Memorial Day 2011 Weekend in Los Angeles

Memorial Day 2011 Weekend in Los Angeles This four-day weekend is packed with music, dancing, drinking, culture, and fun in the sun events clear through Monday afternoon. Make it a weekend to memorialize at these LA events.

Friday
What: Philter featuring The Littlemen
Why: Because UK-based DJs The Littlemen will be spinning dance inducing electro-house at weekly club night Philter, the proceeds go to AIDS research, and tacos from Camarena Tequila are free for early arrivers.
When: 9pm
Where: Medusa Lounge, 3211 Beverly Boulevard (213-382-5723 or www.medusalounge.com)

What: Lightning in a Bottle
Why: Because the good vibes radiating from the DoLab's music and arts festival will be the most potent in the spontaneous puppy pile you find yourself at the center of at 3am on Sunday morning.
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Oak Canyon Ranch, Silverado, CA, (lightninginabottle.org)

Saturday:
What: Tim Burton book signing
Why: Because having the film auteur's signature on your copy of the catalog from his just-opened LACMA exhibition automatically ups your library's cool quotient. Stick around for the museum's 7pm screening of the 1994 Burton/Johnny Deep collabo "Ed Wood."
When: 12pm - 2pm
Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard at South Spaulding Avenue, (323-857-6000 or lacma.org)

What: Esotouric's Tom Waits Bus Tour of Los Angeles
Why: Because Tom Waits fans can steep themselves in the history of the musician's early 70s LA days while boozing at the musicians old haunts and bouncing "Rain Dogs" trivia off each other.
When: Noon
Where: King Edward Cafe, 131 East 5th Street, at South Los Angeles Street, (323-223-2767 orwww.esotouric.com/waits)

Sunday:
What: Bruin Bhangra Competition Afterparty
Why: Because the afterparty of one of the nation's largest Bhangra competitions will be a dance session of Punjab-sized proportions.
When: 9:30pm
Where: The Music Box, 6126 Hollywood Boulevard, at North Gower Street, (323-464-0808 oriambhangra.com)

What: Topanga Days Country Fair
Why: Because this annual Topanga Canyon event features old fashioned fun including sack races and horse shoe tossing in addition to arts vendors and music from a slew of folk and rock acts. Don't miss the daily drum circle.