In the blazing 90-something-degree heat, being outside in Los Angeles is a bit unbearable at the moment. But as the night air brings the slightest of breezes and the temperature goes down a whopping five degrees, L.A.’s cityscape seems to be calling — and USC students, native or newbie, should answer. 

Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just want to explore nightlife nearby, these places and organizations have more than enough to fill a weekend calendar. 

KXSC Radio

USC’s student-run radio station operates online programming with rotating shows; all radio contributors are trained as DJs and rotate music genres and artists every show. The radio also hosts in-person events and house shows, featuring both on-campus and local indie artists alike. Past shows have included performances by The All-American Rejects, Hollis Howard, chlothegod and illusion hills. 

901 Bar and Grill

The 901 Bar and Grill is a quintessential USC student experience, having served Trojans for almost 80 years. While it is known for its happy hour deals, the bar also hosts parties seven days a week. From Taco Tuesday Takeovers with $2 tacos and $3 margaritas to Sunday Funday Brunch with bottomless mimosas and all-day NFL broadcasts, the 901 is a local, inexpensive and convenient spot to hide away from the heat.   

Under80

In USC’s own version of “MTV Unplugged,” Under80 supports local artists by hosting acoustic shows on Menlo Avenue. All performances are played below 80 decibels, allowing for a more stripped-down and intimate house show. Past shows have regularly featured performances from Thornton students such as Sofia Gomez, sage ella and Sammi Wallace. For music enthusiasts seeking a more relaxed vibe, Under80 is the perfect place to catch a vibe. 

Sonder Music Group

Similar to KXSC Radio and Under 80, Sonder Music Group “hosts underplay shows, release parties, and fan events in [L.A.],” according to its website. The company has worked with several record labels to promote smaller artists in both Los Angeles and New York. Past performances have included Truman Sinclair and Oscar Lindsey. 

USC Songwriters’ Forum

Students looking to promote or improve their own music should look to the Songwriters’ Forum. According to their social media, the club is “for singers, songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, and all music creators.” The Songwriters’ Forum hosts a variety of events, from songwriting workshops to song circles. The organization also hosts house shows, with past shows including performances from Ponytrick, bigfish and Gracie Percival. 

Dystopia Los Angeles

Those looking to escape beyond campus boundaries should look out for events from Dystopia Los Angeles. The organization is centered around Latin nightlife with various themes and DJs throughout the year. The company has hosted  “Love Island” Season 7 contestants and thrown a World Cup-themed party. Dystopia drops are advertised on their official website, Eventbrite and social media.  

All Hail

If looking to scratch a “Pitch Perfect” (2012) itch during one’s college experience, USC’s annual “All Hail” show is the way to go. The show features various student a cappella groups across campus. This year’s show will be hosted by the group Reverse Osmosis and include performances from USC’s only all-woman group, Sirens; five-time International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella winners, the SoCal VoCals; and Trogons, USC’s first and only East Asian a cappella group. 

“All Hail” will take place on Wednesday at 9 p.m. A capella groups typically share the show information via social media. Each group typically hosts their own concerts throughout the semester.

Brand New Theatre

Any theatre lovers looking to support local productions should turn to Brand New Theatre. As USC’s oldest independent student production company, the organization is completely student-run; all roles, from the directors to the show writers to the stage managers, are taken up by students. The company’s last show was an original play, “Buonasera!” written by sophomore philosophy, politics and law, and international relations student E.J. Kovacs-Morgan. 

Whether interested in watching or participating in a production, Brand New Theatre regularly advertises more opportunities via their Instagram. 

Sketch comedy and improv

L.A. is home to many sketch comedy and improv clubs, and USC is home to seven of them. For “Saturday Night Live” and Tim Robinson fans who are curious about watching sketch comedy live, the Suspenders and Fourth Quarter All-Stars regularly host student-written shows. Similarly, improvised comedy fans have a plethora of groups to choose from: Second Nature, Spoiler Alert, Commedus Interruptus, The Merry Men and Ludus Remedium. 

These shows are a great opportunity to support fellow Trojans and an accessible way to get into the L.A. comedy scene. The dates and times for each group’s events can be found through their respective social media.