Advance Notice. FYF Fest.

Although it had its share of organizational problems last year, FYF Fest is still, in my opinion, one of the best music festivals offered in Southern California. The FYF crew is always able to round up a great lineup, mixing big names with small, and keep the price for admission reasonable. And being set in downtown on Labor Day weekend? What a way to say farewell to summer.

It feels like a long ways off, but it's time to prepare now. FYF Fest 2011 was announced last Wednesday, and tickets are now on sale. For $35 (early price) to $40, it's basically a steal to see awesome bands like the Descendents, Death From Above 1979 (who made a triumphant return from hiatus this year, and completely killed it at Coachella), Explosions in the Sky, Broken Social Scene (always amazing at festivals), Dan Deacon, Guided By Voices, Cults, Japandroids, Cass McCombs, Avi Buffalo, Fool's Gold and so many more.

Get your tickets now -- it'll likely be on the road to selling out soon.

FYF Fest 2011 is taking place Saturday, Sept. 3rd at (new location!) City Hall, located at 1st and Main in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. The FYF LA Scavenger Hunt.

What could be more fun than the prospect of a scavenger hunt? Add in the fact that it'll take place in this wonderful city of Los Angeles and you'll be helping out some local charities, and you really can't go wrong.

This will be the third edition of FYFest's Scavenger Hunt, which launches teams into the jungle of L.A. for one whole day to accomplish crazy feats and find hidden treasures which will all help to support Union Rescue Mission and L.A. Food Bank. Round up a group of friends for a team, and on December 4th you could be parading around this city trying to get pictures of brides on your shoulders and getting cornrows in your hair. Awesome, right? And for the grand prize, it'll surely be worth it: a trip to Barcelona for next year's Primavera Sound music festival, flight and hotel paid for. Barcelona's one of my favorite cities ever, and this trip would truly be amazing.

And even if you don't win the grand prize, there are still a ton of mini-prizes to be won, like concert tickets or gift cards. Plus, it'll all be in good fun, and you'll be doing a mighty charitable act. Sign up your team now for $10 a person ($5 if you're super early!) and get ready to get huntin'!

The LA Scavenger Hunt takes place on Dec. 4th at 2pm beginning at Dodger Stadium. Sign up your team here for (currently) $5 a person, and stay tuned for more details on the FYF website.

-- Chau Tu

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