the BEAT of the week: KCRW at Who Shot Rock & Roll.

This, no doubt, will be a fun one. L.A. public radio station KCRW is teaming up with the Annenberg Space for Photography for the museum's current exhibition -- Who Shot Rock & Roll, the first major museum exhibition of rock music photography -- for a series of outdoors concerts. Not only will you get to check out a fun, very L.A.-esque exhibit featuring works from a number of influential photographers -- Anton Corbijn, Dennis Hopper, Richard Kern, David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz, Laura Levine, Ryan McGinley, Mark Seliger, to name a few -- but KCRW has also rounded up some great musicians to bring the rock.

First up this Saturday is none other than Moby (with a DJ set by Morning Becomes Eclectic's Jason Bentley). Then there's Portugal. The Man next Saturday, celebrating the station's release of its “T. Rex vs. KCRW Soundclash” remix EP. And finally, on Aug. 4th, it's L.A.'s very own Band of Skulls and Raphael Saadiq, celebrating songs of Bob Dylan. Plus: It's all free. Just be sure to RSVP and arrive early!

Who said museums aren't cool?

Who Shot Rock & Roll is being shown until Oct. 7 at the Annenberg Space for Photography, located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars in Century City. For more information on the KCRW outdoors concerts, check here.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Subscribe to the Hollywood Bowl's summer season.

Undoubtedly, this beautiful weather is making you dream of summer already. So you might as well start preparing.

Subscriptions to the Hollywood Bowl's 2011 summer season officially go on sale tomorrow. What better way to enjoy Los Angeles in the summer than a picnic, some wine and the gorgeous music at the Hollywood Bowl? And if you haven't seen the LA Phil's conductor Gustavo Dudamel at work -- this is the year to do it. He surely lives up to the hype, so don't miss out.

And don't think this means you have to stick to going to the Bowl every week of the summer or anything; there are a ton of different and flexible options. Check them out here.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Nalgene water bottle.

I saw these Nalgene water bottles at Target last night and they reminded me of Lauren and our L.A. Times days. She was so good about carrying it around the newsroom, and refilling it throughout the day--drinking plenty of water, something most people struggle to do. Then I saw a label that said something along the lines of "drink more water, feel better". What an easy way to feel better! I was sold. Aside from just daily sipping, the simple bottles would also be great for any kind of outdoor activity.

A large bottle (that can be refilled) is a great reminder of how much water one should drink throughout a day. This morning when I filled mine to the 32 ounce mark, I had a few sips and it was already down to 28 ounces before I was out the door.

BPA-free wide mouth Nalgenes are available at Target in West Hollywood for $9.99. Also on the Target website, and at www.nalgene-outdoor.com.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: nalgene-outdoor.com

Advance Notice. Belle and Sebastian at Hollywood Forever.

If you thought Hollywood Forever Cemetery just couldn't get any more cool after hosting those uber-popular Cinespia screenings each summer, you're wrong. The final resting place of many celebs is putting on a concert by indie pop darlings Belle and Sebastian in October.

The band are promoting their new release, Belle and Sebastian Write About Love, and will be headlining what seems to be a Scottish-themed night on October 5; their performance will be preceded by a screening of trippy drug movie Trainspotting. A somewhat random combination, but a fun one nonetheless.

After seeing the sunrise concert by Bon Iver at the cemetery last year, I'd highly recommend taking advantage of this unique experience--it's just a lot of fun listening to great music as you lounge outside with your friends and a picnic. Belle and Sebastian are definitely more upbeat and will probably want to make you get up and move around a bit, but I can imagine that some of their slower songs will act as a perfect soundtrack to a relaxing autumn night.

Belle and Sebastian perform Oct. 5th at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. Tickets are $25 and on sale now.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Daily Grill picnic boxes.

With so many outdoors activities going on this summer, the excuse for a picnic is irresistible. But sometimes you don't want to spend the time or money to dish out your own lame PB&Js.

Which is why the Daily Grill's new picnic box offering is such a great idea. The classic dining spot (one of my faves for happy hour, actually) is offering a full-on picnic box for your simple summertime needs. Each box comes with DG's own sourdough bread, homemade garlic potato chips, plastic tablecloth, utensils, and some variety of soup, salad AND dessert. Then for the main course, depending on the prices, you can choose from Santa Fe chicken and Ahi tuna wraps ($22.95/person), charbroiled herb chicken ($27.95/person), Atlantic salmon ($29.95) filet mignon ($38.95/person). Or choose your own entree from the take-out menu and add $5 per person.

Talk about a feast! It's a perfect fancy-type meal for nights out at the Bowl or even at places like Cinespia. And though it may be a bit pricey, everything's inclusive and can be picked up 24 hours after ordering. Just grab a blanket, some shades, and you're ready to go! Happy picnicking!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Daily Grill

Do It. Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series with Ben Lee.

Ah, no better time or place to take advantage of the SoCal weather than in the summer and on the beach. Add in a world-famous pier and some free music, and you really can't go wrong.

And that's why the Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Dance Series is a definite to-do for those looking for a classic L.A. summer experience. The annual concert series has been around for 27 years now, and is nothing short of a great tradition that brings free fun and great music to the masses. Admittedly, the musical line-up isn't the most hip or contemporary, but there are some fun options like former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on Aug. 19 and Beatlesfest on Aug. 26. But my pick for the summer just happens to occur tonight, as "Australia Rocks the Pier!" brings groovy acoustic popster Ben Lee to the stage. Dancing and carefree sing-alongs sure to incur.

Australia Rocks the Pier! at the Santa Monica Pier begins tonight at 7pm. Don't forget the beach chairs and blankets!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Santa Monica Pier

Do It. Old Pasadena Film Fest.

Honestly, if you don't see an outdoor movie screening sometime this summer, you really have no excuses. Because here's another one to get you in the summer spirit, and totally worth heading up the 110 to catch.

The Old Pasadena Film Festival takes place for three weeks in July, featuring multiple screenings on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays all throughout the lively Old Pasadena district. Beginning tonight, you can catch modern classics like Annie Hall, Jurassic Park, Labyrinth, Harold and Maude and more in the area's many courtyards and other mini open spaces.

And since it's free, it's simply the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Think enjoying a fun dinner at Il Fornaio, Buca di Beppo or A'Float Sushi, then grabbing dessert at 21 Choices before heading to a nearby courtyard to see Night of the Living Dead. Perfect for a date night, or just hanging out with friends, all in one convenient spot.

The Old Pasadena Film Festival begins tonight in the One Colorado Courtyard, 41 Hugus Alley with Annie Hall at 8:30pm. For more info, click here.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Old Pasadena Film Festival

Advance Notice. Outdoor Cinema Food Fest.

It's become nearly impossible to try and catch a Cinespia screening without waiting a few hours in the L.A. summer heat. But if you still want to catch a movie outdoors, you may have a chance at avoiding the annoying crowds (or at least the wait) by heading out to the brand-spanking new Outdoor Cinema Food Fest.

The name says it all, but basically this weekly event brings together two grand L.A. loves: outdoor movies and food trucks. Beginning this Saturday and continuing until the end of the August, the fest will be screening fun flicks like Swingers, The Breakfast Club and The Hangover, in addition to offering fare from some of L.A.'s most popular food trucks--so you don't even have to bother packing a picnic!

The best part of it all, though, is the fact that the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest only sells tickets in advance, meaning you don't have to wait in line for hours just to get a spot (although seating is still first come first serve). Furthermore, tickets are only $8 (less than Cinespia's "donation" price of $10), or $5 each if you buy 4.

So if you're ready to jump off the Cinespia bandwagon, beat the crowds to getting to this event!

The Outdoor Cinema Fest begins this Saturday with a screening of Swingers at Grand Hope Park. More info here.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty.

It's crazy thinking that even though the museums in L.A. are amazing enough as they are, they still offer great, fun and often-free entertainment on top of the usual exhibitions. And as the Natural History Museum ends its getting-better-each-year First Fridays 2010 season, everyone just has to look westward to keep their weekends rocking.

That's because this Saturday, the Getty hosts the latest installment in its own cool-concert offering: Saturdays Off the 405. A surprising choice of artist for a museum setting, Les Savy Fav, kicked off the series last month (if anyone attended, please comment, I'm curious), but this month's pick is sure to please museum goers of all types; who can resist the charms of Mayer Hawthorne and the County, after all? If you've been paying attention, I picked the Detroit transplant as a must-see at Coachella, and boy, they did not disappoint. With style and swagger, Hawthorne got the hot crowd grooving, and you couldn't help but grin your way through his cover of ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky." So what could be more perfect as you gaze your way out onto the California horizon from the Getty gardens?

And beyond that, there'll be a DJ, "Spotlight After Dark" tours of the museum, and food and drink (Getty-tinis?!).

Saturdays Off the 405 begins at 6pm on Saturday, is free (the usual $15 parking is also free after 5pm), and is located at the Getty at 1200 Getty Dr. in Brentwood. The series continues for the rest of the summer, check the website for more details.

-- Chau Tu