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

[Originally posted March 4, 2011]

So much stuff happening this weekend, we had a hard time picking just five! The weather is warming (slightly), spring is in the air, and it's a good time to get out there and see some shows before spring break madness descends on the city and it's filled with people from Riverside or wherever. Anyway, here are the Top 5 Things to Do this Weekend in L.A.:

FRIDAY MARCH 4: ABE VIGODA AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Abe Vigoda has referred to themselves as "tropical punk" ; whatever they are, they sound good to us with their mix of catchy synth lines and Joy Division-inspired vocals, mixing elements of punk, shoegaze, and britpop with delicious ease. Intrigued? Read more about them here or better yet, go check them out for yourself. Also, KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez and Chuck P will be spinning in the African Mammal Hall.

Where: the Natural History Museum
When: 5 pm
Info: all ages, ticket prices vary

SATURDAY MARCH 5: LOCAL FOLKFEST AT CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK

Voxhaul Broadcast, Nico Stai, The Sea of Cortez, Summer Darling, and Hi Ho Silver all at the same place for $10? Can't beat that with a bat. KCRW darlings the Voxhaul Broadcast is a indie-pop quartet with catchy hooks and alt-country vocals; Summer Darlings bring heartfelt lyrics to an indie-folk sensibility. And Eagle Rock is always an awesome venue with plenty of parking. That alone should be a motivator!

Where: Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
When: Doors at 5:30
Info: all ages/$10

SATURDAY MARCH 5: BATHS AT THE TROUBADOR

Baths mixes weighty beats with heavily processed vocals for a unique sound that earned him rave reviews for his debut album--2010's Cerulean as well as praise from Brainfeeder and fellow beatmaker Daedelus. Baths is only going to get more popular, see him at this intimate a venue while you can.

Where: the Troubador
When: 8:30 pm
Info: $12/all ages

SUNDAY MARCH 6: DAVID J (OF BAUHAUS, LOVE AND ROCKETS) AT THE ECHO

David J was bassist for the band Bauhaus (and of course, Love and Rockets), writing the lyrics of several Bauhaus songs, sometimes singing backing vocals, and fronting a tune or two when the lead singer, Peter Murphy fell ill with pneumonia. He has also released his own amazing solo records and played bass on two Jazz Butcher albums. Check him out at Part Time Punks.

Where: the Echo
When: 10pm
Info: $10adv/18+

SUNDAY MARCH 6: THE VELVET TEEN

Indie pop songsters the Velvet Teen mix pretty guitar riffs, layers of strings, and ethereal background vocals with tight drum beats and piano arpeggios for a sound that's something like Jeff Buckley plus Sunny Day Real Estate. Check them out.

Where: the Echo
When: 5:30 pm
Info: $10/all ages