Los Angeles’ party scene received a healthy injection of fun over the weekend, thanks to a number of VMA events tied to MTV’s annual circus celebrating the year’s best music videos. Saturday night, several parties got music fans in the mood before the main event on Sunday, with private parties in the Hollywood Hills competing with big name stars performing at venues from West Hollywood to Koreatown. I started Saturday at the Mondrian’s new SPiN lounge (the smaller side lounge within the hotel) to hear Dan Black spin at the Spin magazine party (confusing, I know). The Englishman did not disappoint at the casual affair, playing everything from Mr. Oizo to a Tribe Called Quest as the early-evening crowd downed Svedka like it was water, and prepared for a busy night ahead.

From there, we headed across the street to The House of Blues on Sunset for MTV/Harmonix’s Lifebeat fundraiser, where Kesha and B.O.B played a benefit. Arriving just in time to hear the end of the opening band, who were actually the “Free Credit Report commercial” band (no, they didn’t play their “hit,” as far as I know), the young—and by young we mean average age 17—crowd was more than ready for Kesha to set it off, Peaches-style.

Dr. Luke's protégé kicked things off with “Blah Blah Blah,” and throngs of young girls, predictably, swooned. “Rock out with your cock out, but do it with these,” Kesha said, as she tossed out condoms. The rest of her short set was mildly entertaining, but some of us saw Peaches do it a decade ago, and do it with less props and more style. Still, by the time she closed with “Tik Tok,” there was little denying that Kesha is one of Los Angeles’ biggest pop stars, fairly or unfairly. She owns her hits, and sure, why not a confetti cannon or simulated fellatio?

Next up was Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Los Angeles” concert in Koreatown at the Wiltern Theater sponsored by SWAGG. By the time I arrived, much of the talent I personally wanted to see had already played—Taio Cruz, for one. But the packed concert hall was jumping around 11pm when Pitbull took the stage. Miami’s finest exuded star-power Saturday, and there’s no telling just how big Pitbull will get in 2011 after his new record drops.

Backstage, Perez, who sneaked away to Soho House later that evening with Lady Gaga, held court as Gaga producer RedOne’s posse made the biggest splash of the night: Red’s next project, Porcelain Black, wowed nearly everyone in attendance with her outfit and female Marilyn Manson-esque poise. Porcelain Black should represent L.A. well in 2011, and I, for one, expect big things from the beauty’s full length next year. Trey Songz also hosted a Kodak-sponsored Def Jam Rapstar pre-VMA Summer Soiree event Saturday, where several name basketball players turned up, including Ron Artest.

The real action Saturday night, however, was not in any club or concert hall. Blackberry BBM held their invite-only BBM Lounge 2010 VMA Preparty in the Hollywood Hills (Ne Yo was tipped as the talent), but I opted to hit a private event high atop Sunset Plaza Drive, where Deadmau5 was DJing a make-shift nightclub inside a stunning mansion, known for the years of wild parties its various owners have thrown.

image Deadmau5 photographed by Natalie Fiteni

The event, sponsored by v-moda headphones, was likely the best party in town Saturday, with several open bars, a man making crepes for guests in the kitchen, nearly naked dancers, and a stellar private set from producer/artist Deadmau5, a DJ who now regularly sells out venues and was fresh off playing festivals in Europe in front of tens of thousands this summer.

Everyone from Jason Bentley to Snooki was there, and lots of tragically beautiful ex-Playboy models as well, just for good measure. Of course, everybody was talking about (sadly) Snooki, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Del Vecchio, and Vinny Guadagnino from Jersey Shore, all of whom were there (the Jersey Shore guys also turned up atop London Hotel over the weekend to hang with Lil' Jon and LMFAO during the day at the Music Box/Usstream bash).

Sunday, parties really kicked into high gear after the awards show wrapped. Schmoozing with Usher—who also partied last weekend at Voyeur—went down at WP24 at the Ritz Carlton hotel near the Nokia theater, while other celebs opted to get out of downtown and head towards Hollywood and West Hollywood.

In Touch held a well-attended event at the Chateau Marmont (hello Andy Dick!), where Pete Wentz DJ'd and Aubrey O'Day partied, while down the Sunset Strip Akon held court at the Sky Bar in the VIP section above the pool. Interscope held a private soiree inside the Thom Thom club far away from WeHo in Santa Monica, where RedOne’s blowing-up-in-Europe-right-now pal Mohombi performed and Lady Gaga made an appearance in 12-inch Alexander McQueens. Too Short got nasty in a set at Playhouse in Hollywood while down the street in Hollywood, Jared Leto, Dane Cook, Aziz Ansari, and others hung out with Chelsea Handler at her post VMA bash inside Teddy’s at the Roosevelt Hotel.