Photography
RIANNA CHLOE CATAJAN
WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER, REPORTER
Reporter and writer for The California Aggie, and Aggie Underground.
Reporter and writer for The California Aggie, and Aggie Underground.
Photography
Articles
Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, UC Davis students, faculty and community members gather to practice as the University Chorus. Together, they explore musical pieces that date from the Baroque period to the 21st century. This Friday, the University Chorus will hold its spring quarter performance at the Mondavi Center.
This Sunday, students and residents of Davis will gather in Central Park for Music on the Green, a festival full of live tunes and educational fun. Music on the Green, featured every spring, is a collaborative effort by the ASUCD External Affairs Commission (ASUCD EAC) and the City of Davis.
Today begins a series of celebrations for the Cross Cultural Center's (CCC) 25th anniversary. Throughout the last 25 years, the CCC has aimed to encourage and empower the UC Davis community. It has served as a channel through which students of color could voice their concerns and has stood as a pillar, lending support to the needs of students.
Every spring quarter, the Shifa Community Clinic hosts a culture show to celebrate the diversity and talent within the UC Davis community. The 2014-15 academic year marks the clinic's fourth year hosting the event. Themed "In the Arms of Healing," this year's culture show will occur on Sunday.
Student Club to fundraise through fashion You do not need to be a fashion expert to master the art of thrifting. If you are into deals and dressing up then try your hand at secondhand shopping with the Student Fashion Association (SFA)! This Wednesday, the SFA Thrift Store will be opening its doo...
The study of ethnomusicology shows that music is more than just organized sound. By digging into the roots of various music styles, ethnomusicology uncovers social and historical meanings unique to its cultural context. To support our campus' own ethnomusicology program, the music department is putting on Musics of the World Ensembles of UC Davis, a showcase featuring four of the university's world music groups.
Week-long event to honor Indigenous history and customs On Monday, students cherished a sunrise together with song, prayer and reflection. They heard empowering talks of Native American education and experiences. They even dug into the cultural roots of dream catchers while crafting one with their own hands.
Joining the forces of speech, song and study, the Native American Studies Department and the Mondavi Center present Arctic Indigeneities, Media and Social Justice: an interdisciplinary symposium. From Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, the symposium will host events throughout campus that celebrate the multifaceted experiences of Arctic cultures.
Flashback to winter 1969: UC Davis students formed the Asian American Concern (later called the Asian American Studies committee), which established the first formal contract between Asian American students and the UC Davis administration. Soon after, the first Asian American Studies class, a history course on the Asian Experience in America, was offered.
Winner predictions for the 87th Academy awards Here at The California Aggie Arts Desk, we are all about the movies, and with the 87th Academy Awards coming up on Sunday, we are here to offer you lovely readers a 2014 year-of-films review, along with our Oscar-winner predictions.
Using the power of percussion, South Korean musician So Ra Kim illustrates constellations of cultural traditions, from original beats to expressions of identity. On Feb. 20, Kim's percussion quartet will be performing at the Mondavi Center, presenting Korean folk music in contexts both traditional and new.
Treat yourself to the sweet sounds of love this Valentine's Day weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Citizens Who Care for the Elderly (CWC) will be presenting Decades of Love - a concert celebrating love through the ages. The show will take place at the Veterans Memorial Center Theatre at 203 E.
Join the Pamela Trokanski Dance Theatre (PTDT) in remembering the many origins of contemporary dance. From Friday to Saturday, PTDT will present its 2015 Davis Dance Project, Darwin & Dance: The Evolution of Contemporary Movement. PTDT's Davis Dance Project is an annual event that is part lecture and part demonstration.
From Feb. 1 to Mar. 1, Gallery 1855 at the Davis Cemetery will present Archive of Abandoned Dreams, a photography showcase by Bulgarian-born, Texas-based artist Ellie Ivanova. A free opening reception will take place on Feb. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring an appearance by Ivanova herself.
Every quarter, the UC Davis Craft Center Gallery presents two exhibitions to share the work of instructors and volunteers. At the center, artists have the opportunity to truly reflect their artistic personality and aesthetic to the public. Kicking off this winter's run is Impromptu, which features pieces by flamework instructor Kim-Xuan Nguyen.
Mark your calendars: the BirdSpokes Big Show hits campus on Friday. The BirdSpokes Big Show will feature the talents of Birdstrike Theatre and all-female a cappella group, The Spokes. The showcase will be Birdstrike Theatre's final production for the Fall Quarter.
Today, Dec. 4, the Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous (LASER) speaker series will return to the UC Davis campus. Every session features four new speakers of diverse trades presenting their work, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
The Dead Arts Society (DAS) is back in business this season with a brand new showcase. Titled "The Art of DAS-eption," this fall's production will feature nine original standalone scenes, including an African dance piece. The performances will take place on Dec. 4 and 5 at Lab A in Wright Hall.
Preparation for Vagina: OurStories 2015 has begun. Hosted by the Women's Resources and Research Center (WRRC), Vagina: OurStories is an annual performance that lets the UC Davis community voice its diverse gendered experiences. The production pays homage to Eve Ensler's play, The Vagina Monologues.
For many months now, the UC Davis Department of Design has collaborated on a project called ThinkDavis. ThinkDavis embodies the creative collaboration of design undergraduates and professors to build an installation for this year's Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art and Design showcase in Chicago (SOFA Chicago).
The Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) will be putting on a production of My Fair Lady, which will premiere this Friday and will run until Nov. 30. Set in London during the era of King Edward VII's rule, My Fair Lady follows the story of Eliza Doolittle, a flower vendor from the Cockney d...
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed. The celebration begins on Friday and lasts until Nov. 2. In honor of the holiday, several festivities will take place within the Davis campus and community.
The wonder of music is its ability to combine creativity, passion and history into one collective sound. Jazz violinist Regina Carter showcases this phenomenon in her latest album, Southern Comfort, which explores and honors popular music during her grandfather's days as a coalminer in Alabama.
Among the many charming traits Davis is known for, being an animal-friendly environment often stands out. Soon, the animal compassion the city of Davis is known for will be taken to a whole new level. From Oct. 10 to Nov.
Native American Studies 032: Native American Music and Dance, a lower-division class, will be entirely revamped next quarter. The class, which focuses on music and dance, aims to introduce students to indigenous Native American artistic expressions, as well as to help students develop new perspectives on cultural art forms different from their own.
There's some fresh talent surfacing the indie music scene. French Cassettes-a four-piece, San Francisco-based band-is beginning to make its name known not only at a local level, but also national. With their infectious tunes and groovy rhythms, these Bay Area natives provide the perfect soundtrack to get pumped for summer.
Saccharine guitar melodies will soon ring through the halls of the Davis Art Center. On Jan. 17, the San Francisco Guitar Quartet will be performing to debut some new pieces, as well as showcase some international favorites. Since 1997, the San Francisco Guitar Quartet has devoted itself to performing rich, innovative and complex interpretations of arrangements old and new.
A taste of pure Colorado folk is soon to hit Davis. On Jan. 9, Stelth Ulvang of The Lumineers will be performing at Third Space with special guest Abe Abraham. On the road with The Lumineers, Ulvang is often found painting melodic memories through piano keys.
Prepare for an evening of swing and soul, brought to you by fellow Aggies. On Nov. 20, the UC Davis Jazz Ensembles will be performing at the Mondavi Center. Both the University's Jazz Combo and Jazz Big Band will be performing that night. The Jazz Combo comprises of eight musicians, collectively focusing on small-group jazz and improvisation.
Mick Flannery, a contemporary folk musician from Ireland, will be stopping by local Davis venue Third Space on Nov. 15. Before becoming an internationally-renowned artist, Flannery was a budding folk and blues fan that grew up in a music-oriented family.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, SFJAZZ Collective, a San Francisco-based eight-piece ensemble, will perform at the Mondavi Center on Oct. 23. The group is comprised of eight musicians: alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Obed Calvaire.
Reviews
I got my first impression of Kaz Mirblouk's music in a cramped, upstairs makeshift bedroom in San Francisco. I was there for a house show, but it felt more like a labyrinth with its lack of light, closed-in walls and winding staircase.
Without a doubt, Baths is making a statement in the music world, especially after touring alongside noteworthy acts, such as The Postal Service. Behind the moniker is 25-year-old Will Wiesenfeld from Southern California, experimenting with beats and electronic music since the age of 14.
Kaleidoscopic melodies. Candid lyrics. Glorious reverb. Best Coast has done it again with its latest release, Fade Away, which hit stores on October 22. Through its seven songs, the mini-album recounts all too familiar feelings, but not without evoking the need to dance first.
fun. at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre (9/6/13) | A Review After seeing fun. at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre, I've found myself, most nights, wishing to just relive it all. From the set list, to the on-stage shenanigans, to the togetherness of the crowd, everything about the show played out beautifully.
ALBUM REVIEW: Damage | Jimmy Eat World "Thank you honey for reminding me how long you can stay with someone and never see." Jimmy Eat World's latest album, Damage, is love at first listen. Or if not love, then sepia-toned nostalgia for a reality once invincible.
BATHS at the Great American Music Hall | A Review Will Wiesenfeld, also known as Baths, has a talent for crafting rich melodies laced with bittersweet lyrics. I had the pleasure of attending the Baths show at the Great American Music Hall-the last stop of his headlining tour.
Everyone, meet Sanders Bohlke. I had the pleasure of seeing him live this past Saturday at the Great American Music Hall. While that had been my first encounter with his music, it certainly felt like no stranger. I would say that I instantly warmed up to his songs, but that still implies having taken some time.
Published Creative Writing
Two-man Saw Laced with poison oak, pines lie like pick-up sticks round the new cabin. Teen-age brothers come one weekend with a rusty two-man saw. Much later in his life, while in an act of love, the younger will recall the sweaty push and pull, a pungent ooze of pitch, the both of them panting.