Mother Earth gets lit

Since the 1920s, April has gotten something of a bad rap as being the “cruelest month.” (Word on the street is that T.S. Eliot guy was a real grump.) But if you are not a depressive poet and also don’t suffer from debilitating springtime allergies, it’s a pretty swell time, what with all the life bursting forth, the sun becoming increasingly sun-like, and those almost-river-weather vibes permeating the air. ’Tis the season for celebrating the earthly wonders of the planet (try as we might to constantly eff it up). Behold, ways to get down with Mother Earth this week around the city:

UC Davis’ 102nd annual Picnic Day kicks off at noon on Saturday, April 16, with over 200 events taking place on campus; there will be standard festival-type things (a parade, live music, food vendors) of course, but events of the keep-Davis-weird variety, too (cockroach races, a liquid nitrogen ice cream demonstration and chemistry magic show, to name a few). As always, attendance is free and turnout is expected to be massive (just under 10,000 people have RSVP’d on Facebook as of this printing). Check out https://picnicday.ucdavis.edu for more information.

Back in Sacramento proper, on Tuesday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be the annual Earth Day Celebration 2016 in Cesar Chavez Park (910 I Street). Though Earth Day is officially Friday, April 22, why not take the opportunity to celebrate early? There will be live music and vendors, with an emphasis on education and how the community can be continue to work on being green.

Speaking of green, everyone’s favorite unofficial holiday, 4/20, is also this week, (on Wednesday, April 20, in case that needs to be made clear, in which case you probably don’t need to “celebrate” any more than you already have). And while there doesn’t appear to be any massive citywide celebration planned like there is in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco every year, take the opportunity to get creative. For instance, you could: Ingest via your method of choice, go to Nationwide Freezer Meats (1930 H Street) for a steak burger and a milkshake and then catch SNL alumn Brooks Wheelan at Punch Line Comedy Club (2100 Arden Way) at 8 p.m. and let the laughs just … happen, man. Visit www.punchlinesac.com for more info.