MUSIC
Sam Nichols
Today, 7 p.m., free
John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St.
Composer and UC Davis music department faculty member Sam Nichols will perform his electronics music at the Natsoulas Gallery. For a sample of his work, visit samnichols.net.
Shelley Short, Eliza Rickman, Nick Jaina
Today, 9:30 p.m., $5
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Sophia’s kicks off its live music season with folk/indie musicians Nick Jaina, Eliza Rickman and Shelley Short. Go to sophiasthaikitchen.com for samples of their music – it’s sure to get Sophia’s concert season off to a toe-tapping start.
Laser Funk Dance Party
Friday, 8:30 p.m., $3
Delta of Venus Café, 122 B St.
Go dressed in your funkiest attire for this boogie/disco dance party at Delta of Venus, with tunes from pop/rock cover band Dogtones, Megatron Man and Beat Electric’s LeBaron. Who says the ’80s are dead?
The Spokes and Out of the Blue
Saturday, 7 p.m., free
Delta of Venus Café, 122 B St.
All-female a cappella group The Spokes will perform on the Delta of Venus patio in a joint concert with the all-male a cappella group Out of the Blue from Oxford University. If you missed HellaCappella, here’s a second chance to enjoy a night of great a cappella singing.
Passion Pit with Mayer Hawthorne and The Country
Wednesday, 7 p.m., $15
Freeborn Hall
At long last, the much-anticipated show by Massachusetts-based electronic band Passion Pit hits our own Freeborn Hall. The band released its first full-length studio album, Manners, last year and its songs have since been featured in commercials and television shows. Passion Pit will be joined by multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Mayer Hawthorne and his band, The Country, at the show.
THEATER/MONDAVI
Main Stage Dance Theatre Festival
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., $10
Main Theater, Wright Hall
This annual festival presents seven new works by UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students, who use dance to convey the difficult themes of childhood, frustration and even cell biology. Go see the artistry and talent of your fellow students in this intriguing show.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Friday, 8 p.m., $12.50
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
The 12-member ballet company will perform Twyla Tharp’s “Sue’s Leg,” a tribute to the music of Fats Waller. A performance like this is guaranteed to make you wish you’d stuck with those ballet lessons your mom signed you up for when you were little.
Alexander String Quartet with Robert Greenberg
Sunday, 2 p.m., $20
Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theater
The all-Beethoven program includes “String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 74 (“Harp”)” and “String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95 (“Serioso”).” Composer and author Robert Greenberg will also provide commentary throughout the concert.
Alexander String Quartet
Sunday, 7 p.m., $20
Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theater
The Alexander String Quartet’s second performance of the day forgoes the intermission, and instead continues after the music for a discussion and audience Q&A with the performers. If you’ve ever wondered how string quartets put together their amazing performances, now’s your chance to find out.
Diavolo
Sunday, 3 p.m., $12.50
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
The dance troupe led by one of the choreographers of Cirque de Soleil gives a sure-to-be thrilling performance. Combining dance, athleticism, and awe-inspiring stunts, this is dance to the extreme.
ART/GALLERY
Dennis Neu, “Exploring Nature with Line and Color”
Friday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m., free
International House, 10 College Park
UC Davis grad and retired art teacher Dennis Neu uses acrylics to explore natural forms of line and color in this exhibit at the International House.
Artists’ Reception and Music by David Bender
Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., free
Pence Gallery, 212 D St.
Browse Pence Gallery’s diverse exhibits while enjoying refreshments and the music of Davis guitarist David Bender. Art includes ceramic teapots, ink drawings, and bronze sculptures. Sounds like a good option if you’re hoping to squeeze both music and art into your Friday night.
Artery Friends
Friday, 7 to 9 p.m., free
The Artery, 207 G St.
View some new artwork in a wide range of mediums, such as jewelry, oil paintings, woven Alpaca and collage, at the artist-co-op The Artery.
ROBIN MIGDOL can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
