MUSIC
Bow Ribbons
Today, 8 p.m.
Luna‘s Café in Sacramento
Brooklyn‘s Bow Ribbons creates the type of music that is right up my alley: A dark, understated and powerfully raw take on psychedelic and soul. The duo will also give an in-studio performance Friday at 6 p.m. on “Cool as Folk“ on KDVS 90.3 FM.
Ghostface Killah
Today, 8 p.m., $23
Colonial Theater
Ghostface Killah has an impressive resume: He‘s a member of hip-hop ensemble Wu-Tang Clan, he teamed up with underground favorite MF Doom for his album Fishscale in 2006, he was made into a video game character in “Def Jam: Fight for NY“ and his love for Iron Man landed him a cameo in the film. Sadly, his part was left out in the final cut, but at least he‘s still got that whole rap thing working out for him.
Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down, Horse Feathers
Today, 8 p.m., $15, 21
The Independent in San Francisco
After touring with the likes of Xiu Xiu and Rilo Kiley, Thao and the gang are headlining their own summer tour. Time is finally on my side– I was still a wee one when they came to Sacramento back in April, and with summer session I over and done, there‘s really no excuse for me not to go. To all you other 21ers who plan to venture out to the city for this show, you‘re in for a night of charmingly sweet folk-pop.
Franklin For Short, Le Petit Protest, Autumn Sky
Today, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia‘s Thai Kitchen
With their easygoing indie pop, Beesting Records label mates Franklin For Short and Le Petit Protest have proven themselves worthy of space on my meager 8 gig iPod touch. Fans of early Death Cab for Cutie and other like-minded artists are sure to be pleased.
Wednesday 13, The Stalking Distance, STD
Friday, 8 p.m., $13 in advance, $15 day of show
The Boardwalk in Orangevale
Hump day and ominous numbers, being creeped on, venereal diseases – Lady Luck is definitely not on my side.
Flip The Switch, Boats!, The No-Goodniks, The Enlows
Friday, 8 p.m., $5
Javalounge in Sacramento
Punctuation is something that is often overlooked. With their rousing pop punk, I suppose that the exclamation point in Sacramento trio Boats! is well-earned. In fact, all of the acts in this lineup could use a good exclamation point or two. Listen for “IWALY“ from The Enlows, an updated version of Whitney Houston‘s classic love anthem “I Will Always Love You.“
Barn Owl, Art Lessing & the Flower Vato, Eet
Friday, 9 p.m., $5
Luigi‘s Fun Garden
Hazy, earthy and undeniably creative, San Francisco experimental duo Barn Owl provide their own take on West Coast drone that manages to sound studied and haphazard all at the same time.
ShitKickers
Friday, 9 p.m., 21
Fire Escape in Citrus Heights
The Silicon Valley seems like the last place to spawn some good ol‘ traditional Americana. And it would seem that I‘m right: Taking a fuck-it-all approach to bluegrass with songs like “Burn It Down“ is San Jose sextet ShitKickers. Come to think of it, I guess the name really should have been the first sign.
The Bad Mitten Orchestre, Buxter Hoot‘n
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia‘s Thai Kitchen
Admittedly, I was worried at first at the mention of a six-piece girl group. To my tremendous luck, these talented ladies are far from the folksy version of The Pussycat Dolls that I had initially envisioned – but the idea is interesting, no?
In the Flow Festival
Saturday and Sunday, noon, $15 per day
True Love Coffeehouse in Sacramento
Witness the on-the-spot creative process behind improvisational music with this two-day festival. For an improv expert‘s opinion, turn to page __.
Full Blown Chaos, Elysia, Epicurean, Bears Doing Human Things
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., $12 in advance
The Boardwalk in Orangevale
According to my research, East Coast hardcore band Full Blown Chaos has more to offer than the “tired tough guy mentality.“ Thanks for the info, Internet!
House Crackers, Sterling Riot, Doodle, Feedback Inhibition
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., $4
Old Firehouse
As the unofficial band of the UC Davis English department, jam sessioners House Crackers is fronted by English professor Joe Wenderoth. On the other end of the spectrum, the kids of grunge band Doodle display a maturity beyond their high school years.
Automatic Rival, Kid Cook, The Nickel Slots
Saturday, 8 p.m., $3-5
The G St. Pub
Holding it down for alt-rock from the 916 is Automatic Rival, whose solid compositions recall alternative music a la Woodstock ’94.
Me First & The Gimmie Gimmies
Saturday, 9 p.m., $15, 21
The Blue Lamp in Sacramento
Normally, a punk rock cover band is nothing to write home about. But a punk rock cover band who offers renditions of songs like “Ghostbusters,“ “Phantom of the Opera“ and the ever-classic “I Believe I Can Fly“? Now that‘s special.
Blue Bone Express, John Weinland
Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia‘s Thai Kitchen
Get a taste of New Orleans jazz from an unexpected source: Oakland-based band Blue Bone Express brings the brasses, rhythms and spirit of any Mardi Gras parade by the Mississippi River.
The Anchor
Sunday, 4 p.m.
R5 Records in Sacramento
Taking careful notes from other punk outfits like Jawbreaker, Hot Water Music and None More Black, San Francisco/Santa Cruz-based band The Anchor are calling this their “There May Not Be a Next Time Tour.“
AT THE MOVIES
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Opens Friday at Regal Davis Stadium 5 on G Street
I liked the first and second, but I didn‘t even bother with The Scorpion King. Plus, Rachel Weisz isn‘t even in this one! Watching movies out of pity just isn‘t my thing.
Swing Vote
Opens Friday at Regal Davis Holiday 6 on F Street.
In the heat of the presidential election, the final decision comes down to one man‘s vote. Two words: Oh noes.
The Wackness
Opens Friday at Varsity Theatre on Second Street
Boy falls for girl. Girl‘s stepfather is boy‘s psychiatrist. Psychiatrist also happens to be infatuated with girl. An Olsen twin is thrown into the mix. Sounds like your regular coming-of-age story.
ART / GALLERY
Heart-Felt: The Art and Stories of Jan Schubert & Terry Busse
Opens Monday at the Tsao Gallery
In addition to the hand-stitched needle-felt illustrations, artwork by students from the Davis Waldorf School will also be on display.
POETRY / COMEDY
James Lee Jobe
Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Bistro 33 at 226 F St.
James Lee Jobe writes the kinds of poetry we can all relate to as he shares his insights about family members, incidents of everyday life and finding his voice on the Yolo Bus.
Curtain Call at City Hall Comedy Show
Tuesday, 8:30 p.m., $5
Bistro 33 at 226 F St.
Earning their chuckles tonight are comedians Mickey Joseph (“America‘s Funniest People,“ “The Rat Pack is Back“) and Larry “Bubbles“ Brown.
RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@californiaaggie.com.
Editor‘s picks:
Franklin For Short, Le Petit Protest, Autumn Sky
Today, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia‘s Thai Kitchen
In the Flow Festival
Saturday and Sunday, noon, $15 per day
True Love Coffeehouse in Sacramento
