It’s Dec. 12 – finals are done, fall quarter’s notes are either filed or trashed and you’ve probably forgotten most of the quarter already. But if you’re not going home, you’re in for a long winter of Davis cheer (i.e. you’re probably stuck alone in an empty apartment). For all of those staying in Davis over the break, here’s an exciting and provocative list of local winter activities to keep you busy throughout the break.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m., $48/44 general admission, $44/41 with a student ID
Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center
Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is set to perform at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. This San Francisco-based all-male chorus will perform a diverse set of Christmas and spiritual music, ranging from traditional Christmas hits to medieval hymns and plainsong. Tickets are available online and at the Mondavi Center Ticket Box. Visit mondaviarts.org for more information about the performance, as well as a list of full and student ticket prices.
Underwalls: Photographs by Allen Lowry
Continuing through Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center
The Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Art Collection is presenting a series of photographs by architect Allen Lowry, designer of the recently opened Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Sciences. Lowry’s photographs include images of the construction project throughout its stages of production, offering a glimpse into the hidden layers of the building. For more information, visit calendar.ucdavis.edu.
Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm
Open 9 a.m. to dusk
6208 Silveyville Road in Dixon
Fake plastic Christmas trees can wear you out. Dixon’s Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm, which doubles as a pumpkin patch during the Halloween season, is a traditional tree market complete with an ATV train, horse-drawn wagons, and “real” trees, as advertised. Visitors can either select a pre-cut tree or choose their own to cut from the living tree farm. Rumor has it there’s free twine, too. Prices vary depending on size of tree. For more information and directions, visit silveyvilletreefarm.com.
Trivia Night(s)
Every Tuesday, 10 p.m.
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
And of course, Trivia Night at Sophia’s is an option and is held every Tuesday throughout the break. It’s a perfect alternative to lonely TV nights, especially for all those used to playing Cranium at home during the holidays when there’s seriously nothing better to do. Coinciding with Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s a stimulating escape from the house or apartment. Visit sophiasthaikitchen.com for more information.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Old Sacramento
Everyone wishes they could visit Times Square on Dec. 31, but Old Sacramento’s New Year’s Eve show is sure to impress the West Coast scene just as well. The event will conclude Sacramento’s Heritage Holidays and will feature street performers, music and other live performances. Midnight fireworks above Tower Bridge are surely more impressive than dropping balls, anyway.
Holiday Magic at the Sacramento Zoo
Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $9
Sacramento Zoo
As anyone knows, animals are just as deserving of gifts as anyone else. Visit the Sacramento Zoo for a full day of holiday magic, complete with a real Santa Claus, animal feedings and the notorious Gus the Green Tree Frog. Many of the animals are already scheduled to receive gifts, so be sure to be there when they open their presents. Visit saczoo.com for a feeding schedule, and don’t feed your dog chocolate.
JUSTIN T. HO can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
