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S A T U R D A Y

During the ’70s, Thomas Mapfumo became known as the “Lion of Zimbabwe” for his traditionally based chimurenga music, which was considered seditious enough by Rhodesian authorities to land him in jail for three months. Of course Zimbabwe has its independence now, but Mapfumo hasn’t stopped writing songs about governmental abuses and human miseries. He generally sings in Shona, but you don’t have to understand the language to appreciate his message: His mournful vocals preside over a shimmering music that’s nearly as big as anything Fela plays, but gentler, and, perhaps, more memorable. At 10 p.m. at Kilimanjaro, 1724 California St. NW. $10. (202) 328-3838. (Alona Wartofsky)