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Category: Events

  • Entertainment announced for Picnic in the Park

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    The Davis band Cold Shot features René Martucci and Richard Urbino. (Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The dance-party band Cold Shot will be the first musical group to play when the Davis Farmers Market’s Picnic in the Park returns on May 17.

    The family-fun event will be every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., May 17 through Sept. 13. A local band will play each night. There will be children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. Late September through early May, Wednesdays swap back to a traditional farmers market, open 3 to 6 p.m.

    Cold Shot, featuring René Martucci and Richard Urbino, brings together a dynamic selection of upbeat rock ’n’ roll, pop and dance party songs that span decades of iconic artists. Other bands on the 2023 Picnic in the Park schedule are Julie and the Jukes on May 24, Pleasant Valley Boys on May 31, Odd Man Out on June 7, The Teds on June 14, They Hey-Nows on June 21, and According to Bazooka on June 28. The Peter Franklin Band plays on July 5, The New Harmony Jazz Band is July 12, 5-Star Alcatraz plays on July 19, It’s About Time is on July 26, and Putah Creek Crawdads are Aug. 2. The Geoffrey Miller Band is Aug. 9, Penny Lane is Aug. 16, Wealth of Nations is Aug. 23, Kindred Spirits is Aug. 30, Island Crew is Sept. 6, and The Kalapana Awa Band is Sept. 13. To see the calendar and band descriptions, visit https://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/entertainment-schedule/.

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  • Tree Davis to Observe National Arbor Day with City of Davis and Enterprise’s Bob Dunning

    2021 Bike Tour 1 (1)

    (From press release) Saturday, April 29, marks National Arbor Day, and Tree Davis will celebrate it by offering two, free events at 8 a.m.: a bicycle ride/tree tour and a celebration at Central Park with the City of Davis and journalist Bob Dunning. Mayor Will Arnold will also attend the event and read the City’s proclamation.

    Starting at 8 a.m., the fifth edition of the “Great Tree Search Bike Tour” will begin with coffee and donuts at the North Davis Pond parking lot, located at Anderson Road and F Street. At 8:30 a.m., Board President Greg McPherson will begin the six-mile tour with stops at several ecological restoration projects. In addition to visiting Great Trees, the tour will include outstanding examples of tree shaded streets and parking lots. Riders will learn about the past, present, and future of the Avenue of Trees along West Russell, then finish at noon at Central Park to join the ongoing celebration.

    At the same time, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., an Arbor Day Celebration will be taking place at Central Park. Tree Davis, City of Davis, UC Davis Arboretum, CAL FIRE, West Coast Arborists and other urban forestry champions will be available to chat with attendees about the importance of trees in the face of climate change. At noon, Bob Dunning will lead a discussion at the event about the history and impact of Davis’ trees, alongside city staff and other community leaders.

    Attendance for both events is free, though registration for the bicycle ride is necessary, at:  www.treedavis.org.

  • Author Fiekowsky Speaks About Choosing Not to Ride Off the Climate Cliff

    2023-04-12 Climate RestoraBy Scott Steward

    Davis, like the rest of humanity, is on course to ride off a climate change cliff. We will just do it on bikes.

    If you don't want that kind of future then come see the author of "Climate Restoration,” Peter Fiekowsky speak this Thursday at 7:00 pm (see details at end).

    Peter does not have all the answers, but he has taken on what needs to be taken on in his treatment of the scale and urgency to the problem of survival in the face of climate change. Peter's assumptive voice patronizes, but his book is an important contribution to where we need to go to reach "safe harbor."

    For a crib notes summary of the book you can read a review at Earth.org. The reviewer, Maria Mendez, holds back from what could really bother you about the author's interpretation of the elite pedigree behind the proposed solutions to draw down CO2. Fiekowsky spends no ink on the legacy of the slave enabled colonialist system that lives on in our extractive economy and remains a real danger to his own aspirations. 

    That said, Peter Fiekowsky is an ally in the forces of change that apply to climate action and provide for a just transition and benevolent community.  His privileged myopia need not get in our way of a better path toward the rapid evaluation of, if and how best to apply, geoengineering to reduce hundreds of gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050.  I believe he would be open to constructive suggestions about how to include more voices in the benefits and origin stories of this work.

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  • Tainted Love headlines Davis Pride Festival in June

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    Tainted Love will bring the best of 1980s music to the Davis Pride Festival on June 4. (Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The 1980s tribute band Tainted Love will headline the June 4 Davis Pride Festival. The music is part of a weekend of activities in downtown Davis that celebrate International LGBTQ+ Month.

    “A Tainted Love performance is like reliving the ’80s,” its promotional material states. “The band will take you back in time while keeping the party going.”

    Based in San Francisco, Tainted Love – the Best of the ’80s Live performs at major clubs, ballrooms and rock venues across the country. Its high-energy show has a loyal fan base, and is appreciated by every generation.

    The band’s name is inspired by the 1981 Soft Cell hit “Tainted Love,” but it plays a wide variety of hits from the 1980s, including “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey, “Jesse’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, “Don’t you Forget About Me” by Simple Minds, and “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. Other covers include songs by Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, John (Cougar) Mellencamp, Madonna, Phil Collins, Prince, The Police, Van Halen and others.

    The music festival, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Sunday, includes several local and international bands, choirs and a drag queen revue. It’s just part of the ninth annual Davis Pride Festival and related events. The community-focused, family-friendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run, music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4. 

    The events, produced by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, follow the theme “I am Davis Pride.” This year, Davis Pride’s presenting sponsor is BluPeak Credit Union. The highlights of the weekend include:

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  • Save the dates for The Davisphere 2023 concerts

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    Crowds gather in Davis’ Central Park on Sept. 29, 2022, for one of the Thursdays in The Davisphere events. The concert series resumes in August, at various spots downtown. (Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) Thursdays in The Davisphere, the concert series launched in 2022 by Davis Downtown, will resume in August with new venues and activities, in five fun-filled events.

    Thursdays in the Davisphere will appear in different areas of downtown, depending on the date. Brett Maresca, executive director of Davis Downtown, said the entertainment lineup and locations will be announced in the coming weeks. “We’re going to be testing a few different locations and a few different activities,” he said.

    The 2023 dates are Aug. 31, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m.

    While significantly different events, the series complements the Davis Farmers Market’s Picnic in the Park, which will return on Wednesdays in May. Picnic in the Park will be from 4 to 8 p.m. May 17 through Sept. 13 in Central Park, Fourth and C streets. Along with the traditional farmers market, it will have local bands, children’s activities and food vendors. The remainder of the year, the market operates from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

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  • Indivisible Yolo To Host Pints & Progress Event

    March 28 @ 5-7pm, Woodstock's Pizza in Davis

    Screenshot 2023-03-18 at 1(From press release) In the spirit of getting out of the house and off campus, Indivisible Yolo will host its bi-monthly Pints and Progress event March 28, 5-7pm, at Woodstock's Pizza’s new location on the corner of 3rd and G in Davis. 

    This is a come-as-you-are informal gathering with fellow Yolo County citizens concerned about the future of democracy. We can discuss the issues over a slice of pizza, your choice of beverage, and just plain socialize.  In person! (Look for us on the 2nd level)

    RSVP here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/183594607739804/ or indivisbleyolo@gmail.com

  • Lots of fun events surround Davis Pride weekend in June

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    A drag queen performs at the 2022 Davis Pride Festival. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The rainbows return to Davis’ Central Park in June for the ninth annual Davis Pride Festival. The community-focused, family-friendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run, music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4. 

    The events, produced by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, follow the theme “I am Davis Pride.” This year, Davis Pride’s presenting sponsor is BluPeak Credit Union. The highlights of the weekend include:

    • Skate with Pride, starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The free night will include a disc jockey, disco lights and food trucks. Skating will be under the Davis Farmers Market Pavilion in Central Park, Fourth and C streets, downtown.
    • Run for Equality at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 4. It includes a 5K and 1K run/walk from Central Park. Registration is $25 until May 28 and $30 after.
    • A community fair kicking off the Davis Pride Festival at 10 a.m. on June 4. It continues until 5 p.m. in Central Park with educational booths, food, drink, and vendors coordinated with the assistance of Davis Craft and Vintage Market.
    • A music festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Sunday, with local and international bands, choirs and a drag queen revue.  This year’s music headliner is Northern California favorite Tainted Love – The Best of the ’80s Live.
    • A Ride with Pride bike party ride starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 23, from Central Park.

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  • N Street Park Planting Party

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    (From press release) Join Tree Davis and the Davis Manor Neighborhood Council at the newly renovated N Street Park March 18th and March 19th! Come help install new trees, flowers, and shrubs that will make our park and neighborhood more beautiful!

    Tree Davis is seeking volunteers to assist with planting, installing drip irrigation, and spreading mulch at this two day installation event. No previous experience is necessary. Sign up for a morning or afternoon volunteer shift and join us for a potluck lunch from 12-1 each day. There are limited volunteer slots so sign up early to secure your spot!

    For more information visit https://www.treedavis.org/volunteer or email us at info@treedavis.org

  • Davis Farmers Market brings back Picnic in the Park

    PIP2018(From press release) The community missed its lazy Wednesday evenings in Central Park – the music, food and family fun. The Davis Farmers Market listened, and found a way to bring back its beloved Picnic in the Park.

    Starting May 17, Picnic in the Park will return, and continue every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 13. A local band will play each night. There will be children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. Late September through early May, Wednesdays swap back to a traditional farmers market, open 3 to 6 p.m.

    Randii MacNear, executive director of the Davis Farmers Market Alliance, is thrilled. With a redesigned layout, it will be more manageable. “I’m so happy, because I really feel like we broke people’s hearts. There was no solution except to try to bring it back – if we could find a way.”

    The new layout of the Wednesday market is designed for success. Food trucks will fill the patio area, and the band will play from the top of the stairs, facing the lawn. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for picnicking. Tables and chairs will no longer be provided.

    During operating hours, the market will have an open-container permit, allowing patrons to consume alcohol on the grassy area, whether it’s a bottle of wine from Heringer Estates, or a beer they bought from a downtown brewery or from home.

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  • Gather for Good at downtown bars month

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    The nonalcoholic Live Your Dream Lavender Lemonade, being served by Woodstock's Pizza all month

    (From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis celebrates Women’s History Month with a series of fundraisers at downtown bars and restaurants.

    Downtown venues will designate a day in March to donate a portion of proceeds to the service club, which is part of a global volunteer movement to educate and empower women and girls. At some locations, patrons will have the chance to order special drinks for the occasion, but proceeds from all sales will benefit the service club. No flyer is necessary but please mention the fundraiser when you order.

    So far, venues include:

    • Three Mile Brewing on Wednesday, March 8. For International Women’s Day, the brewery, at 231 G St., Suite 3, will donate a portion of all sales to SI Davis. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m.
    • Woodstock’s Pizza, 238 G St., will donate a portion of proceeds from food and drink sales on Wednesday, March 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. It will also offer a special nonalcoholic Live Your Dream Lavender Lemonade this month to celebrate. Orders must be dine-in or pickup. Please mention the fundraiser.
    • Sophia’s Thai Kitchen and Bar will join in on Wednesday, March 29, from  4 p.m. to midnight. It’s at 129 E St., Suite E. Donations will come from food and beverage sales at the restaurant and bar.

    If you’d like to add your downtown restaurant or bar to the Gather for Good event this month, email Maggie Memmott at sidavis@soroptimist.net. Watch @soroptimistdavis on Facebook and Instagram, especially the tags #GatherforGood2023 for updates.

    SI Davis offers cash Live Your Dream Awards to female heads of household seeking education or training, and assists King High students through its Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls program. It also funds high school scholarships, grants to nonprofits that align with the Soroptimist mission, and anti-trafficking efforts.