Arts & Culture

When I saw The Forbidden Kingdom advertised as a martial arts action film starring both Jackie Chan and Jet Li, I couldn't help but feel that it was too good to be true, despite its all-star casting and such behind-the-scenes names as action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping and composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

There's really no way around it - Narrow Stairs is a depressing record.

In essence, Death Cab for Cutie's seventh studio album is a 45-minute requiem for dead relationships and paths in life regrettably taken.

Fashion Conscious is currently on display at the Design Museum in Walker Hall. The symposium Designing With Conscience will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Technocultural Studies building. For more information and to register for the symposium, visit designmuseum.ucdavis.edu. The exhibit's blog is also available at sustainablefashion.blogspot.com

This year at the Whole Earth Festival (WEF), the party was at the DJ Stage, coordinated by Kelly Scott, also known as Kelly D, a UC Davis staff member. Tucked away from the booths and food stands was the DJ stage, which set the scene for two nights of high-energy music and dancing.

Whether it is being relegated to the role of the "model minority" or being automatically associated with martial arts, the portrayal of Asians and Asian Americans in films has been limited. Trying to break these boundaries in mainstream media is the UC Davis Asian American Association Film Festival.

LIVE MUSIC

The Definite Articles, An Angle, Audrye Sessions

Today, 6 p.m.

Central Park

The yearly Music on the Green is back to take over Central Park in downtown Davis. This year features several UC Davis alumni in various pop, indie and folk-related genres.

Throughout history, the mix tape has taken on an endless amount of meaning. It is a token of affection, means of self-entertainment, an auditory letter of confessions, a symbol of exquisite taste or ability and is of utmost didactic importance.

As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one - and ASUCD and the city of Davis have taken this sagely idiom to heart.

The two institutions are sharing their resources once again for Music on the Green, an annual concert featuring local and visiting bands in Central Park on C Street. This year's concert will be held today at 6 p.m., and will include performances from rock-pop outfits The Definite Articles, Audrye Sessions and An Angle.

Sacramento rapper Random Abiladeze (pronounced "abilities") really does have some serious lyrical abilities. Listening to his full-length debut, you get the sense he's "been doing this for a while," and it's true - he has.The 22-year-old emcee, winner of this year's Battle of The Bay Poetry Slam at Stanford University, has been rapping for almost 10 years.

Imagine the last final exam of your senior year - walking into a classroom with a pencil and Scantron in hand. However, this image is a bit different for UC Davis music majors.

The culmination of an undergraduate's college career in music concludes with a senior recital. Picture all your friends, family and faculty in one room waiting to hear the talent you have been developing for at least the past four years.

Maple syrup, hockey and great bands. Suffice to say, Canada has been impressive with their three best exports over the years, and Tokyo Police Club is the latest addition to the third.

Thursday evening's intimate outdoor concert at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center was enjoyable for attendees and a nuisance to neighboring ears.

LIVE MUSIC

Minus the Bear, Portugal. The Man, The Big Sleep

Today, 8 p.m., $10 for students and $16 for non-students

Buehler Alumni Center

Still touring on their triumphant release Planet of Ice, Minus the Bear still have some tricks up their sleeves, always providing a dynamic live performance. Witness with your naked eyes their blended prog rock with finger tapping galore to create both catchy fasties and smooth sexual ballads.

Many afflicting interpretations of art exist,none of which are justified - affliction of other living things,of the artwork of others and even self-affliction that is claimed to be art.But does harming yourself really send an artistic message worthy of the pain?

Yale art student Aliza Shvarts has performed quite the contentious expression of art for her senior thesis.She artificially inseminated herself several times over the course of nine months,each time followed by an herbalinducement to have a miscarriage.