Open Mic 

Open-mic events always bring out the aspiring teenage folkies, workaday closet emo crooners and ill-conceived joke bands, but OC's best open mics—Gypsy Den's included—come with a cadre of older, more experienced, more awesome amateurs in addition to the twentysomethings. There's a dude named My. Hip. He wears a beanie, and he rocks. And check out Dusty Lear: He's an ancient country guy who sings and blogs about the dangers of text messaging. You never know who'll show up on any given Monday, but chances are at least one of the acts will surprise you. — By Spencer Kornhaber

Price: Free