When Buju Banton sings praises to Haile Selassie, the much venerated former emperor of Ethiopia, his pipes ring raspy with Rastafarian conviction, cloaking each line in as much mystery as surrounds the birth of the monarch himself. Selassie, who was said to be King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, arrived on July 23, 1892, at the moment Neptune and Pluto crossed paths. Legend tells that lions, giraffes, and elephants announced his coming by calling out in a din that made the eucalyptus leaves tremble, and, on that day—one day shy of 109 years ago today—rains fell, marking the end of a three-year drought. Later, a young Selassie was caught conversing with leopards and lions, quoting freely from vast religious works—and is said to have drawn a multicolored bird that flew off the page. Banton and jungle-reggae artist Dr. Israel raise reggae incantations to celebrate Selassie’s life and times at 10 p.m. at Nation, 1015 Half St. SE. $25. (202) 554-1500. (Ayesha Morris)