Concerts to Mark on Your Calendars

In our ideal world, there would be concert after concert, filling our datebook and draining our life's savings (about $25) at least through the end of the summer.

With Daniel Johnston behind us and Kanye still months away, what has got our attention in the coming weeks?

¿ Alexandria's makeshift venue The Lab. With so many local clubs saying "Nuh-uh" to the underage set -- or laying down some strict rules -- this spot, a church by day, is like a refuge in the 'burbs (the only real marker is a glowing blue sign declaring "The Lab"). Singer-guitarist-about-town Carol Bui and Jay Smith, a guitarist with Middle Distance Runner, run the space, bringing in eclectic bands for, yes, all-ages shows. Since it's in a church, alcohol is off-limits and parents can relax. The venue joined with Washington-Lee High School's Music Club for tomorrow night's show, a benefit for Renew Our Music, which assists New Orleans musicians in getting instruments and gigs after Hurricane Katrina. Three bands perform: Washington-Lee's own Lady in the Radiator, and club regulars Greenland and Len Bias. $5 at the door. Doors at 8 p.m. The Lab, 1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria. For details, visit http://www.myspace.com/thelaballages.

¿ Canadian cads Born Ruffians at DC9. If you caught Caribou last fall at the Rock & Roll Hotel, you might have seen these spunky, baby-faced little boys, whose effusive, hootin-'n'-hollerin' Appalachian-style folk-pop (can't you just hear it?) left a major impression on us. And we're not the only ones: Their upcoming record, "Red, Yellow & Blue," was produced by Rusty Santos, who just happens to work with Animal Collective on the regular, and the guys just got a nod in Entertainment Weekly, of all places. (If you have to hear before you go: Visit http://www.myspace.com/bornruffians and click on their song "Badonkadonkey.") They return to Washington next Thursday. $10. Doors at 8:30 p.m. 1940 Ninth St. NW. 202-483-5000.

¿ Down the road, the must-see show might just be Wale, our home town's (if your home town happens to be Bowie) rap hope, who'll be hitting the 9:30 club March 16 on a bill that will also feature Koyaki. If you haven't heard the ubiquitous "Nike Boots," Wale sounds like Southern rap, with a tinge of go-go and the wordplay of Lupe Fiasco. $15. 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.

Save the Date

ON STAGE The Axis of Evil Returns The comedy tour featuring four comics of Middle Eastern descent comes back through town next month, a little bit bigger, a little bit better, a little bit Eviler, since the comics have released a DVD and headed off on a Mideast tour that took them through Cairo, Dubai, Kuwait and Beirut, among other places. Last here a year ago, Maz Jobrani (seen frequently on TV) , Ahmed Ahmed (recently in "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show"), Dean Obeidallah (creator of the New York Arab Comedy Festival) and Aron Kader ("The Shield") are at the Warner Theatre on March 8. $37-$42. 7 p.m. 13th and E streets NW. 202-397-7328.

ON STAGE "Stunning" In David Adjmi's play, opening at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company for previews March 10, a 16-year-old Syrian Jewish girl married, by custom, to a much older man hangs out with her African American maid and discovers a world beyond what she had always known. $24-$57; $15 tickets available for ages 25 and younger. March 10-April 6. 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939.

CONCERT Maysa The Baltimore native, whom you can catch in the area at such spaces as the Birchmere, is a soul crooner known for collaborating with the British soul-jazz outfit Incognito. And later this month, you can catch her singing for several days at Washington institution Blues Alley. Perhaps she'll play a little something from her latest record, full of covers of beloved vintage tracks such as Bill Withers's "Ain't No Sunshine." $48 (plus a $10 minimum purchase per person and a surcharge of $2.50 per person before you can put your pocketbook away). 8 and 10 p.m. nightly March 19-March 22. 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-337-4141.