You know when Style calendar editor Chris Bopst says this is one of the best weekends he’s ever booked at Balliceaux, that’s saying something. On Friday, Aug. 5, he welcomes the return of New Orleans sensation Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns. With her powerful, life-affirming vocals, Lake is like a modern-day Bessie Smith, if she were a white, tattooed hipster just getting off years of living with carnies. If you like your vintage jazz amped up and served with a serious side of strong, sensual “yaasss” woman — don’t miss it. Then on Saturday, Aug. 6, comes the warm and charming Malian guitarist, Mamadou Kelly, who hails from the heartland of Mali’s Niger River Delta, where he was chased away in 2012 by Islamic fundamentalists who hated music. A profoundly moving singer as well as a masterful and joyful guitarist, Kelly has been a collaborator or backup musician with African stars such as Ali Farka Touré and Afel Bocoum. You want to see him on his own to see him truly shine. Both shows are for patrons 21 and older, start at 10 p.m. and cost $10 on their respective nights.