Chatting w/ Malian artists Tartit;Mamadou Kelly; & Mohamed of Imharhan---in D.C.Saturday

This Saturday night July 27 brings the Festival au Desert: Caravan for Peace tour with Tartit (pictured above), Mamadou Kelly, and Imharhan to Tropicalia.  The show is a tribute to the event that took place among the sand dunes outside Timbuktu, Mali for twelve years until the recent upheaval that led to Islamic radicals taking control of north Mali.  Although the French have since driven the radicals largely into hiding, portions of Mali remain unsafe due to suicide bomber attacks and economically damaged with the Festival postponed indefinitely. More than human interest stories, these performers merit interest for their music alone. Tartit’s five women vocalist/percussionists chant  drone-like Tamashek lyrics aided by the minimalistic stringed instrument rhythms of four veiled male players.  Mamadou Kelly played guitar with the late Ali Farka Toure, and like him, Kelly’s  brand of fingerpicking axework seemingly evokes the blues, even if it’s  Malian grown. His vocals aren’t melismatic, but they convey a somber power. Imharhan, led by electric guitarist Mohamed Issa with members of Tartit, envelopes listeners with Tinariwen-like buzzing guitar that they meld with contemporary, personal lyrics about love, war and life as refugees.

 In preparation for my Washington City Paper preview, I interviewed via email Fadimata walet Oumar (aka Disco) of Tartit; Mamadou Kelly; and Mohamed Issa ag Oumar of Imharhan(he’s Fadimata’s brother).  Not speaking French or Tamashek, I relied on the tour manager to translate the questions and answers.

1. Where do the bandmembers live now?

Mamadou Kelly: I have returned to Goundam in the north of Mali with my family.  My band members live in Niafunke and Segou.  We stay time to time in Bamako when we have concerts there.

Fadimata Walet Oumar(of Tartit): The group Tartit lives in three countries at the moment: Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Mali

2.  How does your songwriting process work?

Mamadou: My music is based on traditional song styles but I elaborate and change the lyric and song to suit the circumstances and the times. i then create arrangements with traditional and contemporary instrumentation.

Fadimata: Tartit sings traditional songs that we arrange for the group.  We also compose new material in traditional style with stories and messages that are give opinions, histories and comments on contemporary situations.

Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar: Imharhan uses a more contemporary method of composing lyrics and music.  Our lyrics are about love or nostalgia as well as about contemporary values, the current situation of the Tuareg and the wider issues of the world.  

3. Are their any women ngoni players or do women play imzad and tinde only?

Fadimata: In our group the women play the imzad and the tinde only.  

We do not know any women who play the ngoni [we call that instrument the tehardent in tamacheq]

4. (For Fadimata of Tartit): Tell me about the status of your United nations-recognized association dedicated to developing schools and jobs and preserving  Malian music and culture.

Fadimata: It is difficult for this foundation to operate and function right now.  The crisis in the north has brought much suffering and deprivation to the local people.

5.  What have you enjoyed seeing when traveling with the band; or do you just mainly stay at hotels and not have time to see things and meet people?

Fadimata: We travel alot for our concerts, in Europe, in Africa.  Now in the US.  We mainly stay in hotels resting from out performances and the travel but we enjoy meeting people and our family members and the Tuareg people who live around the world.  

6.  Are you working on new songs and do you have plans for a new album?

Mamadou Kelly: We are constantly working on new songs and listening to all kinds of music.  

Mohamed Issa: I have been composing songs along the route and think of musical ideas all the time.

Fadimata: Tartit spends alot of the time singing together and improvising.  We have a new album of live recordings about to be released.  And we are working on another. 

D.C. & Baltimore/DMV "World Music" & More Concerts July 2013

From my Yahoo group emailed calendar. New shows added feature an asterisk.

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Sorry this is late

Highlights:

Fri. 7-5-Mahmoud Ahmed at Echostage (Ethiopian)
Sat. 7-6-Jamaica Day Reggae Fest with Ken Boothe at Anne Ar. C. Fairground
Thurs. 7-11 –Lost Bayou ramblers at Bayou on PA. Ave. NW
Sat. 7-13-The Baltimore Washington One Carnival Parade in Baltimore
Sat. 7-27-Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace with Tartit, Imharhan, Mamadou Kelly at Tropicalia (Mali)

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Mon 7-1

Alpha Blondy at Howard Theatre (African reggae)

Ethiopian singer Munit Mesfin and German guitarist Jӧrg Pfeil aka Munit & Jorg at Tropicalia

Dukem Restaurant on U Street is featuring Aregahegn Worash and Abeba Desalegn from Ethiopia guesting with locally based Ethiopian musicians on certain nights through Sunday the 7th. Their Facebook page has more details.

Jason Isbell at the Birchmere

Daryl Davis at Westminster Church
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Tues 7-2

Fendika, a traditional Ethiopian Azmari music and dance ensemble at 2 pm at Smithsonian Museum of African Arts (recommended)

Twenty Feet from Stardom (great movie doc about soulful background singers) at the Charles, E. Street, Angelika & West End through Thursday

Libaya Baba and James Lovell group performs a program of Garifuna music and dance, featuring call-and-response and a blend of traditional genres such as Paranda, Punta, and Wanaragua. For free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage ( Part of the Homegrown: The Music of America concert series and 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.) Recommended
Buddy Holly Story at Wolf Trap(and on Wed.)
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Wed 7-3

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 including a good one tonight with Garifuna/punta drumming and dance from Central America with Libaya Baba featuring James Lovell – 6 to 7:30 festival.si.edu

Mapuna Leo, Hawaiian musicians, kumu hula (hula masters), and academic colleagues celebrate the revitalization of Hawaiian culture and language for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Dink Nat Ethiopia at 10:30 at the Howard Theatre

Maracuyeah djs Mafe and Rat plus guest dj at Tropical Boom Part at U St. Music Hall with Boogat, Poirier, Alma Tropicalia, Empressarios, Fort Knox Five vs Thunderball & Jay Clue

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem at 7 outdoors at Strathmore

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem and Kickoman at Tropicalia

Rare Essence mixtape release party at Ibiza (go-go)

Afrika Bambaata at U St Music Hall

Janka Nabay at the Dunes, 1402 Meridian Place NW

Dukem Restaurant on U Street is featuring Aregahegn Worash and Abeba Desalegn from Ethiopia guesting with locally based Ethiopian musicians on certain nights through Sunday the 7th. Their Facebook page has more details.
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Thurs 7-4

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists). No evening shows tonight

Bob Cohen with Szalonna and His Band (The klezmer musician blends Hungarian, Romanian, Moldavian, and Yiddish music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Motown Musical plus Barry Manilow, Candice Glover, country music artist Scotty McCreery and more at a Capitol Fourth on the West lawn

Jano Band (Ethiopian rock), 11 p.m., Howard Theatre

South African Dj party at Tropicalia
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Fri 7-5

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

The Furious 5 featuring Grandmaster Mele Mel, Scorpio, The Kidd, Creole and Rahiem, 8 p.m, Howard Theatre. (classic rap)

Haile Roots with Chiggae Band and Kuku Sebsebe, 11:30 p.m., Howard Theatre.(Ethiopian reggae headliner with more trad yet modern Ethiopian opener)

Mahmoud Ahmed (King of Ethiopian music) with Teddy Afro (polished Ethio-reggae star) at Echostage

Ecuadorian Hatun Kotama Cultural Center (An ensemble from the cultural center performs a program of traditional flute music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Brazilian Girls at 930 Club

Moneytown dj party 5th Anniversary (soul and funk) at Little Miss Whiskey's
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Sat 7-6

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

Noel Torres (Mexican singer and accordionist) at Diamond Lounge in Annandale

Save Jamaica Day Reggae Festival with Ken Boothe(old-school), Tifa (female dancehaller) , Edly Shine and many more at Anne Arundel County Fairground, Crownsville, MD at 12 noon

Baltimore African-American Heritage Festival 2013 with Patti Labelle, Fantasia, and Raheem Devaughn at M& T Bank Stadium parking lot

Vakirai ( Zimbabwean-American singer-songwriter) at Tropicalia

Indonesian Cultural night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

Andrea Navratil (The singer performs different styles of folk tunes from the Carpathian Basin, accompanied by traditional musicians.) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Trouble Funk 35th anniversary 8 pm at Howard Theatre.
Ethiopian Allstars at 11 pm at the Howard Theatre
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Sun 7-7

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

Jerk Festival 2013 in Baltimore at Pimlico Race Track, Baltimore with Beenie Man, I Wayne, Devonte & Tanto Metro, Storm, Zulan, O'Brien, Entred, J Sskull, Droop Lion, Klevva Kid, Pluggy T, Alldurian Sun, K Vibes, All Day Affair

Culture of the Spirit Tour with Indialucia and more (Asian and flamenco) at Langley High, Mclean, VA

Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe at Cat's Eye Pub, Fells Point, Baltimore

Ciao Ciao at Howard Theatre (Closing event for end of Ethiopian Sports fest)
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Mon 7-8
Carla Morrison (Latin indie), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre.

Kobotown (nuevo Calypso) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Garifuna Collective and Kobotown at 7 at Tropicalia (garifuna/punto music and calypso from Kobotown)

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Tues 7-9
Luciano (reggae), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre.

Culture of the Spirit Tour with Indialucia and more (Asian and flamenco) at 6:30 at American U. Greenberg Theatre

Los Lobos with Los Lonely Boys at Wolftrap Filene Center
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Wed 7-10
DC Loves Dilla Tribute Concert featuring De La Soul and Black Thought (The Roots), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre (old-school rap)

Orioles and the Jewels (old-school DC r'n'b) at 6:30 to 8:30 at Tucker Road Athletic Complex, 1771 Tucker Road, Fort Washington, MD

Mac Miller at the Fillmore

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Thurs 7-11

La Vela Puerca at State Theatre in Falls Church

Lost Bayou Ramblers (great rockin Cajun band) at Bayou in DC

Harmonia (Ohio based gypsy music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Delta Frat presents 100 Shades of Red in DC – Centennial Happy Hour & After Party Featuring Black Alley, Dougie E. Fresh, & DJ Biz Markie (r'n'b & rap) at Howard Theatre

Souls of Mischief (rap) at Rn R Hotel
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Fri 7-12
The Baltimore Washington One Carnival at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland

Maelo Ruiz (bachata) at the Palace in Woodbridge

Persuasions at the Howard Theatre

Specials at the Fillmore (ska)

Hiphop Theatre Fest (through Saturday) at Dance Place

*Bosnian Rainbows (w/ Omar from Mars Volta) early show at U. St. Music Hall

* Flavor N'Abnia (Nigeria) live at Rio Lounge, Baltimore Avenue(Route 1) in Laurel, Maryland

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Sat. 7-13

The Baltimore Washington One Carnival festival 12 noon to 10 pm at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland with parade starting at 1 pm at 900 E 33rd Street & Alameda, Baltimore

Julio Voltio for free at Copacabana (reggaeton)

* Banda El Recodo and Banda Los Recoditos at Mexico Lindo, Bladensburg, MD

Beto Jamaica, The Colombian musician blends several kinds of music, including vallenato, cumbia, paseo, porro, and more for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Samba Travao performance at Tropicalia

Peru Rocks Festival feat. Miki Gonzalez & Bareto at The State Theatre in Falls Church

16th Annual Common Ground on the Hill Festival
@Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 Center St, Westminster, MD
Buckwheat Zydeco, CJ Chenier, Little Queenie
Plus many roots & blues musicians

Sandra Lilia Velasquez (of Pistolera) for free at Artisphere Dome Theatre

Bulgarian Cultural Heritage night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

*Red Baraat at Rams Head Live in Baltimore (South Asian American bhangra funk)
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Sun 7-14
The Baltimore Washington One Carnival Festival 12 to 9 pm at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland

Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush @Glen Echo Bumper Car Pavilion, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD Dance Lesson: 3:00pm Music: 3:30pm-6:00pm (young Lake Charles, LA band)

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Mon 7-15

Iguanas at Jammin Java

Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn at Wolf Trap

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Tues 7-16
Fanfare Ciocarlia, The Romanian brass orchestra performs its unique blend of Gypsy music and Balkan funk. for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

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Wed 7-17

Iguanas at Rams Head Annapolis

Okay Africa Azonto party at Tropicalia with DJ's Underdog, Native Sun and Kweks (Ghana) will grace the stage for Azonto Fiesta! kwaito, hiplife, kuduro, South African house, zouk, soukous, coupe decale and, of course Azonto

Lil Wayne, T.I., and Future - 1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore) (rap)

Leon Russell at the Hamilton
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Thurs 7-18
POStPONED--Kassav (Francophone Zouk band), 9 p.m., Howard Theatre

Huecco at the Bier Barron, 1523 22nd St NW

Maracuyeah presents: Chillin con DJ Ethos (Subsuelo/LA) at Tropicalia in Washington,
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Fri 7-19

Locos Por Juana at Artisphere (Miami Latin-reggae-hip-hop cumbia mash-up )

ArcAngel (reggaeton) at the Palace

Artscape with Kem, Bridget Kelly, the Wailers at Mount Royal Avenue, Cathedral & Charles Streets, Baltimore

Joe Keys & the Late Bloomer Band (funk and jazz and and jazz poetry) at Tropicalia

Bachata VIP at Royal Lake Park

*24 Horas at Euphoria Nightclub in Baltimore

*Ettiene Charles at Bohemian Caverns (Caribbean jazz) (also on the 20th)
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Sat 7-20

Ozomatli for free (time tba) at National Museum of the American Indian

"Te Amo Peru" (multi-artist show) at Marco Polo, 245 Maple Ave W
Vienna, VA

*Ultimate doo-wop show at Wolf Trap (numerous artists)

Fantasia (r'n'b) at Warner Theatre

Cannibal Ox (rap) at Ottobar

Joyfest 2013 (gospel) with Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton & New Breed at Kings Dominion in Virginia

Blake Shelton (country) at Jiffy Lube Live

Russian Cultural Heritage night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

Oldtime Banjo fest at the Birchmere

* Charles Bradley: Soul of America movie at AFI (old-school style soul singer doc)

*DC zinefest at St. Stephen's Church

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Sun 7-21

Festival Chirilagua with Viajero, Jayro, Rigu, Charlie Cruz, J King & Maximan, and Elvis Crespo (meringue) at 11 a.m. at the Cora Reed Recreation Ctr., 25 West Reed Ave
Alexandria, VA

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Mon 7-22

Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials at the Rams Head Annapolis

*Bombino (from Niger) opening for Robert Plant at Wolf Trap

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Tues 7-23

Krar Collective The Ethiopian ensemble performs hypnotic dance music centered on the traditional krar (stringed harp). for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

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Wed 7-24

Carlos Vives at the Patriot Center

Troublefunk for free at Strathmore Gazebo

Casuarina ( Rio de Janeiro`s samba and choro) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Dr. John At the Birchmere
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Thurs 7-25

*Guillermo Anderson (Afro-caribbean parranda and punta from Honduras) for free at 6:30 at Enrique V. Iglesias Auditorium, Inter-American Development Bank, 1330 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, one block from Metro Center, 13th Street exit.

Seu Jorge at the Birchmere (Brazil)
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Fri 7-26

Rey Ruiz at the Palace (Cuban salsa singer)

Don Omar (reggaeton) at CocoCabana

Mary Mary at the Howard

The Winstons (old-school r'n'b) at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel

Enanito Verdes (Argentine rock) and Tic Tac at the Fillmore
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Sat 7-27

National Dance Day at Kennedy Center for free with performances by Dizzy Feet Foundation, Culture Shock, Manzari Brothers, and others, plus interactive dances, dance lessons, and the resurrection of "Dancing Under the Stars," with Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra for a sultry summer salsa dance party.

Hildemaro celebrando la Independencia del Peru at 9:00pm at Ceviche House
117 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD

Guyana Cultural Fest at 11 a.m. at Brandywine Lions Club Park, Brandywine, MD

Loretta Lynn at 930 Club

Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace with Tartit, Imharhan, Mamadou Kelly at Tropicalia 7PM-10:30PM

Bolivian Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park at 7:30

*Los Inquietos del Norte at Mexico Lindo, Bladensburg, MD
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Sun 7-28

Winstons (old-school r'n'b) at 6 at Allen Pond Park, Bowie

Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Kix Brooks, and Raelynn at Jiffy Lube Live (country)

**Los Inquietos del Norte at Prince William County fairgrounds, Manassas
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Mon 7-29

Charlie Sayles & the Blues Disciples at Westminster Church

Beyonce (sold-out)(7-30 too)
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Tues 7-30

Africa Umoja at Warner Theatre (South African musical)
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Wed. 7-31

Alisdair Roberts (Scottish folk singer) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Con Funk Shun at the Howard Theatre

* DC based Allstar Jam Session for Mali with Cheick Hamala Diabate;
Michael Shereikis (Chopteeth); Massama Dogo (Elikeh); Will Rast (Funk Ark);
Elin Kathleen Melgarejo (Alma Tropicalia); John Lee- ;The Sol Power All-Stars;
Nila Kay; And many more. Door- 8pm, Show 9pm  $10 at Liv Nightclub
2001 11st, NW
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Other cool stuff (mostly indie-rock): Les Rhinoceros;Coetillion; Aaron Leitko @ Black cat; 7-5-Mantles at Comet; Harry Connick @ Wolf Trap;7-6 Mantles @ Club K in Balt.; 7-8- Evens at Fort reno; 7-10-Vans Warped tour at M. P. Pav;7-11- The Sweet @ Rams Head T.; She & Him @ Wolf Trap 7-12-NRBQ @ the Hamilton; Paul McCartney @ Nationals Park; Belle & Sebastian/Yo La Tengo @M. Post Pavilion; 7-14-Wire @ Black Cat; 7-20-Kurt Vile/Swirlies @930 Club; Beach Boys @ Pier 6; 7-22-Gems @ Black Cat; 7-23-Dylan;Wilco; My Morning Jacket @ M. Post Pavilion;7-25-Parquet Courts @ Ottobar; 7-30-Paul Weller@930; Ted Leo @ Ottobar

D.C./Baltimore/DMV "World" Music & More calendar June 2013

From my Yahoo group emailed calendar.  Updates will include an asterisk *

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Highlights:

6-1-Gator Day w/ Ms. Jody at Lamonts
6-6-Hot 8 Brass at 6th & I
6-7- Alexander Abreu with his Havana D’Primera big band vs Barbaro Fines &  Mayimbe at the Palace, Woodbridge, VA (Cuban Timba, salsa)
6-13-Susanna Baca at the Howard Theatre (Afro-Peruvian)
6-18-Amadou & Mariam w/ Bombino at 930 Club (Mali & Niger)
6-28-5th Annual Flags Till Morning DC Carnival Featuring Bunji Garlin, Kerwin Dubois, Lyrikal at 12am w/ DJs The Dream Team DJ majestic & Dj Stephen at the Hampton Conference Center, Capital Heights, MD (soca and more)

Plus more including Smithsonian Folklife Fest, movie docs…

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Sat. 6-1

Gator Day (WPFW Sat. noon to 2 DJ Gator) at Lamont's in Pomonkey at 2 pm with Ms. Jody (great Southern soul singer) plus Jim Bennett & Lady Mary; Clarence Bluesman Turner; Stacy Brooks Band; Big Daddy Stallings; Ida Campbell; Blues Society Band

Dance Africa DC at Dance Place

Washington Folk fest noon to 7 at Glen Echo

Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars at Artisphere

Patti Griffin at the Birchmere 

Moombahton Massive Day at Velvet Lounge, 930, U St. Music Hall

Tim McGraw (country) at Jiffy Lube Live

Taiwanese Cultural Heritage Night (Taiwanese Dance/Music)
Come and enjoy the exotic and diverse beauty of Taiwanese culture, dance and music.
Ossian Hall Park: 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, VA 22003
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

"Holding On to Jah" reggae movie doc at 9:30PM at AFI (part of Caribbean Movie fest)

Caribbean Heritage Fest at Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Otmart Liebert at Birchmere

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Sun. 6-2

Patti Griffin at the Birchmere (alt-country/folk)

Washington Folk fest noon to 7 at Glen Echo (with international acts included)

Iris Dement at Jammin Java

Peaches & Herb Show with a special guest appearance by Skip Mahoney and The Casuals at the Eclipse, Bladensburg Rd

16th Annual DC Reggae Music Awards at the Nectar Lounge, 7926 Georgia Avenue - Silver Spring, MD Awards Ceremony Starts 8pm and Special performances By 
Renewed Gospel Singers, Tony Roy, Ruth Ann Brown, Rush Dem, Lenny Kurlou,
Ras Puma from Archives, Star Stingaz, Music By Double Trouble & Lexxus Superior

Poncho Sanchez at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis

Tab Benoit & the Voice of the Wetlands Louisiana All-Stars with Moreland and Arbuckle at State Theatre

Uppalapu "Mandolin" Shrinivas, Carnatic mandolin; Uppalapu "Mandolin" Rajesh, Carnatic mandolin; Trichy K. Murali, ghatam; Madirimangalam Swaminathan, mrdangam at 4:00 pm at The Hoff Theater, University of Maryland 1133, Adele H. Stamp Student Union, College Park, MD

Soul Rebels at 8 by 10 (new Orleans brass )

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Mon. 6-3

Charlie XCX (Brit electropop) at 930 Club

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Tues. 6-4

Earth, Wind & Fire at Wolf Trap

Dawn Richard (r'n'b) at the Howard

*Camp Lo and Uptwon XO at Twelve Lounge
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Wed. 6-5

Pokey LaForge at Birchmere

The Bats (New Zealand rock) w/ Dot Dash at DC 9

Nicholas Payton talking about his music at Busboys & Poets, 14th & V 6:30 to 8:30

Marc Cary Solo Piano: A Tribute to Singer/musician Abbey Lincoln at Bohemian Caverns
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Thurs. 6-6

Jesse & Joy at the Fillmore Silver Spring (Latino pop)

Dawn Richard at the Howard (r'n'b) early show
Mobb Deep at the Howard (rap) late show

Hot 8 Brass Band (New Orleans hiphop funky) at 6th & I Syn. 

William "Smooth" Wardlaw's tribute to Luther Vandross at 
7pm at The Blue Dolphin, 1166 State Route 3 South, Gambrills, MD

Nicholas Payton Triple X featuring Lenny White - the Hamilton (DC Jazz Festival)

Saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart for free from 6 to 7 at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. He presents his Jazz Racine Haiti, a project that blends modern jazz and ritual voodoo music from Haiti.

*The Black Girls (Richmond r'n'b) and Congo Sanchez at Tropicalia
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Fri. 6-7

John Hammond, Phil Wiggins & the Chesapeake Sheiks, Roy Book Binder
State Theatre (Blues as part of the Tinner Hill Blues Fest)

Alexander Abreu with his Havana D'Primera big band vs Barbaro Fines & Mayimbe (Cuban timba, Latin-jazz & salsa bands on rare US tour) at 9:00pm at The Palace, 13989 Jefferson David Hwy
Woodbridge, VA

Joe Veras (bachata y tropical) at Diamond Lounge, 7203 Little River Tpke
Annadale, VA 2

Latin-Rock Invasion at the Howard

Tony Humphries and Sam "The Man" Burns - U St Music Hall (house dance music djs)

Dance Theatre of Harlem at Kennedy Center 

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Sat. 6-8

Tinner Hill Blues fest with Big Bill Morganfield, Sista Monica (great soulful singer) , Mary Ann Redmond, Daryl Davis, Beverly Guitar Watkins (unique guitarist), Roy BookBinder, Elleanor Ellis, Pearl Bailes, Gina DeSimone, & Pat Quinn, Sheryl Warner, ... @ Cherry Hill Park ($15)

Chinese Cultural Heritage Night 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Ossian Hall Park
7900 Heritage Drive Annandale Va

Gary Louris (of the Jayhawks) and Luke Mitchem at Jammin' Java (alt-country rock)

Mint Condition at Rams Head Live Baltimore (r'n'b)

Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis at Birchmere (alt-country)

Lionel Loueke (jazz guitarist from Benin ) at Bohemian Caverns

*Pompeya (Moscow Russia indie) at Tropicalia

*Big Bang Dance party at Artisphere (part of Supernova performance art fest with Heavy Breathing, Holly Bass, Ultra Nate and more) 

*Asia After Dark: Korea Seoul train 7 to 11 at Freer Sackler
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Sun. 6-9

"Bagels & Bongos" at 6th & I Synagogue with Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with special guests Steven Bernstein and Anat Cohen (part of DC Jazz Fest) -Arturo O'Farrill grew up playing both Cuban mambo and Jewish Klezmer. For "Bagels & Bongos" he and special guests plus his big band demonstrates the links between the styles, and do hybrid mambo takes on Jewish ones: 

Tricky at the 930 club (post funk)

Vagon Chicano and Polo Urias y su Maquina Nortena (Mexican norteno) at 9:00pm at The Palace, 13989 Jefferson David Hwy, Woodbridge, VA

Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis at Rams Head Tavern Annapolis (alt-country)

Lionel Loueke (jazz guitarist from Benin ) at Bohemian Caverns

Dance Theatre of Harlem matinee at Kennedy Ctr.

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Mon. 6-10

Gary Louris of the Jayhawks (solo) - Rams Head Tavern Annapolis

NY Jazz vocalist Hilary Kole at the Turkish Embassy

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Tues. 6-11

Festival Afro-Bahia (through 6-16) in DC 

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band at the Hamilton (DC Jazz Festival)
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Wednesday June 12-

Buika at Howard Theatre—great Afro-Spanish jazzy vocalist who is on an NPR list of top 50 vocalists, and was in an Almodovar movie, and has a new album out

Iceage at Rock n Roll Hotel (Danish punk rock)


*OkayAfrica dj party with DJ Underdog at Tropicalia

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Thursday June 13

Susanna Baca at Howard Theatre- classy but funky Afro-Peruvian vocalist

Maseo (eclectic rapper) from De La Soul dj'ing at Tropicalia
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Fri. 6-14

Jose Alberto El Canario and orchestra (great salsa singer) at the Diamond Lounge
7203 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA

Manhattans at the Fillmore (velour soul)

Joe Veras (Bachata); Miriam Cruz (Merengue); and Asdrubar (Salsa) at 9:00pm at
Cococabana, 2031A university blvd., Hyattsville, MD

Alex Bueno (bachata and merengue) at the Palace, Woodbridge

"Celtic Woman" at Wolf Trap

Jazz and Jazz Samba: a Tribute to Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd featuring Harry Allen (tenor sax), Chuck Redd (drums/vibes), Nate Najar (guitar), and Tommy Cecil (bass) at Rams Head Tavern Annapolis

Hem at the Birchmere

Paquito D'Rivera & Pan American Ensemble: Jazz meets Latin Classics at Kenn. Ctr Terr. Th. For 2 shows


Early show (live reggae, ska, rocksteady) with  The Snails (Philadelphia, PA) 8:30PM and  The Shifters (DC) 9:30PM at Tropicalia


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Sat. 6-15

Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival at Creative Alliance Patterson Theatre, Baltimore
FREE - 11am-7pm withLafayette Gilchrist (Jazz), Swallows (Doo-Wop), Carroll County Ramblers (Bluegrass), Sam Ouen-Tes (Kahmer), Marimba Linda Xelaju (Guatemala), Uhwachi-Reh (Native American Dance)

The Roots at Kastle Stadium at SW Waterfront wharf

Questlove (from the Roots) dj'ing late at the Howard

Columbia Pike Blues Fest at South Walter Reed Drive (900 block) at Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

*Capital Congress Dance Fest (salsa, zouk, more with instruction and dance performances) in Alexandria through the 18th

Brassaholics at the Hamilton (New Orleans jazz meets go-go)

*Teen Battle of the Bands at 6 at Artisphere
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Sun. 6-16

Swamp Romp at 2 pm at Wolftrap Filene Center with Marcia Ball, Steve Riley(excellent Cajun & pop & rock bandleader) & the Mamou Playboys, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys(sultry-voiced zydeco singer)

Joe Louis Walker (blues guitarist) at Bethesda Blues & Jazz

Eric Lindell & the Sunliners w/ Walter 'Wolfman' Washington (New Orleans funky blues guitarist) at Rams Head Annapolis

Festival de la Raza at Manassas Fairgrounds with Tito El Bambino (reggaeton), Bachata Heightz, Rene Alonso and more (cumbia, regional Mexican)

Kodai Kaal Katre" grand tamil music concert from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
At Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA

Festival Latino at 6 Flags in Upper Marlboro, MD

Rebirth Brass Band at 8 by 10 (New Orleans funky-hip hop inflected horns)

*Jontre (Colombia folkloric band) at Tropicalia
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Mon 6-17

Eric Lindell & the Sunliners w/ Walter 'Wolfman' Washington (New Orleans funky blues guitarist) at the Hamilton

* For free at 7 p.m. at George Washington University's Phillips Hall, Room B-120 (basement) "University of Maryland Sound Archivist and Ethnomusicologist Laura Schnitker will discuss the cultural relevance of campus radio, outline the histories of WAMU and WMUC and highlight salient aspects of both archival collections. Digital Reformatting Specialist Eric Cartier, University of Maryland, will describe some of the challenges of preservation and access in working with a wide range of media formats. Fascinating audio treasures will be featured throughout."
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Tues. 6-18

Amadou & Mariam with Bombino at 930 Club (Mali & Niger)
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Wed. 6-19

The Hall Brothers at Mason District Park 7:30 to 8:30 (roots/honky-tonk)

Juneteenth

Juanes at Wolf Trap (Colombia rock)

* Harold Lopez-Nussa (Cuban pianist from 90 Miles album on 1st US tour) at An die Musik in Baltimore, MD
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Thurs. 6-20

Muscle Shoals (60s soul & rock) movie doc at 7:45 p.m. at the National Portrait Gallery

Son Volt (alt-country rock) at the 930 Club

"When the Song Dies" (15 minute Scottish folk music doc) at AFI Silver at 5:30 with other film shorts


*DJ mettabbana (DJ night Global Bassment featuring sounds of global urban bass:: balkan beat, global trap, funk carioca, electrocumbia, afro house, kwaito, kuduro, tecnobrega, 3ball, coupé-décalé, soukous, zouk, kizomba. FREE at Tropicalia

*Cheik Hamala Diabete (DC based Malian and band) for UN refugee Day at Kennedy Ctr. Mil. Stage for free from 6 to 7 

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Fri. 6-21

Victor Manuelle (Salsa singer doing special 20 years of his history show) at the Palace in Woodbridge

Maggie Rose (country) at Fillmore

Dwight Yoakum at 930 Club (country)

K-Ci & Jo-jo at Howard Theatre (r'n'b)

*Jonny Grave & the Tombstones (Miss. Hill country style blues) at Tropicalia

*Noche de San Juan celebration with the Salblompe band and Puerto Rican djs at Cuba Libre
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Sat. 6-22

* the annual Summer Music Fête, 4 pm to 12 midnight -- La Maison Française (French Embassy)

Big Joe & the Dynaflows w/ Anson Funderburgh at Baltimore Blues Society gig at 
Rosedale American Legion Hall

Greek Cultural Heritage night at Ossian Hall Park: 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, VA 
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Emmanuel Jal (Sudanese reggae) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

Jory (reggaeton & rap) at Diamond Lounge, Annandale, VA

Tribute to Women of Country at Blobs Park with locals Diana Quinn & Honky Tonk Confidential, Karen Collins and the Backroads Band, Ruthie Logsdon, Crayfish Sisters, Dagmar and Bob Newscaster, Wendy LeBeau and the Flea Bops, LesLee "Bird" Anderson
Shaam-e-ghazal - Radhika Chopra (geets, thumris and ghazals of poets) at 6:00pm at The Universities at Shady Grove 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 Auditorium in Building One

Syleena Johnson at the Howard Theatre

*Baltimore Latino Fest at Patterson Park with Toby Love; Herman Olivera (salsa); Frankie Vazquez; La Firma ; Spanglish Fly; Grupo La Maquina de El Salvador and more 12 noon to 10 (not clear who is performing on Saturday and who is on Sunday)

* Spanglish Fly at 8 at Tropicalia (boogaloo/soul band)

gospel music from VaShawn Mitchell with Luther Barnes & The Red Budd Gospel Choir. FREE at 6 Flags in Upper Marlboro, MD with park admission.

Baltimore's World Refugee Day at Walters Art Museum, 1-3:30pm free (co-organized by Creative Alliance)

Wailers (reggae) plus EU and Troublefunk at National Capital Barbeque on PA. Ave
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Sun. 6-23

Muscle Shoals (60s soul & rock) movie doc at 4:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian Museum of
American History

Hamad Askari (Iranian pop singer) at Lisner Auditorium

Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble at Blobs Park with dance lesson at 3:30

Buddy Guy (great Chicago bluesman) at State Theatre

*El Zol 107.9 radio concert at Rosecroft Raceway in Ft. Washington, MD with Gilberto Santa Rosa (salsa), El Torito, Los Hermanos Rosario, N"Klabe, Toby Love, Angel y Khriz (reggaeton), 24 Horas, Juan Esteban (salsa) and more 

Los Huracanes del Norte (regional Mexican & norteno) at the Palace, Woodbridge, VA

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and John Michael Rouchell - Rock & Roll Hotel

Jean-Paul Bourelly Solo (Tribute to Pete Cosey, funky-jazzy guitarist), Jean-Paul Bourelly & Ernest Dawkins Duet, and Dawkins' New Horizons plus Tribute to Fred Anderson - Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th Street (& U), WDC

"When the Song Dies" (15 minute Scottish folk music doc) at Goethe Inst. At 3:45 with other film shorts

Bob Marley Tribute at Kennedy Ctr. With Jacob Hemphill & Trevor Young of SOJA, David Hinds, Israel Vibration, Junior Marvin, Toshi Reagon, and Speech, all backed by house band Roots Radics.

*Baltimore Latino Fest at Patterson Park with Toby Love; Herman Olivera (salsa); Frankie Vazquez; La Firma ; Spanglish Fly; Grupo La Maquina de El Salvador and more 12 noon to 9 (not clear who is performing on Saturday and who is on Sunday)
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Mon 6-24

Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers w/ Edie Brickell at Wolftrap Filene Center

Billy Cox Band at the Hamilton (from Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Argentine-American indie-pop musician Diego Garcia for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

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Tues. 6-25

Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco atWolf Trap's Theatre-in-the-Woods at 10:30 AM (Wednesday also)

Michael Alpert (klezmer) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

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Wed. 6-26

Smithsonian Folklife Festival ( 3 themes: Hungarian Heritage; One World, Many Voices; The Will to Adorn) with the Garifuna Collective (recommended) plus Kalmyk singers from a Buddhist-settled region of Russia; Tuvan musicians; Hungarian fiddlers; and the post-bop, noisy jazz experimentation of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Through June 30th and picking up again July 3rd through 7th

6 to 8 Folklife fest Evening Concert-Szalonna and His Band with Andrea Navratil and Roma Fiddlers (Centuries of Hungarian Dance) and then 8 to 9:30 - Dance House with Heveder and Tükrös And on another stage at 6-Ethnic Heritage Ensemble & In Process (jazz)

Hungarian singer, film, and stage actress Eszter Biro for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

Geto Boys (Houston rap) at Howard Theatre
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Thurs. 6-27

Temptations and 4 Tops at Wolf Trap (Many of the original members are dead; but this still could be fun)

Patricia Smith & Sage String Quartet-The Sound and Fury of New Orleans (poetry with music about Katrina) as part of the Colombia, MD Festival of the Arts at Monteabaro Hall

Smithsonian Folklife Fest evening concerts from 6pm: Eszter Bíró and Band: Klezmer Melodies Village Dances; Dance House with Életfa at 8 to 9:30; Hawaiian music and dance 6 to 8 also 

Parno Graszt (gypsy musc from Hungary), Orchester Prazevica at Baltimore's Creative Alliance

Bolivian ensemble Los Masis for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
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Fri. 6-28

Shankar Ehsaan Loy (Bollywood music show) at the George Mason Patriot Center, in Virginia 

A tribute to legendary singer Hector Lavoe featuring Renzo Padilla La voz de la juventud and band (salsa) at 9:00pm at Tutto Bene, 501 N Randolph St., Arlington, VA

Cosculluela y Nengo Flow (reggaeton and rap) at Diamond Lounge, Annandale Ralph 

Smithsonian Folklife Fest evening concerts from 6pm to 8: Rinzler Concert with The Seldom Scene in honor of Peter Seitel; plus North American Dance Gala with Tükrös and életfa; 8 to 9 Dance House with Heveder

Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (pizzica taranta music from Italy) at Baltimore's Creative Alliance

Alexis y Fido (reggaeton) at 9 at the Omega Lounge, 1401 University Blvd E 
Hyattsville, MD

5th Annual Flags Till Morning DC Carnival Featuring Bunji Garlin, Kerwin Dubois, Lyrikal at 12am w/ DJs The Dream Team DJ majestic & Dj Stephen at the Hampton Conference Center, Capital Heights, MD (soca and more)

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
(jazz)

* Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang at Tropicalia

* Soundclash 11th Anniversary at Marx Cafe, Mt. Pleasant St (reggae, ska, rocksteady)

*Gangstagrass and Human Country Jukebox at Artisphere

*Banda Magda at Atlas Theatre, H St. NE

*Twenty Feet from Stardom (movie) at the Avalon, Conn. Ave. NW (movie about the backing singers for the Stones, Sting, Stevie Wonder and others)
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Sat. 6-29

Maryland Caribbean Fest at noon at Lions Sports Ground
11585 Cherry Tree Crossing – Brandywine, MD (all-ages, family etc)

Delbert McLinton at the Birchmere

Daniel Agostini & Agrupacion Marilyn at 9:00pm at Diamond Lounge
7203 Little River Tpke., Annandale, VA (cumbia)

DC Carnival Masquerade Ball at Shakespeare Theatre

Demarco (reggae) with Macky Gemini from Negril, Jamaica & 
DJ Stoka the Fire Marshall at Love Nightclub, 1350 Okie St NE DC

XEN DC Carnival Saturday Night Block Party with Cassi, K. Rich & more at 10 pm at Aqua, 1518 New York Ave NE

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Rouse Theatre, Colombia, MD 

Six Flags America's annual Blues Brews & BBQ, Upper Marlboro, MD

Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Lee Brice, and the Henningsens at Jiffy Lube Live

Joe Louis Walker at Rams Head Tavern (Annapolis) (blues)

John Grant at U St. Music Hall (indie singer/songwriter)

Smithsonian Folklife Fest evening concerts from 6pm to 8: Heveder and Juhász Family Village Dances; 8 to 9 Dance House with Heveder and Szalonna and His Band. Also at 6 is An-sky Yiddish Heritage Ensemble with Hungarian Guests

The Heveder Hungarian Folk Ensemble, (which plays music from Transylvania and Hungary) with dance house musician István Papp ("Gázsa,"), Moldavian flute player Zoltán Juhász, and his daughter, singer and gardon player Réka Juhász for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage


*old-time evening community dance for all ages, with Roustabout String Band and dance caller Janine Smith, at 6:30 pm as part of The Civil War Comes to Rockville-- 10 am to 8:30 pm. Also performing are Washington Revels Heritage Voices, and  Jubilee Voices.  This event marks the day Confederate General "Jeb" Stuart raided Rockville, delaying his arrival at the Battle of Gettysburg

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Sun. 6-30

DC Latin Flavor Fest at Fairgrounds at Half Street, 1299 Half Street SE Next to Nationals Park - Navy Yard Metro Washington, DC

Smithsonian Folklife Fest evening concerts from 6pm to 8:Peacock Gala Centuries of Hungarian Dance; from 8 to 9:30- Dance House with Heveder and Szalonna and His Band; Also at 6: Dimen Dong Folk Chorus: Previewing a Future Program on China

Kam Grand Choir, a multipart polyphonic choir (Dong nationality in China) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

*Kes the Band (Caribbean) at the Howard Theatre
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Mon. 7-1

Alpha Blondy (reggae) at the Howard 

Jason Isbell at the Birchmere

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Other cool stuff (mostly indie-rock): 
6-3-Mtn. Goats @ 930; 6-4-Best Coast @ 930; Foul Swoops @ CD Cellar, Arl.; 6-6 Beach House @ 930 Club; 6-7 Willie Nile @ Jammin Java;6-8-Screaming Females, Priests & more @St. Stephens; the B-52s and Shark Week @ Celebrate Fairfax Festival ; 6-10 Ariel Pink @ Uhall; Wild Nothings @ Metro Gallery; 6-11-Ariel Pink @ Ottobar; 6-12 Blake Schwarzenbach @ Metro Gallery; 6-13-Go-gos & Psychedelic Furs @ Wolf Trap; David Byrne & St. Vincent - Meyerhoff Symphony Hall; 6-16-XX @ M. Post Pav.; 6-19-Rancid @ Fillmore; 6-20 B. Idol & Cat Power @ Wolf Trap; 6-21-Mikal Cronin, Shannon & the Clams, Roomrunner @ Comet;6-22-Punk Singer movie about Kathleen Hanna 10pm @AFI; 6-23-Punk Singer @ 2:45 Portrait Gallery;6-24-Rolling Stones @ Verizon;6-27-Eleanor Friedberger @ U St. M. hall;