"I Love LA"

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but this was probably our last home game of the year :( This not only means we won't see Ethier's cute booty for another six months, but there'll be no reason to dance to my favorite Randy Newman song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slMTiDZuVp0.

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/

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

They say on average people change their careers 8 times. I hope one of my careers is "fireworks display designer." I don't know if that job exists, but it would be like being a painter only way more awesome.

This here display is the 1812 Overture played by the LA Phil and the USC marching band. If you don't know anything about this work, it was written after the Battle of Borodino - Napolean's last attack on Russian soil. To celebrate, Tchaikovsky wrote this noted work of triumph using cathedral bells and cannons.

Twilight Dance Series

Festive Angelenos everywhere. It's a BYO picnic with free music. And it's on the beach! For more info for about free music Thursdays at the pier check here: http://www.santamonicapier.org/fun.html#1

The Hollywood Bowl

Even though I grew up in LA, my first encounter with the Hollywood Bowl was Wakko burping the Blue Danube (watch video here). It's a 17,000 person capacity outdoor portal to some of the world's greatest performances. And it's tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. And it's BYOB. On nights when the LA Phil plays, you can go to the Bowl in the afternoon (if you can stand the heat) and watch them rehearse for free. Parking's a pain, but they've arranged super easy public transportation options. Last night, Philip Glass performed the score to Koyaanisqatsi while they played the film. It was really quite neat.

For more about the Hollywood Bowl check here: http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/