Art, Music, Entertainment

Register for a Connection

Connections in this category focus on artistic expression and pop-culture interests. Learn more about each below and follow the instructions under each Connection to register.

A Whole New World: A Disney inspired exploration through our UC Davis campus!

Join us for an unforgettable magical carpet ride through a Disney-packed adventure on discovering all of your “theme parks” right here at UC Davis! We promise to sprinkle every week with pixie dust and map out fantastical themes that will relate to your Disneyland experience at UC Davis. We understand that UC Davis is not such a small world after all and we look forward to making it a place where all of your dreams do come true! P.S. Disney apparel and mickey ears are encouraged!

  • Day & Time: Thursdays (3:10-4:00pm); location TBD
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "A Whole New World" in AggieLife. 


Aggie Jam Sessions

If music is your passion and you're interested in finding out more about music opportunities at UC Davis, this Connection is for you! This is an inclusive experience open to all music lovers, musicians and non-musicians alike. Bring your instrument, bring your voice, or just clap or dance along! Non-musicians will even have access to small, hand-held instruments to easily join in the fun. Together we'll learn about opportunities to get involved in the variety of music ensembles, clubs, and personal music pursuits on campus. You'll also have the option to attend a concert at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Come meet other music lovers and destress while jamming out with your peers. Please note that weekly meetings will be taking place outdoors in a beautiful and relaxed public setting.

  • Day & Time: Fridays (10:00-10:50); Wyatt Deck
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this connection is now full. Please visit "Aggie Jam Sessions" in AggieLife to join the waitlist for this group.


Beyoncé: Feminism, Professionalism, Entrepreneurship, and Black Excellence

Beyoncé's trajectory from Houston, Texas as a member of the group Destiny's Child to international fame and superstardom and a successful career as a solo singer, actress, clothing designer and entrepreneur holds important implications for critical dialogues on femininity, fashion, philanthropy, money management, work ethic, and Black culture. Every class will examine a different part of her career and upbringing and will conclude with greater conversation about each subject.

We will talk about all the songs and music videos that showcase her pride in being a Black woman as well as all the times she made history for being the first Black person to accomplish a feat in the music, film, and business world. The purpose of this connection will be to bring together Aggies who love being a woman or people who enjoy celebrating strong women and their contributions to our society.


Everything Changed when the Aggie Airbenders United: An Avatar-Inspired Adventure of Self-Discovery and Growth

Yip yip! Join us on an adventure through the Avatar universe as we explore hope, truth, community, love, and purpose. As Aang and the rest of the Avatar team struggle to understand who they are, we too will dive into discovering values to live by and identities we hold. How do you face your fear and turn it into motivation? How do you bend to the truth and reality of life so that it doesn’t bend you? The world feels divided as the four nations in Avatar once were, but we have the power to make the best of our circumstances and live with purpose and for others. Building a more unified world starts with you.

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5:00pm); 2203 SS&H Building (Enter the Social Sciences & Humanities Building through the Letters & Sciences Deans’ Office entrance (arch and glass doors) across the street from Hickey Gym/A St field. Stairs and elevator are located just inside; proceed to second floor. Andrews is on the right side of the hall, 2203 SS&H)
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus.
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "Aggie Airbenders United" in AggieLife. 


I Arted: Creative Exploration Connection

Did you know the Manetti Shrem Museum offers free student events, weekend art activities, and chill study spaces? Best of all, admission is free! Join the “I Arted: Creative Exploration” Connection and get to know museum exhibitions, public art on campus, and other gems. Come express yourself through creative activities as you navigate your first year at UC Davis. This connection is open to all first-year students of any major!

  • Day & Time: Mondays (3:10-4:00pm); Parker Art Studio @ Manetti Shrem Museum
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "I Arted" in AggieLife.


Let’s Get Crafty

Let's get crafty! This Connection is an opportunity to learn introductory crafting techniques. Throughout the quarter we will spend time on different types of crafts. Based on participant feedback and interest, we have the possibility to cover sewing, and/or crochet. While crafting, we will discuss different topics such as the importance of crafting as a form of self-care and self-expression, how to craft on a budget, and the connection between crafting and identity exploration. Additionally, participants will learn where the Craft Center is and how to access it during their time at UC Davis.

  • Day & Time: Thursdays (4:10-5:00pm); 114 South Hall
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "Let's Get Crafty" in AggieLife. 


Pics or It Didn’t Happen: Capturing Your First Year Through Photography

Is your Instagram feed fire and your snapchat & IG stories always blowing up? Whether you take your pics on your camera phone or a Digital SLR, this Connection is for you. Explore tools you need to navigate your first year at UC Davis while documenting every step of the way. #New2Davis #ourUCDavis #AggieInstaMeet

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5:00pm); 12 Mrak Hall
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "Pics or it Didn't Happen" in AggieLife.


Piñatas and Pals!

Around the world, throughout different cultures and times periods, the piñata has symbolized celebration and is rooted in the tradition of honoring momentous occasions. Join this unique group to meet new friends, become more familiar with campus, and have fun making and destroying piñatas as you celebrate the start of your journey at UCD!

We will spend our time crafting and pummeling our handmade piñatas while letting loose and relieving some stress. Please be aware, we will be walking around during each week's meeting, exploring new parts of campus together, in search of prime piñatas locations. This will give us an opportunity to talk about the ups and downs of life as a 1st-year student while learning about various campus resources. Through this unique, fun, and de-stressing opportunity, we aim to honor you and your new connection to UCD; it’s time to celebrate!

  • Day & Time: Wednesdays (11:00-11:50am); Shields Library front patio
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "Piñatas & Pals" in AggieLife.


Star Wars - The Course Awakens

Listen up you scruffy looking nerf-herders - This Connection is about the choices made by the Star Wars characters, choices you make, and the impact on your academic life. Did you choose to get a high grade by working for it …or was it your destiny? The path to success in college is not always the easy one and it always begins with training. (You must be a Padawan before you can be Master). Just as Yoda trained Luke, you too must find the pathway.

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5:00pm); Death Star (Social Sciences & Humanities building), conference room 273
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "The Course Awakens" in AggieLife.


The BTS Way: Leading with humility and authenticity to change the world

This connection takes students on a ‘beyond the scene’ journey exploring the leadership of BTS. Billions around the world know their faces, catchy tunes, and slick dance moves but, underneath, there are 7 leaders whose authenticity and unwavering displays of vulnerability have created a global community that values self-love, optimism, and hope. Utilizing their music, individual characteristics and talents, and numerous campaigns that have sparked social activism, this Connection will help you 1) distinguish what it means to be a ‘leader’ and to engage in ‘leadership’; 2) explore your identity, strengths, and unique talents; 3) examine the effects of teamwork and interdependence; and 4) learn how love and compassions are radical tools to create social change. Come ready to engage and have fun as we embrace the BTS Way of leading!

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (5:10-6:00pm); 1310 The Grove
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Register for "The BTS Way" in AggieLife.