We’re officially eight weeks into summer break and whether you’re taking summer sessions, busy working for some extra money or just kicking back and enjoying your freedom from academia, surely you’re wondering what there is to do on these quiet Davis nights. Memorizing every frozen yogurt flavor at Yolo Berry, Swirl and Yogurt Shack may take a week or two depending on skill, but what’s next?
Summertime is full of great opportunities to explore what Davis has to offer. There are plenty of live shows and concerts, poetry, comedy and trivia nights, $5 movie Tuesdays and Farmer’s Markets to fill in the blanks on the rest of your summer calendar.
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen presents musical guests almost every Thursday, Friday and Saturday as a part of their yearly musical season. This is the fourth year running of the 6-month season put together by KDVS 90.3 FM “Cool as Folk” DJ Michael Leahy and Sophia’s co-owner Kevin Wan. Sophia’s charges a cover of $3 for a night of live indie folk music.
“We’re going to … bring bands with good time party vibes that help facilitate fun times,” Leahy said. “We want people to leave happy, appreciate live music and we want the live music to be accessible and bands to come back. A lot of the bands playing on KDVS will be performing at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen.”
The season continues well into October. For more information, visit sophiasthaikitchen.com.
Mondavi Center Summer Concerts
Another event to check out is the last of three free concerts presented by the Mondavi Center SummerMusic ’09. Zap Mama will be putting on a full performance in the quad, which will feature tracks off their new album ReCreation.
The band creates an energetic and upbeat fusion of African, European and Brazilian music. Lead vocalist Marie Daulne is originally from the Congo and currently lives in Belgium.
“[Zap Mama’s music] has an African and Brazilian sound and vibe,” said Zap Mama’s tour publicist Kelly Johanns-DiCillio. “Daulne learns some vocal styles from the pygmies … there will be a full ensemble, dressed up in colorful and vibrant dresses, jewelry, shoes and headpieces. There are a few back up singers and a full on band.”
The concert will take place on Friday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit mondaviarts.org.
Weeknights Downtown
Every first and third Tuesday of each month, Bistro 33 features Curtain Call at City Hall, a comedy night hosted by Mikhail Chernyavsky. Jackie Kashian, a previous finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” will be headlining the show on August 4. The night will also feature Larry Vazeos (as seen on Comedy Central).
“Comedy is best live – in small rooms with people just talking to each other. That’s my favorite,” Kashian said. “Granted, being on TV gets people out to see you live … and it’s certainly more fun to perform with real audiences not on camera. Regular shows are incredibly fun.”
Curtain Call at City Hall begins at 8:30 p.m. and charges a cover of $5.
In addition to presenting Curtain Call, Bistro 33 also features poetry nights. UC Davis faculty members Dr. Andy Jones and Brad Henderson host poetry nights every first and third Wednesday of every month. Poetry nights begin at 9 p.m. with featured poets and ends with an open mic session for the public. Featured poets from the past include Davis residents Joe Wenderoth, Clarence Major, Hannah Stein, Rae Gouirand and Eve West Bessier.
Miscellaneous Nighttime Activities
Just in case your schedule is still a bit empty, there’s still plenty more to do. Just a few blocks down from campus, the Regal Cinemas Davis Stadium 5 and Holiday 6 offer $5 movie Tuesdays for films that have been released for at least three weeks.
Also, Davis seems to be the home of multiple trivia nights. Bistro 33 holds trivia nights every Monday at 8:30 p.m., and every Tuesday, trivia night at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen begins at 10 p.m. And if that’s not enough, Woodstock’s Pizza holds its own trivia night every Thursday at 9 p.m. Winners are awarded various gift certificates and prizes.
But if music, food, drinks, movies, comedy, poetry and trivia nights just don’t hit the spot, I think the frozen yogurt joints change their flavors every few weeks.
Simone Wahng can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
