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Wow, it’s another weekend packed with international music events. Here are some highlights.
Friday, April 16
Asha Bhosle and Sudesh Bhosle with R.D Burman’s band at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D. St. NW . You’ve heard Cornershop’s “Brimful of Asha”—-now hear Asha. (202) 628-4780. $37-$127.
Oro Solido at East Coast Night Club, 13989 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Woodbridge, Va . A New York-based Dominican merengue band. (703) 490-5504. $20.
Saturday, April 17
Metro Mambo with WPFW DJ Jim Byers and Latin charanga violinist Eddie Drennon from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. The latest edition of this great program features the Washington-based Drennon, who has played with Ray Barretto, Bo Diddley, and Orquesta Novel, discussing the history of the violin and flute-based charanga dance-band format in D.C. His ensemble performs, and dancing will ensue, following the discussion and demonstration. (202) 633-4820. Free.
DJ Rupture with Matt Shadek, Jahdan Blakkamoore, and D.C.’s DJ Stylus at 11:30 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. The now-Brooklyn-based Rupture, of Mudd Up blog fame, brings his sometimes noisy, beat-based DJing that embraces cumbia and duranguese as well as dub reggae and various funky U.K. styles. (202) 483-5000. $12-14.
Anoushka Shankar at the 6th & I Historic Synagogue. Ravi’s other daughter plays the sitar. (202) 408-3100. $30.
Bhangra Blowout at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D. St. NW. University bhangra dance teams compete. (202) 628-4780. $ 30-36.
DJ Rekha at Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $13-15. She’s back again with more of her New York basement bhangra. (202) 667-4490.
Zenglen and Rafrechi at Rio Bravo, 2031 University Ave. in Hyattsville, Md.. The Miami-based Haitian band Zenglen play some of those syrupy synthesizer riffs Haitians love but they also bring funkier rhythms, as well. They’re joined by a Columbia, Md., band highlighted here earlier. (301) 408-7508. $30.
Sunday, April 18
Oscar D’Leon at the Salsa Room, 2619 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Va. This longtime Venezuelan salsa singing legend loves to put on long shows and his band will keep you dancing the whole time. (703) 685-0790.
Tarrus Riley (photo above), Dean Fraser, Cocoa Tea, and Shaggy from 6 to 10 p.m. (all ages) at the Crossroads, 4103 Baltimore Ave. (Route 1), Bladensburg, Md. Whoa, a show at the Crossroads that does not start at their customary 1 a.m. time, and it features Tarrus Riley, one of Jamaica’s most striking vocalists. Bring the family. (301) 927-1056. $27-35.