Fri. You may go for the music -- a sort of moody pop -- or you may just be celebrity curious. Either way, I'm sure Minnie Driver would be glad to see you at the Birchmere (703-549-7500) for a chance to win you over. She's also at the Rams Head Tavern (410-268-5111) in Annapolis on Saturday for a late show after Last Train Home's early evening gig there. . . . R&B vocalist Will Downing has never really broken through to a huge following, but his fans are faithful (and puzzled by why more people aren't tuned in to Downing). Consider membership in the group when he sings at the Warner Theatre (202-397-7328). He's also appearing at the Rams Head Tavern (410-268-5111) on Sunday.
Sat. Deep Dish is spinning at Glow at Fur (202-842-3401). The talented duo is doing what is being billed as "a six hour DJ set," so either get your rest beforehand or stock up on the Red Bull. . . . Willie Colon headlines a hot salsa show at the Washington Hilton Hotel (tickets are being sold at various stores, visit www.oscarsproduction.comfor locations). Also performing is Son Boricua, featuring Jimmy Sabater and Jose Mangual Jr.
Mon. Spouse is a band with a rotating assemblage of players. Jose Ayerve is the constant in it, and other musicians come and go. Spouse plays indie pop with emo-like textures, low-key but catchy. And the group's attitude manifests itself in such songs as "Whatever Happened to Pete Shelley" and a cover of "Voices Carry." You can hear Spouse at Galaxy Hut (703-525-8646). . . . The Institute of Musical Traditions brings you the "Singing for Hearing" benefit with Rachel Cross, Cletus Kennelly, Ruthie Logsdon, Andrew McKnight, Mary Sue Twohy and Dede Wyland at Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring (301-754-3611).
Thurs. Julie Dexter is an intriguing jazz vocalist. She's a classically trained musician who writes, arranges, composes and produces. Catch her at Blues Alley (202-337-4141). . . . Juliana Hatfield brings her grown-up pop to Iota (703-522-8340). Also on the bill is Alice Despard, who has quite a local following and deservedly so. . . . It's a solid evening of rap when Black Sheep grabs the mikes at Ottobar (410-662-0069) in Baltimore. Also rhyming are JI-900,Asheru and Proton. . . . Dave Koz, Patti Austin, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson and Wayman Tisdale, the former NBA player who's now scoring in the jazz world, come to DAR Constitution Hall (202-397-7328) for "a smooth jazz Christmas."
-- Curt Fields
