Sat. May 19

 Sometimes, you can tell something about an artist by the company she keeps. For Angelique Kidjo, a West African singer, that company includes Peter Gabriel, Josh Grobon, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley and Joss Stone. Not bad. Stone and Kidjo's collaboration on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," is a mesmerizing re-envisioning: less ominous, more uplifting, still foreboding. All the aforementioned artists areon her Tony Visconti-produced CD, "Djin Djin." (The title refers to the sound of the bell that greets each day in Africa. No, we did not know that before research.) On her new disc, she sings in her native Beninese language as well as French and English. The music is a tribal blend where chants and drum patterns rip through a melange of funk, R&B, salsa, samba and much more. But, as with a llot of African music, it's much more accessible to the ear than it may seem to the eye. Kidjo, a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador, writes songs with messages about racial unity and independence. It's soulful, feelgood music from a world far away. Sometimes, there's nothing better in terms of escaping - and yet confronting - our own than an evening in a theater listening to someone else's ideas and realizing a commmon ground. Give it a try Saturday May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre when Kidjo, just off a tour with Groban, entertains. Tickets are $40 and $30.

55 Davis Square., Somerville, 617-876-4275 WorldMusic.org

 Fri. May 18 

  Antje Duvekot’s journies have taken her from her birth in Germany, to Delaware,  Philadephia, New York, Vermont and now Boston. She began singing and writing in New York four years ago, but really began to blossom two years ago upon her move to these parts. She had released two live albums, but her first studio disc, “Big Dream Boulevard” came out last year and she feels the momentum is going the right way. “There’s more optimism,” she says. “I wasn’t sure if it was a fluke, but it’s continuing well. I’m startting to trust I can have a career and good things are happening.” There is, she says, a buoyant folk community? “Very much. A really tight crowd. Home gigs are always the most wonderful. People here are not competitive or jealous. There’s so much talent and people don’t really compete.”
Duvekot’s forte is lyrics. Or, put another way, they come easiest to her. “Lyrics can pour out of me, where melodies are really hard. I crack away at melodies obsessively. Most I don’t really like so I throw them out. So a lot of lyrics don'’t  have a home. When a melody comes, I have to figure out what fits the mood of the lyrics.” She’s kept journals and written lyrics since she was a kid so she thinks “I think anyone can write poetry. You take pride in what you’re the least best at.”
Duvekot’s got six songs ready for a followup disc – not enough yet. What she’s writing, she says, “is a little bit away from usual, a little less personal and a little more optimistic. I was inward-focusing and very dark. The next record may be a little brighter, who knows? But it’s all relative. It’ll still be plenty dark.” (You can hear four new ones, recorded at Club Passim, at myspace.com/AntjeDuvekot.) She’s got festivals this summer  – one in Denmark, the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Oklahoma, and the Irish Connection Festival in August back here, with a band. She plays solo at Club Passim Friday May 18  at 7 p.m. Tickets:15.

47 Palmer St., Cambridge,  617-492-7679 clubpassim.org 

Thurs. May 17

It's Dark Sky night at the Skybar Thursday May 17. What does this mean to you? Well, you know how rockers love that dark side - Sabbath, Joy Division, Nick Cave? The Somerville club has a package that will appeal to those who crave the un-joyous - but not un-fun - wing of rock. Dreamchild is promising the debut of a Grand Guignol - that means fake blood, we think - piece about the state's most famous murderess, Lizzie Borden. (Trivia note: That used to be the name of a local rock band, too.) The piece is called "What Lizzie Took" and the Dreamchild folks say it will include "madly deranged theatrics and operatic vocals." Plus a melancholic new harp song, "Weeping Willow," and "All the Perfumes of Arabia," with Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene enacted by singer Cheryl. Wowie. You also get the band Dirgible Ego and the one-woman, layere-guitar noise band (very Mazzy Star) that is Cober, a JSink fave. Starts at 8. Admission: $7.

518 Somerville Ave., Somerville 617-623-5223skybar.us

Wed. May 16

Surely, you remember "The Odyssey," the aftermath of the great war as told by Homer (no, not Simpson, you boneheads). It would seem an audacious task to recreate this on film - and on a low budget, no doubt - but 24 groups of artists have taken it on to tell the 24 chapters of "The Odyssey." The filmmakers include Paula Cronan and Laurie Weeks, Rebecca Yaffe and Laura Mays, Samuael Topiary, Courtney Dailey and Michael Hyde, Bill Basquin, EE Miller and Eileen Myles. It's at the Brattle Theatre Wednesday May 16 at 8 p.m., and sponsored by the Video Underground and put on by the film/performance group CineMental. Tickets: $10.

40 Brattle St., Cambridge, 61-522-4949 truthserum.org

Wed. May 16

We saw the four gals that make up Electrelane at the Middle East a few years back and were hooked right away. A minimalist, Stereolab-like feel, a Raincoats-Slits-like dynamic. Loud, dark, wild. And vocal-free. They've got a new disc, "No Shouts No calls" out and they they sing now, too. And they're coming to America, following a UK tour. They have a tour blog and we pinched what what Roz says on their website post: "We're really looking forward to getting to America, playing gigs, meeting new people and seeing friendly faces from before. These are the things I am most looking forward to:
-pizza in new york
-seeing the arcade fire again
-sasquatch festival
-hanging out at tony's house in chicago
-playing with sterling
-record shopping in san francisco
-portland (I love portland!)
-blueberry pie
-burritos in texas
-non-stop parties on the tourbus
Now you know all you need to know. No Boston specifics on her list, but maybe next time. Make Electrelane's night Wednesday at the Paradise a memorable one.They're on with the Blow and Tender Forever. Starts at 8. Tickets: $12.

967 Commonwealth Ave., thedise.com