Riders in the Sky check to see that our flag is still there. See Monday.
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FRIDAY, June 29
Dee Dee Ramone lies in rest at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where there is also a statue of Johnny, so it’s fitting that the graveyard hosts The Ramones Double World Premiere. Too Tough to Die, the band’s farewell concert with Eddie Vedder, Red Hot Chili Peppers, X, Henry Rollins and others, screens alfresco, followed by Live at the US Festival 1982, where you may catch me and my Nikon pointed up at Johnny. The event is hosted by Linda Ramone and Rollins and also includes Ramonesabilia by Arturo Vega. Bring a picnic that Joey would approve of. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Fri., June 29, 6 p.m.; $10 donation for prostrate-cancer research. (323) 469-1181.
SATURDAY, June 30
Celebrate America — and that’s an order! In Santa Monica, Independence Day comes a few days early — fireworks and R&B by House Brew and J.D. Hall. Bring a picnic (booze is prohibited; we recommend the discreet plastic sippy cup). Santa Monica College’s Corsair Field, 16th St. & Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; Sat., June 30, 6 p.m. (please don’t show up on the Fourth); free, parking $5. (310) 434-3001.
Let’s start at the very beginning. High in the Hollywood Hills lies a lonely goat herd, a female deer and a problem named Maria. Once again, it’s time to get nunny with it and head to the Hollywood Bowl for Sing-A-Long:The Sound of Music. Melissa Peterman hosts this event where everyone — that means you — dresses in costume and belts out “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” just like you do at home. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; Sat., June 30, 6 p.m.; $10-$65. (323) 850-2000.
SUNDAY, July 1
When people fail in their relationships, many turn to drink/despair/Lifetime Network. But if you’re a struggling performer, you turn to the stage. Ladies and gentlemen, give an assuring welcome to Chris “Emotional Wreck” Valenti and Phil “Screaming Psycho” Jackson’sThe Battle of the Romantically Dysfunctional Songwriters. Luckily, the laughs will no doubt outnumber the tears when they do battle through such songs as “Are You Over Me?,” “Passive Aggressive” and “Bargaining Advice for Ex-Girlfriends” (Valenti), while Jackson brings such woe-is-me-tunes as “Hillbilly Love” and “Two of Me.” Molly Malone’s, 575 S. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; Sun., July 1, 6 p.m. (323) 935-1577.
MONDAY, July 2
The L.A.-iest Fourth of July celebration is too big for just one night. The Hollywood Bowl’s July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular, where generations have gathered to oooh, aaaah and sometimes eeeeee, happens over three nights. This year’s program salutes the West, honoring famous American cowboys and film stars on their 100th anniversaries: Gene Autry and John Wayne. Joining in are America’s rootin’-tootinest singing cowboys, Riders in the Sky. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; Mon.-Wed., July 2-4, 7:30 p.m.; $9-$111. (323) 850-2000.
TUESDAY, July 3
Tomorrow our country celebrates its freedom. Tonight, as you iron your stars-and-stripes fringe outfit after smuggling crackling candles and cherry bombs and streamers from Tijuana, treat yourself to a performance by that all-American band the Doors, d.b.a. Wild Child. Jim Morrison, patriot, salutes you. Whisky a GoGo, 8901 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Tues., July 3, 8 p.m.; $20. (213) 480-3232.
WEDNESDAY, July 4
Muscle Beach is to July Fourth what the cemetery is to Halloween. There’s no place more patriotic than this annual pageantry of pecs, the Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach contest, in which guys and gals in itty-bitty bikinis barely big enough to cover the lower states flex their right to flex their glutes. A parade precedes the finals, in addition to the induction of Franco Columbu and Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame. Venice Beach Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; Wed., July 4, 1 p.m. (registration 7:30 a.m.); free ($75 entry fee). (310) 399-2775.
Discover Boating — “a national boating public awareness program” — recently named Marina del Reyone of the top cities in which to watch fireworks on the water. (Note to self: Get job with Discover Boating.) Tune in to KXLU 88.9-FM for simulcast. Good viewing at Burton Chace Park, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey; Wed., July 4, 9 p.m. (310) 305-9545.
Americafest 2007 Fireworks presents “American Salute: The Faces of America,” a stirring musical tribute to our country’s independence with patriotic, Broadway and popular music for the whole family. The evening culminates in a 30-minute pyro show not to be missed unless you’re in a heavy food coma from the food booths. The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena; Wed., July 4, noon-9 p.m.; $12, children 7 and under free. (626) 577-3101.
The freestyle motocross show of flying daredevils flipping 20 feet in the air, the roar of monster trucks named Bounty Hunter and Unnamed Untamed — KABOOM!at the Pomona Fairplex isn’t just a warning, it’s a promise. Plus, the mother of all fireworks displays, choreographed by Pyro Spectaculars and set to music, whose credits include the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona; Wed., July 4, 8 p.m.; $12.50-$19.50, free children 2 & under. (909) 623-3111.
This July Fourth Fireworks Festival organized by the Studio City Chamber of Commerce goes all Summer of Love: One Night of Peace, Love, Music and Fireworks. There will be plenty of entertainment — magic provided by magicians from the Magic Castle, and music provided by Beatles tribute band Paperback Writer. CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City; Tues., July 4, 5-9:30 p.m.; $15, $8 children advance; $20 adult, $10 child at the door. ?(818) 655-5916.
