[Concerts]

ARTURO SANDOVAL -- Thursday-Aug. 20 at 8 and 10 p.m. The Cuban-born jazz trumpet virtuoso, who practically lives in the higher registers, frequently draws from material outside of his Afro-Cuban musical roots. Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $37.75. 202-337-4141.

OLLABELLE -- Thursday at 9 p.m. Friday at 7 p.m. Named after country singer Ola Belle Reed, the New York quintet mixes traditional American musical styles such as folk, blues and gospel. Formed as a lark in 2002 to participate in a local bar's gospel night, the group was heard by producer Steve Rosenthal, who recorded an album on speculation and sent it to T-Bone Burnett, the man behind the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" While Ollabelle's first album featured mostly traditional songs, this year's "Riverside Battle Songs" has more original material. Thursday: Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, $12, 703-522-8340; Friday: Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, $16.50, 410-268-4545.

MUNDELL LOWE -- Friday at 6 p.m. The native of Laurel, Miss., began his jazz career on Bourbon Street before honing his craft while serving in World War II. National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. $10, ages 12 and younger free. 202-633-1000.

REZIN -- Saturday, doors at 8 p.m. The hard-working local quartet has been making melodically heavy alt-rock since the mid-'90s. With Colouring Lesson, Havok in Hollywood and the Hint. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $10. 202-265-0930.

THE SKYDIVERS -- Saturday at 9 p.m. Light, melodic and witty dream-pop from Columbia. Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $5. 703-525-8646.

JOE LALLY -- Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The local bassist performs his solo material, which features laptop accompaniment and a lighter touch than he was known for in Fugazi. Benefits Street Sense, a local charity for the homeless. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $10. 202-667-7960.

THE TRACHTENBURG FAMILY SLIDESHOW PLAYERS -- Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Love them or hate them (our staff has mixed opinions), the Trachtenburgs' pop-rock take on anonymous family slides dug up at estate and yard sales is certainly a different stage experience. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $14. 703-522-8340.

[Exhibits]

INVESTIGATING WHERE WE LIVE -- Reception Friday, 5:30-7 p.m. Opens Saturday. Through Nov. 26. For a decade, the National Building Museum's "Investigating Where We Live" outreach program has taught students to use photography as a tool for exploration and documentation. This year, the resulting exhibit showcases the work of junior, middle and high school students who've canvassed three Southeast neighborhoods: Congress Heights, Hillsdale and Uniontown. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Free. 202-272-2448.

POTOMAC BONSAI ASSOCIATION CLUB EXHIBIT -- Opens Saturday. Through Aug. 27. The Chesapeake Bonsai Society, a member of the Potomac Bonsai Association, exhibits plants from the private collections of its members. U.S. National Arboretum, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, 3501 New York Ave. NE. Free. 202-245-2726.

[Literature]

JEFF NEUMANN AND RAY LEMOINE -- See Can't Miss, this page.

AARON SCHATZ AND RYAN WILSON -- Wednesday at 7 p.m. Join the brainpower behind "Pro Football Prospectus 2006" for beer and pizza as they discuss which NFL teams progressed and which regressed in the off-season. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. 202-364-1919.

MARITA GOLDEN -- Saturday at 2 p.m. The author signs her most recent novel, "After," about a Prince George's County police officer who shoots an innocent man. Karibu Books, Bowie Town Center Mall, 15624 Emerald Way, Bowie. Free. 301- 352-4110.