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6
SATURDAY
Although the ninth annual “D.C. Blues Society Festival” will have its share of guitar pyrotechnics, its most exciting fireworks will be the vocals of Bay-area femmes Sista Monica and E.C. Scott. No purists, they both rub together blues, gospel, and soul with a sassy fervor that even teenage fans of Mary J. Blige should appreciate. The more traditional string-bending sparks will come courtesy of fellow West Coaster Smokey Wilson and Denver-raised New Orleans resident Corey Harris. Wilson started out in Mississippi with a broom handle and baling wire before getting the more conventional instrument he has since used to broaden his 12-bar styles in his Watts juke-joint. With his bottleneck National acoustic, the 27-year-old Harris interpreted rural classics on his debut, and his new disc includes originals and adds mournful Big Easy brasswork. With locals Chris Polk, Ms. Tina, and the D.C. Blues Society Band, plus music-making workshops from noon-8 p.m. at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Ave. NW. FREE. (202) 828-3028. (Steve Kiviat)