MUSIC
Joey Casio, Chief Briggum, Sewn Leather, Fancie
Today, 8 p.m.
Witchdome at S and 22nd streets in Sacramento
House music is in store from Olympia-based Joey Casio. I don’t doubt that it should be a night of high energy beats. (And while we’re going for the obvious here – yes, the man does use a Casio keyboard.)
Garrin Benfield, The Bowmans
Today, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Expect more of a jam session than a studied performance as San Francisco-based artist Garrin Benfield brings his own style of freestyle acoustic rock. Then come The Bowmans, a Brooklyn-based duo consisting of twins Sarah and Claire Bowman. Maybe a couple of the songs will sound familiar to you- some of their tracks have been on rotation at select Starbucks.
What’s Up, Waterfowl
Friday, 9 p.m.
Atelier in Sacramento
The members of Sacramento group What’s Up are in the know – instrumental music has never sounded so cool.
Lite Brite, The Snobs, Good Gracious Me, Holiday in Spain
Friday, 9 p.m., $7, 21
The Blue Lamp in Sacramento
So the band did indeed get the name Lite Brite from that classic toy of the ’80s that created glowing pictures from those little plastic pegs. After some thorough investigative research on the band’s MySpace profile, I learned that the lead singer always wanted a Lite-Brite, but never actually owned one. We are in the same boat, my friend.
The Ancient Sons, Baby Grand, Candle
Friday, 9 p.m., $5
Luna’s Café on 16th Street in Sacramento
Sacramento band The Ancient Sons evokes the same vintage air of classic psychedelic pop bands of the ’60s like 13th Floor Elevators or The Velvet Underground. Baby Grand will also supply the night with light, sophisticated pop that should appeal to fans of Belle and Sebastian and Yo La Tengo.
Lacey Macri, Sherman Baker, Not An Airplane
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
If you didn’t get to catch her spring quarter at Search Party, now’s your chance – UC Davis junior Lacey Macri is sure to wow audiences again with her acoustic set. Providing a more atmospheric and moody feel to Americana will be pop-rocker Sherman Baker.
Prieta, Leopold and His Fiction
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
The G St. Pub
Sacramento rockers Prieta have a song called “Semantics.” The linguistics major in me got very excited at the title, but actually listening to the song made me feel something entirely different. Meanwhile, San Francisco group Leopold and His Fiction blend together a charming mix of rock, garage and blues.
Amen, Plush Lush, Vida Killz, From Parts Unknown
Friday, 8 p.m.
Delta of Venus
Good ol’ underground hip-hop is something all too rare in Davis. Fans of Dilated Peoples and scratchy spins to the turntable will find solace in Sacramento-based rapper Plush Lush. From Parts Unknown will appeal to those who enjoy a grittier brand of hip-hop, while Vida Killz holds it down for the ladies of rap.
Reverend Horton Heat, Nashville Pussy, Supersuckers
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., $25 in advance, $28 day of show
Empire Events Center
So Reverend Horton Heat has been around for a good 23 years, but I only just heard of the rockabilly band through Guitar Hero. Just another reminder that I am a victim of consumerism, and the fact that I could never beat “Psychobilly Freakout.” Sigh.
Bird Names, Pregnant
Saturday, 8 p.m., donations accepted
Thugz Mansion
Coming all the way from the Midwest is Chicago-based band Bird Names. Drawing from other genres such as psych, folk and vintage country, their experimental take on pop is delightful and slightly offbeat.
Pickwick, Buildings Breeding
Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
A night of positively endearing music should be in store as Washington-based band Pickwick takes the stage with their ambient-folk. Next up is local band Buildings Breeding, who will take the stage with their sweet tunes reminiscent of Camera Obscura and Rogue Wave.
AT THE MOVIES
Then She Found Me
Today only at Varsity Theatre on Second Street
Life doesn’t look too hot for a New York schoolteacher when her husband leaves her and her adoptive mother dies. To top it off, her biological mother suddenly appears and starts dating the father of one of her students. I’d say that the midlife crisis that ensues is more than understandable.
The Fall
Today only at Varsity Theatre on Second Street
A bedridden man befriends a fellow patient in the hospital. The catch? He’s suicidal and using her to sneak him some morphine so he can end his life.
Wanted
Opens Friday at the Davis Regal Holiday 5 on G Street
It’s a farfetched but action-packed film about a specialized breed of assassins. With a cast chock full of babes (Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy), does it even matter who they are out to kill?
The Love Guru
Playing now at the Davis Regal Holiday 6 on F Street
After Austin Powers, I didn’t think it possible for Mike Myers to come up with a character that requires an even more ridiculous costume. I was wrong. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba also share the screen in this film about a man with a mission to help the romantically-challenged.
ART / GALLERY
2008 Garden Tour
Open until Sunday
Pence Gallery at 212 D St.
These landscapes were created through en plein air, an important technique in Impressionist painting that translates to “in the open air” in French.
Ted Vasin
Opens Friday
Davis Art Center’s Tsao Gallery
San Francisco-based artist Ted Vasin is no stranger to the arts: His father was also an artist and his grandfather was a circus stage and costume designer. See how this background has had an influence on Vasin’s vibrant and surrealist paintings today.
KDVS Record Swap
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bricka Bracka at P and 21st streets in Sacramento
If you are a frustrated acquirer of music like me, make it easier on yourself and see what the vendors have to offer at the KDVS Record Swap.
Editor’s picks
Amen, Plush Lush, Vida Killz, From Parts Unknown
Friday, 8 p.m.
Delta of Venus
KDVS Record Swap
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bricka Bracka
