MUSIC
Ally Hasche, Shannon Harney, Brad P
Today, 8 p.m., free
John Natsoulas Gallery
Again? Kidding. Brad P, Shannon Harney and Ally Hasche are back for another relaxing Thursday night at the John Natsoulas Gallery. They’re definitely ones to check out on Myspace, so do it if you’re so inclined.
Maggie Morris, Ricky Berger, Polka Dot Dot Dot
Today, 8 p.m.
The Greenhouse (928 J St.)
Olympia-based Folkers, Polka Dot Dot Dot, are perfectly quaint. Their blend of banjo, harp, ukulele, guitar and handclaps provides a charming counterpoint to the sweet and often silly melodies. This is probably suitable for fans of the Juno soundtrack.
GWAR; Job For A Cowboy; The Red Chord
Today, 8 p.m., $20 advance
The Senator Theatre (Chico, CA)
In their 25 years, Virginia thrash legends GWAR have never made good taste a priority. Their grotesque and elaborate stage performances make KISS look like a kindergarten puppet show. As always with GWAR, expect outlandish costumes, sacrificial effigies and maybe a giant foam yak. Dress with disposables: You will get wet.
Pangea, Whitman, Seasick, Dead Western
Friday, 8 p.m., free
802 Villanova Dr.
If musical variety is your cup of tea, then Villanova is your place to be. Fly high with the punchy indie surf rock of Pangea and Seasick, and then touch base with the interplanetary folk musings of Whitman and Dead Western.
Sing for Schools concert with The Spokes
Saturday, 2 p.m., free
Arc Ballroom
UC Davis’ all-female a cappella group will host Sing for Schools, a charity event aimed at raising funds for national public schools. The event will also feature performers such as the Davis High School Baroque ensemble, Spokes alumnus Camaron Ochs more. For more information, visit davisspokes.com or contact them at the.spokes@gmail.com
Sea of Bees, The Autumn Electric, Matthew Tucker, Scott Bartenhagen
Saturday, 7 p.m., free
The Gam (2423 V St., Sacramento)
Scott Bartenhagen is a personal favorite, and Sea of Bees is ever impressive. Check these four groups (or bands, outfits, solo projects – whatever you want to call it) out in Sacramento this weekend for an impressive night.
Buildings Breeding; Two Sheds
Saturday, 8 p.m., free
Delta of Venus
This is it. Davis’ hometown indie heroes, Buildings Breeding, pay tribute to the city and venue that bred them for the very last time. Go be the audience for this emotional performance: Guitars will screech and Kleenexes will snot.
Eternal Tapestry, Ganglians, G. Green
Saturday, 8 p.m., free
Funcastle at L and 23rd in Sacramento
If you missed Eternal Tapestry last year at ORM:F VII, here is your chance at redemption. Head out to the Funcastle in Sacramento this weekend for an epic night.
COMEDY
Birdstrike 13
Saturday, 8 p.m., $2 presale, $3 at door.
Social Sciences 1100
One would think that after 12 performances, Davis’ own nothing-is-sacred comedy troupe would begin running dry of topics. Think again. This time Birdstrike will tackle superstition, which couldn’t be more juicy. Presale tickets are available at the Freeborn Ticket Office.
LITERATURE
Prized Writing Student Author Event
Today, 4:05 p.m., free
126 Voorhies
Ever hear of the University Writing Program’s Prized Writing author event? Today, selected student authors will present their work published in the UWP’s Prized Writing anthology. For more information on the winning students and the event itself, visit prizedwriting.ucdavis.edu.
Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!
Friday, 7 p.m., $10 student, $20 general
Social Sciences 1100
Amy Goodman, the iconic investigative journalist and award-winning host of Democracy Now! will visit UC Davis to promote the release of her new book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, as part of a benefit for KDRT 95.7 FM and KDVS 90.3 FM.
THEATER / MONDAVI
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, 8 p.m., $37.50
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, directed by Long Yu, will perform at the Mondavi on Saturday with a program of Tchaikovsky, Bao Yuan-Kai and Rachmaninov. The performance will feature Yuja Wang on piano. For more information, visit mondaviarts.org.
UC Davis Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, 8 p.m., $7
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
Our UC Davis maestro, along with Eric Zivian on piano, will lead the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Dvorák, Ginastera and Ravel. Visit mondaviarts.org or music.ucdavis.edu for more information.
JUSTIN T. HO and BORIS FREYMAN can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
