DESERT GUITAR—In the north Sahara of Mali, a band of Toureg musicians have been playing assouf—a blues-like but unique style of African music—for decades, toiling through oppression, discrimination, and obscurity. Tinariwen have started to receive the global recognition they deserve, and they roll through town for one of their celebratory live shows. NL
w/Dusu Mali Band, DJ Globalruckus; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $20-30
SOUL SISTER—The ever-soulful Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings return to PDX with booty-shaking retro Northern soul. An evening of Jones’ velvet vocals is like sipping a salty soul stew featuring the best of old-school Philly, Stax, and Motown. Miss at your own peril. WSH
w/the Heavy; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $23-25, all ages
As always, the fun abounds at My, What a Busy Week!