Best of Friday:

Cameo and Sugarfoot’s The Ohio Players. $45. 8 p.m. DAR Constitution Hall.

Prince once said, “If you can describe it, it ain’t funky.” It’s hard to express the impact early funk juggernauts Cameo and the Ohio Players had on the genre; by now they’ve informed at least two generations of popular music. Cameo dominated the airwaves in 1986 and ’87 with the heavily synthesized electro-funk singles “Word Up!” and “Candy,” while the Ohio Players—led on this tour by Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner—reached the pinnacle of their success a decade earlier with the No. 1 hits “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster.” Starting out in the early ’70s, Cameo was first known as the New York City Players; the group changed its name to avoid a lawsuit by the Ohio Players. Presumably any acrimony between the two groups has since dissipated.

Violet Says 5. The Five One. The Mighty Heard. $10/$12. 9 p.m. doors. Black Cat.

Best of Saturday:

Jerry “The Iceman” Butler. SOLD OUT. Blues Alley.

Though Gen Y may be most familiar with his voice because of those Cuba Gooding Sr. Time Life infomercials, soul balladeer Jerry “The Iceman” Butler remains one of doo-wop’s most active ambassadors. Butler’s own musical career began against the backdrop of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing complex. He and Curtis Mayfield escaped the projects by way of The Impressions in 1958; the group scored its first hit, “For Your Precious Love,” the same year. In 1985 the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer entered politics in Chicago; he’s been a Cook County Board Commissioner for 26 years. He’s been playing Valentine’s Day at Blues Alley even longer: This weekend’s set marks his 30th year performing for lovers at the Georgetown venue.

Arrington De Dionyso is back . $10. 7 – 11 p.m. Yoga District.

Wild Nothing. Abe Vigoda. Deleted Scenes. $10/$12. 9:30 p.m. show.  Rock & Roll Hotel.

Best of Sunday:

Henry Rollins at 50. SOLD OUT. 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. National Geographic Live!

Jack-of-all trades entertainer and hometown hero is returning to celebrate the big 5-0. The former Black Flag frontman won’t be  “waxing poetic” about the days of yore; instead Rollins is “waxing psychotic” in front of a few a few hundred strangers.

Sm City Presents: Black Milk. SmCity Gods’illa. X.O. $15 w/college ID; $20 at door. 9 p.m. show.

Friday:

Baths. Braid. Blackbird. Blackbird. $10/$12. 9:30 p.m. show. Rock & Roll Hotel.
Friday Night Eclectic: Daddy Lion. Bellflur. Screen Vinyl Image. $10/$12. 8 p.m. Strathmore.
Frank Reyes (romantic bachata) at El Boqueron II in Rockville.
Anthony B. Rasta rapper. Club 12.
Lizz Wright with V. Rich. $35. 7:30 p.m. Birchmere
NE Honor by August. Simplified. Red Wanting Blue. Friday and Saturday w/Darlignside. $12. 9:00 p.m. doors. Iota Club.
Wailin Mailman Buck Hill (Saxophonist). With Bob Butta. Nasar Abadey. Friday and Saturday. 9 p.m. & 11 p.m. Twins Jazz.
Misstallica. Female Tribute Band. $10/$10. 9 p.m. show. State Theatre.

Saturday:

The Postelles. Snowmine. Dinosaur Bones. $10/$12. 9:30 p.m show. The Red Palace.
David Wax Museum. SOLD OUT. 8 p.m. Sixth and I Synagogue.
The Civil Wars. SOLD OUT. 7 p.m. Jammin Java.
Trey Songz w/Lloyd. $55 – $75. 7 p.m.  DAR Constitution Hall.
Island Africa: Cape Verde Diaspora Café.  2 to 4:30 p.m.  Music, discussion, food and more at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art – free with reservation. 202-633-4646.

Sunday:

Emilie Autumn. SOLD OUT. 8:30 p.m. show. Rock and Roll Hotel.
We Were Pirates Anti-Valentine’s Day Show. The Silver Liners.Time Travel. $8. 8:30 p.m. doors. Black Cat.
Jimmy Eat World. With David Bazan and Band. SOLD OUT. 7pm doors. 9:30 Club.
Valentines Day with Heidi Martin. $25/$55 for Valentine’s package. 6 p.m. show. Bohemian Caverns.