Do It. U.S. Open of Surfing.

This unpredictable cloudy weather hasn't exactly made for great beach conditions, but you've still got a great excuse to don the bathing suit and sunscreen this weekend: the U.S. Open of Surfing.

Check out some of the best surfers in the world tackle those gnarly waves, and take part in the extra activities going on around too, because it's not just about surfing anymore. There'll also be skateboarding and BMX competitions going on, places to see art exhibits and murals, and even a fashion show. And on top of that, really great must-see bands like Cold War Kids, The Soft Pack and Weezer (!). And get this: it's all free.

Happy surfing (and rocking)!
The U.S. Open of Surfing will take place beginning this Saturday, Aug 1 until Sunday, Aug 8 at Huntington Beach in Orange County. Check out the schedule for competition and music set times.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: U.S. Open of Surfing

Do It. Follow The Soft Pack's 10-show marathon.

Always dreamed of doing the Penny Lane thing: following around your favorite band, doing non-groupie things and having hungover sing-alongs? We can't make any promises about those non-groupie things, but how about a one-day tour sure to present just as many hijinks (okay, maybe not an almost-plane crash)?

Local band The Soft Pack is set to release their self-titled debut album this Tuesday and in celebration, they're doing a ten-show marathon all over Southern California tomorrow. Current announced shows include Frankie's on the Sunset Junction, Fingerprints in Long Beach and a house party at 'Kevin from Crystal Antlers' dad's house' (with Crystal Antlers performing as well), but there looks to be some surprise stops TBA'd on Twitter too.

But forget being tied down to your lame electronic device all day--just hit the road with the Soft Pack and enjoy their tunes all day! Sure to be an adventure, and maybe one day you can make an Oscar-winning film of it too.

(But if can't make any of those ten shows, you can stream The Soft Pack's new album on myspace now.)

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: The Soft Pack

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