Society, Arts & Culture Content

How Can Reducing Stigma for Non-traditional Romantic Relationships Benefit Everyone?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 30, 2026 - 3:44pm

Not all romantic relationships between consenting adults involve only two people. For nearly one-fifth of U.S. adults at some point in their life, those relationships have included three or more.

Having more than one romantic partner at time, with the consent of all involved, is called “consensual non-monogamy.” While it’s much more common than most people realize, people who practice it face stigma and prejudice.

Weekender: Symphony Holds Spring Concert; Design Museum Symposium; Last Call for Backstory

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 30, 2026 - 7:12am

UC Davis Symphony Orchestra performs classics, contemporary works in spring concert

7 p.m., Friday, May 1, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis

In a concert titled “Orbiting Spheres,” the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra explores three unique orchestral works under the baton of conductor Matilda Hofman. The concert is Friday, May 1 at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and begins at 7 p.m.

Restoration of Paintings Can Reveal What the Artist Intended

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 28, 2026 - 10:02am

Mark Tucker, a UC Davis alum and conservator, visited UC Davis as the Art History department’s guest speaker on “The Challenges of Altered Paintings” in April, explaining how restoration can reveal art in new ways for viewers.

Weekender: Stick and Bow Concert, Saxophone, Danzantes del Alma and More

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 23, 2026 - 10:17am

Stick and Bow at noon concert

Thursday, April 23, Pitzer Center, UC Davis

Yolo County Basic Income Program Provided Reprieve from Poverty but Not Financial Independence

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 22, 2026 - 8:33am

A basic income program in Yolo County — one of the first such programs nationwide — lifted unhoused families above the California poverty line for two years. Families could, for a while, spend less time worrying about money and more time being a family, according to new University of California, Davis, research.

The program provided a monthly stipend to 76 mostly single-parent families between 2022 and 2024, helping them gain housing, food and general wellbeing for two years.

Weekender: Concerts, Art History Lecture, and More

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 16, 2026 - 9:39am

Here is a guide to activities through this weekend. For a guide to Picnic Day art themes for Saturday, including the FADS Fashion Show and the return of the Gong, go to the Picnic Day special blog here. Karen Nikos-Rose, Arts Blog Editor

Arts at Picnic Day: The Gong Returns, Fashion, More

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 15, 2026 - 10:13am

As is always the case, the more than 200 events and exhibitions at Picnic Day can be a bit overwhelming. But if you want to just partake in the UC Davis arts this Saturday, April 18, there’s plenty to enjoy. And all the campus museums will be open. We also tell you how to learn about all Picnic Day events. Karen Nikos-Rose, Arts Blog Editor

Weekender: Music, Live Sound Installation, Art

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — April 02, 2026 - 9:52am

(This week's Arts Blog covers two weeks, as I'm on vacation next week. Please watch for a special Picnic Day weekender the week of April 13. Enjoy!

How Did a Law from 150 Years Ago Change Voting Rights Today?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — March 30, 2026 - 1:53pm

Tati King and Toni Johnson both lost their right to vote after drug-related felony convictions. Even though both have served their prison sentences, the Virginia state constitution imposes a lifetime voting ban on anyone convicted of any felony unless restored by the state’s governor.

Media Experts on Economic Issues: Gas Prices, Inflation, Stock Market

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — March 26, 2026 - 10:07am

The following University of California, Davis, sources are available to share expertise with media on various aspects of the economy, including climbing gas prices. Specific lists on trade (including supply chain), poverty and minimum wage are linked at the bottom. See also the overall federal issues experts list. This list was updated in 2026.