Kassav’ is to zouk music what Louis Armstrong is to jazz, the Carter Family is to country, and Chuck Berry is to rock ‘n’ roll. Created in the late 1970s, zouk is a mash-up of carnival-borne rhythms, initially from Guadeloupe, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Now, it incorporates pan-Caribbean influences, from reggae to salsa, in large part due to Kassav’. For more than 30 years, the Paris-based group has been the genre’s key band, constantly pushing zouk’s musical boundaries while repping the French West Indies through creole lyrics. Kassav’s concerts feel like the carnivals from which its rhythms evolved—loud, spirited bacchanals. But just as the artistry of Armstrong, the Carters, and Berry elevated their styles, Kassav’s musicianship trumps that of an average party band. (Chris Porter) 9 p.m. at Crossroads. $30 advance, $35 at the door.
MUSIC
The Evens headline this summer’s final show at Fort Reno, which is another reason for you to read Ryan Little’s wonderful City Paper cover story on the history of the concerts. With Laughing Man at 7:15 p.m. at Fort Reno. Free.
Noisy Philly goth-rockers Cold Cave don’t always blow my mind, but when they do it’s for serious. “Love Comes Close,” from the 2009 album of the same, is the least useless New Order pastiche ever. “The Great Pan Is Dead,” from 2011’s Cherish the Light Years, has machine-gun beats and Ultravox atmosphere. If it matters to you, these guys braved an outdoor set at the very hot Pitchfork Music Festival this year wearing all black. With Austra at 8:30 p.m. at Rock & Roll Hotel. $14.
The Ash Lovelies are from Arlington, and wrote a song cycle about it. With Food Will Win the War and The Grownup Noise at 8 p.m. at Velvet Lounge. $8.
STORYTELLING
Not all stories are created equal, and so local storytelling troupe Story League is restaging some of its best monologues from this year. 7:30 p.m. at Black Fox Lounge. $10.
ART
Pink Line Project and Heiner Contemporary host a panel discussion, “The Woman in Me: Femininity and its Construction in Contemporary Culture,” featuring electronica musician Yoko K, performer Paco Fish, DJ Ebony Dumas, and poet Holly Bass. 6:30 p.m. at Heiner Contemporary. Free.
Sean Lundgren‘s Nave, the latest installment of Transformer’s very cool “E8: Sculpture” series of short-run shows, opens tonight. Reception at 6 p.m. at Transformer. Free.