FRIDAY & SATURDAY

“Whassup, joe?” is D.C.’s greeting of choice. On buses and subway platforms, outside of restaurants, schools, and sometimes even churches, kids can be heard referring to each other as “joe.” Talking a friend into doing something crazy requires a loud “C’mon, joe!” Goodbyes are handled with an “Aiight then, joe.” Although “cuz,” “young,” and, at one point, “dawg” have all enjoyed popularity over the years, several generations of District youth have shunned “man” or “dude” in favor of the unique regionalism. Therefore, it is only fitting that D.C. host “The Two Joes,” an evening of poetry and music sponsored by the Sol & Soul nonprofit arts organization. The Joes in question are Santa Fe, N.M., poet Joe Ray Sandoval (pictured) and New Jersey poet Joe Weil. The former is a Hispanic youth activist who is often backed by a DJ while on stage; the latter is a blues musician and former Teamsters shop steward. Weil is dedicated to bringing poetry to those who may not normally be exposed to it—teenagers, factory workers, and “people with low threshholds [sic] of boredom who might…throw a beer glass at you if they are not pleased,” as Weil puts it. The two men, with their diverse styles of poetry, promise to give a show that will be, as we say in the local parlance, “Like that, joe.” The Joes perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Warehouse Next Door, 1017 7th St. NW. $10. (202) 526-4417. (Sarah Godfrey)