8

FRIDAY

When Denton, Texas, polka rebels Brave Combo started gigging, the only venues that would accommodate them were punk-rock clubs, whose denizens gave the band its name. Since then, Brave Combo has kept its polka base but now puts its wacky yet respectful stamp on dance tunes from all over the world. In keeping its spirit of independence, Brave Combo also takes common bits of pop culture and transforms them into something new, such as the kinetic go-go rendition of “The Hokey Pokey,” which appears on the group’s latest recording, Group Dance Epidemic. Brave Combo brings its traveling mutant dance party at 6:30 & 9 p.m. to the National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. $18. (202) 857-7700. (Ken Roseman)