MUSIC
New Kids on the Block, Lady GaGa
Today, 7 p.m., $57.50
Arco Arena in Sacramento
Oh, NKOTB. You may not be the cool duders you once were back in the day, but you still got it (the right stuff) and I’ll be loving you (forever). Opening for New Kids will be platinum-tressed dance-pop princess Lady GaGa.
Clutch, The Sword, Graveyard
Today, 8 p.m., $24
Harlow’s in Sacramento
If West Virginian group Clutch are devout followers of rock, then lead singer’s Neil Fallon’s bellowing vocals and a blues-rock emphasis on the guitar makes for one raging religious experience.
Shayna and the Bulldog, The Overdubs
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
The Overdubs have the homegrown indie sound down pat: Lo-fi production and a home recording lend themselves to an intimate living room vibe. Meanwhile, local band Shayna and the Bulldog will bring all the alt-country indie pop pleasantries anyone could ever ask for.
Operation: Restore Maximum Freedom
Saturday, 1 p.m., $7 for students and presale, $10 at the door
Plainfield Station in Woodland
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Support local music! For more information about the festival, check out page __.
Brightblack Morning Light, Avocet
Saturday, 8 p.m., $10
Delta of Venus
They may have the shaggy-haired-Thrift-Town-wardrobe working for them, but it’s that certain mix of chill attitude and the ethereal quality of West Coast dream folk makes for the epitome of effortless cool from the duo behind Brightblack Morning Light.
Fancie, Alas, alak, Alaska!
Saturday, 8 p.m.
John Natsoulas Gallery on 1st Street
I’m usually against the whole oddly punctuated band name, but I can make exceptions. The creative core behind Alas, alak, Alaska! is Jocelyn Noir, who crafts a dreamy, poetic approach to music with intricate melodic layering and haunting vocals.
Mad Cow String Band
Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Nothing confirms the end of the summer season more than the end of Sophia’s outdoor music concerts. Mad Cow String Band have been plucking strings with zest since 2003, and the group’s energetic brand of bluegrass will surely set the mood right for Sophia’s last balcony show of the year.
Unearth, Protest the Hero, The Acacia Strain, Whitechapel, Gwen Stacy
Sunday, 7 p.m., $18 in advance, $20 day of show
The Boardwalk in Orangevale
Prog-metal prodigies Protest the Hero first hit the scene in 2005 with their full length debut Kezia. Three years later, the band’s paces remain as dizzying as ever and breakdowns and gang-shouts are still present, but now on an even heavier and grander scale.
Rock Band Live
Sunday, 7 p.m., $36,95
Arco Arena in Sacramento
Guilty pleasures all around: First, there’s Rock Band – everyone’s favorite video game, even if they’re too ashamed to admit it. Next, catchy pop-punk boy band Panic at the Disco teams up with Dashboard Confessional.
AT THE MOVIES
At Whim’s End
Friday at 7 p.m. in the Technoculture Studies Building
“One boy. One girl. Two million books.” Sounds like a page from my kind of fairy tale. Check out page __ for an exclusive look at the film and its cast and crew!
Religulous
Opens Friday at the Varsity Theatre on Second Street
Bill Maher is bound to amuse and offend in this documentary that explores the concept of religion.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Now playing at the Regal Davis Holiday 6 on F Street
I’m absolutely dumbfounded at the concept of this film. Maybe the review on page __ can provide readers with a better evaluation. Or maybe not.
ART / POETRY
Aggie Scrapbook: 100 Years of Student Life
Open now at The Art Lounge
In celebration of UC Davis’ Centennial, take a moment to explore student life through pictures, sans any embarrassing photos tagged on Facebook.
One of a Kind: Monotypes and Monoprints
Open now at the Tsao Gallery on F Street
One of a Kind explores the medium of monotypes and monoprints with pieces by artists from around Northern California. An ArtAbout reception featuring local artist Sara Post and Petaluma-based artist Diana Crain will take place Friday at 7 p.m.
UC Davis Centennial Creative Writing Faculty Reading
Friday, 7 p.m
Wyatt Deck in the Arboretum
Wordsmiths from our own Creative Writing faculty – including Joshua Clover, Lucy Corin and Yiyun Li – will be reading personal works.
RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@californiaaggie.com.
