Rose Bowl Flea Market

Even though the Rose Bowl was packed with Bruin fans on Saturday, Sunday brought about a different kind of crowd. The second Sunday of every month is the Rose Bowl Flea Market, which draws 2500 vendors ranging from antiques to clothes to indescribably glorious goodies. For more info check here: http://www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarketGeneralInfo/tabid/52/Default.aspx

LA3D Classic Heli Fun Fly

In this city, there's a valley. And in the valley, there's a park. And in the park, there's the Apollo XI airfield. And on the airfield, there's a gathering. And at the gathering, there are model aircraft demos, vendors, and the helicopter that flew Michael Jackson to the hospital. The green grass doesn't grow anywhere. For more information check here: http://www.la3d.org/

West Hollywood Book Fair

Small presses, book stores, literary non-profits and writers of all kinds gathered together to share words with one another be it by book, performance, or panel discussion. The video is Jamal from Da Poetry Lounge, the largest weekly slam poetry lounge in the country. They were just one of many groups who read today. For more info about the fair check here: http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/

Go Fest at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Country music festivals are where you go to learn a thing or two about tailgating. The music is just another excuse for friends to come together and have a good time. Unless its Brad Paisley. Then the music and the drinking weigh about even.

FYF Fest

The 6th year of the FYF Fest (formerly the F Yeah Fest) relocated to the Los Angeles Historic State Park right off Alameda in Chinatown. Until this event, I didn't know there was a Historic State Park in Chinatown. The State Parks system has a depressingly small pool of money and are at risk of closure, so FYF Fest wanted was to raise awareness, recruit some good parks volunteers, and of course, put together a day of awesome music with bands like Times New Viking from the above video. For more about the festival check here: http://www.fyffest.com/

Antelope Valley Fair

Who doesn't love a good turkey leg and some funnel cake alongside a demolition derby? Yesterday was the last day for the fair, but the LA County fair is coming up next week. For more about it check here: http://www.lacountyfair.com/2009/

Obon Festival

According to some Buddhists, this is a good time of year to visit earth if you're a disembodied spirit. People all over the world celebrate their dead loved ones with July's Obon Festival. The West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple celebrates the Obon Festival with food, dancing, and a bonsai display. For more about this celebration check here: http://www.wlabt.org/activities/activities_obon.html

1800's Country Fair and Loggers Jubilee

This event was so many things I don't even know where to start. Westways Magazine voted this fair in the top 5 reasons to drive. And what a drive it is. Big Bear, about 3 hours eastward and mountainward, has hosted this production for 51 years. Chain saws. 19th century costumes. 143 rounds blown by a Gatling gun. Watermelon eating contests for the kids. Juggling. Pulled pork. Mmmm. For more about the Jubilee check here: http://www.fawnskinvictorian.com/index.html

LA Film Festival

11 days. 19 venues. Films, shorts, and... Coffee talks, above, panel discussion with film composers. From left to right - Harry Gregson-Williams (The Taking of Pelham 123, Chronicles of Narnia), Lyle Workman (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 40-Year Old Virign), BMI moderator, and Christopher Young (The Shipping News, Spider Man 3).

Chris Young's advice on how to make it in this industry: "Talent alongside political intelligence and strong work ethic." Wise words Chris, but I think you forgot to mention the importance of luck.

For more information about the film festival check here: http://www.lafilmfest.com/2009