Believe it or not, in about a week’s time you’ll be free of classes, tests and term papers. To help you pass your winter days, The California Aggie has compiled a list of non-required reading based on recommendations from UC Davis professors.

The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde

When I take a break from reading British and American literature, I like to read something light and clever. My favorite authors in this category are P.G. Wodehouse and Jasper Fforde for their exquisite style and wacky humor. The Fourth Bear by Fforde is laugh-out-loud funny, with Jack Spratt and Mary Mary (Quite Contrary) as detectives in the Nursery Crime Division of Fforde’s fantasy world where humans and book characters live side by side – with sometimes-fatal results. What’s not to love about an alien who speaks binary and a Gingerbread Man who is a psychotic serial killer? Great holiday entertainment!

– Brynne Gray, English lecturer

Beowulf

Sure, students have read it before, but they were too young for it then. Now it has it all for them: brevity, brooding, heroism, violence, wisdom, justice, loyalty and betrayal, death and perpetual fame. Monsters‘ arms torn off, dragons cut in half. Gold. And it survived a thousand years of teachers, a movie and several comic books, so it has staying power.

– Kevin Roddy, Medieval and early modern studies professor

Things We Don’t Know We Don’t Know by Matt Mason

Mason is a talented poet, a UCD alum and an old friend. The title comes from a phrase spoken by Donald Rumsfeld in an attempt to confuse reporters regarding his mishandling of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [Mason] won the 2007 Nebraska Book Award for Poetry.

– Andy Jones, English professor

Audition by Michael Shurtleff

Although it was written nearly 30 years ago, it’s still packed with pithy, witty, insightful avenues into acting, illuminating both the pitfalls and the pleasures, the dos and the don’ts, how to get that leading role or how to frustrate the casting director. This book reads with the easy voice of a jaunty New Yorker and is packed full of the wisdom of someone who genuinely loves actors. Shurtleff [a Broadway casting director] also includes 12 guideposts for getting inside a character quickly, as you often have to for television and film castings. I’ve found this book invaluable for my own acting, as well as passing on tips to my undergrads and grads. A jolly good stocking filler!

– Bella Merlin, theatre and dance professor

Euclid’s Elements

It is a mathematics book, over 2,000 years old, in which there are no numbers, just diagrams. For anyone who has always hated math, it is a real eye opener. And it’s a must read for anyone with genuine intellectual curiosity. It’s fascinating that all the information in Euclid is on the first two pages; the rest of the book just unpacks it. I don’t think the history of philosophy can be understood without looking at Euclid, since so many philosophers wanted to do what he did with other topics. This is maybe the greatest book ever written.

– Bernard Molyneux, philosophy assistant professor

A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harveys

Economists are inclined to talk about crises like they’re cars: You need to tune such-and-such, give it more of this and less of that, and then if everyone claps their hands and believes in Christmas, it’ll start vrooming down the road again! What is obscure about this is the way the economic crisis is the outcome of a much larger story at least 35 years old: an entire change in global organization, which will see the passing of the American era There’s a famous curse, “May you live in interesting times.” In that threatening, ambiguous sense, we finally do. This book is probably the best introduction to the big picture of our interesting times.

– Joshua Clover, English professor

ANNA OPALKA compiled this list and can be reached at arts@theaggie.org

“When people stand up, things change.“

In six words, Sean Penn managed to sum up the entire movie of Milk. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still see it.

Released in theaters Friday, Milk is a biographical film from director Gus Van Sant about Harvey Milk, the United States‘ first openly gay elected official. The film spans eight years in the life of Milk, played by Penn, from the mere conception of his first campaign for San Francisco city supervisor to his assassination at the hands of colleague Dan White.

A panel of actors and filmmakers from Milk sat down with reporters in San Francisco on Oct. 29 to talk about its upcoming release. While they made it clear that the film was enjoyable to make, all were aware that the film they made had a gravitas that existed beyond its run time.

“I don’t think most students know who Harvey Milk is,” said Emile Hirsch, who plays Cleve Jones, one of the youngest activists in Milk’s campaign. “For me, what the film really was about was human rights and equality and democracy – just some of the core principles that I think America’s about and America stands for. And I think it’s important for college students to learn those things.“

Penn stressed that understanding who Milk was as a person in addition to his role as a political figure is a large step toward understanding why his message continues to be meaningful.

“What struck me really was that Harvey Milk, whether he had been in politics or not, he would have been a political figure simply because he had been one of these people who had come up against the obvious obstacles in life,” Penn said. “And he greeted it with such courage and warmth and was politically kind. He was a kind spirit, and that was going to be strong whatever he did.“

The actors and filmmakers said they hoped the film would create a community of respect.

“You’re watching a lot of good-hearted human beings – where and how they decide to fuck is irrelevant,” Penn said. “And so I think that alone can be strong, to get in there and feel more familiar, less stigmatized and confused by it, less afraid of it … The more the pure heart of people is in the face of [intolerance], the less breathing room there is for that kind of thinking.“

Though the film muses on a subject that took place around 30 years ago, the dearth of young people in local politics is a topic applicable to today’s political sphere. The connections to today’s struggle for gay rights will obviously reignite deeply rooted positions, but moreover, the film delves into the importance for activism and public participation on local, state and national levels.

Despite the high voter turnout for the presidential election, Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black expressed his frustration at the current climate of political activism outside the realm of elected officials.

“The folks who I know who are even political and supposedly activists are so passive,” Black said. “Actually getting up and doing something about it, organizing physically and making some sort of change, it just doesn’t seem to happen so much.“

Being apathetic to politics is acceptable and normal, said sophomore international relations major and ASUCD Senator Jack Zwald.

“We can wean people off of that apathy [and] really start working for that change. … But we’re going to fall short if we only go this far.“

When asked what it will take to get more students involved in politics on all levels of government, Zwald’s answer was decisive.

“It’ll take major crisis,” he said. “It’ll take something that really reaches down in to the core of every student … that pulls them out and compels them to get involved.“

LAURA KROEGER can be reached at arts@theaggie.org. 

For improv artists performing in front of an audience, their every word and move is open to scrutiny. But despite the public nature of their art, the innards of improv subculture are largely hidden. Until now.

On one end of the spectrum of improv actors is Mike Lane, a senior international relations and history major and director of Birdstrike Theatre. The acting troupe has grown every year since its inception in 2005, though Lane has grander plans that may cause friction with anti-establishmentarian fans.

“Ten years down the road, I hope Birdstrike becomes a Davis institution,” Lane said. “I hope it continues and every year we continue a tradition of top notch long-form improv and sketch comedy.“

To help establish Birdstrike’s reign over comedy in Davis, they began a guerilla improv campaign this quarter. Their most recent was a faux-breakdance session outside the Memorial Union, which was met with amusement and some confusion.

“Lately, we’ve been filming for one of our videos and we’re trying to include everyone on campus,” he said. “We have a hardcore rap in the middle.“

Without a rival improv group on campus, Birdstrike frequents the Sacramento Comedy Spot to battle other troupes. The lack of rivalries on campus has forced Lane to challenge Birdstrike rejects to channel their anger and disappointment toward forming another comedy group.

“I wish there were more rivalries or other groups in general,” Lane said.

Most dedicated improv actors like Lane have made the pilgrimage to Chicago. Lane and five others in Birdstrike plan to move there to start improvising on a professional level.

“That’s the comedy mecca,” Lane said. “That’s where all the big names have gone through, through institutions like Second City and Improv Olympics.“

Not all improvisational artists seem as driven as Lane, and one need not look further than Birdstrike improv coach and senior history and English major Micah Chavin.

“[Lane] does it most of the time,” Chavin said, referring to improv exercises. “I just run warm-ups and have exercises to help teach some tools for improv.“

Chavin helped organize a class on improv taught through the Davis People’s Free School. While there were some organizational problems and the complaint that the class was “hidden in the Domes,” a small group of interested locals came by.

“I was fine with five or six,” Chavin said. “It’s usually better to do small groups so more people have a chance to play.“

Some students enjoy improv recreationally but aren’t quite as excited as Lane or as serious as Chavin. Instead, they fall into the category of excited newbs that just want to have fun. The newly formed UC Davis IM Improv was created for such students who want to live out their own “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” without the pressures of performing in front of people.

“It’s just for our own entertainment,” said co-founder Alissa Kolom, a junior political science major. “Instead of going home and watching ‘House,‘ you get to see people who you don’t know very well perform.“

IM Improv group co-founder Alison Depsky, a junior biological sciences major, overcame past trauma to jump into improv, something she said she has “always thought looked fun.“

“I was in a Mouseketeers musical when I was five,” she said. “But I hated it.“

Now, Depsky hopes to spread the laughter with others in the IM Improv group, which has about 30 Facebook group members. In fact, Depsky said she finds humor all over everyday life in Davis.

“[The funniest thing about Davis is] wondering how many people have had moral quandaries on whether they should intervene upon witnessing duck rape,” she said.

CHRIS RUE can be reached at arts@theaggie.org

“Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” by Tom Waits

So there aren’t a lot of hookers in Davis. But that’s okay, I can still identify with this song; it’s not like Tom Waits actually gets Christmas cards from hookers either – on second thought, maybe he does. With the song’s sleazy piano and Waits‘ distinctive smokers‘ croon, this might be just the kind of slow burning love song even someone as potentially jaded as a hooker can fall in love with. Besides, when you’re strutting your stuff up and down the cold streets of Davis this weekend – in fishnet stockings and high heels – you just might feel a little like a lady of the night. In that case, Tom Waits and I have you covered. You can thank me later. I recommend a card.

– Zack Frederick

“Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Bing Crosby and Doris Day

Coercion was never so sexy. In this song, Doris Day and Bing Crosby sing back and forth; the basic gist is that she wants to go but he wants her to stay. Somebody must have told Bing Crosby that persistence is a virtue, because this guy does not give up. No matter how many times she says no, that Bing Crosby pretends he doesn’t hear her. Where did romance like that go? Midway through the conversation, Doris Day awkwardly wonders aloud, “Say, what’s in this drink?” That can only be a good sign, right? Nothing says holiday cheer like a little GHB! So don’t worry, Doris Day. It’s Christmas, and this guy seems legit.

– Laura Kroeger

“Player’s Ball” by Outkast

Back in 1993 when 3 Stacks was still Andre and Big Boi was the best rapper in Outkast, LA Reid had the ridiculous idea of releasing a Christmas album featuring all the young stars on the label. The album was a bust, but Outkast’s “Player’s Ball” is a hidden gem.

The duo rap about a different kind of Christmas, posing urban trappings against holiday clichés: “Ain’t no chimminies in the ghetto so I won’t be hangin‘ my socks on.” But the duo isn’t without cheer – it just looks a little different from the eggnog and candy cane version of Christmas: “Cause in ’93 that’s how we coming/ So ho ho ho’s, check my king-ass fro / The gin and juice gots me tipsy … “

So for all the players out there, rock some Outkast this winter.

– Chris Rue

“Mistress for Christmas” by AC/DC

For those with the uncanny ability to distinguish between AC/DC songs, “Mistress For Christmas” is a power chord Christmas classic. Holiday cheer apparently comes year round for AC/DC, if they live up to the talk.

But you have to at least give AC/DC credit for something. With lyrics “I can hear you coming down my smoke stack, I wanna ride on your reindeer honey and ring the bells yeah,” they might be able to score some originality points. Maybe they should feature Lil Wayne on their next release. Lil Wayne definitely knows how to rock – just watch his axe wielding on the Let It Rock video. Beautiful sustain.

Justin T. Ho

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Bing Crosby

My favorite holiday song is Bing Crosby’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.“ I listened to that growing up, so it stands out to me as the ultimate holiday song. It makes me get serious about Christmas coming.

– Julia McCandless

The Hebrew Hammer (2003)

Christmas movies tend to grab the attention of almost every media outlet during the holiday season, so it’s always nice to see some diversity on the regular cable channels. If you haven’t seen this 2003 holiday classic on Comedy Central already, it’s bound to be on eventually. Starring Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer and Andy Dick, the film follows a former Israel Defense Forces captain as he becomes a pimped out Orthodox Jewish badass on a mission to save Hannukah. With frequent mentions of circumcision and character names like Esther Bloomenbergensteinenthal, stereotypes obviously run rampant.

Justin T. Ho

A Christmas Story (1983)

My all-time favorite holiday movie is A Christmas Story. The leg lamp, bunny suit, the BB gun – it starts to make you feel better about the weirdness of your family.

– Julia McCandless

Love Actually (2003)

I’ll admit, Love Actually is one of my guilty pleasure movies, but hear me out. This is the kind of romantic comedy that everyone enjoys.

It’s the perfect holiday concoction. The film gives you your full daily dose of the warm fuzzies with a pinch or two of bitter dashed hopes to counter the saccharine sweetness.

The stories range widely. In one, the schism between a middle-aged married couple grows unexpectedly. In another, a socially awkward man-child convinces himself that he would be worshipped as a sex god in America. My personal favorite is Hugh Grant’s courteous bachelor prime minister who unexpectedly stumbles upon love. Take my word for it, Billy Bob Thornton’s cameo as the American president is not to be missed.

In telling eight intertwining stories, the movie emphasizes the fact that love is messy but it can also be unlikely and fantastical. Even when transient, love has a purpose.

Laura Kroeger

“The Strike,” Seinfeld (Season 9)

I assume you’re reading this list looking for holiday movies to watch over Christmas break. But seriously, you’re looking for movies? Anyone with a modicum of education knows movies are irrationally long, boringly artsy and expensive to rent. Instead do what all the smart people do – watch TV. While you’re at it, watch the greatest television show ever created reinvent Christmas as the once-a-year secular holiday Festivus.

The episode has even inspired fans to celebrate Festivus in their own homes. Surely the best part of the holiday is the “Airing of Grievances,” when celebrators gather to point fingers at each other and complain about how disappointing other people have been. There’s little doubt as to why this made-up holiday is so popular: Festivus is keen to the corruption of Christmas. It reminds us that holiday presents are, in truth, little more than lazy attempts to buy love with material objects.

Now you understand: Smart people don’t give gifts, we give the finger. Thanks, Festivus.

– Zack Frederick

It’s Dec. 12 – finals are done, fall quarter’s notes are either filed or trashed and you’ve probably forgotten most of the quarter already. But if you’re not going home, you’re in for a long winter of Davis cheer (i.e. you’re probably stuck alone in an empty apartment). For all of those staying in Davis over the break, here’s an exciting and provocative list of local winter activities to keep you busy throughout the break.

A Chanticleer Christmas

Sunday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m., $48/44 general admission, $44/41 with a student ID

Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center

Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is set to perform at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. This San Francisco-based all-male chorus will perform a diverse set of Christmas and spiritual music, ranging from traditional Christmas hits to medieval hymns and plainsong. Tickets are available online and at the Mondavi Center Ticket Box. Visit mondaviarts.org for more information about the performance, as well as a list of full and student ticket prices.

Underwalls: Photographs by Allen Lowry

Continuing through Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday

Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center

The Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Art Collection is presenting a series of photographs by architect Allen Lowry, designer of the recently opened Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Sciences. Lowry’s photographs include images of the construction project throughout its stages of production, offering a glimpse into the hidden layers of the building. For more information, visit calendar.ucdavis.edu.

Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm

Open 9 a.m. to dusk

6208 Silveyville Road in Dixon

Fake plastic Christmas trees can wear you out. Dixon’s Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm, which doubles as a pumpkin patch during the Halloween season, is a traditional tree market complete with an ATV train, horse-drawn wagons, and “real” trees, as advertised. Visitors can either select a pre-cut tree or choose their own to cut from the living tree farm. Rumor has it there’s free twine, too. Prices vary depending on size of tree. For more information and directions, visit silveyvilletreefarm.com.

Trivia Night(s)

Every Tuesday, 10 p.m.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen

And of course, Trivia Night at Sophia’s is an option and is held every Tuesday throughout the break. It’s a perfect alternative to lonely TV nights, especially for all those used to playing Cranium at home during the holidays when there’s seriously nothing better to do. Coinciding with Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s a stimulating escape from the house or apartment. Visit sophiasthaikitchen.com for more information.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

Dec. 31, 6 p.m.

Old Sacramento

Everyone wishes they could visit Times Square on Dec. 31, but Old Sacramento’s New Year’s Eve show is sure to impress the West Coast scene just as well. The event will conclude Sacramento’s Heritage Holidays and will feature street performers, music and other live performances. Midnight fireworks above Tower Bridge are surely more impressive than dropping balls, anyway.

Holiday Magic at the Sacramento Zoo

Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $9

Sacramento Zoo

As anyone knows, animals are just as deserving of gifts as anyone else. Visit the Sacramento Zoo for a full day of holiday magic, complete with a real Santa Claus, animal feedings and the notorious Gus the Green Tree Frog. Many of the animals are already scheduled to receive gifts, so be sure to be there when they open their presents. Visit saczoo.com for a feeding schedule, and don’t feed your dog chocolate.

JUSTIN T. HO can be reached at arts@theaggie.org. 

Being that the scheduling gods just aren’t on my side (two finals and two papers all on Tuesday are just the beginning of my suffering) combined with the fact that stuffy noses and horrible headaches have recently become my new best friends, I can confidently say that I’m very ready for the upcoming break.

However, I can’t help but think that I’ve become more than a little jaded from this pseudo-independent college lifestyle I’ve been leading since 2005. No curfews, going out on school nights, terribly irregular sleeping schedules, no one to regulate television-watching habits or Internet usage – it’s a tremendously easy gap to fall into.

All this contemplation has led me to one conclusion: Cool is out. More importantly, cheesy is in!

Let’s be realistic: Not everyone can be cool. If cool is for a select few and the majority spends their time forcing themselves to like something (i.e. certain music of the “indie” or “underground” variety), people may as well have fun and look ridiculous while doing it.

So this holiday season, regale in the blatantly inauthentic. The beauty of this time of year – you know, second to generosity and the goodness of mankind and stuff – is the sickly sentimental warm fuzzies that it can produce. In other words, get more excited about the holiday of your choice than a college freshman at her first themed frat party of the quarter.

Start off with some sick holiday beats from your favorite pop hit makers. For those who are taking baby-steps toward total festivity assimilation, several artists with some semblance of indie credibility have made their own contributions to the holiday genre. Unlikely candidates for making seasonal songs include Pedro the Lion, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone and Gatsby’s American Dream.

But I figure, why not go all the way with the merry-making? Winter is always an opportune time to bump some guilty pleasures like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston or Johnny Mathis. If you’re feeling extra cheery, get yourself a karaoke DVD so you can belt out your own rendition of classics like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas (Is You).“

Of course, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without some sort of pictorial documentation to capture these Kodak moments. There are many variations to the art of cheesy family portraits – Christmas trees, floral arrangements, fireplaces or a dinner table full of food are all potential backgrounds for such pictures. My own relatives would arrange my cousins and me on the stairs in ascending order of age, with the youngest in the front and the oldest in the back.

Another key component of such portraits is the holiday garb. It used to be that my mom would have to force me into those velvet dresses and annoyingly itchy white tights or thick-knit holiday sweaters. But now that I’ve matured and grown oblivious of any probable course of embarrassment, I don such attire with enthusiasm.

My underlying point: Have fun. Even if it used to be that such activities were strictly obligatory when you were younger, you still had fun doing it. Revel in the cheesiness that the holidays lend themselves so well to – because really, when else are you going to do it?

RACHEL FILIPINAS is currently bumpin‘ “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by ‘N Sync. She’s also on the brink of illness. Send your own music recommendations, plenty of tissue boxes and distractions from studying to rmfilipinas@ucdavis.edu. 

MUSIC

Standard Tribesmen, Harlem, Fatty Acid

Today, 8 p.m., $5

Funcastle in Sacramento

Maybe you think you’ve already heard enough garage-pop throwbacks, but the Texas-based trio behind Harlem is a band worth listening to. Not quite lo-fi and with the right amount of sloppiness, Harlem sheds some catchy and jangly light on lyrical subjects like girls and drugs – you know, the important things in life.

figment clothing

Friday, 6 p.m., $5

Central Park

figment clothing makes its debut with this coming out party featuring San Diego band Fight Fair as well as other local bands. Prizes from Yogurt Shack, Vitamin Water and Grand Zero will also be offered.

Random Abiladeze, State Cap.

Friday, 8 p.m., $5

Delta of Venus

I’ve been trying to re-introduce hip-hop back into my regular listening habits, but honestly, these Top 40 numbers just aren’t cutting it. Thus, I’m turning to the locals: You’ve probably already caught Random Abilideze during one of his shows in Davis, but what about State Cap.? This rap foursome mixes fresh rhymes with old school arrangements.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Friday, 8:30 p.m., $30

Senator Theater in Chico

Sadly enough, not all the bones will be here – the rest of the clan will take the stage sans Krazie Bone and Wish Bone. May I suggest a full reunion in the future, perhaps at tha crossroads?

Odessah, The Rockin‘ Chair

Saturday, 9 p.m., $5, 21

The Stag in Woodland

With tinges of classical, traditional Irish, techno and thrash in an alt-rock package, there’s a little something-something for everyone with Sacramento group Odessah. How thoughtful of them!

Gonzalo, Many Many Books, A Good Pillow, Alex Weston, Mucky the Ducky

Saturday, 10 p.m.

Court ‘N Cedar

The creative force behind A Good Pillow is KDVS DJ David Nguyen. Seeing as his playlist material includes artists such as Stereolab and the Decemberists, I trust that his musical taste should find itself a sound place in this lo-fi bedroom recording project.

Caught in Motion, The Honey Trees, The Mountains

Sunday, 8 p.m., $6

Luigi’s Fungarden in Sacramento

Two guys, a girl and a pizza place, literally! Local band The Honey Trees seem to have the makings of your standard indie pop outfit: A stylish female vocalist backed by two equally stylish dudes with instruments. However, the band’s quiet and understated sound makes me believe that they could be more than just Myspace fodder.

Whole Earth Festival Benefit Roller Disco

Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at the door

The DISC (2801 Second St. lm)

Roller-skating and music, all in the name of my favorite spring quarter event? I hear there will also be costumes and a bake sale. I’m so there.

AT THE MOVIES

Synecdoche, New York

Opens tomorrow at the Davis Varsity Theatre on Second Street

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a theater director who goes through all kinds of drama, including struggles with his work and his women.

ART / COMEDY

Birdstrike Theatre X

Friday, 8 p.m., $2 in advance, $3 at the door

123 Science Lecture Hall

This showcase’s themes of health and life strike a chord with my medical drama loving predilections. 

Immigration and the Border

Opens tomorrow

Valley Oak Elementary (L and Eighth streets)

This exhibition is part of the “Survey of Chicana/o Art“ class and focuses on politics, social justice and self-determination. A reception will be held Saturday at 6 p.m.

THEATER / MONDAVI

#5 The Angry Red Drum

Now through Saturday, 8 p.m., $16 general admission, $11 with a student ID

Wright Hall

Granada Artist-in-Residence Philip Kan Gotanda brings attention to larger social issues through use of text, sound and movement.

MacHomer

Thursday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m., $35 general admission, $17.50 with a student ID

Jackson Hall

“The Simpsons“ and Shakespeare – in the same play? Believe it. MacHomer creator Rick Miller re-enacts the voices of 50 characters of the beloved television show to make for an entertaining take on Macbeth.

RACHEL FILIPINAS can be reached at arts@theaggie.org