Davis has a habit of putting music in places you were already headed. A Saturday coffee run can come with a jazz trio on the patio. Musicians play while people shop at the farmers market. A weekday lunch break can include a noon concert at UC Davis.
You can sit quietly in a recital hall, catch part of a set while running errands, sing karaoke or bring an instrument and join a jam.
Coffee, Dinner and Music Downtown
Cloud Forest Cafe uses its patio for Saturday at the Patio, a seasonal series that brings in local and regional musicians. Jazz fits the space well, but the lineup also makes room for blues, folk, rock and Latin-influenced music. People gather around the patio tables, and passersby sometimes stop to listen.
The café serves coffee, breakfast and lunch during its regular daytime hours. The performances begin after food and drink service has closed, though, so plan on coming for the music rather than ordering during the show.
A few blocks away, Comasocial offers a night-out version of the experience. It is a restaurant and bar, so dinner and drinks can be part of the evening. Free Jazz Night brings musicians to the floor-level performance area, and the broader calendar includes bands, DJs, dancing, karaoke and open mics. Some events are free and others are not, making the individual listing worth a quick look.
Music also turns up in places where you might have gone for records or art. Armadillo Music holds performances, DJ sets and album listening events inside the record store. The Bootleg beer bar shares the space, and the monthly KDRT Suds & Sounds Mixer gives people a chance to meet community-radio volunteers and pick out a record to spin.
At John Natsoulas Gallery, jazz shares the evening with poetry and visual art. Jazz Beat Nights include an open mic, and the Davis Jazz Beat Festival spreads music, readings and performances through the multi-floor gallery.
A Recital Hall, a Park or a Place on Stage
A free concert can still feel like a formal concert. The Ann E. Pitzer Center at UC Davis has a 399-seat recital hall designed for music, and its Shinkoskey Noon Concerts offer an easy way to hear faculty members, students and visiting artists. Programs include classical music, jazz, contemporary compositions and musical traditions connected to many parts of the world.
Other events barely ask you to change your plans. Musicians play during the Saturday farmers market at Central Park, so you can hear part of a set while making the usual market rounds or stay nearby and listen. Picnic in the Park adds bands to the Wednesday evening market during its season. Festivals and community celebrations bring still more music to the park.
Participation is part of the free calendar too. Folk musicians gather on Wyatt Deck in the UC Davis Arboretum, beneath the redwoods. The Melon Ball inside Watermelon Music hosts open mics, karaoke, guitar circles and ensemble gatherings. Three Mile Brewing Co. has karaoke in its small G Street taproom, and Odd Fellows Hall supports musicians through donations at its Thursday Live! concerts.
Many park, gallery, shop and university events welcome all ages. Bars and lounges may be limited to guests 21 and over, and “free” sometimes means the organizers will pass a hat for the performers. The event listing will usually tell you what to expect.
See What’s Playing
Free shows are often announced after the week is already underway. What’s Happening in Davis Today is the quickest check when you are making plans now. The full Free Shows and Events calendar looks farther ahead.
Image: West Coast Jazz Lounge at Cloud Forest Cafe Patio
