Davisite logo
Davisite Banner. Left side the bicycle obelisk at 3rd and University. Right side the trellis at the entrance to the Arboretum.

Category: Music

  • Rainbow crosswalks returning to Davis

    Crosswalk2024

    Davis Pride volunteers move stencils on May 26, 2024, after painting a crosswalk at Fifth and B streets in Davis. The area crosswalks will be painted again from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    (From press release) To set the tone for Pride Month in June, volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park between 6 and 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25.

    The nine crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park will be painted with a temporary spray chalk. Volunteers start at 6 a.m. at Fifth and C street and work counter-clockwise to the final crosswalk at Fourth and C streets.

    The rainbow crosswalks are the first of many Davis Pride events, including:

    May 25: Volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, from 6 to 9 a.m.

    June 5: Sing with Pride at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, 7 p.m.

    June 7: Pride is a Protest rally, Central Park, downtown Davis, 2 to 3 p.m.

    June 7: The 11th annual Davis PrideFest, a community fair and music festival, from 3 to 8 p.m. in Civic Center Park, Sixth and B streets, with title sponsors Dignity Health and Woodland Clinic Medical Group

    June 8: The 11th annual Run/Walk for Equality, 8 a.m. to noon from Central Park

    June 14: Skate with Pride, 7 to 9 p.m. in Central Park

    June 19: Drink with Pride trivia night 6 to 9 p.m. at Dunloe Brewing Co., 1606 Olive Drive

    June 27: Davis Pride Comedy Night presented by Laughs on the Lake, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd.

    (more…)

  • Ada Vox headlines 2025 Davis PrideFest

    Ada Vox publicity photo 2025

    Ada Vox was a Top 8 contestant on ABC’s “American Idol,” and runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” (Courtesy photo)

    Drag queen Ada Vox will be the headline performer at the 2025 Davis PrideFest on June 7. The event is just one of a month’s worth of local activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, including a fun run, skate and comedy nights, and plenty of drag queens.

    The activities share the theme “Forever Loud and Proud!”

    The 11th annual Davis PrideFest is at Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets, behind Davis City Hall. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

    AdaVox2022

    Ada Vox performs at the 2022 Davis Pride event. This year’s festival is June 7. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    Ada Vox was a semi-finalist in ABC’s “American Idol” in 2018, and the runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” She performed at the 2022 Davis Pride event. The San Antonio-based singer lists her influences as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle. Notable performances include The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” Jennifer Holiday’s “And I am Telling You I am Not Going,” and Journey’s “Open Arms.” She was the first drag queen make the “American Idol” Top 8.

    (more…)

  • Picnic in the Park returns to Davis on May 7

    ChasePIP2024

    Patrons enjoy the first Picnic in the Park of the 2024 season. The annual Davis Farmers Market tradition returns in May, and runs every Wednesday through September from 4 to 8 p.m. in Central Park. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photos)

    (From press release) The music, food and family fun of Picnic in the Park returns to the Davis Farmers Market on Wednesday, May 7.

    The popular event is every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., May through September. A local band plays each night. There’s children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. October through April, there’s a traditional farmers market on Wednesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m.

    Bands on the 2025 Picnic in the Park schedule are: Cold Shot (dance party) on May 7; Kindred Spirits (folk rock) on May 14; The Teds (rock) on May 21; According to Bazooka (indie, folk, pop) on May 28; The Geoffrey Miller Band (rockabilly) on June 4; 5-Star Alcatraz (indie, alt rock) on June 11; Julie and the Jukes (classic blues) on June 18; Now and Then (“back in the day” covers) on June 25; The Hey Nows (folk rock, Americana) on July 2; It’s About Time (big band) on July 9; Stout Rebellion (Irish folk with a rock edge) on July 16; Vaca Jazz Society (big-band jazz) on July 23; Katalysst (indie folk rock) on July 30; Island Crew (beach tunes) on Aug. 6; The Ron Goldberg Quartet (classic covers) on Aug. 13; Wealth of Nations (classic rock, acoustic) on Aug. 20; New Harmony Jazz Band (big-band jazz) on Aug. 27; Odd Man Out (folk rock) on Sept. 3; The Teds (singable, danceable rock) on Sept. 10; sKeTcHy (rock, pop, folk) on Sept. 17; and Penny Lane (Beatles covers) on Sept. 24.

    (more…)

  • Tenth Davis Pride kicks off on June 1

    DragCrowd 1

    A drag queen interacts with a young festivalgoer at the 2023 Davis Pride Festival. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    By Wendy Weitzel

    The rainbow crosswalks are being painted Sunday in downtown Davis, signaling the path to a month full of Davis Pride celebrations ahead in June.

    This is the 10th year of Davis Pride activities, organized by the nonprofit Davis Phoenix Coalition. For 2024, highlights include the Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival, an after party, a fun run, skate night, comedy night, and plenty of drag.

    This year’s theme is “Davis Pride – Because Yolo County is for Everyone!” It follows the Davis Phoenix Coalition’s recent lawn sign messages “Davis is for Everyone” and “Yolo County is for Everyone,” to counter the far-right actions experienced in the community.

    The 10th annual Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival has a new location this year: Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1.

    (more…)

  • Past honored in 10th year of Davis Pride

    FourLeap2023

    Gloria Partida, left, Jessica Uzarski, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs and Mily Ron jump for joy after volunteers complete the rainbow crosswalk painting in downtown Davis on May 30, 2023. This year’s painting will be from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 around Central Park in Davis. (Courtesy photo)

    By Wendy Weitzel

    As the Davis Phoenix Coalition marks its 10th year of Davis Pride activities next month, its members also want to honor those who painted that rainbow road.

    Pride celebrations in Davis go much deeper than a decade. Every June from 1996 to 2006, local LGBTQ+ activists Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac coordinated the Yolo County Lesbian and Gay Picnic Day. After it took a hiatus, the event was revived in 2015 by the nonprofit Davis Phoenix Coalition, which rebranded it as Davis Pride. Rising from its origins as a single-day event with 500 participants in the 1990s, it has become a monthlong June celebration, drawing close to 10,000 people. These participants come from all segments of the local population, happy to gather in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

    This year, highlights include the Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival, an after party, a fun run, skate night, comedy night, and plenty of drag.

    Gloria Partida founded the Davis Phoenix Coalition in 2013 after her son, Lawrence “Mikey” Partida was brutally beaten in an anti-gay attack. She and other organizers started Davis Pride with the idea of a fun run, and added a family-friendly festival for the whole community.

    Despite successes like the federal legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, they knew Davis Pride would be controversial. She saw what Bailes and Pontac went through. “They had a lot of pushback when they were doing the work,” Partida said.

    (more…)

  • Whole Earth Festival Sunday – Women’s Music Day – “Double Maya Rainbow! Oh, my God—it’s a Double Maya Rainbow all the way! Whoa, that’s so intense!”

    Download (1) DownloadSunday at the Whole Earth Festival has traditionally been held on Mother's Day, and for many years has highlighted women artists on Sunday.  

    This year is no exception, with the Sunday lineup on "Quad" Stage including: 

    11:20-12 SOPHIE SENG

    12:20-1 LILLIAN FRANCES

    1:20-2:20 MAYA MCNEIL AND THE SILVER APPLES

    2:40-3:40 MAYA BURNS

    4-4:50 JESSICA MALONE

    and yes, it's a DOUBLE MAYA RAINBOW from 1:20 pm to 3:40 pm !!!!

    Maya Burns first wowed WEF audiences years ago when at the age of ten she sang a perfect acapella version of "White Rabbit".  Now a Singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer she floats from Monterey to Ensenada to México City and annually visits the Whole Earth Festival in Davis.  She presents her music in English and Spanish, inspired by her cultural surroundings growing up in Mexico.

    Maya McNeil is a native of Davis who's solo music is now blossoming as she premiers her amazing band, the Silver Apples, for the first time Sunday!  Maya has a few singles online now such as "Waiting for the Light to Change" and "Main Stream", in anticipation of her first album, "Waiting for the Light to Change".  Maya was Art Space Director of the Festival years ago and has deep roots with the Festival.

    Images Maya Mc

    Do note that the Whole Earth Festival has temporarily moved to Russell Field this year, the big grassy area along Russell Blvd.  It's going to be hot this weekend and Russel Field is treeless, so bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and take advantage of the Whole Earth Misting Station between Quad Stage and the Staff Dome (teal, lavender and tan dome), as well as the 26 large shade structures towards the eastern side of the field.  Quad stage is the eastern of the two stages.

    Also, be sure to check out Maya Burn's parent's (Jim & India) tie-die booth, the colorful booth nearest Quad stage – they have shirts, hats, dresses and much more!

  • Groove with Soroptimists for 70th anniversary

    SI Davis 70th Anniversary Invite FlyerSoroptimist International of Davis will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a disco-themed dinner on Sunday, May 19.

    The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd., Davis. Tickets are $40 and include dinner, a drink ticket, and disco lessons led by Pamela Trokanski. Groovy attire is encouraged. Tickets may be purchased at https://bit.ly/GetGroovyWithUs. The event is open to the public. Please RSVP by May 10.

    Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. It was founded in 1921 in Alameda County. Soroptimist International of Davis was chartered in May 1954. Local members join some 75,000 Soroptimists in 122 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls. Its core values are gender equality, empowerment, education, diversity and fellowship.

    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, and grants to nonprofits that align with the Soroptimist mission.

    SI Davis members meet twice a month on Wednesdays – once at lunchtime and once in the evening – and connect for other fun activities and service. Learn more at https://www.sidavis.org/.

  • Davis Pride to celebrate 10th anniversary

    PrideFest2023

    Festivalgoers enjoy the 2023 Davis Pride Festival. This year’s event is June 1 (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The Davis Phoenix Coalition plans a month full of events to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, beginning with its 10th annual festival on June 1. Activities also include a festival after party, fun run, skate and comedy nights, and plenty of drag queens.

    The activities share the theme “Davis Pride – Because Yolo County is for Everyone!” It follows the Davis Phoenix Coalition’s recent lawn sign messages “Davis is for Everyone” and “Yolo County is for Everyone,” to counter the far-right actions experienced in the community.

    The 10th annual Davis Pride Community Fair and Music Festival has a new location this year: Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Headlining the musical lineup is Davis’ own Butterscotch, a Season 2 finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Other performers include Deuces & Diamonds in a special reunion performance, the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus, Team Davis Singers, and the always popular Drag Revue. Other artists will be announced soon. There will be activity zones for children, teens and seniors.

    (more…)

  • Picnic in the Park returns to Davis on May 1

    PIP2023

    Patrons enjoy the first Picnic in the Park of the 2023 season. The annual Davis Farmers Market tradition returns in May, and runs every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. through September in Central Park. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The music, food and family fun of Picnic in the Park returns to the Davis Farmers Market on May 1.

    The popular event is every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., May through September. A local band plays each night. There’s children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. October through April, there’s a traditional farmers market on Wednesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m.

    Upcoming bands on the 2024 Picnic in the Park schedule are: Cold Shot (dance party) on May 1; 5-Star Alcatraz (indie, alt rock) on May 8; Kindred Spirits (folk rock) on May 15; Penny Lane (Beatles) on May 22; According to Bazooka (indie, folk, pop) on May 29; The Teds (rock) on June 5; Island Crew (beach tunes) on June 12; and Julie and the Jukes (classic blues) on June 19. Bands are still being booked through September. Check the entertainment schedule at https://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/entertainment-schedule/.

    Tables and chairs in the Market Food Court are sponsored by A Grand Affair Party and Event Rentals. They are for use while enjoying market-purchased food. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for picnicking on the lawn.

    During operating hours, the market will have an open-container permit, allowing patrons to consume alcohol, whether it’s canned beer from one of the four Davis breweries rotating each week, a bottle of wine from Heringer Estates, or a beverage they brought from home. Check the brewery rotation schedule at https://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/2024-beer-schedule/.

    Picnic in the Park will focus on family-friendly children’s activities and music, along with a wide range of food made from market ingredients. There is a clown, face-painter and children’s activities. The Davis Schools Foundation is organizing the pedal-powered carousel.

    (more…)

  • Thursdays in The Davisphere canceled for 2023

    (From press release) Thursdays in The Davisphere, the concert series launched in 2022 by Davis Downtown, is on hiatus until 2024.

    The board of the Davis Downtown Business Association decided this month to cancel the 2023 event, planned for Oct. 26 in Central Park. In 2024, the organization is looking to bring Thursdays in The Davisphere further into the downtown core, to add vibrant energy to its downtown member businesses.

    DDBA Executive Director Brett Maresca said several factors led to the difficult decision. The postponement gives the organization time to raise funds and plan for a spectacular 2024 series.

    The inaugural season of Thursdays in The Davisphere was weekly in September and October 2022, thanks to funding from a city of Davis grant to revitalize local businesses emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. A follow-up survey showed a nearly 90% approval rating of the event, citing the energy and vibrancy it brought to the downtown. Davis Downtown provided a designated nonprofit beneficiary to receive a portion of proceeds from beer and wine sales.

    Davis Downtown is recruiting sponsors and vendors. Sponsorships would allow the organization to offer multiple Thursdays in The Davisphere events in 2024. For details, email info@davisdowntown.com.

    Davis Downtown leads and energizes the downtown as the primary business, entertainment and cultural center of Davis. Alive with activity seven days a week, downtown Davis draws locals and visitors alike to experience fine food and beverages, retail, professional services, arts and entertainment in an extraordinary and sustainable gathering place.

    • For more information on The Davisphere, visit thedavisphere.com.
    • Learn more about Davis Downtown events and programs at davisdowntown.com.
    • To stay abreast of activities, sign up for the Davis Downtown email newsletter at davisdowntown.com/subscribe.
    • Follow Davis Downtown on Facebook at @davisdowntown and on Instagram at @davis.downtown.