Photo by ~db~ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

CELEBRATE THE CULTURES OF SOUTH AMERICA: Check out the free South America Expo Fiesta in Downtown this afternoon, where all the countries of the continent will be represented. Eat, mingle, learn, and take in the entertainment. Like any good street fair there will be rides (and health screenings!).

SEE THEE SOME SHAKESPEARE: Barnsdall Park is once again serving as a theatre space this summer for the Independent Shakespeare Company, who are performing Twelfth Night tonight at 7:30. Make a reservation and head over to the Park--take the Red Line and leave your car behind if you can. The show is free!
DIG THE STORY 'BOUT THE MONKEY, MON: Ziggy Marley reads monkey master Paul Frank's new bedtime tale Only in Dreams at Noon today at Book Soup. Paul Frank and Chronicle Books will donate $12.95 and a book to the First Book organization for every copy purchased today at the event. Afterward, head down to the Paul Frank store on Melrose for the Island After Party, which kicks off at 2.

GET YOUR JAPANESE ON: It's the Mitsuwa Market's Japanese Summer Festival. Day 2 of the event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include traditional foods, games, contests, and live entertainment suitable for the whole family. The kicker--you gotta go to Torrance to take it in.

Other Things to Do: Have a retro bfast @Joyce's, see the dancing of An Attic An Exit, decide for yourself if Dark Knight is better than Mamma Mia!, celebrate National Ice Cream Day, and hit up Vermin on the Mount for some writers and booze.