Do It. Free concerts at The Lab in Costa Mesa.

It's not even fair to try and compare the L.A. music scene to Orange County's, seeing as the latter is nearly non-existent, or feels like it should be. But just because O.C. has cookie cutter homes and strip malls galore doesn't mean it's a complete cultural wasteland.

Take The Lab for example. Located in Costa Mesa, just down the street from the shopping mecca known as South Coast Plaza, this small (parking is nearly impossible here, sadly, but we Angelenos are pretty used to that) complex calls itself the 'anti-mall.' Take that for what you will, but the Lab does house the hipper of shops, like Urban Outfitters, Buffalo Exchange and Commissary, along with cool eateries and bars like Gypsy Den and Habana.

But if you're still not convinced, maybe a little L.A. in the O.C. will assure you. The Lab is putting a month-long series of free concerts on-site featuring some of L.A.'s best local bands like Red Cortez and Voxhaul Broadcast alongside some of O.C.'s own offerings like The Union Line. Four bands a day, each Saturday in August, and it's all free (although donations, benefiting the Pablove Foundation, are appreciated). Guess it's time to take a trip down that 405!

The Lab is located at 2930 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. The weekly concerts take place each Saturday in August from noon to 4pm. For more info, check out this website.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. The Orange County Fair.

County fairs don't get much excitement out here in California, but that changes whenever the Orange County Fair rolls around.

That's because it's so much more than a simple fair--on top of all the usual sketchy carnival rides, strange attractions, and fairway games, there are major events like the concert series, which this year boasts performances by actual household names like Faith Hill, Adam Lambert, the B-52s, Weird Al Yankovic and Blondie.

And of course, there's the food, which is nearly an event in and of itself! You can't hit a fair without indulging in something ridiculous and fried, and the O.C. Fair is nearly the best in combining the two. Oh there are those bacon-wrapped hot dogs and boxes (yes boxes) of fries, but how about deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Twinkies and--apparently this year's big one-- deep-fried butter? Oh yeah.

So escape the city for a bit and have some carefree fun! You might want to have some antacids ready, though.

The Orange County Fair is located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa and runs until Aug. 15. Tickets are $10 for adults.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: OC Fair

Advance Notice. Autolux at Detroit Bar.

The LA-based trio that is Autolux will be performing at Costa Mesa's stripmall bar, the Detroit Bar next Thursday. Although it's nestled in the corner between a laundry place, some shops, and little restaurants, the Detroit Bar is actually one hip place--and since most of its neighbors are closed by the time shows start, there's (almost) always plenty of parking.

I was a fan of Greg Edwards' last band, Failure, which he left in 2000 to found the more electric-based Autolux with Eugene Goreshter and Carla Azar.

Detroit Bar is very loungy (if you can't tell from their website), with low, leather couches and tables, but has a decent sized stage and pit area next to the bar. Drinks are weak, and beer selection is definitely lacking. The last time I went the most exotic thing they had was Newcastle, which is classic, but still.

If you can't make the journey out to OC, Autolux is playing the next day at Silverlake's Bootleg Theater on April 16.

Tickets are $10 at the door at Detroit Bar and doors open at 8 p.m.; $12 at Bootleg Theater, Autolux is set to take the stage at 10 p.m.

Detroit Bar is located at 843 W. 19th St.; the Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd.

-- Lauren Williams