Warner Theatre

Warren Haynes, lead singer and guitarist of Gov't Mule, sings what might be the four most introspective words of his career. On "Child of the Earth," in his bluesy drawl, he sings "wisdom comes from despair." This truly applies to Gov't Mule, which almost broke up after founding bassist Allen Woody died six years ago. But Haynes has replaced sorrow with triumph now that Gov't Mule has released what he considers the band's best record, August's High & Mighty. The album, which is the band's seventh studio album, is the second from the current lineup of the band.

Perhaps the most daring jazz vocalist of her generation, Cassandra Wilson often pushes her music in thrilling, richly evocative directions. The dark and loamy feel of the blues usually anchors her sound. Be it a Hank Williams ballad, a pop ditty by the Monkees or an introspective self-penned tune, Wilson adds sensuous, haunting textures and dimensions to any song. On Loverly, her latest CD released in June, the Grammy winner revisits the American Songbook. Excluding Rendezvous, her 1997 duet album with pianist Jacky Terrasson, Loverly is Wilson's first exploration of standards as a leader in 20 years.

Ashlee Simpson performs with Ashley Parker Angel at 7:30 tomorrow night at the Warner Theatre. The show, which was originally scheduled to be at Nissan Pavilion, has seating arrangement adjustments, so check with warnertheatre.com and arrive early. Tickets are $42.50. Warner Theatre is at 13th Street (between E and F streets) Northwest, Washington. For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT or go to ticketmaster.com.

Just announced Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh & Friends: Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Sept. 30. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Martina McBride: Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va., on Sept. 27. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Indigo Girls: Rams Head Live on Sept. 17. 410-244-1131 or ramsheadlive.com. Lez Zeppelin: Recher Theatre in Towson on Sept. 27. 410-337-7210, 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Kathy Griffin: DAR Constitution Hall in Washington on Sept. 25-26. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.

The story on the No Nukes concerts in yesterday's Today section gave incorrect days and venue for the shows. They are tonight(Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls and John Trudell) and tomorrow (Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Trudell) at the Warner Theatre, 13th Street (between E and F streets) N.W., Washington. Both shows are at 7: 30 p.m. Call 410-481-7328 for tickets or 202-783-4000 for information.ZTCPub Date: 9/24/97

Tuna will be back on the menu for the holidays beginning Tuesday when "A Tuna Christmas" returns to Washington for a two-week engagement at the Warner Theatre.Capitalizing on the formula they perfected in "Greater Tuna," co-writers and co-stars Jaston Williams and Joe Sears again portray two dozen inhabitants of the third smallest town in Texas. In this case, as the title suggests, the Christmas festivities are high on the agenda of everyone from Didi Snavely, proprietor of the local used weapons boutique, to radio station OKKK announcers Arles Struvie and Thurston Wheelis.

An update on the concert scene: newly announced shows and ticket availability. For ticket information and purchase, call Ticketmaster at 410-547-SEAT unless otherwise noted. Just announced Annual "Hot August Blues Festival," featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters, Shemekia Copeland, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Anthony Gomes, and the Kelly Bell Band, will be held at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville on Aug. 20. Call 877-321-FEST. Comedian Bill Maher performs his standup routine at the Warner Theatre in Washington on June 8. Kevin James, star of The King of Queens, presents his comedy act at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on June 4 and at the Warner Theatre in Washington on June 5. Still available Lonestar, the Charlie Daniels Band, Phil Vassar and Jamie O'Neal at Nissan Pavilion on May 7. Comedian Steve Harvey at Constitution Hall on May 7. Maggie Sansone and Ken Kolodner at the Avalon Theatre in Easton on May 13. Bruce Springsteen at the Patriot Center on May 14. Velvet Revolver and Hoobastank at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 21. Aimee Mann at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., May 23-24.

Sting / Warner Theatre Pop superstar and celebrated humanitarian Sting plays the Warner Theatre -- 13th Street between E and F streets Northwest in Washington -- Monday night at 7:30. Tickets are $78.50-$98.50 and are available through Ticketmaster at 410-481-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com. Aussie Invasion / 9:30 Club The Aussie Invasion Tour featuring the Vines, Jet, the Living End and Neon burns through the 9:30 Club, 815 V. St. N.W., Washington, Monday night at 7. Tickets are $25. Visit www.tickets.

At which of the following venues do you prefer to see comedy acts? 60 percent Baltimore Improv (24 votes) 12.5 percent D.C. Improv (5 votes) 10 percent The Lyric Opera House (4 votes) 7.5 percent Comedy Factory (3 votes) 5 percent The Ottobar (2 votes) 5 percent The Warner Theatre (2 votes) 40 total votes Question of the week: How many times have you attended the Maryland Film Festival? Never Once Twice Three or four times I go every year Vote at www.sunspot.net / live. Post your answer and see what others have to say, then look for the results (and a new question)

The lowdown -- Few comics make food as funny as Jim Gaffigan. Bacon bits, ice - nothing is out of his comedic reach. And if you've seen it once, you'll never forget his Hot Pocket routine. Demand has never been higher for Gaffigan, either. He will perform five shows in three days at the Warner Theatre in Washington, starting tonight. Two are sold out. If you go -- Showtimes are 8 p.m. today, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. tomorrow and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $41.75. The Warner Theatre is at 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. in Washington.

The lowdown -- Few comics make food as funny as Jim Gaffigan. Bacon bits, ice - nothing is out of his comedic reach. And if you've seen it once, you'll never forget his Hot Pocket routine. Demand has never been higher for Gaffigan, either. He will perform five shows in three days at the Warner Theatre in Washington, starting tonight. Two are sold out. If you go -- Showtimes are 8 p.m. today, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. tomorrow and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $41.75. The Warner Theatre is at 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. in Washington.

George Lopez is at a crossroads. The standup comedian and author was, until recently, also the star of his self-titled TV show on ABC. But the network ended the show's six-season run this spring. Now, Lopez is eyeing a career in film and continuing his successful standup tour. Sunday, he comes to the Warner Theatre in Washington. When ABC canceled his show, Lopez felt frustrated at first, but now sees it as a blessing. "The show was my life," Lopez said. "I was upset at the beginning, because I'm the leader of the show.

Warren Haynes, lead singer and guitarist of Gov't Mule, sings what might be the four most introspective words of his career. On "Child of the Earth," in his bluesy drawl, he sings "wisdom comes from despair." This truly applies to Gov't Mule, which almost broke up after founding bassist Allen Woody died six years ago. But Haynes has replaced sorrow with triumph now that Gov't Mule has released what he considers the band's best record, August's High & Mighty. The album, which is the band's seventh studio album, is the second from the current lineup of the band.

Ashlee Simpson performs with Ashley Parker Angel at 7:30 tomorrow night at the Warner Theatre. The show, which was originally scheduled to be at Nissan Pavilion, has seating arrangement adjustments, so check with warnertheatre.com and arrive early. Tickets are $42.50. Warner Theatre is at 13th Street (between E and F streets) Northwest, Washington. For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT or go to ticketmaster.com.