After the doors close and the lights go out at the Cloud Forest Cafe in downtown Davis on a Saturday afternoon, musicians set up on the patio for a free show. The sidewalks are still bustling from the famous Davis Farmers Market and the bike lanes are full because, well it’s Davis.

On D Street, between 2nd and 3rd streets, The Cloud Forest Cafe serves the morning and lunch crowds. The owner, T.H., is a live music lover and formerly managed a music venue. So, after the lunch is finished, the Cafe’s patio converts to a stage and hosts local musicians during the busiest day of the downtown Davis week. The patio is on a quieter block, so amplified sound can fill the area and carry over to the passersby down on busy 3rd Street.

The patio space is large enough to accommodate a 4-piece band with amplifiers and is slightly elevated above the sidewalk. The area is shaded by many tall trees that keep the performers cool and the audience too who may sit in the chairs that are set up on the sidewalk, or who are just passing by exploring the shady block. The quiet street even allows car passengers the time to slow and roll down the window to catch a bit of the show.

The shade keeps the heat at bay for mild spring and fall days, but the summer heat will overwhelm that protection. T.H. plans to stop hosting music during the hot months to avoid bringing musicians and the audience into an uncomfortable situation. The music will then pick up again in the fall for the mild weather.

We played from 4pm to 5:30 on a pleasant March afternoon. This was during Spring Break so the streets were less crowded, but that made for easier parking to unload gear near the Cafe. We played for a rotating group of people as they would stop for a bit to enjoy a song or two and then carry on with their Saturday. The atmosphere was very relaxed.

The venue suits the downtown Davis vibe which is full of public art. Murals, sculptures, galleries, and street performers fill the nooks and crannies of the little grid. For any visitor to the Saturday farmer’s market, this free show is another little surprise to make their day.