MC Lars. Monterey County Free Libraries: 3:30pm July 29, at Carmel; 11am and 3pm July 31 at Marina and Seaside, respectively. 899-2055, www.mclars.com. The Stanford student and ambassador of the “nerdcore” hip-hop subgenre performs and lectures for kids.

Hip-Hop Dance by Leo Sidorenko. 2:30pm Wednesdays. Monterey Dance, Monterey. 293-3001, 293-3000. Undefeated hip-hop dancer with the Russian Screw Driver crew and 2007 popping champion of Moscow teaches you some moves.

Bay Area Bash. 7pm, Saturday, Aug. 7. Fox Theater, Salinas. www.foxtheatersalinas.com. KDON 102.5 presents two legendary Bay Area rap veterans, Too $hort from Oakland and E-40 from Vallejo, backed by Keak da Sneak, Mistah F.A.B., J Blaze and others.

2MEX, Projekt S.E.E.R., The Saurus, Joint Venture, Rey Resurreccion, Solis Cin. Saturday, Aug. 14. Blue Fin, Monterey. 2MEX’s hi-jacking of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” is distorted and subversive. The heavy MC is supported by local heavy hitters.

Rock the Bells. Sunday, Aug. 22. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View. www.rockthebells.net. The biggest hip-hop touring concert in the U.S. featuring Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Slick Rick, DJ Premier (formerly of Gangstarr), Rakim, KRS-One, Clipse, Street Sweeper Social Club, Brother Ali, DJ Muggs (formerly of Cypress Hill), Immortal Technique and others. Oh. My.

Redemption 4: Ready to Battle? Labor Day Weekend (TBA). Blue Fin, Monterey. B-boys, MCs and turntablists battle it out for $1,000 in cash prizes. Pure hip-hop action, from folks who regularly pack venues with positive hip-hop and friendly energy.