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TUESDAY

Hart-Rouge, based in Montreal, mixes European beauty with a North American bluesy edge. “Trois Hommes Noirs,” from the group’s current CD, Nouvelle-France (Red House), showcases this distinctive blend perfectly, with lush multipart vocal harmonies over chunky electric and acoustic guitar licks. The mood changes sharply, however, on “Romantic Promenade,” with its relaxed, jazzy rhythms and jaunty melody. It’s back to Europe for the CD’s closer, a lovely French ballad with more stunning vocal harmony. In fact, Hart-Rouge is primarily a vocal band: Both the lead singing (in French and English) and the harmonizing are exquisite; guitar, accordion, pipes, and percussion provide the rhythms and accent the arrangements. But it’s the voices that’ll stay with you. The bilingual minifestival begins tonight at 9 p.m. at IOTA, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $7. (703) 522-8340. (Ken Roseman)