Art Beat With Sean Rameswaram, May 3

(May 5) It’s going to be biblical!
The Washington-area’s New Dominion Chorale takes on a work of biblical proportions Saturday afternoon. The 200-member strong posse is joined by a full orchestra and seven vocal soloists to perform Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Be on the lookout for a choir of angels singing from heaven, or the concert hall’s balcony.

(May 3) Running on Hume
A group of Washington rockers takes to the stage at Northwest’s Black Cat tonight to tinker with a few toys. Hume mostly deals in experimental polyrhythmic prog-rock, which means you can expect sampled vocals, highly-processed instruments, and at least two drummers at any given time. The band’s dreamy aesthetic is complemented by a visual show designed by one of its drummers.

(May 3) The District’s Poet Laureate
D.C.’s own Dolores Kendrick marks the 25th anniversary of her book, The Women of Plums: poems in the voices of slave women, tonight at the Busboys and Poets on 14th Street in Northwest. The second-ever Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia channels black slaves by blending historical records with lyrical monologues.

Music: “Cleam” by Mister Lies