D.C.-area nightlife, events and dining

Oddisee has grown immensely since emerging from Washington’s underground hip-hop scene a decade ago. He has become highly prolific, touring the world repeatedly and, and most importantly, pushing his sound in increasingly ambitious directions. He has licensed his music to ESPN, worked with Jazzy Jeff and Talib Kweli and been featured in Spin. At the same time, he still faces assumptions because of his independent career and refusal to bend to trends — hence the title of his new album, “People Hear What They See.” Ever the road warrior, he’ll earn a raft of new stamps in his passport later this year while supporting his most recent effort. But first, he’ll perform at Montserrat House, both to celebrate the album’s release in the city that launched him and to test drive the band that will take it on the road. The show is free and DJ Jerome Baker III provides party rocking support.

The Half Street Fairgrounds is trying to prove that it's more than just a big outdoor beer garden to visit before a Nats game. Its monthly Truckeroo food truck festival brings about two dozen mobile purveyors to its large lot. Now there's South on South Capitol Street, a free monthly showcase of country and southern rock, complete with a mechanical bull. The Highballers - whose members perform an engaging alt-country mix of the Blasters, Southern Culture on the Skids and Waylon Jennings covers - are the headliners. They're joined by Andrew Leahey & the Homestead and Mama's Love. In addition to live music, food trucks and the Bullpen bar, the night features cornhole games and those free mechanical bull rides.

A corner of the Mall turns into a little bit of Mississippi at this annual party, with a catfish dinner, sweet tea and the Mississippi Cadillac Blues Band.

Friends of local guitarist and legend Phil Mathieu, who passed away suddenly in February, will hop on stage to celebrate his life the best way they know how: Through music. Many D.C. residents know Mathieu because he played with local faves Ruthie and the Wranglers -- led by his love, Ruthie Logsdon -- for years. Special guests include Deanna Bogart, Ty Braddock and the Branded Men featuring Chick Hall, Dave Chappell and Patty Reese, and, of course Ruthie and the Wranglers.

In conjunction with Pleasant Plains Workshop, this two-site group art exhibition explores the themes of gentrification and community.

The outspoken singer-songwriter-pianist is back and, thankfully, has not mellowed with age.