Exploring the mysterious disappearance of a popular local concert series
By NOAH HARRIS — features@theaggie.org
As the 2022 academic year started, artists performed and families sat on the grass while retail and food vendors sold their goods. This event may not have had the history of the Davis Farmers Market or come close to the massive event that is Picnic Day, however, The Davisphere — a concert series held in Central Park in fall 2022 — was an event that aimed to make downtown Davis all the more vibrant.
Since the end of its run two years ago, The Davisphere has not taken our community’s stage again, despite attempts in 2023 and a statement on their website claiming that it will come back for “an amazing 2024 series.”
The first concert in 2022 was held on Sept. 1. As of now, there has been no confirmation as to when The Davisphere will happen in 2024 — however, their website claims that the event will return on a to-be-determined date.
While some first-time events might struggle initially, The Davisphere can ultimately be considered a success. Despite having just nine events and its venue being downtown’s Central Park, the event drew a combined crowd of over 25,000 people, according to a press release. Events featured local and Bay Area musical artists such as Tainted Love, Con Brio and the Davis Spokes, a UC Davis female acapella group.
Kat Gallardo, an artist with the stage name Katgruvs, performed at The Davisphere in 2022. Gallardo has also played at local events such as Picnic Day and the Davis Cherry Blossom Festival.
“I feel like that was the biggest crowd I’ve played to in Davis,” Gallardo said.
Funding for the event was partially achieved through seed money provided to Davis Downtown through a city of Davis grant, according to The Davisphere’s website. In an email, Jenny Tan, the director of community engagement for the Davis City Manager’s Office, indicated that the grant was about $150,000.
The Davisphere was created by the Davis Downtown Business Association (DDBA), a non-profit group that has previously put on events including walkthroughs in downtown for student orientation. The group also has a relationship with the Davis Farmers Market.
Brett Maresca, the former executive director of the DDBA during The Davisphere, shed some light on the role that his organization takes in planning the event.
“The DDBA put the event on, managed it, coordinated it and paid for it, with [only] some assistance,” Maresca said.
There were supposed to be five 2023 dates, according to a press release. However, four dates were canceled, leaving just one concert on Oct. 26. Later, the DDBA ultimately decided to cancel that event as well, without giving a public reason. However, a DDBA meeting from Sept. 13, 2023 provided the reasoning behind the cancellation.
“After considering various expenses that the DDBA would incur, it seemed there would still be a $11,000 deficit,” the board meeting minutes stated.
Maresca explained what ultimately led to the event’s cancellation in further detail.
“When we first came out of the pandemic, there was more money available in funding,” Maresca said. “To make it sustainable and have the volunteers available to make it occur, that’s where we hit a major hurdle.”
Tan also wrote that she believes all of the funds given by the city of Davis for The Davisphere were used up in 2022. The aforementioned grant was not a recurring payment.
The lack of money, while disheartening to attendees, performers and vendors of the event, was a logical reason to cancel.
“[The DBBA] already told the public we would have the event,” Yelena Ivashchenko, a board member and local business owner, said. “There is a lot of excitement from the public and businesses.”
Ivashchenko, the owner of the downtown store Bohème Threads and former marketing committee chair of the DDBA, offered to donate her own money to help The Davisphere succeed. Unfortunately, the DDBA denied her offer due to a conflict of interest, seeing as she is both on the board and a local vendor.
The last time The Davisphere was discussed was in November 2023, according to DDBA minutes. During that time, there was a proposal to create a subcommittee that “works together to raise money for The Davisphere for the year.” However, it is unknown if that subcommittee has been put in place — or if it was further discussed.
Gallardo, who was booked after a live performance at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, was one of many local performers who thoroughly enjoyed The Davisphere.
“It was a really incredible experience,” Gallardo said. “I would 100% love to do it again.”
She wasn’t the only one who thought so: a follow-up survey after the event showed a nearly 90% approval rating, according to The Davis Enterprise.
For Ivaschenko, The Davisphere was beneficial from a business perspective as well.
“It was pretty convenient for me, because if I sold out I could direct people to my store,” Ivaschenko said. “We did extend the hours of the store [during The Davisphere].”
Ivaschenko said that events such as The Davisphere play a crucial role in attracting students downtown, which is important for combining student and local life throughout the Davis community.
The event was for more than just entertainment. A percentage of alcohol sales each week, which was hosted by downtown’s University of Beer, were given to charities such as Yolo Crisis Nursery and Davis Arts Center. These donations totaled over $4,000 in 2022.
Despite the website’s statement claiming that the event is returning on a TBD date, DDBA Executive Director Brett Lee wrote in an email that there are no plans to bring the event back for now.
Written by: Noah Harris — features@theaggie.org
