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Does Lyle Lovett even need to make records anymore? He is years past his most memorable original work and yet most of the good seats are already gone for his Wolf Trap show and the lawn will likely be full, too, of fans in search of an evening of laidback songs and some Texas humor. Lovett and his Large Band rarely fail to deliver, alternating between original favorites like “Here I Am” and “Church,” and an array of eclectic covers of artists like Ida Cox, Townes Van Zandt, and the Grateful Dead. Read more >>> Lyle Lovett and his Large Band perform at 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. (703) 255-1900. wolftrap.org. (Steve Cavendish)
EAT THIS
Del Campo will host the last of its summer rooftop event series tonight with a Cuban fiesta. Chef Victor Albisu will prepare Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, ropa vieja, and more. Tickets, $37, include food and are available here. A cash bar will also serve mojitos, Cuba libres, and daiquiris. After the event, which lasts from 7 to 10 p.m., Del Campo will offer cigars and a late night happy hour menu on its patio. Del Campo Rooftop, 900 7th St. NW. (202) 289-7377. delcampodc.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Friday: Local musician Mark Baughman presents his latest project, a rock opera about love, friendship, and the Occupy movement called 99, at the Black Cat. 9 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $10.
Friday: During your lunch break, head over to MLK Library for a free concert by Mellow Diamond, experimental musician Janel Leppin‘s new dream-pop project. Noon at 901 G St. NW. Free.
Friday: Ohio-based band Red Wanting Blue brings its folk-tinged rock ‘n’ roll to the Hamilton, where it will perform with local folkies Owen Danoff and Paul Pfau. 8:30 p.m. at 600 14th St. NW. $15–$20.
Saturday: When plans for its summer production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters fell through at the last minute, the folks at Scena Theatre didn’t panic. Instead, they recruited a cast of regular contributors and returned to a light and lively romp they last produced in 2011. As he did four years ago, Scena Artistic Director Robert McNamara helms the company’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, the silly comedy of errors about a marriage proposal gone awry. As a way of commenting on the gender fluidity of the play’s characters, male and female actors swap roles, with some men playing assertive women and some women portraying effeminate men. Read more >>> The play runs Aug. 15 to Sept. 13 at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. $25–$45. (202) 399-7993. scenatheatre.org.
Saturday: The Rock & Roll Hotel continues its anniversary celebration with a performance by Canadian rock band Sumac. D.C.-based Black Clouds and Chicago’s Sweet Cobra open the show. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $12.
Saturday: Over at U Street Music Hall, L.A. hip-hop group OverDoz, whose lively shows have drawn comparisons to Outkast and Funkadelic, performs with local artist Visto. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $15.
Sunday: The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid To Die is a statement of belief, an audacious kind of secular faith, and the name of the (at least) eight-piece band headlining Rock & Roll Hotel this weekend. In the group’s contribution to the new wave of emo music that has traversed the U.S. over the last decade, screaming accompanies high-pitched singing, all of it laid over aggressive drumming and guitar that’s mellow one moment and screeching the next. Read more >>> The World Is a Beautiful Place… performs with Pianos Become the Teeth, Turnover, and Take One Car at 7 p.m. at Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. $16. (202) 388-7625. rockandrollhotel.com. (Kevin Carty)
Sunday: Nashville-based acoustic country act Humming House packs up its mandolins and fiddles to play an intimate show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.
Sunday: Touchpants, the comedy troupe/jam band hybrid featuring a member of Phish, brings its blended show to the 9:30 Club. 11:30 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $25.
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