MUSIC
Lacey Macri, Unit Panic, Mistlefinger
Today, 7 p.m.
ASUCD Coffee House
You’ve been waiting to see and hear the budding student talent chosen for the Search Party 2008, an annual event put on by MUSE, KDVS 90.3 FM and the ASUCD Entertainment Council. The bill ranges from Lacey’s folk-inspired tunes to the robotronic dance beats of Unit Panic, and finally theatrical artsy electro from the opening act, Mistlefinger.
Mark Oi, Tony Passarel, Andrew Enberg
Today, 8 p.m.
Delta of Venus
When’s the last time a crew of jazz giants took over the DOV? Well, all you cats can enjoy the best of local nu-jazz from Andrew Enberg, a townie who kills it on drums when he’s not busy giving lessons at his shop, Watermelon Music. Come support local music and businesses at the same time with a free show at the Delta.
Ben Lewis, All on Seven
Today, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Ben Lewis is a soft-spoken, light-eyed charmer with a skill for classic folk that will keep your eyes and ears locked the entire evening. The townie will be joined by All on Seven, featuring Evan Palmer formerly of Walking Spanish. Their contemporary-style songs proffer a good handclap, travel narrative and some tasty slide guitar. If you’ve enjoyed the folksy-blues sound that Dustin Kensrue or Chuck Ragan have taken on, then All on Seven is just for you.
DJ Porest, Neung Phak, Art Lessing and the Flower Vato
Friday, 8 p.m., $5
Fort Douglass
Raved as creating sensational sounds from Southeast Asia, Oakland’s Neung Phak borrows folk vernacular across continents and makes it available to local listeners. Their unique performance will be followed by a Sublime Frequencies dance party and will be preceded by a trippy performance from Second Saturday and KDVS’ household name, Art Lessing.
Davis Music Co-op
Friday, 6 p.m.
Central Park
Davis musicians need more places to congregate, according to townies Yoav and Taylor. The Davis Music Co-op aims to provide new space and time for the local music community to flourish, grow and spread its wings.
Shayna and the Bulldog, Jay Shaner
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
For locals who haven’t picked up Shayna’s newest record, you’re blowing it. They’ve visited a surf rock past without blatantly ignoring contemporary pop rock; the two sounds fused together work perfectly. Basement Love Explosion is a collection of varying tracks, which not surprisingly didn’t make fluid additions to their upcoming full length (such is the case with EP releases).
20 Minute Loop, Liquor Box, Silent Treatment, Yes Oh Yes
Friday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
The G St. Pub
Their name must have derived from how long the route is around their hometown, the 5-mile wide San Francisco. Dramatic and cutesy at the same time, 20 Minute Loop’s key element is the female vocals that are bound to get you hooked. Traveling down to join the bill is Yes Oh Yes, some Bellingham heads that also produce high-energy pop rock. And Silent Treatment? Gee, I wonder…
Summer Trio Band, Yolo Mambo
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., $10-12 donation
N Street Co-op
Please call in advance to get a spot at this folk and world music concert in support of the Davis Schools Foundation. Yolo Mambo is available to entertain at all kinds of events – the trio played Picnic Day this year, holding it down with egg shakers and slow, seductive tempos perfect for your seduction needs.
So Cow, NoBunny, English Singles
Saturday, 7 p.m., $3-10
DAM House
NoBunny is anything other than anti-fuzz – they definitely fuse cuteness with a ’70s soft punk style that’s almost surfy at times. Bobbing ponytails are quite optional, but might come in handy when this Oakland wig-wearing ensemble plugs in. So Cow’s promoting their most recent release, I’m Siding with my Captors, and come a tad bit softer and lo-fi than NoBunny. They also might do a crazy good “My Bloody Valentine” cover if you ask so nicely.
Diego’s Umbrella, The Stilts
Saturday, 10 p.m., $3-5, 21
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
Diego’s Umbrella is out of the Bay Area and produces a tough sound to describe. Some might call it Spanish surf; others may quite simply say Diego Umbrella sets the mood right for a colorful night on the town. Forget the pretentious testaments – simply, they put a Latin edge on pop rock that throws in the opportunity for a dance step, or two or 20.
Los Campesinos, Parenthetical Girls
Wednesday, 9 p.m., $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door, 21
Harlow’s in Sacramento
So, I’ve noticed that eeeeveryone on muxtape.com loves Los Campesinos. I mean, what’s not to love: they’re upbeat and British! Fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Unicorns or Deerhoof will get a kick out of them. They’ll be joined by the Parenthetical Girls, who killed it in Davis on Sunday and are bound to do some experimental electro punk damage at this 21 show.
GALLERY
Destruction: Views of Disaster Through Photography
Saturday, 5:15 p.m.
2428 Halsey Circle
Students of Art History 401 have been working over the past quarter on the exhibit which depicts environmental damages, such as Hurricane Katrina, in the most dramatic form. A walk-through with a curatorial guide will take place Saturday, and the exhibit will be open to visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 4.
UC Davis Master of Fine Arts First-Year Exhibit and Reception
Friday, 7 p.m.
Pence Gallery
MFA first-year students Julia Elsas, Crystal Haueter, Cynthia Horn, Robin Kibby, Evie Leder and Joshua Short will be showing off their final works of the year at this gallery exhibition. Take the opportunity to meet the artists at a free reception at 7 p.m.
Six
Friday, 5 p.m.
Memorial Union Art Gallery and the Nelson
Two years of work in the studio have culminated in the final projects from MFA graduating students Irman Arcibal, Caroline Cloak, Chau Huynh, Mary Alison Lucas, Nickolas Mohanna and LissaIvy Tiegel.
COMEDY
Birdstrike Theatre: A Nipple in Time
Friday, 7:30 p.m., $2 in advance and $3 at the door
123 Sciences Lecture
Taking a break from the casual Griffin Lounge scene is the almighty student comedy troupe Birdstrike! Split between written and improvisational performance, this evening will involve some wacky material, no doubt.
MONDAVI / THEATRE
Nest
Friday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., $16 for non-students and $11 for students
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre
Nest continues for their last performances this weekend, and is described as a “searing exploration of the roots of American dreams and violence.” The riveting play explores explicit material and is not recommended for a younger-than-college audience.
Empyrean Ensemble
Monday, 8 p.m., $18 for non-students and $9 for students
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Join the contemporary ensemble for an evening of works by Ching-Yi Wang, Sue-Hye Kim, Scott Miller, An Tan and Davide Verotta. Before the performance will be a pre-concert talk, “Demystifying the Music,” at 7 p.m.
AT THE MOVIES
City of God
Today, 7:30 p.m.
194 Chemistry
Concluding Campus Cinema’s International Film Week is City of God, a 2002 Brazilian film that depicts the all too violent side of a corrupt housing project in Rio de Janeiro.
The Visitor
Today through Friday at the Varsity Theatre on Second Street
A college professor returns home to find a young couple living in his apartment. Creepy, right? As it turns out, these lurkers happen to be the solution to an unsatisfied man’s lonely life. Suddenly the story has become a lot more inspirational.
Sex and the City
Opens Friday at the Regal Davis Holiday 6 on F Street
Sure, they may be a bit older – but hey, cougars need their fair share of love, too. Watch to see if age has made television’s favorite group of gals any wiser as Carrie and the gang reprise their roles and return to their crazy antics for the silver screen.
Robot Media
Saturday at 8 p.m. only in Chemistry 194
It’s that time again – bring your quirky films, your loudest voices and your deranged ideas for future film themes. This evening the student made films will be shown and a new theme will be voted. For more information, see the Facebook event.
UC Davis Film Festival
Wednesday, 8 p.m. $5 at Varsity Theatre on Second Street
The eighth annual festival gives budding student filmmakers a chance to showcase original work as well as the opportunity to receive constructive criticism from peers and a panel of judges. The festival continues June 5.
Editor’s picks:
Lacey Macri, Unit Panic, Mistlefinger
Today at the Coho
Sex and the City
Friday at Regal Davis Holiday 6
This week in Davis:
City of God
Neung Phak
Diego’s Umbrella
Blurbs:
REVIEW: LADYHAWK’S ‘SHOTS’
Do you like face-melting, epic guitar solos? Take some Shots.
SUMMER RECIPES
As the days get warmer, get cooler with these fresh foods.
DAVIS MUSIC CO-OP
Davis musicians unite at Central Park tomorrow, details inside.
NICOLE L. BROWNER and RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@californiaaggie.com.