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Americans unfamiliar with queen of morna Cesaria Evora could do worse than to think of her as Cabo Verde’s Jimmie Rodgers. Rodgers has a lonesomeness born of rambling; Evora has a sodade born of parting. The Great Depression is the backdrop for the Singing Brakeman’s tales of woe; Cape Verde’s chronically depressed economy is never far from the thoughts of the Barefoot Diva. Both performers are possessed of an easy mastery that belies the wry grimness of the words they sing, and both would like nothing more than for everyone to drop by and set a spell. Grouchy naysayers who observe that Evora’s onstage sit-down cig breaks, like Rodgers’ look-who’s-dropped-by serenades, are scripted should note that this makes them no less heartfelt. With Sally Nyolo (ex-Zap Mama), whose edgy Cameroonian/Parisian world beat should make for a nice contrast. At 8 p.m. at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. $22.50-27.50. (202) 994-6800. (Glenn Dixon)