MUSIC
Tamarama, Owitrain, Early States, Accelerate
Today, 8 p.m., $10 in advance
The Boardwalk in Orangevale
Now usually I’m very wary of any self-proclaimed “artist“ who appears on a reality show. But I’ll admit that Tamarama’s Jay Lyon (known firstly as Whitney’s dreamy Aussie boyfriend on MTV pseudo-reality show “The City” and secondly as the lead singer for band Tamarama) doesn’t suck completely in the music department – that is, if I were to ever admit to being a fan of acts like Jack Johnson or John Mayer, or to even watching “The City“ in the first place.
Ricky Berger, The Stilts
Friday, 8 p.m., $5
Javalounge in Sacramento
Sactown show-goers should be familiar with the blond-tressed, red-lipsticked Ricky Berger, whose sophisticated jazzy pop stylings make for a perfect complement to this decidedly anti-corporate coffeehouse venue.
Rowdy Kate, The Nickel Slots, Richard March
Friday, 9 p.m., $5, 21
The G Street Pub
It’s a night of classic Americana and honky tonk at G St. Pub from a trifecta of Sactown talents, from the twangy rock ‘n‘ roll of The Nickel Slots to rootsy rhythms of Richard March.
Maldroid, PETS, Tough Luxury
Friday, 8 p.m., $5
Luigi’s Fungarden in Sacramento
It’s an admirable DIY work ethos of the 21st century. After winning YouTube’s first-ever underground music contest with their debut single and music video “He Said, She Said,” Oakland band Maldroid has been an integral part of the rock nouveau movement.
Songs for Presidents
Saturday, 9 p.m., $10, 21
Marilyn’s on K in Sacramento
Though 2009 is definitely the year of Barack Obama, singer-songwriters J. Matthew Gerken, Christian Kiefer and Jefferson Pitcher give nod to the presidents of years past. Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies is a three-album homage to all of Obama’s predecessors.
Classical Pops Duo
Sunday, 5 p.m.
Cloud Forest Cafe
There’s nothing like classical music and a cup of strong coffee to reaffirm that yes, you are indeed an adult. It’s a truly frighteningly realization.
Ghost to Falco, Foot Village, Dead Western, Wet Purse
Sunday, 7 p.m., $5
Villanova House
Eric Crespo is the main creative force behind Ghost to Falco, who has an all-too appropriate band moniker and the even more aptly named album torn or broken, shadowed or dark, cast off all doubts and ride the flames to freedom: Ranging from psychedelic minimalism to complex looping arrangements, the Portland-based “musical art project“ makes for an eerily beautiful and unsettlingly hypnotizing listening experience.
Murder by Death, The Builders and the Butchers, Fake Problems, Life as Ghosts
Sunday, 7:30 p.m., $12 in advance
The Boardwalk in Orangevale
It’s a little bit country, it’s a little bit rock ‘n‘ roll – with Johnny Cash and Nick Cave influenced vocals and plenty of cello shredding, Indiana foursome Murder by Death makes a strong case for Western goth.
AC Newman, Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele
Tuesday, 8 p.m., $12 in advance, $14 day of show, 21
Harlow’s in Sacramento
Fans of the (mostly) Canadian supergroup The New Pornographers should be familiar to AC Newman. The red-headed frontman is up to his old tricks: power-pop predilections, catchy tunes and that endearingly dorky falsetto. His second solo album Get Guilty was released last month.
AT THE MOVIES
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Showing now at the Davis Regal Holiday 6 on F Street
Chick-lit turned chick-flick? Sounds like a winning combination.
ART / MONDAVI
Arthur Gonzalez
Today, 4:30 p.m., free
Technocultural Studies Building (formerly the Art Annex)
Sculptor Arthur Gonzalez is a former UC Davis graduate student who was an active familiar in New York’s East Village art scene in the ‘80s. This event is presented by the Art Studio Program Lecture Series.
Strangers on a Train
Monday, 6:30 p.m., $10 general admission, $5 with a student ID
Studio Theatre
This film adaption of Patricia Highsmith’s novel of the same name has all the makings of a classic thriller: murder, betrayal and Alfred Hitchcock as director.
RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
