the BEAT of the week: The Jubilee.

I can't even believe it's already Memorial Day weekend. If it snuck up on you too, you still have a chance of making the most of it with tickets to this weekend's Jubilee -- formerly known as the Silver Lake Jubilee. Probably looking to expand beyond being a simple neighborhood fest, the event this year continues to boast a musical lineup of both big and local names (Aloe Blacc, Kinky, The Soft Pack, Autolux, Abe Vigoda, and so on) plus the usual L.A. fanfare of food trucks and an all-out block party. A two-day pass ($35) gets you a free tote bag or T-shirt (until supplies last, of course), and a one-day pass is only $20!

Time to kick off the summer.

The Jubilee is taking place this Saturday and Sunday at the Sunset Junction, located at 4000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Silver Lake. Get more info on the event here.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. San Diego Music Thing.

Summer may soon be over, but you've still got an excuse for a road trip this weekend. The San Diego Music Thing -- great name, right? -- looks like pretty much the closest thing Southern California may get to its own SXSW, and while it isn't exactly boasting something along the lines of a Death From Above 1979 reunion, it's still got some cred. A few L.A. highlights include Abe Vigoda, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Exene Cervenka (from X), and that's alongside some 150 other bands over the two-day event. Plus there'll be speakers straight from the heart of the music industry, offering their insights and probably some fun stories to boot.

Best of all, an all-access pass -- meaning every concert and speaker panel -- is only $45 right now (or $50 the days of). For both days! It's a pretty sweet deal. And if you just want to check out the bands alone, it's only $20 a day.

Musical road trip sounds pretty good now, huh?

The San Diego Music Thing takes places this Friday and Saturday at The Lafayette Hotel, located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Springfest and KXSC Fest at USC.

While its crosstown rival may have hosted Local Natives last week, USC is ready to up its game and give you a double whammy of music this weekend. The downtown campus will be holding not one, but two different music festivals, sure to entice all your musical taste buds.

First up is Springfest 2011 on Saturday, headlined by the ever-talented Mos Def. Other artists to perform include Kid Sister, Murs, Rooney, Steel Train and Hands, and Kogi BBQ and the Dim Sum Truck are expected to pop on by.

Then on Sunday comes the (local campus radio station) KXSC Fest 2011, leaning on the more indie rock spectrum. They've got local faves Abe Vigoda and Avi Buffalo lined up, as well as Puro Instinct, Julianna Barwick, and a very special secret guest. There'll also be DJ sets, and a visit from the Coolhaus truck.

It's all day, all free and all ages -- enjoy some music and get your Trojan love on.

USC is located 3551 Trousdale Pkwy. near downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: USC

Advance Notice. FYF Fest.

Finally, finally it's beginning to feel like summer, but it's time to think about the 'end' of the season--Labor Day weekend. Why so soon? Because the awesome line-up for FYF Fest was just announced yesterday, and tickets are already on sale!

But let's review the scene here first. The music fest is taking place Sept. 4th at the L.A. State Historic Park, and already has more than 30 bands scheduled to play, including Panda Bear, The Rapture, Dead Man's Bones (that's Ryan Gosling's band), Ted Leo & the Pharmacists and Titus Andronicus. Not surprisingly, there's also a slew of local groups (good thing L.A. has been having such a great local musical revival, right?), like Abe Vigoda, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Warpaint and the Soft Pack.

And if you're not yet convinced, how about tickets for only $20? That is, if you're quick enough to grab the early birds. But even if you miss out on those, tickets are still only $25. That's already less than a buck for each band, plus you'll be supporting the local music scene. At this point, even VIP at $65 (drinks at Cha Cha!) seems like a steal. And really, what better way to end your summer? In honor the fest's original name--f*** yeah!

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Werner Herzog, L.A. Record's Xmas Party.

Meet a crazy man: Werner Herzog @ Downtown Independent, Fri. at 7pm (9pm showing will have Herzog introduce), $12
Werner "It's not a signficant bullet" Herzog is crazy. The auteur behind amazingly wondrous documentaries like "Grizzly Man" and "Encounters at the End of the World" is set to release a new feature film, named "My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?" and lucky for you, he's coming out to promote it at this Q&A. What could you ask such a man? Here's your chance; it's bound to be entertaining.

Meet a crazy band: L.A. Record's Xmas Party @ Bedrock Rehearsal in Echo Park, Sat. at 8pm, FREE with RSVP and donation of child's toy
Okay, maybe none of the bands playing this holiday gig are as crazy as Werner Herzog (that would be quite ambitious), but they'll give you a good show nonetheless. I've seen fave Smell players Abe Vigoda a few times and they just keep getting better, and I can't imagine The Soft Pack not bringing some great energy to their poptastic beats. Oh, but that dude Daedelus does have crazy sideburns, and add in that free tequila (if you're 21+, of course)...maybe you will be in for a crazy night.

-- Chau Tu