Calendar is posted, updated, and viewable here on the blog, and events listings are posted on my Bluesky and Threads & sometimes still tweeted.
Calendar is linked on my Facebook & Instagram (& has its own DC Global Music pages there where I post gig flyers, updates & video clips of dc area gigs-(@dcglobalmusic on Instagram; DC Global Music and More on Facebook)-. 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. Also some movies w/ music themes, and music book events. Additional gigs added after first posting have an *asterisk.* I am often adding go-go ones, Bossa club, Lamont’s soul & dj nights that are announced later. 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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My May 2026 Highlights (mostly visiting acts) (then much longer full list below w/ local & visiting acts of many genres). Your choice of highlights might differ.
Sat. May 2- “AGUARDIENTE: Where Magic Transcends Borders” bilingual musical w/ surtitles in English & Spanish about two immigrant writers and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, who journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao, and the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. At the Gala Theatre (through May 24)
*The Centre Will Not Hold (Ephrat Asherie & Michelle Dorrance created) w/ percussionist John Angeles and 11 dancers skilled in dance styles like street, house, breaking, hiphop, tap, Chicago footwork, Detroit jit, litefeet, Memphis jookin, & body percussion 8pm @ George Mason Center for the Arts (pre-performance discussion @ 7)*
Sun. May 3- Protoje @ Fillmore (reggae)
Thurs. May 7- Son Rompe Pera w Leon City Sounds @ Union Stage (Mexican punky cumbia )
Fri. May 8-Dry Cleaning, Hotline TNT @ Howard Theatre (UK post-punk headliners)
Sat. May 9 – Adobo DMV day party w/ Pedro Night dj’ing 5:30-10 pm @ Nats Park Plaza, 1500 S. Capitol St SE
Mon. May 11- an evening with Burt Bacharach @ Library Of Congress
Fri. May 15- Noochie’s Front Porch Live @ MGM National Harbor
Sun. May 17- Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie free w/ registration 4:30-6:30 @ Hill Center DC (zydeco)
Wed. May 20- The King of the Go-go Beat- D Floyd birthday celebration @ Bethesda Theater
Sat. May 30 - Slickee Boys 50th aniv. w/ Beatnik Flies & Birthday Girl DC @ 930 Club (DC garage rock proto -punk)
Zain Zohaib @ Lisner (a renowned Pakistani Qawwali duo hailing from Lahore, Pakistan)
Sun. May 31- Heavy Metal Parking Lot anniversary showing with outtakes 6:15 @ AFI Silver
Ari Lennox @ MGM National Harbor (r&b)
DMV Summer Kickoff with Rare Essence, Junkyard Band, DCVybe, Sirius Company, Kim Michelle Experience, Major League band 12-8 @ Lerner Town Square @ Tyson Corner Galleria II (big go-go event in go-go band’s Rare Essence 50th year)
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Full May 2026 list- (*asterisks will be used to show any additional events added throughout the month or changes *)
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Fri. May 1-
Sirius Company 1pm @ Ben’s Chili Bowl on U st reopening (go-go)
“AGUARDIENTE: Where Magic Transcends Borders” bilingual musical w/ surtitles in English & Spanish about two immigrant writers and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, who journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao, and the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. At the Gala Theatre (through May 24)
Patrulla 81 , Los Andantes Caminantes , Cadetes De Linares @ El Ranchon (duranguense)
Mika @ Fillmore Silver Spring (Lebanese singer raised in Paris & London)
Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton @ Keystone Korner
Poison Ruin with the Serfs, Seclusion, and Sluggo @ Ottobar (punk)
Boogarins @ Comet P. Pong
Delfeayo Marsalis with Paul Carr Quartet @ Blues Alley (jazz)
The Happy Fits @ The Recher
Los Mirlos, DJ Kristy La Rat @ Howard Theatre (Peruvian cumbia)
DC History Conference 9:45 am onward free @ MLK Library (Friday and Saturday)
Soji & friends @ Le Mondo (hardcore punk)
Lindsey Webster @ Rams Head Onstage Live Annapolis
Queering Sound fundraiser @ Rhizome
Hardcore Troubadours @ Hank Dietle’s (roots rock)
Jackie & the Treehorns, Dougie, Black Rails @ Pie Shop
Backyard Band celebrating Big G's birthday @ Echostage
Orchesta Manplesa 9pm to 11pm @ Qui Qui (salsa)
EU feat. SugarBear 7-12 @ Hemen's Cigar Lounge (go-go)
Rare Essence feat. James Funk @ Citizens & Culture (go-go)
Delhi to DC - Bollywood Party @ Darna
Save Your Soul w/ dj Rob Macy & dj Baby Alcatraz @ Lithuanian Hall Baltimore
School Daze screening w/ Spike Lee @ Lincoln Theatre
Honey Dijon, Mystic Bill, Fishouse Funk 10 pm @ Berhta, 1237 W St NE & next door Sisters in Sound ft. Addy Love, Fatima, Honey B, Kotic Couture 10pm @ Bette
All new Chateau Lounge official launch party w/ Sirius Company on Benning Rd NE (go-go)
El Ciclon (riot grrl musical & camp thriller) 7:30 @ U of MD Clarice Smith Center (also on May 2 & 3)
Ram Miriyala 7pm @ Dulles Sportsplex
May Day Concert w/ Soroche & TOB 5-8 @ AFL-CIO , 815 16th St NW (cumbia & dc Bouncebeat go-go)
TCB, DSB @ Martini’s (bouncebeat go-go)
Sensor Ghost, Vulture Feather, Quattracenta @ Holy Frijoles in Baltimore (post-punk)
UMD Balinese Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble presents an evening of traditional Balinese music free 8pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr Kay Theater
Madhouse State music collective w/ Blaxian, 7iah, Nieko Allen @ Songbyrd
Elijah Balbed’s Tribute to His late Skateboard Mom 6-9 @ Westminster Church (jazz)
After Thought Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Still Familiar @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Lounge (go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience feat. Jon Williams 10pm @ House of Soul (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Traditional Ethiopian music band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
Belema Band @ Shalla (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Arabic Music dj @ Green Zone
Afrobeats, amapiano, hiphop dj @ Rosebar Lounge
Hand dancing 1-5 pm @ 4722 14th St. NW
Allure Band @ Takoma Station Tavern
DJs Buck Rogers & the Vibe Conductor @ Grazie Millie
Natal Idol, Sailaja Thummuri @ Kalpasi Cuisine in Herndon (Indian)
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Sat. May 2-
Graham Parker @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis (1979 era angry Brit rocker)
“AGUARDIENTE: Where Magic Transcends Borders” bilingual musical w/ surtitles in English & Spanish about two immigrant writers and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, who journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao, and the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. At the Gala Theatre (through May 24)
Ty Segall, Upchuck @ Union City Brewing (Sold out)
Reik @ DAR Const Hall (Mexican pop)
Sarod Trilogy w/ Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, & his sons Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash all on sarod 7:30 @ 6th & I (India classical music)
The Centre Will Not Hold (Ephrat Asherie & Michelle Dorrance created) w/ percussionist John Angeles and 11 dancers skilled in dance styles like street, house, breaking, hiphop, tap, Chicago footwork, Detroit jit, litefeet, Memphis jookin, & body percussion 8pm @ George Mason Center for the Arts (pre-performance discussion @ 7)
Ultra Nate’’s Deep Sugar After Hours w/ Chicago dj Melvin Gentry 11pm to 4am @ CLub 1722 After Hours , 1722 North Charles st., Baltimore
Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton @ Keystone Korner
Billy Hart Quartet feat Ethan Iverson-"Miles Davis' Centennial Celebration" @ Blues Alley (jazz)
Bourbon & Bluegrass fest w/ Jake Blount, Allison Brown @ Abe Lincoln’s Cottage (fest is also Sunday)
DJs Kristy La Rat, Raton1cito @ Sinners & Saints (eclectic Latin bass & techno)
DC History Conference 9:45 am onward including Bicentennial Gift: 50 Years of Community
History at the Anacostia Park Roller Skate Pavilion, Tasha Klusmann at 12 to 2 Research Showcase Projects in Great Hall 1st Floor; & also DC themed book authors including John R Davis, Brian Gilmore, Donald W. Kammer, Amelia Tseng ; plus 4pm closing keynote -A local take on national commemoration: What the Semiquincentennial Means to DC by M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska in conversation with Sojin Kim; all free @ MLK Library
Passport DC open house @ embassies (Trinidad has steel drums & carnival dancers) & Mexican Cultural Institute (some music tba) 10 am to 4 pm in various parts of DC
Katie Tupper, Ety @ Songbyrd (alt-r&b)
Sensor Ghost, Vulture Feather, Quattracenta @ Rhizome (Art-punk from dc, Cali via Baltimore, Baltimore)
Sound Scenes 10am -5pm @ Hirshhorn
New Impressionz adult prom night @ Bar 919 (best dressed win $) ;
Dynamic Superiors & guests w/ DJ Scooter McGruder 4-8 pm @ Capital City Hall of Distinction , 1251 Saratoga Ave. NE (soul)
Perreo morning for Cinco de Mayo w/ Pedro Night, Pae Me , DJ Ego, Melina 9am -3pm @ AI Warehouse
Gbedu Galore NYC afrobeats party w/ DJ @ the Strand
Groove District (Afrobeats & Amapiano) djs 10 pm @ Sost
Cinco de Mayo: the Mexican Way @ Public Bar Live
DMV Teens Night Out Stop the Violence edition w/ Drama Squad Band, & XMB, DJ Plug 4:30 -10 private location near Naylor Rd & Suitland Metro
Adams Morgan Porchest 2-6 pm w/ music including Cryptid Summer 3pm near Smash; Prabir Trio (India inspired rock) 3pm @ 2009 18th St; Taisha Estrada 3 pm @ El Tamarindo; samba carnival 3:30 pm near El Tamarindo ; Monsters from the Surf 4pm @ Smash; Endlings 5pm @ The Line; Petrichor 5 pm @ the Silva; Goons 5 pm @ Smash;
Carousel day w/ Clarence Bluesman Turner and Hand Dance Association dancers 11am to 4 @ Glen Echo
Northeast Groovers @ Fast Eddie’s (go-go)
Cinco de Bouncebeat W/ TCB & Reaction @ Tarmac in Laurel
El Ciclon (riot grrl musical & camp thriller) 2pm & 7:30 @ U of MD Clarice Smith Center
Christylez Bacon and friends 6-7 @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (hiphop & global sounds for kids)
Dmize, the S.E.T., Sluggo, Junkhead @ Pie Shop (hardcore punk)
Sirius Company @ Lamont’s (go-go)
DJ Crown Vic @ Daikaya
Leon City Sounds djs w/ guest Marcello Bentine @ Green Zone
Mostly Dead, Ligatures, Torino Death Ride, Hot Manana @ The Artemis (rock)
Extended Play Loft party w/ Francois K b2b Colleen Cosmo Murphy Les the Dj 10pm to 3 am @ National Union Bldg
Amigo de Mayo dj event 9pm @ STFU Navy Yard
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ w/ Latin Hits upstairs;
Nani & Negussie w/ Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music w/ Samri, Fekadu, Eleni & band @ Shalla
Ras Band @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
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Sun. May 3-
Protoje @ Fillmore (reggae)
Pink Pantheress, Cece Natalie @ Anthem (UK pop) (sold out)
“AGUARDIENTE: Where Magic Transcends Borders” bilingual musical w/ surtitles in English & Spanish about two immigrant writers and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, who journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao, and the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. At the Gala Theatre (through May 24)
Sinkane, Tahlele, Khynives Escobar @ Comet P. Pong
Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton @ Birchmere ( amazing background singer who’s now a lead singer)
Walter Salas-Humara (from Silos) , Annette Wasilik @ Hank Dietle’s (alt-country rock)
Isaia Huron @ Atlantis (alt-r&b former gospel singer)
Fakemink @ 930 Club (rap)
Billy Hart Quartet feat Ethan Iverson-"Miles Davis' Centennial Celebration" @ Blues Alley (jazz)
Bourbon & Bluegrass fest w/ Hubby Jenkins, Allison Brown @ Abe Lincoln’s Cottage
Stephanie Chou & her band provide live accompaniment to 2 Chinese American rooted silent films The Tong Man and Curse of Quon Gwon (1916 & 1919) 4pm free @ Museum of Asian Art Meyer Aud. (registration encouraged)
Richard Shindell @ Jammin Java (folk)
Lucy Bedroque @ Songbyrd (sold out)
Rare Essence @ Ivy City Smokehouse (Rare Essence is 50 years old this year) (go-go)
Junkyard Band 5-10 pm @ Air (go-go)
Afghan Mahali night w/ Milad Dambora, Zakir Ataye Rabab, Hamid Habibzada 8pm @ Nosh Lounge Arlington
Munit Mesfin & Cristian Perez : A Tribute to Roberta Flack backyard concert public event 4:30 @ 1616 S. Pollard St., Arlington, VA
Orquesta Manplesa 5pm @ MXDC Cocina Mexicana , 1610 14th St NW
Pedro Night dj’ing @ free all ages F1 Arcade pre-Miami Grand Prix watch party 1-4 pm @ hilawn rooftop @ Union Market (rsvp to adobodmv dot com) (Latin, go-go, afrobeats, r& b)
Sound Scenes 10am to 5 @ Hirshhorn
‘Membe dis Di Ultimate Ol Skool Bashment Block Party 5 pm @ Karma
U of MD steelbands under direction of Josanne Francis 5 pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr Kay Theater
El Ciclon (riot grrl musical & camp thriller) 2pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Center
Vava Samba School & dancers w/ DJ Berimbau 8pm @ Bossa
Still Familiar @ Nottinghams
TCB 3-9 @ Throw Social (bouncebeat go-go)
Sirius Company 8 pm @ 1865 Steakhouse (every Sunday)
1252 Band 6pm @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
No Regards @ Galaxy Hut
Fiasco @ Galactic Panther (noisy jazzy)
Rock Steady Project 5-9 pm @ Takoma Station Tavern
noise is a riot: community organizing in the avant-garde - a workshop with alana amore colvin on the history of grassroots organization in avant-garde music and tactics for organizing within the scene today; @ 4 pm @ Rhizome
alana amore colvin (she/they)( brooklyn based avant-garde guitarist); Martronimous ( a Philadelphia-based trumpet player who creates jazz, ambient, electronic music, field recording soundscapes;Atograph (Baltimore‑based musician & producer shaping instrumental hip‑hop and downtempo grooves) 7pm @ Rhizome
Junior Marvin & Legendary Wailers @ Hemen Lounge (reggae)
Funset w/ DJs Jahsonic, Harry Hotter, guest dj Crank 5-10 @ Metrobar
Amapiano DMV w/ guest dj Joshua Gadget (UK) plus Mobu, Anansi, Jaha, Pascale rosee, ze times two 3pm on @ Culture (Black South African dj dance music)
DJ Les @ Makers Market 10-4 pm @ National Museum of Women in the Arts
Gospel @ Kent Baptist Church Hyattsville,
live Ethiopian music @ 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
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park (when weather is warm & if not blocked by turf & fountain work )
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Afrobeats, hiphop, dancehall party w/ dj 4 to 9 @ Decades (dresscode- "fashionable")
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Mon. May 4-
Pink Pantheress, Cece Natalie @ Anthem (UK pop) (sold out)
Elias Rønnenfelt (singer from Iceage), Evanora Unlimited @ Ottobar (postpunk rock)
Slade Band 6-9 @ Westminster Church (blues )
Silversun Pickups @ Nevermore Hall
Gelli Haha @ Songbyrd (sold out)
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis
Stevie Wonder tribute w/ djs D-Skills, Harvey Dent, Miss H.E.R., Stylus 7pm till @ Everyday People
Bodied, Dog Food Chain, Gifts Ungiven, Lye Bath, Green Forest @ Rhizome (hardcore, metalcore, postpunk)
Marcus Young 10 pm @ Andrews in Morningside, MD
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz w/ the Roots Band @ Shalla
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Tues. May 5-
Ani Difranco & Valerie June @ Meyerhoff Symphony Baltimore
Cajun Dance w/ the Capitol Hill Cajun Orchestra free @ 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. @ St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 301 A St. SE
Flatliners, and A Wilhelm Scream @ Pearl St Warehouse (punk)
Dethklok & Amon Amarth: The Amonklok Conquest @ MGM National Harbor (metal)
Sun of Goldfinger @ Rhizome (noisy jazz w/ Tim Berne, Chez Smith, David Torn )
Still Familiar @ Fast Eddie's (go-go)
Ethiopian music w/ Kalkidan & Fekadu backed by Dani Key & Dave Sax @ Rumor Bar Silver Spring
"vintage groove" Ethiopian music band feat. Fikir & Fitsum 8-11 @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
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Wed. May 6-
Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians performed by U of MD students free to all 8pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr Dekoulboum Concert Hall (in association w/ 10th International Conference on Music & Minimalism that requires a payment @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr. through May 10 w/ separate concerts)
Twisted Teens, Gerf, G2K @ Comet P. Pong (indie)
Wolf Eyes & 2 more @ Ottobar (noisy )
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ Birchmere
Collective Crew free @ Songbyrd
10th aniv. Conference on music & minimalism @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr. through May 10 w/ separate concerts
Good Flying Birds, Music Mouse, Smashing Times, Janitors 7pm @ Bogus Gallery
Memphis Gold @ JVs (blues)
Steve Wynn @ Club 603 (Dream Syndicate rocker) (sold out)
Reading/Performance - Vortex, Baba: Park Vibe Notebooks with Gerald Majer, Baba L'Salaam, and musical guests @ Rhizome (the story of 1960s Black radicalism & a drum circle in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park)
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall) (?)
Brazilian Brothers @ Mercy Me (Brazilian samba, pagode)
Matheus Fonseca 6-9 @ Bar Cana (Brazilian music guitarist)
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Thurs. May 7-
Son Rompe Pera w Leon City Sounds @ Union Stage (Mexican punky cumbia )
Tropical Beat w/ DJs Leon City Sounds, Crown Vic 10 pm @ Showtime Bar (Cumbia y mas after party for Son Rompe Pera )
Sessa w/ openers Kolumbo, & Djs Marcello Bentine & Neal Bection @ Songbyrd (good Sao Paulo Brazil singer)
Elmiene @ Fillmore Silver Spring
Kali Malone, organ: All Life Long 8pm @ UMD Memorial Chapel) ( post-minimalist pieces that incorporate drone, chamber ensemble, brass orchestra, pipe organ and a resonant sense of the sacred.)
Students and faculty from the Voice and Opera division come together for a performance of minimalist vocal music, featuring works by Meredith Monk, John Adams and Missy Mazoli 12:30 pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr
Asleep at the Wheel @ Birchmere
All Funked Up & DJ Fats @ Lamont’s
Thrills @ JVs
What Band @ Martinis (go-go)
Reaction @ Black Rose Lounge (bouncebeat go-go)
New Impressionz @ Martini's White Plains (go-go & bouncebeat go-go)
Live Ethiopian music w/ Abraham, Danny, Hanna @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Selam Sound @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Ethiopian music @ Rumor Bar Fenton St Silver Spring
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge (?)
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldi’s
live reggae 9 pm @ Bukom
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Fri. May 8-
Dry Cleaning, Hotline TNT @ Howard Theatre (UK post-punk headliners)
Keith Sweat, Joe, Dru Hill, Ginuwine, Kut Klose @ CFG Bank Arena (90s r& b)
La Sonora Presenta Cueva De La Cumbia w/ Yeison Landero (from Colombia), Soroche, dj La Bodoquita 7pm @ Library 19 in Baltimore
Chuwi , *Taisha Estrada*@ 930 Club (Puerto Rican sibling duo who were on Bad Bunny’s latest, DC/Baltimore based opener w/ powerful voice)
Stokley @ Bethesda Theater (r&b)
Wolf Eyes, Beauty, Agonesiac @ Rhizome (noise)
Reona (tapdancer) , Chuck Bettis Duo ((former DC hardcore singer gone NYC experimentalist) , Schmidt & Borax Duo 8pm @ Normals Books
Reggae Bash @ Fillmore Silver Spring
Guitar-percussion chamber music duo The Living Earth Show (San Franciso) joins forces with the UMD Wind Orchestra in composer Danny Clay’s Possible Paths to Play On , which features contributions from more than 100 community members, 8pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr Dekelbaum Hall
Humberto Plancarte, Tierra Cali @ Mexico Lindo (Colombian)
Los Fugitivos, Ladron, Los Caminantes, La Marimba 502 @ Cococabana
Ladron, La Marimba 502 also @ El Palenque Falls Church
Los Diabolitos @ Rio Cantina
El Jerry, Banda Machos y Cheque Peña Jr. @ El Ranchon
La Novedad Nortena, Nueva Pradera @ 90 Degrees (norteno with sax)
DJ Mezcla 7pm ; poetry 7:30 pm;La Manplesa doc 8 pm screening ; 9pm ish more music @ Lamont Plaza (La Manplesa tells the story of the 90s Mt Pleasant uprising)
Gran Fest de Las Madres w/ Ladron, Los Fugitivos, Marimba 502, Los Caminantes @ Cococabana
Peruvian Party w/ Hermanos Galvon, & Pasion Orchestra @ State Theatre
Str8 Soca for Soco de Mayo w/ djs Aakil, DJ Asher, Gevoni, Kashrag, By Far Mega @ Citizens & Culture
Wes Parker, Berra @ Songbyrd (rock)
Jimi Smooth & Hit band @ JVs (Motown & funk)
Alison Crockett sings 6-9 @ Westminster Church (jazz)
Blacc Print @ Takoma Station Tavern
After Thought Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Still Familiar @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Lounge (go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience feat. Jon Williams 10pm @ House of Soul (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Traditional Ethiopian music band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
Belema Band @ Shalla (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Arabic Music dj @ Green Zone
*DJ Claudia from Leon City Sounds 10:30 @ Bar Cana *
*Cass McCombs & band @ Atlantis*
*Trey Songz @ Anthem (r&b) *
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Sat. May 9 –
Adobo DMV day party w/ Pedro Night dj’ing 5:30-10 pm @ Nats Park Plaza, 1500 S. Capitol St SE
DC Arab American Culture Fest 2-9 pm @ Dew Drop Inn
District of Raga presents Vinay Desai & Ani @ Art Barn Gaithersburg (“fresh interpretations of Indian Classical music”)
Messthetics w/ James Brandon Lewis, & Trinary System, Thunderpaw @ Black Cat (jazzy prog-art rock)
Reona (tap dancer) & Chuck Bettis (former DC hardcore singer gone NYC experimentalist) / Mick Barr (onetime dc hardcore guy gone avante-jazz guitarist) / Sarah Hughes (DC jazz sax)- Jerry Busher (Fugazi-associated drummer) - Jeff Barsky (DC art-punk guitarist) @ Rhizome
Keith Sweat @ DAR Const Hall (90s r&b)
Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. and the Ils Sont Partis Band @ Hylton Center Manassas
Stokley @ Bethesda Theater (r&b)
Chain Of Memories, Be Safe, Michael, The Taste 7pm free @ Hamden Skatepark of Baltimore
Junkyard Band @ Tandoori
Caroline Davis & Dustin Carlson Duo; simone baron @ Rhizome (improv jazz)
Outside Time Presents: Alma Laprida, Rachel Beetz, TALsounds 8pm free @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr recital hall (experimental ambient )
DJ Baby Alcatraz 9-1am @ Floreria Atlantico DC
Bodeans 40th Anniversary @ Birchmere
Kazzabe @ El Palenque
Josimar Fidel Y Los Caribeños De Guadalupe @ Papassitos in Manassas Park
Wilmer Manga y su tributo a Los Diablitos Del Vallenato for Mothers Day @ El Ranchon (Colombia)
Los Kory Huayras Bolivian Mothers Day celebration @ St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Falls Church
Still Familiar, Wisdom Speeks, DJ Rico 8-12 @ St. Luke’s, East Capitol (go-go)
TOB, XIB @ Shark Bar (bouncebeat go-go)
Hardway Connection dress in all white night @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
European Union open house
Nova One, Emotional World @ Comet P. Pong
Dogo Du Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band 6pm @ Current Space Baltimore (DC-based Togo )
Takoma Park Porch Fest
Afro-Brazilian dance class @ 1:30 @ Go-go Museum
DJ Crown Vic @ Green Zone
TCB @ 8131 GA. Ave (bouncebeat go-go)
Sun Cinema 10th anniv. w/ Les the DJ, Martin Miguel, Pharoah Haqq 9:30 pm @ Suns Cinema
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ w/ Latin Hits upstairs;
Nani & Negussie w/ Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music w/ Samri, Fekadu, Eleni & band @ Shalla
Ras Band @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
*Zach Pleasant @ Bar Cana*
—----------------------------------------------------------
Sun. May 10-
Sleaford Mods @ Atlantis (Brit postpunk rap sometime political)
Courtney Barnett @ Anthem (critic fave Aussie rock)
Bilal & band feat. Jane Handcock @ Howard Theatre (neo-soul)
Howard Hewett @ 3 & 7 @ Bethesda Theater (R&B)
Silkworm, Come @ Pearl St Warehouse (post-punk)
Los Fugitivos, Ladron, Los Caminantes, La Marimba 502 @ Rio Cantina
Los Caminantes @ El Palenque
Los Fugitivos, Ladron, Los Caminantes, La Sonora Dinamita @ VIP Room in Baltimore (3 of these groups are also somehow playing in Virginia this Mothers Day as well)
Kazzabe (Honduras) @ Ibiza in Herndon
What Band feat. Killa Cal 11 pm @ Piano Keys Lounge (go-go)
Test Band and Show 6pm @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
Corey Arcenaux & the Zydeco Hot Peppers 6-9 @ Hank Dielte’s
Hirow @ Galaxy Hut
Cymone Lovett and the Dream’s Prince Tribute and Joe Bennett’s Jerry Butler tribute 5-9pm @ Eloquent Touch Ballroom in Hillcrest Hts., MD
live Ethiopian music @ 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
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park (when weather is warm & if not blocked by turf & fountain work )
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Afrobeats, hiphop, dancehall party w/ dj 4 to 9 @ Decades (dresscode- "fashionable")
*CMAT @ 930 (sold out)*
—-------------------------------------------------------------
Mon. May 11-
an evening with Burt Bacharach @ Library Of Congress
Bill Callahan, Noveller @ Union Stage (indie folkie rock)
Jesi Terrell Band 6-9 @ Westminster Church (blues )
Madeleine Peyroux @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis (jazz vocals)
Marcus Young 10 pm @ Andrews in Morningside, MD
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz w/ the Roots Band @ Shalla
*Kid Laroi, Tommy Richman @ Anthem *
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tues. May 12-
Melody's Echo Chamber, Strange Lot @ Black Cat (headliner is ethereal-voiced alt-indie)
Puuluup, Light Beams @ Songbyrd (Estonian art song & DC postpunk)
Madeleine Peyroux & the Carlile Family Band @ the Birchmere ( jazz vocals)
Walter Mitty & His Orchestra, Pacing , the Last Arizona @ Comet P. Pong
Kiti Gardner & the Drifting Valentines @ Hank Dietle’s ( western swing, rockabilly, old country)
Hit Like a Girl, thisdogllhunt, Peak Bloom @ Quarry House Tavern
Trippers & Askers ; Adelyn Strei; Small Sur; Canandaigua @ Rhizome (avante-folk)
Still Familiar @ Fast Eddie's (go-go)
Ethiopian music w/ Kalkidan & Fekadu backed by Dani Key & Dave Sax @ Rumor Bar Silver Spring
"vintage groove" Ethiopian music band feat. Fikir & Fitsum 8-11 @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. May 13-
Natalie Nunn @ FIllmore Silver Spring (r&b)
Juan Manu @ Strathmore Mansion (El Paso to DC mariachi-influenced violinist )
Flea and the Honora Band @ Black Cat (sold out)
Marc Broussard w/ Sway Wild @ Birchmere ( roots)
David Chappell Band @ VFW Post 350 Hells Bottom
Blues Night w/ Gayle Harrod 6:30 & 9:30 pm @ Takoma Station Tavern
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall) (?)
Brazilian Brothers @ Mercy Me (Brazilian samba, pagode)
Matheus Fonseca 6-9 @ Bar Cana (Brazilian music guitarist)
*Clara La San @ 930 (sold out) (UK alt-r&b)*
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thurs. May 14-
Noriel @ Ibiza
Mike Stern (guitarist ) - "Miles Davis' Centennial Celebration" @ Blues Alley
The Lone Bellow , Eli Kollman @ Birchmere ( Brooklyn Americana soulful countryish)
Flack @ VFW Post 350 Hells Bottom (roots pop)
All Funked Up & DJ Fats @ Lamont’s
Grandsons & Brian Simms @ Hank Dietle’s
Pictoria Vark, Flo Petite, Cuni @ Quarry House Tavern (crit acclaimed alt rock)
Zoë Jorgenson Trio ; Luke Stewart & JoVia Armstrong Duo @ Rhizome (jazz)
What Band @ Martinis (go-go)
Reaction @ Black Rose Lounge (bouncebeat go-go)
New Impressionz @ Martini's White Plains (go-go & bouncebeat go-go)
Live Ethiopian music w/ Abraham, Danny, Hanna @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Selam Sound @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Ethiopian music @ Rumor Bar Fenton St Silver Spring
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge (?)
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldi’s
live reggae 9 pm @ Bukom
*Iron & Wine @ 930 Club (folk indie) *
—---------------------------------------------------
Fri. May 15-
Noochie’s Front Porch Live @ MGM National Harbor
Mountain Goats @ Fillmore Silver Spring (critic fave indie rock)
Perennial, Dim Wizard, Club USA @ Comet P Pong (punk & artsy rock)
Gerardo Coronel El Jerry Y Fer Martínez Y Sus Cuates De Olancho @ Rio Cantina
Mike Stern (guitarist ) - "Miles Davis' Centennial Celebration" @ Blues Alley
Linea 220 8th aniv. w/ Los Jefes del Este, Grupo Los del Sur, Commando Exclusivo @ El Ranchon
Sangre Cumbiera @ GN event Center, 7217 Centreville Road, Manassas (cumbia romantica)
Embassy Row Rooftop Night in Havana under the stars w/ a Latin band 7 pm @ The Ven at Embassy Row
Jeffrey Osborne @ Birchmere (r&b) ( sold out)
High-Brid Band, Aeoxis, Courtland Johnson @ SOngbyrd (Black rock bands)
Sticky Fingers: A Rolling Stones tribute w/ dc musicians including Shirleta Settles, Boneshakers feat. Jenny Langer, Patty Reese and more @ Bethesda Theater
Romanian Food Fest 4-7 pm @ St Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church, Potomac, MD (also Sat. & Sunday 11am-7 pm)
IO the Singer live album listening session 6:30 pm @ Big Bear Cafe (DC-based Nigerian rock/folk/jazz singer)
The Cahoots (David Kitchen & Arch Alcantara) 5:30-7:30 @ Hank Dietle’s (roots & Brit Invasion inspired rock)
“The Beat Goes On: The Story Of Baltimore Beat” screening 7:30 pm free @ Current Space
Proper Utensils 6-11 @ Takoma Station Tavern (go-go)
Raw Image & UCB @ Citizens & Culture (go-go)
Spark Isle ; Spare Hearts; The Morelias ; Employee 1 @ Rhizome (experimental rock, synth pop, indie rock )
After Thought Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Still Familiar @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Lounge (go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience feat. Jon Williams 10pm @ House of Soul (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Traditional Ethiopian music band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
Belema Band @ Shalla (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Arabic Music dj @ Green Zone
*John Murph dj'ing @ Bar Cana *
—----------------------------------------------
Sat. May 16-
Haitian Flag Day weekend takeover w/ events at the Continent in DC; and Citadel Creole Cuisine in Silver Spring, MD plus Khash (NY Haitian band) @ DJaz Lakay Party @ Throw Social
The Joy Formidable @ Miracle Theatre
J. Hunter Bennett- “More Punk than the Public Library: The Adventures of a little Free Punk Rock Bookstore in Washington DC” w/ Kim Coletta @ Politics & Prose, Conn. Ave. NW
Jeffrey Osborne @ Birchmere ( r& b) ( sold out)
Chante Moore @ Bethesda Theater
La Sonora Dinamita @ Tandoori
Inner Ear Studios stage flyer wall workshop - help preserve memory of the location of the former Inner Ear studio as part of new 2700 Art Space stage at the site via pasting up vintage flyers and photos and meet Don Zientara (owner of the now moved Inner Ear) 10 am to 12 noon @ 2700 South Nelson St., Arlington (raindate Sunday 10 am to 12)
Junkyard Band, Be’la Dona, Major League Band, Still Familiar, Xpressionz Band @ 2nd annual Park n Lot Cook out 2pm till @ Jay’s Sports Lounge
Charm City Stomp w/ Monsters from the Surf, Ubangis, Zocko, Flying Faders, Bali Lamas, Apollo 66, Go Dog Go, & more bands & djs 12 noon on for free @ Peabody Heights Brewery (garage & surf rock/punk)
Ms Kim Michelle Experience 2-6 pm @ Anacostia River Fest
Yot Club, ZZZahara @ Black Cat (tik tok viral alt-indie rock)
Klezmatics @ Theatre J
Los Chavalones, Los Dos de Tamaulipas & more bands @ El Ranchon
Asleep at the Wheel 1pm @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis
Lone Bellow w/ Eli Kollman 8pm @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis
Columbia Heights Day w/ music tba 12-5pm @ 3200-3400 block of 11th St NW
Dykechella w/ Kristy La Rat, Les the DJ, Diyanna Monet, El Sucio, & more 12-8pm @ Transmission
Habibi Casa Arab Latin dj night @ Darna in Arlington
DJ Baby Alcatraz @ Sound Bar Baltimore
Jamaican fest w/ djs outdoors 10am to 9 pm @ Lamont’s
Laurel Canyon- Golden songs of Los Angeles 1967-1972 sung and played by dc area musicians @ Hamilton live
The Homage feat. Mobu @ Throw Social (South African amapiano and afrobeats)
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ w/ Latin Hits upstairs;
Nani & Negussie w/ Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music w/ Samri, Fekadu, Eleni & band @ Shalla
Ras Band @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
—---------------------------------------------------
Sun. May 17-
Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie free w/ registration 4:30-6:30 @ Hill Center DC (zydeco)
David Byrne @ 7pm @ Hippodrome
Filipino Festival @ 4pm @ Power Plant
Chapterhouse: Whirlpool 35 (performing debut album in full) @ Black Cat (UK postpunk)
Chante Moore @ Bethesda Theater (r&b)
Los Del North Texas @ Mexico Lindo
Kris R @ Ibiza (Colombia trap)
Tierra Caliente @ VIP Room Baltimore
Gamer Symphony Orchestra Spring 2026 Large Ensemble Concert 2 & 7 pm @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr recital hall (music from video games)
Caution Thrill House, Ducts @ Comet
By Storm @ Songbyrd (alt-rap)
1252 Band 6pm @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
Son Cubano @ Takoma Station Tavern
Bill Kirchen Band 1pm @ Rams Head Live Onstage Annapolis
Lt. Headtrip, Northern Draw @ Galaxy Hut
Gospel concert 3:30 @ New Covenant Baptist Church Baltimore
live Ethiopian music @ 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
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park (when weather is warm & if not blocked by turf & fountain work )
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Afrobeats, hiphop, dancehall party w/ dj 4 to 9 @ Decades (dresscode- "fashionable")
—---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon. May 18-
David Byrne @ Hippodrome
Start Today,Posicion Unida, Retain, and Grudge 7:30 @ Transmission (hardcore punk)
Sol Roots Band 6-9 @ Westminster Church (blues )
Skullcap, Ben Starkey, Alex Wu, John Hoegberg, Derrick Michaels & Chris Frick 7pm @ Comptoir du Vin (Skullcap is cellist Janel Leppin, guitarist Anthony Pirog, & drummer Mike Kuhl)
Takoma Co-op Film Fest: We the Owners @ Rhizome
Marcus Young 10 pm @ Andrews in Morningside, MD
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz w/ the Roots Band @ Shalla
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tues. May 19-
Lily Vakili @ Pie Shop
Deep Essence, Shadow Riot, Quattracenta @ Ottobar
Vial, Scarlet Demore, Cinema Hearts @ Songbyrd (rock)
Knave ; Rain Shears; Dead Daffodils @ Rhizome (rock, indie-folk)
Still Familiar @ Fast Eddie's (go-go)
Ethiopian music w/ Kalkidan & Fekadu backed by Dani Key & Dave Sax @ Rumor Bar Silver Spring
"vintage groove" Ethiopian music band feat. Fikir & Fitsum 8-11 @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. May 20-
The King of the Go-go Beat- D Floyd birthday celebration @ Bethesda Theater
Maryland Death Fest Pre-Fest 6pm @ Nevermore Hall
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall) (?)
Brazilian Brothers @ Mercy Me (Brazilian samba, pagode)
Matheus Fonseca 6-9 @ Bar Cana (Brazilian music guitarist)
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thurs. May 21-
The Go-go Moshpit w/ Yaddiya & the Honest Politix, Hue, Breezy Supreme 8-12 @ Transmission (rap, go-go meets rock, pop-punk)
Sting @ Wolf Trap (through May 23)
Del Fest @ Allegheny County Fairgrounds
All Funked Up & DJ Fats @ Lamont’s
David Chappell & Jonathan Sloane @ JVS (roots rock)
Shari Puorto sings blues women pioneer songs @ Hank Dietle’s
Madison Greenstone ; Two Weeks @ Rhizome (experimental presented by outside time )
Tea Eater, Grooblen, Fantazma @ Quarry House Tavern
Maryland Death Fest XXI 12 pm @ Soundstage
Maryland Death Fest XXI 4 pm @ Nevermore
Experience Band @ Takoma Station Tavern
Les the DJ & Martin Miguel @ Grazie Mille
What Band @ Martinis (go-go)
Reaction @ Black Rose Lounge (bouncebeat go-go)
New Impressionz @ Martini's White Plains (go-go & bouncebeat go-go)
Live Ethiopian music w/ Abraham, Danny, Hanna @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Selam Sound @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Ethiopian music @ Rumor Bar Fenton St Silver Spring
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge (?)
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldi’s
live reggae 9 pm @ Bukom
*New Pornographers , Will Sheff @ 930 Club (indie-pop-rock) (sold out) *
—--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri. May 22 -
Big Daddy Kane w/ the Duke Ellington School Orchestra @ Bethesda Theater (old-school rapper)
Chico DeBarge 6 & 9pm @ Keystone Korner (r&b)
DOGO tu Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band 6-8 @ Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & St. Elmo Avenues
Midnight Sun, Jannel Leppin, Janel & Anthony @ Comet Ping Pong (art-rock cellist )
Oh, He Dead 6-8:30 @ National gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Trap poetry @ Howard Theatre
Bruce Lee night w/ author Jeff Chang re his new book on Bruce Lee @ 6:30 & DJ 2-Tone Jones of Shaolin Jazz adding a soundtrack to the Big Boss film @ 8 all @ Museum of Asian Art
Ritmo Enfermedad w/ Leon City Sounds djs, Baby Alcatraz, Smile Now Cry Later (Mark Cisneros) all spinning vinyl 10 pm @ DC 9
Robber Robber, Empath @ Rhizome (alt rock/post-punk-shoe gaze)
Maryland Death Fest XXI 12 pm @ Soundstage
Maryland Death Fest XXI 4 pm @ Nevermore
Russkaya @ Dulles Sportsplex
El Fantasma, Tierra Cali & Los de la Marka @ CocoCabana
Zacarias Ferreira @ Diamond Lounge
Amal (of Black Rave Culture) & artists Taylor Spenxer, Hunch from his label Hochi Runs @ Songbyrd
Black Alley, Northeast Groovers @ FIllmore Silver Spring (go-go)
Blacc Print @ Takoma Station Tavern
Adam Johnson “How to Sell a Genocide" book event @ Bol Co-op Bookstore , 716 Monroe st NE
After Thought Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Still Familiar @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Lounge (go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience feat. Jon Williams 10pm @ House of Soul (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Traditional Ethiopian music band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
Belema Band @ Shalla (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Arabic Music dj @ Green Zone
—---------------------------------------------------------------
Sat. May 23-
Los Iracundos, Los Angeles Negros, Grupo Mirimar, Los Terricolas de Hoy @ Cococabana
Shy Glizzy @ Throw Social (dc rap)
Mt Pleasant Block Party w/ Soroche (DC/Baltimore cumbia, ska, punk, folk) @ 4:30 & Yeison Landero (Cumbia de San Jacinto, Colombia) 5:30 pm & Leon City Sounds djs 3pm plus vinyl vendors @ Lamont Plaza
Jeff Draco @ Songbyrd
Zacarias Ferreira @ VIP Room Baltimore
Minibeast (w/ Peter Prescott from Mission of Burma), Nice Breeze, Freq Flag @ Rhizome (post-punk alt rock)
Barry White, Gerald Levert & Keith Sweat Tribute 7 pm @ Keystone Korner
99% Afrobeats dj party w/ DJ Tata, DJ Juiceee, DJ JayRed 3-9 @ Decades
Argentine Festival @ Kenmore Theatre Arlington
Yuri Ortuno @ GN Event Ctr in Manassas (Bolivian Andean singer)
Batty Gyal & 4 djs @ Songbyrd (Queeribbean DMV)
Stone Pleasure & DJ Stew @ Lamont’s (soul)
Four Star Combo @ Hank Dietle’s (rockabilly, blues )
NAYAN (EP Release!), The Laterals, Burden's Landing @ Quarry House Tavern
Maryland Death Fest XXI 12 pm @ Soundstage
Maryland Death Fest XXI 4 pm @ Nevermore
Baltimore Zine Fest 2-6pm free @ Herring Run
Dayna Stephens @ Takoma Station Tavern
Adam Johnson “How to Sell a Genocide" book event @ Red Emma’s
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ w/ Latin Hits upstairs;
Nani & Negussie w/ Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music w/ Samri, Fekadu, Eleni & band @ Shalla
Ras Band @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
—--------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. May 24-
Manhattans feat. Gerald Alston @ Birchmere ( soul)
Domani @ Songbyrd (Atlanta rapper son of TI)
Fallen Heroes Ball w/ Rare Essence, Sirius Company, Major League Band 9pm @ Hampton Conference Center, Capitol Hts., MD (go-go)
Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band @Takoma Station Tavern
AfroCode - hiphop meets Afrobeats and soca @ Decades DC
What Band feat. Killa Cal 11 pm @ Piano Keys Lounge (go-go)
Spotlight Band 6pm @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
Russkaya @ Sportsplex of Rockville, MD
Mach & Daddy @ VIP Room (retro reggaeton)
Dino Gala, Ajola, Two Thumbs Down @ Comet P. Pong
Ebban & Ephraim Dorsey 5PM & 7:30 pm @ Keystone Korner
DJ Day party 3-9 @ Eaton Wild Days rooftop
Maryland Death Fest XXI. 12PM, $42-$373 @ Soundstage
Maryland Death Fest XXI. 4PM, $42-$373 @ Nevermore
live Ethiopian music @ 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
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park (when weather is warm & if not blocked by turf & fountain work )
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Afrobeats, hiphop, dancehall party w/ dj 4 to 9 @ Decades (dresscode- "fashionable")
*Buckethead @ 930 Club *
—---------------------------------------------------------------
Mon. May 25
The late Bobby Felder’s Blues Brothers 6-9 @ Westminster Church (blues )
Fixations ; Everything; Glycine; Rocky IV@ Rhizome (punk)
Marcus Young 10 pm @ Andrews in Morningside, MD
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz w/ the Roots Band @ Shalla
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday May 26-
Steve Earle solo & acoustic @ Birchmere ( roots) ( sold out)
Essential Tremors music podcast Selector Series plays Big Star “Third/Sister Lovers” 7 pm @ Idle Hour Baltimore
Kerosene Heights, Stars Hollow, Palette Knife @ Songbyrd
Sarah Hughes; Gerswyn Foster ; Michael R. Bernstein Rhizome (experimental jazz and experimental electronics)
Still Familiar @ Fast Eddie's (go-go)
Ethiopian music w/ Kalkidan & Fekadu backed by Dani Key & Dave Sax @ Rumor Bar Silver Spring
"vintage groove" Ethiopian music band feat. Fikir & Fitsum 8-11 @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. May 27
French Montana and Max B @ Fillmore Silver Spring (rap)
Glenn Jones ; Liam Grant ; Ari Rosenfield @ Rhizome (finger picking Fahey -esque guitar)
Daryl Davis & Seth Kibel 7pm @ Keystone Korner
Brand New Companion, Moon Owl’s Mages, Jake Schaefer @ Quarry House Tavern
Jackie and the Treehorns, Gigi Marie, Broken Men and the Fixer NOW benefit @ Galactic Panther (rooted in tuneful 1977 punk)
New Impressionz @ Babylon (go-go)
What Band feat. Killa Cal free @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Live Ethiopian music @ Napoli Lounge
DJ Jamstar @ Tempoo Lounge (dancehall) (?)
Brazilian Brothers @ Mercy Me (Brazilian samba, pagode)
Matheus Fonseca 6-9 @ Bar Cana (Brazilian music guitarist)
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thurs. May 28-
My Body My fest w/ Hamilton Leithauser, Bartees Strange, Yaya Bey, Nourished by Time @ 930
Chicha Libre w/ djs Baby ALcatraz & BDQTA Vinyl @ Songbyrd
Kevvo @ Ibiza (reggaeton)
Ostinato (Va. band) ; and Joe Lally, Jerry Busher, and Yanni(guitarist from Philly doom jazz band Stinking Lizaveta) @ Galactic Panther
Djs Miss H.E.R. & the Vibe Conductor @ Grazie Mille
All Funked Up & DJ Fats @ Lamont’s
Thrills @ Hank Dietle’s (roots pop)
Future Islands, Dan Deacon, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat 7 pm @ Pier Six
Bat Boy, Teens in Trouble @ Quarry House Tavern
What Band @ Martinis (go-go)
Reaction @ Black Rose Lounge (bouncebeat go-go)
New Impressionz @ Martini's White Plains (go-go & bouncebeat go-go)
Live Ethiopian music w/ Abraham, Danny, Hanna @ Shalla Restaurant in Silver Spring
Selam Sound @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge in Falls Church
Ethiopian music @ Love Lounge Fenton St Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Ethiopian music @ Rumor Bar Fenton St Silver Spring
Afrobeats w/ DJ Jamstar @ Spectrum Lounge (?)
Afro-Caribbean dj @ Kaldi’s
live reggae 9 pm @ Bukom
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri. May 29-
Ron Moten from the Go-go Museum & Joe Lapan of Byrdland Record store & Songbyrd Club discuss how go-go bands could benefit from putting out vinyl again. Talk is @ 1:30 -2:30 @ Main Hall of the Westin Old Town Alexandria
Disco Biblioteca music related book talk for John R Davis book Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A DC Punk Fanzine history w/ John Davis 7pm @ People’s Book
Dwele 6 & 9pm @ Keystone Korner
Flipper, Balaclava, Huvr 7pm @ Soundstage (punk/postpunk)
Buko Buko, DMV, Gorf benefit for DC Books to Prison @ Black Cat
Alex Isley @ Warner Theatre (r& b)
Kid Cudi @ Jiffy Lube
Pedro Night dj’ing @ St. Ex
Carlitos Bronco & Frank Asuaje @ Leyla’s
Oro Solido @ CocoCabana
Alzate @ Rio Cantina (Colombia)
The Fly Birds 6-8:30 pm @ National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (Appalachia, Americana, folk)
Salsa and slices of pizza Latin night 9:30 pm till @ Roscoe’s Pizzeria in Takoma Park
Suttle Thoughts @ Takoma Station Tavern
Arty Hill & the Long Gone Daddys @ Hank Dietle’s (honky-tonk)
Cadeem Lamar, Three Eyed Mouse, Kilian Fonlon, Knyves Escobar 9:30 pm @ Ottobar
After Thought Band @ Lamont’s (soul)
Still Familiar @ Shark Bar (go-go)
Junkyard Band @ Urban Crab Lounge (go-go)
Kim Michelle Experience feat. Jon Williams 10pm @ House of Soul (go-go)
Alfredo Mojica Group @ 10:30 @ Bossa (salsa) plus DJ w/ Latin hits upstairs;
Traditional Ethiopian music band @ Makeda Restaurant, Van Dorn St., Alexandria
Belema Band @ Shalla (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ MHL Lounge
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian music 9 to 12 mdt. @ Meleket
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring (?)
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Arabic Music dj @ Green Zone
*DJ Kenny M @ Bar Cana *
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat. May 30 -
Slickee Boys 50th aniv. w/ Beatnik Flies & Birthday Girl DC @ 930 Club (DC garage rock proto -punk)
Zain Zohaib @ Lisner (a renowned Pakistani Qawwali duo hailing from Lahore, Pakistan)
Just Mustard @ Songbyrd (postpunk)
Ari Lennox @ MGM National Harbor (r&b)
Lyle Lovett @ Birchmere ( Americana) ( sold out)
Petworth Porchfest w/ djs Native Sun, Lady Lavender, Martin Miguel, Leon City Sounds djs, Electric Kingdom 2-7pm @ 524 Taylor St NW Back Porch; The Aurelions (w/ Baby Alcatraz & Mark Cisneros) @ Lymons Tavern & other porches 2-7pm tba & stages 5-8 pm tba
Chuck Brown Band @ Bethesda Theater (go-go)
Paranoid Style 8pm @ Club 603 (sold out)
Orquesta Sanvicente Y La Sonora Dinamita @ El Palenque
Fer Martínez Y Sus Cuates De Olancho Y Los Ilegales De Lempira @ VIP Room
Pile ‘o’ Rocks @ Hank Dietle’s (covers of Rockpile and associated Brit pub rocking bands)
Benefit for Jason Gray @ Lamont’s
Film & Gender, XK Scenario, Rosslyn Station @ Quarry House Tavern
Something Simple, Cole Larravide @ Comet P. Pong
Bohemian Waxwing ; Kevin Knight; NAYAN @ Rhizome (rock)
New Balance appreciation day @ Metro Bar
Rare Essence @ 11 @ Aqua (go-go)
Tumbao (Latin salsa ) @ 10:30 @ Bossa 1st floor & DJ w/ Latin Hits upstairs;
Nani & Negussie w/ Band @ Makeda Restaurant (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music w/ Samri, Fekadu, Eleni & band @ Shalla
Ras Band @ MHL Lounge (Ethiopian)
Ethiopian music @ Black Rose Lounge
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. May 31-
Heavy Metal Parking Lot anniversary showing with outtakes 6:15 @ AFI Silver
Ari Lennox @ MGM National Harbor (r&b)
DMV Summer Kickoff with Rare Essence, Junkyard Band, DCVybe, Sirius Company, Kim Michelle Experience, Major League band 12-8 @ Lerner Town Square @ Tyson Corner Galleria II (big go-go event in go-go band’s Rare Essence 50th year)
Lyle Lovett @ Birchmere ( Americana)
1252 Band 6pm @ Lamont’s (southern soul)
Tribute to Maeisha Rashad & the Hiphuggers @ Takoma Station Tavern (go-go/r& b)
live Ethiopian music @ 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
Ethiopian Music @ Rumor Bar Fenton Street Silver Spring
Ethiopian music @ Mulashewa
Ethiopian music @ JD Bar
Drumming @ 3 to 7 @ Malcolm X Park (when weather is warm & if not blocked by turf & fountain work )
Afrobeats dj @ St Ex
Afrobeats, hiphop, dancehall party w/ dj 4 to 9 @ Decades (dresscode- "fashionable")
*Farruquito: A Flamenco Dynasty 6pm @ AFI Silver *
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Mon. June 1-
Marcus Young 10 pm @ Andrews in Morningside, MD
Ethiopian music live @ Napoli Lounge
Ethiojazz w/ the Roots Band @ Shalla
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More lists-- Capital Bop has jazz; Tickeri DMV 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. Hometown Sounds on Instagram & substack has dc indie rock & punk & more; district.hardcore on Instagram has hardcore ; gogomusixdmv on Instagram has go-go flyers; Fans of Tom Cole's G-Strings on Facebook has jazz & international; RA ; Also-Washington Post Going Out Guide; dc-hardcore .com; Washingtonian monthly one; pa palace go-go one also have events
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