Arts & Culture

English is his second language and Russian is his first, but for the Moscow-born artist Ted Vasin, his native tongue is his art.

Just don't ask Vasin to communicate his inspirations.

The past few years haven't been very kind to Coldplay.

After selling nearly 50 million copies worldwide of their first two critically-acclaimed albums, the guys from London disappointed many with 2005's X&Y, even getting dubbed the "Most Insufferable Band of the Decade" by the New York Times.

Music lovers in Davis know where in town to finger through a treasure trove of classic records. Offering a place to find music almost every day of the year is Armadillo Music at 205 F St.

Extreme Animals, Fortress of Amplitude, Driphouse, Pregnant

Today, 9 p.m.

The Witchdome in Sacramento

What do you get when you put rap and trance together? A frantic (and frankly, slightly frightening) combination from duo Extreme Animals - who, surprisingly, both performed in the same barbershop quartet back when they were in high school.

Last week marked the conclusion of this year's Co/Lab art and design collective, held at the now-closed Olipom Vintage Clothing Store in Sacramento. Founded in 2006 by graduate student Milan Phan and headed this year by UC Davis alumnus Cory Keller, the Co/Lab group explores the creative advantages of working and creating in coordination with others within and outside the art department.

Husband and wife Liam Creighton and Courtney Hopf know it takes a village to raise a baby. However, their creation is actually a 15 minute short film, Julie, Julie. Nevertheless, the proud parents still received a lot of support to raise their baby.

Swedish metal group Opeth easily embodies talent and respectability within its genre - and like any talented and respectable band, it strives to evolve with each new album. Watershed, Opeth's ninth studio album, which was released earlier this month, does nothing less.

Editor's note: This week's "Five Questions" is with vocalist and guitarist Galen Disston of Pickwick, a folk-inspired indie rock band from Ballard, Wash. Pickwick will perform with Davis' Buildings Breeding on Saturday at 10 p.m. at Sophia's Thai Kitchen, which is located in downtown Davis. For more information on the band, go to myspace.com/pickwickmusic.

MUSIC

Joey Casio, Chief Briggum, Sewn Leather, Fancie

Today, 8 p.m.

Witchdome at S and 22nd streets in Sacramento

House music is in store from Olympia-based Joey Casio. I don't doubt that it should be a night of high energy beats. (And while we're going for the obvious here - yes, the man does use a Casio keyboard.)

Anyone with an interest in music can probably pull out a few vinyls from their parents' collection. For others, vinyl records epitomize their passion for music in general. The KDVS record swap will satiate the collections of all record enthusiasts, young and old.

Tuesday may not be an attractive night for college town entertainment, but Davis' own Bistro 33 has us covered nonetheless. The restaurant's "Curtain Call at City Hall," a comedy night held every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., has and will continue to be a weekday outing through the hot summer nights.

People around the world celebrate the French for inventing cinema and for making kissing an art form. On Saturday, Sacramento united with hundreds of other countries to celebrate with the French for the Fête de la Musique, which translates to World Music Day.

For these students of the UC Davis Department of Art Masters of Fine Arts graduate program, art is more than just a hobby.

Two years ago, Gabrielle Myers quit her day job as a chef and dog-eared this chapter in her novel life for the pursuit of writing.