Weekender: Picnic Day Brings Arts — Maggots, Dance, Chalked-up Horse and More

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fashion show photo
The UC Picnic Day Fashion Show is always one of the most popular events. Dozens of arts events abound at Picnic Day. (UC Davis Photo by Karin Higgins).

Seams Unreal 2019 Picnic Day Fashion Show highlights day

Whether it’s traditional art viewing (all the UC Davis museums are open) or something different (seeing a horse anatomically chalked up; or maggot art, perhaps), or listening to every kind of music you can imagine, UC Davis’ 105th Picnic Day offers plenty for those who want to experience the arts on Saturday.

The Arts Blog has done the work for you, putting all Picnic Day art events in one place. Here.

What better way to kick off Picnic Day than to attend the once-a-year fashion show? All collections and single garments are made by UC Davis students. Design students’ creations hit the runway for the fashion show “Seams Unreal”  at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets always sell out fast, but livestreaming is available if you do not get tickets.

ARC Ballroom
Shows start at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Tickets required. 

Museums

At the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Picnic Day will be the last day that the Bruce Nauman exhibition is on view, but Xicanx runs through May 9. Manetti Shrem Museum, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stop by for art viewing, art enjoying, and art making. Join in the fun under the Bill and Nancy Roe Grand Canopy for creative activities in the shade and/or visit exhibitions.

See the exhibition “Weaving & Woodwork: A Scandinavian Design Partnership” at the Design Museum, Cruess Hall, Noon to 4 p.m. Catch C.N. Gorman Museum of Native American Art; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hart Hall, “Comings and Goings: Works on Paper with Rick Bartow.”

Join the (Dance) Revolution

Cheer on your favorite dancing Aggies at the Pavilion as they compete to take home top prize in either modern or traditional dance styles. Organized by the UC Davis Center for Student Involvement, Davis Dance Revolution is an annual competition that takes place in the evening hours.

WHERE: ARC Pavilion
WHEN: 7-10 p.m.

Battle of the Bands and more music

Ali vs. Frazier, Batman vs. Superman, Apple vs. Samsung — all pale in comparison to the showdown that is the UC Davis “Battle of the Bands.” Celebrating more than 40 years of tradition, the Battle of the Bands pits our own Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh against college bands from elsewhere in the state.

Bands will gather on the lawn in front of Mrak Hall. Bring plenty of food, beverage and maybe even a jacket, because this showdown can go well past sundown.

WHERE: Mrak Hall lawn
WHEN: 2-10 p.m. (or until the last band is standing)

battle of the bands

Music Expedition and Facility Tours

From 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Pitzer Hall, graduate students and other experts will show off music instruments from around the world. From Indonesia to Australia, to Europe, there are a lot of instruments to see.

At noon, there will be a short music concert on the recital hall stage with music students of UC Davis. 

Other artsy events

Fun with the Entomology Club

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Briggs Hall

Insect face art with non-toxic water-based paints. Interactive insect displays.

Maggot Art

9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Briggs Hall

Children (and grown-ups!) will get to create beautiful pieces of art using live maggots dipped in non-toxic paint.

Seed Art

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Plant and Environmental Sciences

Create your very own seed art.

At the Library: More than just books; art too

  • Three exhibits on view at Shields Library: Whole Earth Festival 50th anniversary, Harry Potter, and 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. Plus coloring sheets – artistic fun for kids of all ages! More information here.

Painted Horse

Muscles will be painted on a Morgan horse as a live illustration of equine anatomy. Cole Facility, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Much more on the Picnic Day Calendar

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