TheScene Shows to Catch

Friday

He has written or performed punky pop, grown-up rock, biting political commentary, country, blues and chamber music. He's the very eclectic Elvis Costello, and he's at the 9:30 club (202-393-0930). . . . "The Teacher" of hip-hop, KRS-One, brings the knowledge and the rhyme at Black Cat (202-667-7960). . . . Popular local guitarist Shane Hines is at Jammin' Java (703-255-1566). Make yourself presentable if you go; there are plans for Local Point TV to film the gig for a possible feature to air later.

Saturday

I used to sit across from Bob Massey, the driving force behind the Gena Rowlands Band, a few years ago when he was a part-time employee here at The Post. He always seemed rather quiet. Turns out it was because he had tons of great song ideas running through his head. Check out GRB at DC9 (202-483-5000); you'll be glad you did. (And give the review, elsewhere on this page, of the group's latest CD a look, too, while you're here.) . . . If you know reggae, then you know Third World. The group is playing at Zanzibar on the Waterfront (202-554-9100). . . . Margot MacDonald earned two Wammie nominations (for best vocalist and song of the year) with her first album. Now her second release is out with a pop-rock sound behind her surprising three-octave voice. Why "surprising"? Did I mention she's 15 years old? She's performing at Jammin' Java (703-255-1566). . . . The man of many hyphens -- you know, singer-actor-TV host-etc. -- Nick Cannon is doing a DJ set at Love (202-636-9030).

Wednesday

As part of the Library of Congress's first Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, there's a musical tribute to Paul Simon with a variety of stars, including Art Garfunkel, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Marc Anthony, Dixie Hummingbirds, Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams, Lyle Lovett and James Taylor, at the Warner Theatre (202-397-7328). See the Spotlight on Page 6 for an interview with Simon.

Thursday

Remember the bald rocker dude on "American Idol" a year ago? The one whose exit from the show brought audible gasps from the audience (and maybe even from him)? These days Chris Daughtry is fronting Daughtry, and the group plays at the 9:30 club (202-393-0930). By the way, that's Daughtry singing "Home" each Wednesday night when Idol sends a contestant packing this season, a vast improvement over last year's "Bad Day" from Daniel Powter, wouldn't you say? . . . "La Chica Dorada" Paulina Rubio brings her chart-topping Latin pop to Wolf Trap (877-965-3872).

-- Curt Fields