Top 5 Things to Do This Weekend in L.A.

"L.A. proved too much for the man," sang Gladys Knight, "So he's leavin' the life he's come to know, He said he's goin' back to find [Ooh, said the Pips] what's left of his world, The world he left behind, Not so long ago." Well, "the man" was kind of a wuss, right? You don't have to take that midnight train to Georgia if you got the L.A. blues: the week is basically over (who works after a Thursday? Peasants!) so you should get out and enjoy the Top 5 Things to Do This Weekend. Most of them are either cheap or free, so no excuses, people: get out and experience what the city has to offer:

Thursday Night

Afrofunké at Zanzibar

What: Afrofunké
Where: Zanzibar
Address: 1301 5th Street, Santa Monica 90401
Web: http://www.afrofunke.com/
Door: 21+/$7 presale and $10 at the door

This weekly club features KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole as well as DJ Glenn Red and Rocky Dawuni. Afro Funke's soundsystem is playing and the special guest this week is live percussionist Tom Orr. Afrofunké will, as always, make you move to Afrobeat, Brazilian, Dub, Reggae, Cumbia, Samba, Disco, Batucada, Afro-Latin House, Indian Beats, Makossa & other deep-rootedfFunk music from around the world with world class DJs, instrumentalists, and guests.

Friday Night

the Melvins

What: the Melvins
Where: the Satellite (formerly Spaceland)
Address: 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Silverlake 90039
Web: http://www.thesatellitela.com/
Door: 21+/$20

The Melvins' residency at the Satellite promises to be off the hook; this is a rare opportunity to see a foundational rock band in an intimate space for an affordable price. Earlier this year, The Melvins released their twentieth (!!!) studio album, the Bride Screamed Murder, which earned positive reviews ; this Friday, however, they will be performing from Colossus of Destiny, as well as Lysol and Eggnog.

Saturday Night

Mary Bell

Photo of Free Moral Agents by Mary Bell, Courtesy OC Weekly

What: Free Moral Agents
Where: the Prospector
Address: 2400 East 7th Street, Long Beach 90804
Web: http://www.prospectorlongbeach.com/
Door: 21+/$7

Yes, this is in Long Beach, but Long Beach is technically in L.A. county. Also, Free Moral Agents is a can't miss, given that they have few local shows scheduled in order to recuperate from their recent tour. The lineup features Mars Volta's grammy-award winning keyboardist Ikey Owens along with Mendee Ichikawa (vocals), Reid Kinnet (Rhodes), Jesse Carzello (guitar), Dennis Owens (bass), and Ryan Reiff (drums).

Saturday Night

What: Little Dragon
Where: Echo Plex
Address: 1154 Glendale Blvd, Echo Park 90026
Web: www.attheecho.com
Door: 18+/$13 advance $15 at the door

Alternatively, KCRW has helped bring Swedish electronica ensemble Little Dragon to Los Angeles as part of their ongoing North American tour. The quartet, which hails from Gothenburg, is touring in support of their second studio album, Machine Dreams, which has gotten favorable reviews for its original approach to mixing such diverse genres of electronica, R&B, and pop.

Sunday Night

the King's birthday bash at the Echoplex.

What: Elvis Presley Birthday Bash
Where: the Echoplex
Address: 1154 Glendale Blvd, Echo Park 90026
Web: www.attheecho.com
Door: 18+/$20

All proceeds from the event will be going to the Union Rescue Mission. So come out for the yearly bash held in celebration of the birthday of the King, Elvis Presley. Guests will include Lisa Finnie, the Dusk Devils, the Groovy Rednecks and the South Bay Surfers.