Carmageddon is upon us. Why not Go Metro (in many cases for free) while Mulholland comes down? Here’s 22 fantastic, Metro accessible events that will make this lost weekend seem, well, not quite so lost. You may even have a lot of fun. All weekend long there’s the Little Tokyo Design Week (Gold Line accessible), or the world music shows at Grand Performances on Friday and Saturday night (Red/Purple Line accessible). Enjoy handmade local wares at the Renegade Craft Fair (Gold Line accesible) on Saturday and Sunday. Head downtown on Saturday night at watch “Office Space” at the Outdoor Cinema Food Festival (Red/Purple/Blue Line accessible). Don’t forget, Metro riders can also take advantage of the many Destination Discounts –  But remember, most Discounts require showing a TAP card or rail ticket, so be aware if you are riding a free line. Of course, this weekend is a great opportunity to get a TAP card if you don’t already have one.

All events are subject to change or may be be sold out, please check with the venue before making plans.  To plan your trip and to check all other transit options, please consult Google Transit or the Metro Trip Planner.

Friday, July 15

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Grand Performances: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Torchbearer and soul-incarnate of  Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Seun Kuti and the famous Egypt 80 Band  return to Grand Performances for an evening of funky, soulful, driving African rhythms.
Website: http://www.grandperformances.org/
When: 8pm
Price: FREE
Where: 350 S. Grand Ave
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple Line Pershing Square Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Grand/3rd (14/37, 70, 71, 76, 78/79/378, 96, 442, 485, 487/489, 770, Metro Silver Line)

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Little Tokyo Design Week
A series of programs that will engage local and international designers, artists, architects, filmmakers and students.
Website: http://www.ltdesignweek.com/
When: All weekend
Price: FREE
Where: Little Tokyo, 1st/Alameda
Nearby Rail: Gold Line Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Judge John Aiso/1st (30, 40/42) Temple/Alameda (30, 730)

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
“Departures” at NoHo Arts Center
In DEPARTURES, fifteen travelers find their life stories entwined in this humorous and touching story.  From a runaway bride in her wedding dress with an extraordinary case of cold feet to a grandfather determined to bring his young grandson home from Iraq; these characters share their dreams, their fears and their secrets with each other as each one takes the defining journey of their life.  At turns comical and moving, hopeful and nostalgic, DEPARTURES blends the voices of an eclectic group of eight writers into a tapestry of lives at their most daring moment – the moment of leaping into thin air, and letting Faith give you wings.
Website: http://www.thenohoartscenter.com/
When: 8pm
Price: $25 (Show your Metro Pass, Metro Rail Ticket or TAP Card at the box office and receive 25% off)
Where: 11136 Magnolia Blvd.
Nearby Metro Rail: Red Line North Hollywood Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Orange Line North Hollywood Station, Magnolia/Lankershim (152/353, 156/656, 183, 224)

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Bilingual Foundation of the Arts Performances
Three different classic Spanish language drama and contemporary plays (one each night), in order to bring awareness of Hispanic culture.  All shows in Spanish with supertitles in English.
Website: http://www.bfatheatre.org/
When: All weekend
Price: Show your valid Metro pass or Metro Rail ticket at any event and receive $5 off single-ticket prices for regular performances. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 323.225.4044.
Where: 421 N Avenue 19
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: San Fernando/Humboldt (84/68) Avenue 26/Gold Line Station (251, 751)

More weekend events, after the jump.

Friday Night Flicks at Pershing Square
Watch “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” on a 40 foot wide by 20 foot high screen with a full sound system. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to place on the lawn. Picnic baskets and snacks are welcome.
Website: http://laparks.org/pershingsquare/
When: 8pm
Price: FREE
Where: Pershing Square
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple Line Pershing Square Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Olive/5th (14/37, 70, 71, 76, 78/79/378, 714, 770, Silver Streak) Hill/5th (2/302, 4, 10/48, 68/84, 81, 83, 90/91, 94, 794, 728)

Breakestra at MacArthur Park
Open lawn seating and music from around the world reflecting the diversity of Los Angeles.
Website: http://www.levittla.org/
When: 7pm
Price: FREE
Where: MacArthur Park
Nearby Metro  Rail: Red/Purple Line Westlake/MacArthur Park Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Alvarado/6th (18, 200, 603) Alvarado/7th (26/51/52/352, 200, 603) Alvarado/Wilshire (20, 200, 720)

Dance Downtown – Argentine Tango
Two left feet? Learn how to dance and shake it, move it and groove it under the stars with live music/DJ and beginner dance lessons sprinkled throughout the evening. No experience necessary.
Website: http://www.musiccenter.org/
When: 6:30pm
Price: FREE
Where: L.A. Music Center, 135 North Grand Ave.
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple Line Civic Center Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Temple/Grand (2/302, 4, 10/48, 92, 445)

Summer in the Plaza at FIGat7th
Kicking off the fourth annual Summer on the Plaza is R&B soul singer Leela James. Although Leela is inspired by iconic divas such as Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, she uses her own life experience and unique style to put a contemporary spin on soul music.
Website: http://artsbrookfieldproperties.com/Los_Angeles/ernst_young_plaza/
When: 5:30-8:30pm
Price: FREE
Where: FIGat7th, 735 S. Figueroa St
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple/Blue Line 7th Street Metro Center Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: 7th/Figueroa (51/52/352, 60, 450, Silver Line, 439, 442, 460)

Fusion Friday at Pacific Asia Museum
Fusion Friday is the cutting edge way to experience the art of Pacific Asia Museum.  It mixes art, live DJ music, cultural activities, and food from some of LA’s most popular gourmet food trucks.
Website: http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/
When: 7:30-10:30pm
Price: $15
Where: Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave.
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Memorial Park Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Colorado/Los Robles (180/181, 256, 686/687, 780) Los Robles/Union (264/267, 686/687)

Boyz II Men at Club Nokia
Philly R&B group from the 90’s returns at Club Nokia.
Website: http://www.clubnokia.com/
When: 7pm
Price: $16-$45
Where: Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd.
Nearby Metro Rail: Blue Line Pico Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Figueroa/Olympic (28, 81, 439, 728, Silver Line)

Saturday, July 16

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Grand Performances: Baloji and Tasneem
Congolese-Belgian singer/rapper Baloji and his band blend the lilting, melodious guitar sounds of traditional Congolese music, rumba, Nigerian afro funk, soukous and what he calls retro-futuristic tradi-modern style with lyrics that weave socio-political stories about life in Kinshasa and Belgium. Canadian-born Tasneem is a singer/songwriter whose lilting voice and pop groove-based music is infused with rhythms that reflect her East African and Indian roots.
Website: http://www.grandperformances.org/
When: 7:30pm
Price: FREE
Where: 350 S. Grand Ave
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple Line Pershing Square Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Grand/3rd (14/37, 70, 71, 76, 78/79/378, 96, 442, 485, 487/489, 770, Metro Silver Line) Nearby Metro Bus Stops: 103rd/Graham (177, 254, 305, 612)

Katia Moraes at LACMA
The unique Brazilian singer and lyricist Kátia Moraes began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 80’s with her energetic band “O Espirito da Coisa.” Moraes performs a mix of samba, marchinhas (traditional carnival sambas), pagode, and frevo and her energetic presence is beautifully complimented by the explosive power of percussion as well as outstanding guitar and bass.
Website: http://www.lacma.org/
When: 5pm
Price: FREE
Where: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Wilshire/Fairfax (20, 217, 720, 780)

Vroman’s Bookstore Summer Author and Music Series
Donna Lethal presents and signs Milk of Amnesia. Followed by a live performance from The Shore!
Website: http://vromansbookstore.com/
When: 3pm
Price: FREE
Where: Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Lake Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Colorado/El Molino (180/181, 256, 687/686)

Outdoor Cinema Food Fest at Grand Hope Park
Watch “Office Space” on a massive outdoor movie screen with food trucks!
Website: http://www.outdoorcinemafoodfest.com/
When: 5:30pm
Price: $10
Where: Grand Hope Park
Nearby Metro Rail: Red/Purple/Blue Line 7th Street Metro Center Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Grand/9th (14/37, 38, 70, 71, 76, 78/79/378, 96, 485)

Renegade Craft Fair at Los Angeles Historic State Park
Check out LA’s greatest outdoor marketplace for handmade goods, featuring over 200 artists!
Website: http://www.renegadecraft.com/
When: 11am-7pm, Saturday and Sunday
Price: FREE
Where: Los Angeles Historic State Park
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Chinatown Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Alameda/College (76)

Silent and Classic Movie Nights at Heritage Square Museum
Picnic on the lawn while viewing classic and silent movies. This Saturday night: “Beyond the Rocks” a classic Rudolph Valentino silent movie.
Website: http://www.heritagesquare.org/
When: 7:30-10pm
Price: $10
Where: Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer Street
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Heritage Square/Arroyo Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Avenue 43/Mosher (252)

Sunday, July 17

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
L.A. Latino International Film Festival
See feature films, documentaries, and shorts from Latin America, U.S. and Spain at the Egyptian Theatre. Don’t miss your opportunity to interact with filmmakers in Q and A sessions, workshops, panels and lectures.
Website: http://latinofilm.org/
When: Various screening times
Price: $12 (Show your valid Metro pass, Metro Rail ticket or TAP card at the box office to receive $1 off)
Where: Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Nearby Metro Rail: Red Line Hollywood/Highland Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Hollywood/Las Palmas (212/312, 222, 217), Hollywood/Highland (212/312, 222, 217, 780, 156/656)

The music of ABBA at Warner Center Park
Arrival From Sweden, as part of the production of The Music of ABBA, tours the world with ABBA’s original musicians. This show is not to be missed!
Website: http://valleycultural.org/
When: 6pm
Price: FREE
Where: Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Orange Line Warner Center Transit Hub, Topanga Canyon/Marylee (150/240, 244/245, 645)

Bastille Day L.A. at Elysian Park
Celebrate the tenth annual official Bastille Day LA Festival in the heart of Los Angeles with French gastronomic delicacies and spectacular live entertainment.
Website: http://www.bastilledaylosangeles.com/
When: 12pm- 9pm
Price: $5
Where: Elysian Park Monticello Old Lodge, Stadium Way/Scott Ave.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Sunset/Portia (2/302, 4)

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics at Staples Center
Downtown Dribble Event: Event is being held before tip-off from 2-5PM on July 17 at the LA Live Plaza. For $20 children will receive a Downtown Dribble T-shirt, Sparks Basketball and a game ticket.
Website: http://www.staplescenter.com/
When: 5:30pm
Price: $10-$55
Where: Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St.
Nearby Metro Rail: Blue Line Pico Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Figueroa/Pico (81, 442, 445, 460, 701, 721, Silver Line), Olympic/Figueroa (28, 728)

Art in the Streets at MOCA
The first major U.S. museum survey of the history of graffiti and street art presented in the United States.
Website: http://www.moca.org/
When: 11am-5pm, all weekend
Price: $10
Where: MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 North Central Ave.
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Judge John Aiso/1st (30, 40, 42)

L.A. Street Food Fest
The goal of the LA Street Food Fest is not only to fill a gap in the local foodie and events scene with a delicious good time in the park, but to create community and a platform to support independent small business owners.
Website: http://lastreetfoodfest.com/
When: 10am-9pm
Price: $60
Where: Rose Bowl
Nearby Metro Rail: Take the Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station.  The L.A. Street Food Fest will run a free shuttle service from the Memorial Park Station to the LA Street Food Fest form 9:30 am – 9:30 pm. The shuttle will pick up from the station every 30 minutes starting from 9:30 am.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Colorado/Fair Oaks (180/181*, 260*, 762, 780), Fair Oaks/Green (686/687), Walnut/Fair Oaks (267), Raymond/Green (256)