GREENING THE CAPITOL

Going green is the new "it" cause, and what better way to commemorate Earth Day than with free music in the nation's capital?

The Green Apple Festival, which started in 2006 as a free Earth Day celebration in New York, expands to eight cities this year, including the inaugural Washington edition. The National Mall hosts what looks to be the biggest Green Apple Festival yet on Sunday, with free music, guest speakers and a whole lot of environmental awareness.

And this year it appears Green Apple is moving more toward a Live 8 - activism plus music to raise consciousness - minus Bono and Bob Geldof, thankfully. The show, which is from noon to 7 p.m., will also feature speakers, including comedian Chevy Chase, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, actor Ed Norton, Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Several bands playing the festival will also perform full Green Apple-sanctioned shows at venues throughout the Washington area in the next few days. Diversions breaks down a few of the bands set to perform Sunday.

The Green Apple Festival starts Sunday at noon on the National Mall in Washington. Other performers include Toots & The Maytals, O.A.R. (acoustic), Thievery Corporation (DJ set), Mambo Sauce, CityDance Ensemble, Joy Of Motion: Urban Impact, D.C. Boys Choir and Jordin Sparks performing the National Anthem. For more information visit www.greenapplemusicfestival.com.

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BAND: The Roots & Friends

BIO: The biggest name on the bill, The Roots, headline Sunday's festivities with a host of guests, including Doug E. Fresh, Ne-Yo, Talib Kweli, will.i.am and Chrisette Michele. The Philadephia hip-hop legends recently released a video for the song "Birthday Girl," an upbeat pop song featuring Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump singing the chorus. The song has enough pop sensibility to possibly eclipse the band's biggest hit, "Seed (2.0)," off 2002's Phrenology. The Roots are also touring heavily in support of their new album, Rising Down, which drops April 29. Fans of "Birthday Girl" beware, though, it didn't actually make the album The Roots' members are calling their darkest one yet.

HEADLINING SHOW: The Roots aren't playing another Green Apple-related show, but the band plays Towson's Tigerfest next Saturday.

BAND: Gov't Mule & Warren Haynes

BIO: Warren Haynes fronts Gov't Mule and also tours as a guitarist for Allman Brothers Band. On Sunday he'll take the stage twice, first for a solo acoustic set, then later with Mule. The Southern rock guitar god is equally skilled at churning out long jams and acoustic ballads. Haynes gave a legendary acoustic performance at 2004's Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which was eventually released as a full-length live album.

GREEN FACT: At Mountain Jam 2008, Haynes's music festival in upstate New York in May, there will be an "Awareness Village," which has the mission of "[expanding] personal and planetary consciousness through deepending spiritual, environmental and political awareness," according to the festival's website.

HEADLINING SHOW: Saturday at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in Washington.

BAND: Umphrey's McGee

BIO: Veterans of Green Apple, Umphrey's McGee played the inaugural festival in New York, then in its home base, Chicago, last year. Now, the band known for its blistering progressive jam sound will take to the National Mall. But don't expect much jamming from the Chicago sextet: The band announced its Green Apple set will start at 1:35 p.m. and last for 20 minutes only. But make sure you pay attention to every second - one face-melting Jack Cinninger guitar solo will leave you wanting so much more.

GREEN FACT: Umphrey's McGee offers fans the chance to buy a $0.40 carbon credit with tickets to its summer tour with Sound Tribe Sector 9 to offset carbon dioxide emmisions from traveling to the shows.

HEADLINING SHOW: Saturday at Rams Head Live in Baltimore.