LIVE MUSIC
Salt & Samovar, Geographer
Today, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
S & S is one of the most entertaining performances one could ever witness, hands down. They’ve so charismatically conquered the rootsy bluegrass sound and retrofitted it for the contemporary ear. Joining the ensemble is the San Francisco-based indie rock band Geographer, marked by addictive vocal melodies.
A New Hope, Nice Monster, Be Brave Bold Robot
Friday, 8 p.m., $10, 21
Fox & Goose in Sacramento
It’s no surprise to find Be Brave Bold Robot and Nice Monster on the same bill; the bands share members! But both will hit the spot for Murder By Death fans, as they incorporate strings and offbeat vocals to a somber, sometimes upbeat sound. A New Hope, on the other hand, is apparently a hip hop group, which makes the range of this bill surprisingly wide.
The Brodys
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
The G St. Pub
The Brody bros out of Sacramento mix a little bit of everything you like, and when I say that, I mean pop and punk exclusively. So if you’ve been missing high school and lost your Ataris records, Friday is your chance to relive your gel spike hairdo, T-shirt and tie days.
Kally Price Band, Jay Brown
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Grab your honey and hit the dance floor, my friend, because this is the song of romance. Kally’s soulful Nina Simone-like voice backed by old-timey piano and upright bass would fit in any ‘30s saloon, and crossing over from jazz to blues. But Friday, she’ll provide the mood, and the rest is up to you.
Gravel Road, Sidestreet Jenny, The Juggs
Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Coming down off (Seattle’s) Capitol Hill is an angry blues band perfect for any Black Keys fan. Sometimes they get a little loud, but it’s all in good fun. Those loose snare beats and blues chords will get you in the mood for drinking and dancing immediately. But don’t come late, because The Juggs are opening up the evening, and don’t you want to know what type of instruments they play?
Parenthetical Girls, Dead Western, Pwrfl Power, AU
Sunday, 8 p.m., $5
Old Firehouse
If you can’t wait until they take the stage in Sacramento with Los Campesinos, then Sunday is the chance to catch Parenthetical Girls. They’ve hit up our cow town before, but now they’ve got a new van to venture out here in from Portland. The mostly male band will surprise you with accordion sounds and catchy experimental pop akin to Dirty Projectors or Xiu Xiu.
Mindless Self Indulgence, The Birthday Massacre
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., $20 in advance and $25 at the door
The Empire in Sacramento
Here’s a show you won’t get into without your Hot Topic frequent buyer card. The New Yorkers have taken punk to a more synth-dance, gothic level, which I guess most would simply refer to as industrial. But I don’t know – Orgy and MSI don’t seem to have a lot of overlap, IMO.
The Fiery Furnaces, Grand Ole Party
Wednesday, 9 p.m., $15, 21
Harlow’s in Sacramento
Watch your heating systems, folks, because they might get set aflame. The brother and sister duo were picked up by Rough Trade records in 2002 and have been writing indie rock numbers ever since. Don’t avoid the White Stripes comparison if you are into it, because it’s actually not so off kilter.
COMEDY / READING
Birdstrike
Friday, 7 p.m.
Griffin Lounge, Memorial Union
Free laughs! Free chances to make a fool of yourself in front of an audience! What more could you ask for? The student comedy troupe returns for their second monthly performance.
Curtain Call at City Hall
Tuesday, 8:30 p.m., $5
Bistro 33
Headlining this week is Andres Fernandez, whose claims to fame include the Latino Laugh Festival and NBC’s “Friday Night.“ Joining him will be Tessie Chua from the city by the bay, and the host for the evening is John Ross.
William R. Hildebrandt
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The Avid Reader
After years of archaelogical and anthropological research on the Upper Sacramento River, Hildebrandt is ready to unveil Life on the River, which he co-wrote with Michael J. Darcangelo. Listen in as he tells the story of the native villages that precluded our inhabitance of the Sacramento region.
MONDAVI / THEATRE
Nest
Today through Sunday, 8 p.m., $15 in advance and $16 at the door
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre
Nest explores tough issues of 1800s, primarily the hanging of a woman who killed her newborn baby. The original play by Bathsheba Doran has been reworked by director and Granada Artist-in-Residence Irina Brown. The performances will last through June 1, but remember that preview night has a discounted ticket price.
UC Davis Jazz Band
Wednesday, 8 p.m., $12 for non-students and $6 for students
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
They’ll be making your Wednesday night big with help from the Jazz Improv Combo. Don’t miss the jazz ensemble’s last event of the season!
AT THE MOVIES
The Host
Tuesday, 7:30
Chemistry 194
ASUCD Entertainment Council’s Campus Cinema has started the International Film Week off with The Host, an Aussie that comes with high praise.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Wednesday, 7:30
Chemistry 194
Another showing in conjunction with International Film Week, this 2006 film explores fascist Spain. And to be honest, I am too scared to watch it.
Editor’s picks:
Kally Price Band, Jay Brown
Saturday at Sophia’s
Parenthetical Girls, Dead Western, Pwrfl Power, AU
Sunday at Old Firehouse
BLURBS
REVIEW: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
The sexiest man alive is back in action, and he’s in search of a glowing skull.
NAMELESS MAGAZINE
If you missed the quarterly performances from student writers and artists, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered.
SEARCH PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Search Party 2008 concert has been moved to next week, look for more details inside.
