The depressing joint on Pico and La Cienega Blvd known as The Mint rarely books bands that will rock your socks off. I blame the chairs. Any place that calls itself a music venue and has chairs and tables on the dance floor, is sure to be a subdued affair. Not to mention an establishment that makes you buy a drink for the privilege of sitting down even though you just paid a cover to get in there. Add those elements together and you've got a pretty stale atmosphere most nights. Unless! Every once and awhile, if you're really really lucky, you get a traveling band coming through town who doesn't know any better and books a gig there. On those very rare occasions, the Mint shakes off its cobwebs and people actually get to dance. more ›

MUSIC JAM*: The Ford Amphitheatre’s J.A.M. Sessions series continues tonight with “String Along to Bluegrass.” Audience members can bring along their acoustic string instruments for an evening of bluegrass jamming. The event’s hosted by the Bluegrass Association of Southern California and begins at 7 pm. And make an evening by bringing your own food and drink (or buy it there) for a picnic. The Ford opens two hours prior to evening performances for picnicking in the terraced entryway. more ›

I’m writing this from bed, plan on returning to sleep when I’m done and will be too busy cleaning up the residue from my birthday celebration last night to post on dear ole LAist anytime soon, but...in my bleary, horizontal state, I felt moved to write while still basking in the glow of the Old Crow Medicine Show’s concert last night. It’s a miracle I made it at all, having hours before returned from... more ›