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THURSDAY

Like most prominent West African popsters, Benin-bred Angélique Kidjo is based in Paris and draws on both indigenous and exotic musics. She grew up performing traditional Beninese songs with her mother’s and then her brothers’ groups, but also cites Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix as influences. No purist, she turned to Soul II Soul’s Will Mowat and former Princeling David Z to produce her latest, Aye, which matches her remarkable voice to a suitably agile array of beats. At 8 p.m. at the Barns of Wolf Trap, 1624 Trap Rd., Vienna. $16. (703) 938-2404. CP