Arts & Culture

Rating: 4

Rating: 4

Rating: 4

When the Pulitzer Prizes were announced on Monday, two atypical winners received awards in the journalism category. ProPublica, an online investigative news organization, and Mark Fiore, an online cartoonist, won prizes in a category historically dominated by print media. What happened? Journalism’s shift to new forms of media is no longer news. But contrary to what pundits might suggest, journalism itself isn’t witnessing its own demise as the Internet takes over media outlets. It’s witnessing a complete overhaul, and slackers will indeed get left behind.

Marking the sixth consecutive year in which the staff team and relations commission of Davis has partnered with United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF), three selected documentary films will be featured in this year’s film festival at the Varsity Theatre on Sunday. Utilizing the medium of film and cinematography, the festival aims to enlighten and inspire audiences. This year, the City of Davis and UNAFF brings greater issues of human rights, sustainability and justice to the forefront.

The Mondavi Center can add yet another classic American icon to the long list of talented performers they have procured. On Apr. 22 at 8 p.m. in Jackson Hall, the famous Arlo Guthrie and Co. will perform for one night only as part of the “Guthrie Family Rides Again” tour. Guthrie will perform with his wife, four children and seven grandchildren. This is the first time they will all be performing together on stage.

While the economy is forcing other UC radio stations to take budgetary hits, KDVS 90.3 FM manages to stay virtually unscathed with the help of listener donations – donations made during the station’s annual weeklong fundraiser. “We are the one exceptional station that has evaded all budget cuts,” said Michael Mastrangelo, senior history major and programming director. “And this year will be a testament to prove we can keep doing that.” Starting Monday, KDVS will ask listeners all week to donate to the station. Kevin Corrigan, a senior history major and general manager of KDVS, said donations from this annual fundraiser make up almost half of the budget, with the rest coming from ASUCD funding.

On tour promoting Megafaun’s most recent album, Gather, Form and Fly, drummer Joe Westerlund took some time off from doing laundry in Omaha, Nebraska to do an interview with The Aggie. The band is heading to the West coast after a successful tour so far, and they’re making a stop in Davis at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen next Monday, Apr. 19. Tickets are $5 dollars for ages 21 and up. For more information about the show, visit sophiasthaikitchen.com. Is it hard to recreate the sound of your albums onstage, or do you try to make the live performance a completely different experience?

In between Picnic Day favorites like the Doxie Derby, parade and chemistry magic show, it can be easy to miss the action at the event’s six entertainment stages around campus. But Picnic Day wouldn’t be complete without taking in a free outdoor concert or two. Here’s a handy guide to each stage’s lineup, previewing a few of the acts that are definitely worth checking out. East Quad (Main Stage) The largest and most prominent stage on campus, the East Quad’s Main Stage, will host 13 acts. Vanessa Ng, Picnic Day entertainment director, said that her intent was to create a cultural and diverse atmosphere at the East Quad stage.

The University Writing Program will offer presentations given by nationally and internationally known writers as part of the Conversations With Writers Series. The series intends to bring together faculty, students and members of the Davis community to encourage and preserve the art of writing. “Students have been inspired by our speakers’ stories of how they got into serious writing and have succeeded,” said professor of writing and University of Writing Program director Chris Thaiss. “They also learn practical strategies for getting published and persevering in the craft.”

MUSIC, THEATER/MONDAVI, ART/GALLERY

After listening to Kitsuné Maison’s ninth compilation of music mixes, it’s safe to say that nobody has a handle on electro-pop like the French do.