Guest Contributor

Get out so you can watch some artists draw, catch some concerts or listen to genre-bending classical music.

The Independent Shakespeare Co., purveyor of free classical theatre performances, is back again this year for a series of exciting shows in sprawling Griffith Park.

Every summer, the avenues of L.A.'s Chinatown come to life for Chinatown Summer Nights, a smorgasbord of games, music, art workshops and an unbelievable array of the best local food trucks. The festival has been touted year after year as one of the best events to spend a warm summer evening in the city.

Today's events include literary showdowns, book signings, ping pong and a Goonies adventure in Venice. Feeling a bit more fancy? Join The London West Hollywood in its Wednesdays at Sunset with fine cuisine and music. Today is also the last opportunity to catch "The Great Debate: Girls vs. Golden Girls." Who empowers women more, Lena Dunham or Betty White? Read on for the details.

Gay bars aren't just for gays anymore. Clubs across Los Angeles are drawing queer, as well as queer-loving crowds. While the June shutter of the Palms wiped lesbian bars off the L.A. map, clubs offer nights dedicated to the ladies. Here are nine of the best spots in the city where you can just be yourself.

Here are nine of L.A.'s best summer movie screening series, with films ranging from the silent era to modern favorites.

Legos summon the childhood nostalgia of hours spent building towers, bridges and robots to only have them repeatedly fall victim to gravity. While many have outgrown these childhood frustrations, New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya proves that it is possible to make a Lego creation stand the test of time in his current exhibit, The Art of the Brick.

Get out so you can see Stanley Kubrick exhibition before it closes, listen to Iris DeMent or watch a movie under the stars.

This Sunday Los Angeles’ next CicLAvia route will close off Wilshire Boulevard to cars from Downtown to the Miracle Mile, allowing those who usually inch along the route in their cars a chance to cruise down "Iconic Wilshire Boulevard" on their bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skateboards and just about any other form of people-powered transport (including shoes!).

It's summertime in the city, which means outdoor events catering to any cultural palette will come out of the woodwork and entertain millions of Angelenos. Beneath the towering blue monoliths of Downtown L.A.'s California Plaza, the annual Grand Performances promises to be the City of Angels' premier free summer event.