TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH: The 170,000 people who show every spring for "America's #1 Street Race" likely want to experience different things. Some want to see celebs, and they will. Some want to go to the concerts. But a lot of people want to see really fast machines zooming past the spots most drivers typically have to stop or wait at (as in the photo above). Thrills. Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17
COACHELLA: Hats off to people who say the famous desert gathering's full name, which happens to be the Coachella Music & Arts Festival. The so-well-known-it-goes-by-one-word sound spectacular is set to unfurl in major epicness from Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17. Kings of Leon and Kanye West are two headliners. Oh, and speaking of hats, pack yours; Indio highs are predicted to be in the mid- to upper-90s.
RECORD STORE DAY: When's the last time you stuck your index finger into the sprockets of a cassette tape to do some necessary tightening? Maybe awhile, but there are people out there who love their tapes still, and their phonographs, and definitely CDs. If you love one or all of those things, best love your local indie music shop, too. There's a whole day planned around record store love, and it is happening on Saturday, April 16.
EARTH DAY: The holiday has early ties to Santa Barbara, and the city acknowledges its history. More than acknowledges, actually; April is Ecotopia month in the area, and the Alameda Park-based Earth Day festival is a huge two-day affair (dates: April 16 and 17). If you're staying around LA parts, the Go Green Expo is at LACC from Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17.
ARTS AROUND TOWN: Art in the Streets debuts at MOCA; the Brewery opens for its springtime art walk; and Slow Art Day encourages museum and gallery goers to not be so quick on the painting pass-by.
