Kevin Bronson on July 10th, 2009

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[Must be brief. No fun to blog from the unsuperhighways of America. Happy birthday, Jessica Simpson. Here are some fun things to do in L.A. this weekend.]

Today: Pretty appealing triple bill under the stars at the Greek Theatre where Ra Ra Riot and Heartless Bastards open for Andrew Bird. … There also are nice outdoor doings at California Plaza downtown, where the Grand Performances series brings two shows by Rocky Dawuni & the Revelation Project, at noon and 8 p.m. … New Saddle Creek signees the Rural Alberta Advantage play the Echo; I saw them at SXSW and their spare, aching folk songs came off as exceedingly precious. … And there’s a great bill at Spaceland, with Hesta Prynn, Seaspin and Dalmacio von Diamond. … Also: Sara Lov at the Mint; the Yelling, along with the Ringers, at the Viper Room; the Widow Babies at the Smell; Jogger at Out of Asia; New Kids on the Block (yeah, them) at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre; Pete Yorn at the House of Blues Anaheim; and Tyrone Wells at the Troubdaour.

Saturday: There’s a fine fit of punk rock at the Forum, where Rise Against and Rancid rock. … Tortoise visits the Troubadour, while Aushua celebrates the release of its “Limbo EP” at the Detroit Bar by teaming up with Red Cortez. … Also: Nightmare of You at the Knitting Factory;” the Happy Hollows at the Propsector in Long Beach; Copeland at the Hotel Cafe; the Dan Band at Club Nokia; Gilby Clarke at the Viper Room; and Slightly Stoopid and Snoop Dogg at Verizon Wireless.

Sunday: Ray Lamontagne, supported by Jenny Lewis and Blitzen Trapper, holds forth at the Hollywood Bowl. … Alt-country songstress Gina Villalobos [pictured] celebrates the release of her new album “Days on Their Side” by playing the Grand Ole Echo. … And it’s Loch Lomond at Spaceland, Oneida at the Echo (matinee show), Summer Cats at the Part Time Punks at the Echo; and Johnette Napolitano at the Hotel Cafe.