Totally impressed that this theater group is run entirely by students. They put on plays as well as…read moremusicals complete with a band. Not only are all the actors students, but the artistic staff are also comprised of students and recent alumni. I have seen their productions of the play 'Spring Awakening' as well as the rock opera musical 'Rent'. I was impressed by the caliber of acting talent in 'Spring Awakening' -- their performance evoked a lot of emotion in a very challenging play. Before seeing 'Rent' I was dubious that a student group would be able to pull off an intense rock musical, but they did a great job. The theater itself is very unique -- Wyatt Pavillion used to be a barn -- so the director has to be particularly creative with the space. The front half of the stage is surrounded by the audience, and there is a tall platform that actors can access from backstage or by employing a ladder. The blocking (staging, in actor speak) was well-done, especially in 'Rent', which demands several different spaces for all the stories going on in the show at once. The student group takes on the challenges of each show and owns them. Mad props! They will all be fantastic when they move beyond college theater into the world of professional theater. TIP: Good theater always makes for an awesome date night.

Studio 301 Productions is an incredibly talented, student-run theatre group on the UC Davis campus…read more In the past couple of years they have put on several big name plays and musicals, including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Urinetown, The Pillowman, and Spring Awakening. It's definitely worth a visit to Davis to check them out. Their productions are top notch, with quality that far surpasses most other local theatres in the Sacramento area.

The DMTC is a super cool little theater tucked away in east Davis! I had never been before and…read moreshowed up for an evening production of Little Shop of Horrors. Something that sets it apart from other community theaters is the setup of the stage and audience, which feels more intimate than most theaters do. I really enjoyed that they also have a live orchestra. The staff are all super friendly and helpful and the performances and drinks are affordable. I'll definitely be back!

Came to see Into the Woods for our first time attending a DMTC production. It was well done with…read moresome solid talent. Ticket prices can't be beat and the theater is cute! Not a bad seat in the house. Only complaint was the orchestra/pit. It's under the stage and the actors have to rely on a camera broadcasting to a TV behind the audience to keep an eye on the conductor. For a show with such a technically tricky score as Into the Woods, it proved difficult to keep the cast on key and tempo. Also, I think the musicians made some frequent errors whixh pulled me out of the magic and pushed me into "come on, you can do it" anxious mode. That was the only bummer, though.

My sister & I were eating dinner downtown on Sat 4/11 when we decided to treat ourselves by seeing…read moreZZTush $35pp. This is such a cool small venue. I spoke with Paul to see where we should stand to dance, so we wouldn't be blocking anyone's view. He said off to the left side of the stage near the bar, which worked out perfectly since we wanted to order drinks and have a place to set them down. We both got a Long Island Iced Tea $15ea., which wasn't cheap but Jason was a wonderful bartender. The drinks were good & strong! Both Nicole & Jason from Preserve took great care of us at the bar.

We walked past the entrance to Winters Opera House at least twice before we saw a sign indicating…read morethat it was upstairs. Not wanting to negotiate stairs we searched for and found the elevator. Once on the second floor, we learned that we were a half an hour early. Fortunately, there were a couple of chairs. While we waited other people arrived. We discussed the upcoming show and the venue. At the appropriate time we were allowed to go into the opera house. There is not a bad seat in the house. We found a small table with a bowl snacks. I purchased a couple of drinks from the small bar. The show was excellent with very good acoustics. We will return to Winters Opera House when we can.

I've been here twice for concerts and have been extremely pleased with the venue and the overall…read moreexperiences I've had. The campus is gorgeous that it sits on and the Center is absolutely beautiful inside. What I love most about the seating inside is that it's designed well with comfortable seats that aren't crammed together and you can actually enjoy the show. There are vents under each seat to keep you cool, which is also a plus on warmer seasons. The sound quality here is absolute perfection as well and I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't feel the same way as I do about this wonderful venue! What a true gift it is to have near us! Oh, the parking here is great as well and so are the attendants!!!

I'll start with a disclaimer: the Mondavi Center typically hosts classical and jazz…read moreperformances--great quality, just not the genres I usually listen to. Because of that, even though I've lived nearby for more than 20 years, I never made it out to a show. I finally made an exception to see the legendary Herbie Hancock at Jackson Hall, the larger venue that seats about 1,800 people. Even from the upper section, the sound was phenomenal. The acoustics are honestly some of the best I've experienced. The one downside to sitting up there is the seating layout: the rows are tight, and unlike other sections, there are no aisles. If someone in the middle needs to step out, the entire row--around 20 people on each side--has to shuffle to make room. Not ideal, especially for long shows without an intermission. Parking is close, but even on a Sunday (when parking is usually free), the lot across from the venue charged $19. Drinks are allowed inside only if they have lids, and there are no cupholders at the seats. Minor things, but they add up. Jackson Hall is a beautiful venue, and it definitely carries a "posh" or "elite" reputation that seems fairly accurate--it feels geared toward a more academic crowd. I probably won't return soon based on the current lineup, but seeing Herbie Hancock there was absolutely worth it.

WOW! This event was a blast! I had so much fun. I wish there was an event in Sonoma County with the…read moreDueling Pianos. They were so talented and hilarious! Thanks for a great time!

We hired Jason and Dave to play a 300+-person event with attendees' ages ranging from early 20s to…read morelate 70s. It can be a challenge to find music to grip an audience that spans so many generations and tastes, but Jason and Dave were up to the task nonetheless. It was so much fun watching them work the room, raising the vibes and warming people up to the concept of a Dueling Pianos show. They were playful, encouraging guests to request songs while artfully delivering their own renditions of so many great tunes across genres from classic rock to modern hip-hop. People were singing and dancing along for hours. Jason was such a pleasure to work with - a consummate professional who made each step of the way as easy as possible for us to go through. In a post-event survey, many of our guests noted the Dueling Pianos was a highlight for them. A Modern Dueling Pianos show is just pure fun. So if you like fun, you won't be disappointed entrusting Jason with the entertainment for your next event.

I have never been to a lavender farm before, and this one is beautiful! It smelled so good!! I…read moreopted to add the U pick, and it's a souvenir that I will keep forever! We have it drying in our garage, and we take a whiff of it everyday :) Beware: there are a lot of bees!! I also got their lavender lemonade, and it was so refreshing! The people that work here are so friendly, too.

We drove over an hour to visit your Araceli Farm lavender farm because we were looking forward to…read moretaking photos in the lavender fields. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the fields were poorly maintained, with a significant amount of weeds, making them unsuitable for photography and very different from what we expected. We did not take the tour because the condition of the property did not meet our expectations. We also waited for the manager to come speak with us, but no one ever came. Given our experience, we respectfully request a full refund for three people. We also believe visitors should not be charged while the fields are in this condition, as they do not provide the experience that is being advertised. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to your response.

This rustic theater used to be a barn!…read more Nestled in the woodsy UC Davis campus, the grand trees surrounding the Wyatt Pavilion really make it picturesque. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wyatt-pavillion-davis?select=3bB22cpFBl0iPFGH40O97g#YBOoUGak_3Io_Q-WotRl8A) Parking is aplenty in the two lots just off Old Davis Drive. Inside, the theater grants a unique experience. The seats surround the stage on 3 sides, granting the audience a deeper perspective. This view seems to encourage the actors to take their performances to the next level, as they have to be conscious of their expressions and actions from all angles. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wyatt-pavillion-davis?select=3bB22cpFBl0iPFGH40O97g#c6SybqnrQ2TPjODc-sufdQ) This past weekend I had the pleasure of watching my good friend in the title role of Richard III, which was a product of the UC Davis Theatre Department's "Shakespeare on a Shoestring" project. The final battle scene is viewable from all seats in the audience. This photo captures the intensity of the play, which incorporated modern 'urban' costume elements and lots of rhythm. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wyatt-pavillion-davis?select=3bB22cpFBl0iPFGH40O97g#hjwRqQoFqbtJmTaquTCxdA) I have seen several productions done here by both the student-directed group 301 Productions and the UC Davis Theatre Department, and have been impressed by the choices the directors have made using the stage. They creatively utilized all spaces, including a raised platform about 10 feet high at the back of the stage and staircases that lead up to this platform and offstage. The only downsides: 1. The pillars of death, should you be so unlucky to sit behind them. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wyatt-pavillion-davis?select=3bB22cpFBl0iPFGH40O97g#s6SxsqV9uZjTEbufk-wzDg) 2. The horrible back-beating seats. The cushion doesn't quite reach the back of the chair, so you either have to slouch down so your butt lines up with the cushion, --OR-- force your butt into the crack at the back of the cushion. Which would you prefer? 3. There is no food within quick walking distance. If you're making a 2 - 2.5 hour commitment to watch a show, definitely bring some food! During intermission I inhaled a bag of chips like a voracious raccoon. Despite these setbacks, the shows have been incredible. Overall, Wyatt Pavilion creates an intimate theater experience that can't be missed!