There are a lot of people who would cringe at the thought of seeing an “Afro-Colombian punk and folkloric funk band,” as the M.A.K.U. Sound System refers to itself. Not because any of those things individually is a turnoff, but because collectively the words could imply a high-concept world-beat overreach. There’s really only one thing to know about M.A.K.U.: It goes hard. The Queens, N.Y., band’s Latin foundations are unshakable, and East Coast urban steeliness also shapes the final product. Read more >>> M.A.K.U. Sound System plays at 7 p.m. outside the Strathmore Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Free. (301) 581-5100. strathmore.org. The group also performs at Tropicalia, 2001 14th St. NW. $10. (202) 629-4535. Doors at 8 p.m. tropicaliadc.com. For more information about weather-related cancellations, visit Strathmore’s Facebook and Twitter pages. (Joe Warminsky)
DRINK THIS
Farmers Fishers Bakers kicks off the 4th of July weekend early with five new Flying Dog beer cocktails. Chief Mixologist & Beverage Director Jon Arroyo will mix drinks, and Flying Dog Brewery rep Tom Hunter will answer questions. Head to their patio tiki bar between 5 and 7 p.m. to check it out. Farmers Fishers Bakers, 3000 K St. NW. (202) 298-8783. FarmersFishersBakers.com. (Cara Newlon)
OH AND ALSO
Tonight: The Dunes is throwing a barbecue you won’t want to miss. They’ll have half-smokes, beer, and live performances by Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang, Norman Rockwell, Teen Mom, and Chris Richards of Q and Not U and Paint Branch. RSVP on Facebook. 6 p.m. at 1402 Meridian Place NW. $10 before midnight, free after midnight.
Tonight: Portland rock band Eidolons plays at Comet Ping Pong with D.C.’s Big Hush and Baltimore’s Dead Mellotron. 9 p.m. at 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. $10.
Tonight: Just in case you haven’t gotten your fill of local music, Les Rhinocéros, Coetillion, and Aaron Leitko (an occasional City Paper contributor) perform at the Black Cat Backstage. To prep, read our recent review of Les Rhinocéros’ LP II. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $12.
Tomorrow: Museums are open on the Fourth of July, so take this opportunity to check out three excellent exhibits on view around town: Ellen Harvey‘s “Alien’s Guide to the Ruins of Washington D.C.,” National Gallery of Art’s small but powerful Kerry James Marshall show, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ showing of Audrey Niffenegger‘s dark paintings.
Tomorrow: Independence Day also means parades: The National Independence Day Parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW and the Palisades Parade starts moving at 11 a.m. on Whitehaven Parkway NW.
Tomorrow: Brightest Young Things hosts its fourth annual Pool Party Spectacular Craptacular at the Capitol Skyline Hotel. Entertain your inner child with a Dangerously Delicious pie-eating contest, tons of water balloons, and an airbrush tattoo station. Good luck scrubbing those off before work on Friday. 11 a.m. at 10 I St. SW. $15.
Tomorrow: For those who want to hear patriotic songs sung by pop stars of yesteryear, there’s always the “Capitol Fourth” concert. This year’s big tickets: Barry Manilow, some American Idol champions, and kids from Glee. Our advice: Just focus on the fireworks. 8 p.m. on the National Mall.
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