Photo by Sean Coon

OBAMA is the only conceivable choice so far as I see it. He, Hillary, John Edwards, and probably some other kooks are coming to town this weekend, not because they want power and money, but because they genuinely care about you. While it would be a good time to let them know how you really feel by using our city's vast blank spaces, we've given you a lot of cool shit to check out this weekend if you're more comfortable ignoring the whole thing until the time is actually right. Uh...here's betting Arrested Development play 'Tennesee' tonight on the Pier. Midnight Ridazz' Clown Ride sounds like a thrilling time IF it ends up at Jumbo's Clown Room. Poison are playing on Saturday, those chicks were never really metal, go to LoProz Low-Rider show in San Pedro if something heavy is what you seek. We're still trying to get the details to Mike the Poet's walking tour of Leimert Park this Sunday, which we'll get up here, in the meantime between MF Doom and Burning Spear, you can't go wrong. Have fun Los Angeles!

Thursday-August 9th

Arrested Development @ The Santa Monica Pier ~ 7:30PM ~ Free

Downtown Art Walk @ 5th & Main ~ Self-guided tour through downtown's galleries and museums ~ 12PM-9PM ~ Free

Cartune XPrez @ Echo Park Film Center ~ 1200 N. Alvarado St. ~ Traveling roadshow of new animation with music, dance, theater and mixed-media video. Oh, and live magic! ~ 8PM

Club Reak Live @ Leonardo's ~ 2425 E. Orangethorpe Ave. Fullerton, CA 92831 ~ Hosted by Morb One, with performances by Awol one (Shapeshifters), Beet Bums & Cleen (Life for the Better), DJ Lime Green, DJ Stereotype, and more. With live painting from DEAS (CBS), HULK (WAI/SAC), RICKS (SAC) & MIGHT (AM7). B-boying by Knucklehead Crew. ~ 8PM ~ $5

Friday-August 10th

Pakistan Independence Day @ Exposition Park ~ 3980 Menlo Ave. ~ 5:00PM

Midnight Ridazz 'Clown Ride' @ Rite Aid ~ 1637 Vermont Ave & Hollywood Blvd. ~ Bring your bike, dress like a clown and terrorize the city like Pennywise from It. ~ 9PM

The Melting Pot @ Scene Bar ~ 806 E. Colorado St. Glendale, CA 91205 ~ Hosted by Darkside, DJ'd by Stereotype, featuring the talents of CONCEPT ONER, Thavius Beck, Morb One, and 4 more artists. Presented by Church of the 8th Day and Hip Hop Congress ~ 21+

Drunken Spelling Bee @ The Met ~ 1089 N. Oxford Ave. ~ Lots of cheap drinking, gambling, and music is promised. You can enter the Beer Chug or the Drunken Spelling Bee. Just please have a ride home. ~ Register for either event at drunkenbee@gmail.com. ~ 9PM

Saturday-August 11th

LoProz' Metallic Art Show & Bock-Party @ Beacon House ~ 1003 S. Beacon St. San Pedro, CA 90731 ~ Live music--Back Stabbath, Native American drumming-- low-riders, food, and no booze! This is a clean and sober event ~ 10:30AM

Mariachi Heritage Society @ Pasadena Civic Auditorium ~ 300 East Green St. Pasadena, CA 91101 ~ 7:30PM ~$35

NightVision @ MOCA After Dark ~ 250 S. Grand Ave. ~ DJs, Art making, screenings, and spoken word by Saul Williams ~ 6PM-2AM ~ Free for MOCA members, $8 general, $5 students

Sunday-August 12th

Old Memories Car Show @ Bell Gardens Veterans Park ~ 6662 Loveland St. ~ 10AM-3PM ~ Spectators Free ~ No attitude, no violence, no alcohol

MF Doom @ El Rey ~ 5515 Wilshire Blvd. ~ Playing with Strong Arm Steady ~ 8PM ~ $20

Reggae Night @ Hollywood Bowl ~ Burning Spear, Sly & Robbie with Horace Andy and Wailing Souls reunion ~ 7:00 PM ~ $20 and up