​Though much of the devastation has disappeared from the headlines, we're glad to see that OC business owners and musicians are still drumming up support for the devastated communities in Haiti as they struggle to rebuild after experiencing a massive 7.0 earthquake on Jan. 12.More >>

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Last month, our Navel Gazing news blog proclaimed a series of Anaheim Historical Society-commissioned murals to be "Finally, a Reason to Visit Anaheim's GardenWalk." Looks like there could be another this Saturday.

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Pretty much every city in Orange County has a giant shopping center (some have multiple ones!), so we might as well make good use out of them, right? Case in point, the District Unplugged event that we told you about earlier in the week...it's going on right now at the sprawling District at Tustin Legacy.

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Iglu & Hartly, pictured, are from LA (the inimitable Echo Park, specifically), but they play in Orange County a lot. They've played Detroit Bar twice already this year, and return there next Friday, July 24. And they're playing at the District in Tustin Legacy shopping center this Sunday, as part of the "District Unplugged," an all-acoustic event in part benefiting the Surfrider Foundation. They must really like it here. And yes, acoustic Iglu & Hartly. We're scared, too.

Also playing: Delta Spirit lead singer Matt Vasquez, White Buffalo, the Pawn Shop Kings, Marc B., Limbeck, Moostache, Melanoid, Cory Case and more. Noon to 6 p.m., and it's free (so I'm not totally sure how the event is going to be raising money, but I'm sure they've got it figured out). eVocal, who despite the closing of their space in Costa Mesa last week have promised to stay involved in the community, will demonstrate that with some of their resident artists on-site, live painting, exhibiting work and screen-printing shirts and hats. Sounds like a very pleasant Sunday!

Next time you're at Hot Topic looking for a t-shirt with an '80s cartoon character on it or a pair of pants with 16 different zippers, you might hear something surprising: live music.

Several Hot Topics around the county are booking local bands, including the one at The District at Tustin Legacy, where I took that swell pic. I've never heard of any of those acts before, and can't even find anything on the Information Superhighway about some of them ("Skoddie"?), but it's still pretty cool. I hope "No Regime" is a Morrissey reference. The District, of course, books bands regularly to play outside, on Friday and Saturday nights. What better accompaniment could there be to purchasing a Legend of Zelda hoodie?

If you’re in Costa Mesa in say, like, four hours, there’s a very notable event happening at South Coast Plaza. Clothing company Diesel’s cousin line 55DSL, an “Italian streetwear brand” will be opening a “pop-up” store (open seven days a week but only until the end of January).
Right, sounds...um, exciting.

OK, so you could care less about the further push of corporate materialism in this declining recession-on-the-brink-of-depression. However, perhaps as a direct result of waving that corporate power, they’ve gotten an impressive lineup of musicians to celebrate this store opening. Along with Orange County’s own DJ supreme Dan Sena, Bjorn from Peter, Bjorn and John (who needs last names?) will be doing a DJ set. Also, Swedish chanteuse Lykke Li will be performing and therefore stealing all of your hearts.
Did we mention FREE DRINKS?

So, even if you’re broke (like most of us are), at least stop by and treat yourself to some truly rich musical talent. And, once more for Music Editor Albert Ching’s desire for emphasis this very important point: FREE DRINKS!

Here’s some Lykke Li finery should you be unfamiliar:

55DSL Pop-Up Store on the 3rd floor of South Coast Plaza in the Crate & Barrel Wing, Thursday, 6-9 p.m.

I wrote about the weekly live music at The District at Tustin Legacy a couple days ago, and this Saturday The Block at Orange is hosting "Rock ‘n Road: Where the Music Meets the Road," which brings together high school bands and road safety education. Finally!

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