by Peter Denton
FRIDAY
The Kennedy Center hosts a diverse tribute to American popular music of the 40s featuring ??The Queen of Soul? Aretha Franklin, opera celebrity Harolyn Blackwell, country star Dwight Yoakam, and classic crooner Johnny Mathis.
If you??re in the mood for a grittier take on early 20th century music, head to Iota for Boston??s Tarbox Ramblers and their unique take on old-timey hillbilly, blues, and gospel.
Local groove rockers Lloyd Dobler Effect are graduating from the bar scene to a headlining gig at the relatively cavernous 930 Club. We??re just not sure their namesake, John Cusack??s love-lorn loser in Say Anything, would dig the odd mixture of go-go, funk, Latin and rock.
It??s a big comedy weekend in the area. 90s star Paula Poundstone performs tonight at The Birchmere, The Man Show co-host Doug Stanhope takes the stage at WiseAcres Comedy Club in Tyson??s Corner tonight and Saturday, and veteran Kathleen Madigan is at DC Improv all weekend.
With DJ nights sweeping the city, these three pique our interest. The Hideaway at Black Cat??s backstage features ska, soul, garage, and afrobeat dance, while Liberation Dance Party at DC9 spins the hottest indie tunes, and Saccharine at Zucchabar in Adams Morgan plays a deeper mix of older alternative tracks.
SATURDAY
Allison Moorer, younger sister of fellow country star Shelby Lynne, warms up the big beltbuckle crowd at 930 Club for roots rock legend Steve Earle and the Dukes.
If you just can??t get enough basketball this March, the acrobatic Harlem Globetrotters swoop into the Patriot Center to take on the perenially hapless New York Nationals.
In the best-named breakfast bill of the weekend, ??doom country? locals Shortstack play Black Cat??s mainstage with DC punk veterans French Toast. Backstage at the club is Right Round, an 80s alt-pop dance night.
Smooth jazz pioneer David Sanborn takes his straightforward and inoffensive jazz-pop to Ram??s Head Tavern in Annapolis.
SUNDAY
Atlanta??s Indigo Girls, at 930 Club, are still trucking after twenty years on the road. The folk superstars still regularly release new albums, but don??t be surprised to hear many of their classic hits.
Express favorite Olivia Mancini of Washington Social Club plays a solo gig at Arlington??s Galaxy Hut.
Saxaphonist Wallace Roney might be the closest modern jazz player to bop legend Miles Davis. See him at Blues Alley all weekend with talented vocalist Geri Allen.
