Taylor Hamby/OC Weekly

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On Friday, Sabrina Linhares wore a dreamcatcher shirt to her middle school, St. Pius V School in Buena Park. It was a significant choice, but as her teacher Natalie Frazee remarked, Linhares had no idea her dream was really coming true that day.More >>

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly

Lil Jon at Sutra

​Rapper Lil Jon is now has his own day in the county of DeKalb, Georgia. May 24 was deemed his because of his "unyielding commitment to raise money in support of children and families" and his "passion for advocacy and outstanding commitment to empowering [the] community," (according to the official doc).
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​Random Ninjas may have gotten their start putting a metal twist onto anime classics, but their new incarnation is chock-full of original rock song-goodness that needs to be recorded for posterity on a full studio album. Help them do that by funding their Kickstarter project here.

Not only are the packages you get in return for pledging kick ass (kung fu or taiko lessons? handmade purses? the chance to be a super ninja go go dancer? a private concert and a bouncy castle?), the songs are pretty sweet as well. Check it after the jump.

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​Last week, Queen guitarist Brian May interrupted a performance of his musical We Will Rock You to denounce the Welsh government's plan to reduce its badger population. Audience members were not only puzzled by May's lousy timing, but also his passionate support of the badger, a sort of white-trash wolverine without the awesome superhero namesake. May has been widely goofed on for his outburst, but he is far from the first musician to get behind a dubious cause. We dug up a few more examples of musical advocacy that make Freddie Mercury's shambling ex-sideman look like Bob Geldof in comparison. More >>

​​Sometimes a party is the best remedy for a negative situation. And when you're throwing a party, you have to have music. The people behind the Love Hope Music Strength Foundation know this, which is why The English Beat (fronted by former Orange County resident Dave Wakeling) are playing Saturday to raise money for the organization.

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​Last night's OC Music Awards showcase at the Continental Room in Fullerton brought the crisp, Maroon 5-ish rhythms of Pawnshop Kings to the stage. It also brought a plea from the Kings to check out a project called "Be The Drum." It's an online-only compilation of songs from Southern California musicians, featuring OC acts Stacy Clark, the Steelwells, and, yes, Pawnshop Kings.  Proceeds go to Oxfam's relief effort in Haiti. It's still really bad over there!

The Long Beach venue formerly known as Sachi is now known as Shore Ultra Lounge. From what I hear, there ain't much difference on the inside. But one cool aspect of the Shore is the shows seems to be getting a bit better. Paul Oakenfeld played a few weeks ago and tomorrow there's something cool happening too.

Labeled the After School Fashion Charity Benefit & Show, the event begins with a fashion show (duh) by Buffalo Exchange, Crooks & Castles, No Regrets, Amnimal and more,  along with sets by the Cataracs, RoMak & the Space Pirates and On Blast (who, rumor has it, know how to party).

The show is 21 and older and tickets are $15.  

In an effort to help out their fellow Iowans, SoCal-based Iowa transplants Tyler and Jessica Kamerman are organizing a benefit concert called Reach Out for the flood-bedeviled citizens of that Midwestern state.

If you would like to support Reach Out, contact Tyler Kamerman at (310) 968-2365.

The details for this event:

WHEN: Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m., $20 admission [all proceeds go to United Way of Iowa and tax-deductible contributions will be accepted]
WHERE: 14 Below (1348 14th St., Santa Monica CA 90404)
WHO: The Nadas, Christopher Hawley Rollers, Sharon Temple, DJ Quickie Mart and The Quiet

Hurley Entertainment is hosting a day-long music/fashion/sports event Wed. June 18 at its Costa Mesa headquarters (1945 Placentia Ave.). Action starts at 2 p.m., with bands playing at 4 p.m.

Vans Warped Tour 2008 acts Beat Union (Clash/Jam/Joe Jackson-style new wave/punk from Birmingham, England), Broadway Calls (peppy pop-punk from Oregon) and DJ Geometric will be performing while the Hurley Skate and the Soil BMX teams will be demonstrating their skills. Also, Hurley and Science Records will be displaying and giving away some of their clothing and musical goods, respectively. In addition, you can tour Hurley's new state of the art recording studio and take in the “Show of Hands” art display and “Collaboration Clothing,” a joint effort between musicians and visual artists. Wahoo's Fish Tacos will provide free food and drinks.

Donations will be accepted to benefit Jay Adams, an original Z-Boy who's considered one of the most original and influential skateboarders ever. According to a press release, “Jay Adams is being released from jail and is coming to work at Hurley to manage the Skatepark. Hurley is looking to assist him with a job, our moral support and financially as well, in an effort to let him hit the ground running with no worries except getting on the right track and supporting his family.”

Check out this vid, Jay Adams: The Original DogTown Z-Boy

Folk-rocker Shane Gooding died of cancer in 2007, but his music made a strong impact on many of his fellow OC/LA musicians. Consequently, MJ Lazarsky is organizing a tribute concert to Gooding, scheduled for May 18 in Rancho Santa Margarita, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. [see details below]

Called FG-V, it will feature 10 locals acts, including Steve Heaviside, Whitton, Jack Marko, Ron Hexagon, Sandra B, One String King and Francesca Valle.

Lago Santa Margarita Park
21472 Avenida De Los Fundadores
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(near Santa Margarita Parkway, After parking- go 1 Block north around the lake)

Here's a clip of Shane playing at the Pike Bar in Long Beach.