ guitarist Selamino
& band 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
TOB @ Throw Social
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Boil (go-go)
*Arabic music dj @ Green Zone *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat. March 1- Jason Isbell @ Warner
Kodo Drummers @ George Mason Center for the Arts (Japan
taiko drummers)
Chuck Brown Band @ Bethesda Theater
DC Abortion Fund benefit w/ Pretty Bitter, Cherub Tree,
Flowerbomb, Massie @ Songbyrd
Chuck Bettis & Jerry Lim , Mick Barr , Breath of the
Magi , Weed Tree @ Rhizome
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
free from 6 to 7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Afrobeats & r & B dj @
Gazuza Lounge
Pretty Girls Love Afrobeats @ 4
pm @ Zebbies Garden
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @
Bossa 1st floor & DJ Lu Latin Hits upstairs;
Roots Band @ Makeda Restaurant
(Ethiopian)
live Ethiopian music @ Shalla
Ras Band w/ guest singers @ MHL
Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose
Lounge
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
*Bed Maker, Continuals, Black Rails, Pedal Pushers, @ 7 @ 546 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, MD (dc punk) *
More lists-- Capital Bop has jazz; Mary Cliff has folk;
Fools Night Out has roots music; Tickeri has Latinx, Mi Gente DMV has Latin
dancing (salsa, bachata, zouk), Kesta Happenings DC Facebook has Latinx
too, baltshowplace.tumblr has Baltimore
punk & more; Elliot Gross on Facebook has DC blues & blues-rock; DC.
Underground on Instagram has metal & hardcore; gogomusixdmv on Instagram
has go-go flyers; *Fans of Tom Cole's G-Strings on Facebook has jazz &
international*
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