Things to do in Sacramento

Denise Masunaga, the long-time owner of Madam Butterfly boutique in Pavilions shopping center in Sacramento, allowed her enthusiasm for her newest venture to spill over in a phone call Thursday to The Bee.

"I'm so excited!" she said.

That's because, in the middle of economic angst in the world of retail, she's doing a mini expansion.

"We are partnering with Article salon and spa at the Fountains (in Roseville)," Masunaga says. "We're opening a 'mini' version of Madam Butterfly and we're calling it MBMB (Madam Butterfly Mini Boutique). It will be in the front portion of the salon. We're thrilled to bring our MB look to Article. It will be a full hair meets fashion concept."

The mini boutique will officially open Sunday around 10 a.m. After that, it will maintain the same hours as the salon. If you can't make it out to Roseville for some apres-Halloween shopping, Masunaga says MBMB will host its grand opening from 7 to 10 p.m. next Friday.

This is a great partnership that's sure to liven things up at the Fountains. The address? 1182 Roseville Parkway, Suite 120, between Z Gallerie and Tres Agaves.

Loomis' annual Cowpoke Fall Gathering, a nationally-recognized festival of cowboy poetry and more, is adding Sunday Cowboy Church to its line-up this year.

In addition, the headliner for the gathering is Baxter Black, a noted poet and frequent public radio commentator.

The festival runs Nov. 12-15 and includes the following events:

Kick-off reception, Nov. 12, 6 p.m. $30
First performance, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. $35 general admission, $45 reserved seating
Open Mic, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. Free
Matinee performance, Nov. 14, 1 p.m. $25 adults/$10 kids
Western barbecue and stage coach rides, Nov. 14, 3-6 p.m.
Final performance, Nov. 14 - already sold out
Cowboy Church, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.

Most (but not all) events will be at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed, 3550 Taylor Rd., Loomis.

For more information on locations, performers and sponsors, see www.cowpokefallgathering.com or www.soplacerheritage.org or call (916) 652-4480.

New or emerging writers are invited to submit work for the fourth William Saroyan International Prize for Writing.

A $5,000 award will be given for both newly published fiction (such as novels, short story collections and drama) and newly published non-fiction (memoirs, portraits and excursions into neighborhood and community, in the Saroyan tradition.)

The competition's launch was announced this week by Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation.

Deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2010. Official forms and rules can be found at www.saroyanprize.stanford.edu

Previous winners of the Saroyan Prize are Jonathan Safran Foer for his novel "Everything is Illuminated," George Hagen for his novel "The Laments," Mark Arax and Rick Wartzman for their non-fiction work "The King of California," Nicole Krauss for her novel "The History of Love" and Kiyo Sato for the non-fiction "Dandelion Through the Crack."

The Fresno-born Saroyan wrote the 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning play "The Time of Your Life," several short story collections, including "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze," and such novels as "The Human Comedy." He won an Academy Award in 1943 for his screen adaptation of "The Human Comedy."

He founded the William Saroyan Foundation in 1966. Its board of trustees offered his entire literary estate to Stanford University in 1990.

Saroyan died in Fresno in 1981.

The California Automobile Museum is looking for folks who are crazy about cars, for its next docent-training class.

The 21-week session starts Jan. 7. A $95 fee covers course materials and includes a one-year individual membership in the California Vehicle Foundation.

Scholarships are available.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and need not know much about cars going in. Once they graduate, the new docents will serve two four-hour shifts a month for two years, working as volunteer teachers and tour guides at the museum.

The California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St., Sacramento, contains a unique collection of vehicles dating to the early 1900s.

For more information: (916) 442-6802, 21Q
www.CalAutoMuseum.org

A Sacramento Poetry Festival will bring more than 15 featured poets, plus music and song, to the Guild Theater for a five-hour event Nov. 13.

"In other cities, they have these festivals and marathons all the time," said Terry Moore, who dreamed up the event.

He wanted to bring together academic poets with the spoken word and slam poets, "kind of like a gumbo," he said.

Doing the event in the restored Guild makes it more grand than a coffee house, Moore said.

Hoping to entice whole families to come - Moore is associated with the Center for Fathers and Families - he wanted to make the event more affordable than other events he's seen.

"They just don't have it," he said. "Five bucks is a lot." So this will only be $2.

Featured poets will be scheduled in groups, with a different group every hour. In the middle, the event will feature a musical break from the action.

The Theater is at 2828 35th Street in Sacramento and the event begins at 6 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the Sacramento Poetry Center and the Center for Fathers and Families.

The Crocker Art Museum has announced another major gift - a collection of important Bay area abstract expressionist works - that will be showcased next year when the museum's $100 million expansion is completed.

The George Y. and LaVona J. Blair Collection consists of nearly 400 paintings and sculptures by some 200 artists, including Ernest Briggs, Edward Dugmore and Lawrence Calcagno.

The works characterize the ideals of a momentous period in mid-20th century American art and mark the West Coast's emergence as leading force in the art world, according to a statement issued by the museum.

George Blair fell in love with the California style of abstract art while attending school in San Francisco on the G.I. Bill. It was then he began to build his collection.

"Recent years have brought a reassessment of the works by California's abstract expressionist artists and an appreciation of the importance of this school in the history of American art," says Scott Shields, the museum's chief curator. "The Blair collection is extremely important to the Crocker because it represents a pivotal era that has been lacking in our collection of California art. Thanks to the Blairs' generous gift, we are able to offer a broad survey of artistic development in California since 1945."

Let's face it, if you're a musician and you're throwing a Halloween party you will need to play some scary tunes.

Fortunately, most of this sheet music is easy to find.

Most can be bought online - either at the music publisher or at an online sheet music outlet like Music Room and Sheet Music Plus.

Below is a list of available titles of popular Halloween music, and their publishers:

* Twilight (Hal Leonard)

* Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Alfred Music Publishing)

* The Halloween Songbook* (Hal Leonard) - Features hits like The Addams Family Theme, Monster Mash, and Purple People Eater, etc..

* Cat Prowl (The FJH Music Company Inc)

* La Ronde des Lutins (Dance of the Goblins), Op. 25 (Edition Kunzelmann)

* Pumpkin Dance (The FJH Music Company Inc)

* The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Amsco Publications)

* Corpse Bride (Alfred Music Publishing)

* Wicked (Hal Leonard)

* Thriller (Alfred Music Publishing)

Nick D./"The Martha Stewart Show"

If you've been perusing any of the fall fashion magazines, it's hard to bypass the ads for designer Ralph Lauren's fabulous apparel for women and men. Lauren is a master of both design and fabric, and these collections no doubt exceed even the most devoted Lauren fan's expectations.

Today and Saturday - from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Pavilions shopping center (off Fair Oaks Boulevard in Sacramento) will present the fall 2009 Purple and Black label collections with a special appearance by Lael Wheeler, vice president of the Ralph Lauren label. He'll be available to answer questions about both collections, and customers will receive $200 off a purchase of $1,000 or more. As a bonus, this offer is good through Halloween - just in case you want to dress up as an uber-fashionista! For more info: (916) 922-7656.

Also in the works:

• Trunk show:
Serendipity Boutique's Roseville store will host a one-day trunk show Saturday featuring the KKPW Designs jewelry collection.The jewelry line was launched several years ago by a Sacramento couple, Shannon and Kevin Culmo, whose necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are one of a kind. In fact, according to their Web site, no two pieces are the same, and only one original design is sold. The trunk show is from noon to 4 p.m. at the store, 1182 Roseville Parkway in the Fountains shopping center. For more information: (916) 788-1488.

• Check out 'Martha':
On Monday's "The Martha Stewart Show" it will be all about Halloween (my own personal favorite holiday). The "audience" for the show (11 a.m., Channel 3) will be mostly four-footed: creatively costumed pets and their owners. This is Martha's first-ever "pet-centric" Halloween show, and she'll have none other than fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi (pictured) as her guest. He'll be on hand to host a pet fashion show. Martha's dogs are sure to walk the catwalk - no pun intended.

It takes a very special beauty contestant to maintain her poise while also decomposing and craving flesh.

The Sacramento Horror Film Festival will honor such exceptional women at its "Zombie Beauty Contest" Friday night. Mike Hampton, author of the "Hot Zombie Chicks" comic book, will serve as emcee and pose questions to each contestant.

"The contestants should answer in a zombie way," says Tim Meunier, founder of the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, running tonight through Sunday at the Colonial Theatre on Stockton Boulevard.

In other words, "world peace" remains the appropriate response to any question posed on-stage, just as it does in other beauty contests. In this case, however, this message should be delivered in a monotone while staring blankly into the middle distance.

The 2009 contest features a returning favorite in Sacramento actress Stephanie Hyden ("Monster From Bikini Beach"). Named top zombie beauty at the 2007 and 2008 Sac Horror Film Festivals, Hyden will face a round of newcomers who want a piece of her.

"I really go for entertaining the audience," said Hyden, 24, explaining her past success. While on-stage, Hyden said, one must look "as if you are always thinking about your next meal."

Her first time out, Hyden sported a "secretary outfit" and had her body airbrushed to create a veins-a-poppin' look. Last year, she wore a short 1980s prom dress accessorized by zombie-bleak contact lenses. Her 2009 ensemble, she promises, will be "something nobody else will wear."

Contestants will be judged on their lack of intelligence as well as on their ability to mix Karo syrup and red food coloring. Both genders are welcome to compete.

"It's more about the overall presentation of yourself as a zombie," Meunier said. "It's who is the most beautiful zombie, and that can be a guy."

If the most stunning flesh eater of 2009 turns out to be male, he will enjoy a $300 gift certificate to Fallen Angel Tattoo - and an appearance in the pages of the Hot Zombie Chicks comic.

Sure, that second part might be awkward. But if there's one thing a zombie knows, it is how to do awkward.

Sacramento Horror Film Festival information
WHAT: The festival, in its third year, includes feature-length and short films, celebrity appearances and musical performances. Highlights: 7 p.m. tonight: "Lobotronic," a collection of vintage/odd 16-millimeter film clips hosted by TV horror host Mr. Lobo and companion The Queen of Trash;8 p.m. Friday, "Zombie Beauty Contest," followed by the inbred-in-bred hillbilly horror film "Albino Farm," which will be accompanied by a Q&A with cast and crew, including pro wrestler Chris Jericho; 8 p.m Sunday: A zombie-heavy short-film program, followed by the 1980 serial-killer film "Maniac," with a live commentary by director William Lustig
WHERE: Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento
COST: $10 for individual shows; Friday pass, $20; Saturday pass, $28; Sunday pass, $25. $50 all-festival pass -- will have in blog but not hereTickets available at the Colonial box office and at R5 Records, 16th and Broadway, Sacramento

A grant of $25,000 from President Obama's stimulus package is already proving crucial to the Sacramento Philharmonic.

The funds will go toward offering five free family concerts in the Sacramento region, from the inner city to outlying areas like Orangevale.

"For us, the stimulus money is really crucial because part of what we do is provide concerts in the community. We lose money on these concerts. If we did not have that money the whole community aspect of what we do would have been cut," said Marc Feldman, executive director of the Sacramento Philharmonic.

The concerts will be given Dec. 3 through Dec. 7, with an interesting program that includes Igor Stravinsky's "A Soldier Tale", Francis Poulenc's "Masked Ball" and Bohuslav Martinu's "Kitchen Revue." The Stravinsky concert will see the first time that the orchestra partners with the B Street Theatre, with the theater providing a narrator.

The stimulus funds are dovetailing with $35,000 that the Philharmonic has received from Target for the presentation of the family concerts.

Of the $25,000, a minor portion - $7,000 - will be used to pay its community engagement manager Julian Dixon. The remainder will go toward the free family concerts, Feldman said.

"This is going to give 10 of our musicians a good long week of work," said Feldman.

The repertoire that conductor Michael Morgan and Feldman chose is not the regular family concert fare.

"We could have done a 'Peter and the Wolf' but that would not have challenged the musicians, and it certainly would not have challenged Michael," said Feldman.

When:
7:30 p.m., Dec 3 - Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, Natomas
8 p.m., Dec. 4 - Guild Theater, Oak Park
5 p.m. Dec 5 - Artisan Gallery, Del Paso Heights
3 p.m., Dec. 6 - Temple Or Rishon, Orangevale
7:30 p.m., Dec. 7 - B Street Theatre, Sacramento

The Sacramento Ballet has named Gregory B. Smith as its new executive director.

Smith, 60, replaces interim director Stephen Libman. Smith will assume the top post on Oct. 19.

A Long Beach native, Smith has more than 30 years experience in the arts, primarily with ballet companies and visual arts and performance centers.

He comes to Sacramento after eight months as executive director for the Cerritos-based Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, an organization that presents free arts programming.

Prior to that he was executive director with the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Mass., where he was credited with getting the organization into the black after several years of deficits.

"He comes to us with an enormous amount of experience," said the ballet's artistic director Ron Cunningham. "Greg was a dancer and choreographer and he has run ballet companies so he knows every aspect of what is involved in putting dance on stage."

"In addition, another appealing aspect is that he has also been executive director of other nonprofits in the arts and that kind of experience cannot be beat."

Smith said that he was drawn to the unique challenges that face the Sacramento Ballet, as well as opportunities for growth.

"I think we need to strengthen the position that we're in," Smith said. "The company just came through a difficult time last year, but has come through very well. We need to reinforce that and continue to look at the artistic growth of the company."

Smith feels that touring may be a fruitful outlet for the Sacramento Ballet.

"With a company like the Sacramento Ballet and the repertoire it has - there are many sources for additional performances," he said. "And with the established audience already here, I think slowly building touring opportunities could add to the financial stability of the company.

Smith has also worked as founding director of the Pacific Ballet Theater, a company with a budget of $50,000 that Smith grew into a national touring company. He was co-founder of Ballet Magnificat a company that performed under church sponsorship, which gave 250 performances in 26 states over a 2 1/2 years.

I'll be heading to Pavilions next Wednesday to grab a couple jars of Williams-Sonoma's coveted gravy base. That, and to inhale the great smells of holiday cooking.

Then, it's over to Julius clothing store for a special dual event. For women, Julius is hosting something called "A Day 4 U & Friends." The store will bring in experts offering all manner of fall makeup and hair trends, including the Bobbi Brown team from Macy's Downtown Plaza and local stylist Neill Soohoo. And what would a day of beauty be without the fashions to go with it. So guests also can peruse the new collections from Armani Collezioni, Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Michael Kors and Narciso Rodriguez. This event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And gentlemen, you're also included in the day's event - from noon to 5 p.m. Preview the fall collections from Ermenegildo Zegna, Etro, Armani Collezioni and, of course, designer John Varvatos. And, both men and women get an extra $200 off a purchase of $1,000 or more. This deal doesn't expire until Halloween.

Remember: Black clothing is always in style; orange, uh, not so OK. Julius is at 580 Pavilions Lane in Sacramento. For more info: (916) 929-0500.

Sacramento poetry publisher Roan Press is kicking off its second book, Zoe Keithley's "Crow's Song," with a release celebration at Luna's Cafe (1414-16th St. Sacramento) Saturday at 5 p.m.

"Crow's Song" is described as Keithley's meditation on a lifetime of relationships.

Roan Press' first book, "Swimming the Mirror: Poems for My Daughter," (2008) was recently awarded a first prize from the 2009 Writer's Digest Awards, the publisher announced. The book is by Roan Press managing editor and founder Brad Buchanan, an associate professor at CSU, Sacramento.

For more information on Roan Press and its books, see www.roanpress.com.

"The Spirit of Woodland," a 10-foot-tall sculpture adorned with ceramic self-portraits by local students and seniors, has been put up next to an Applebee's restaurant in Woodland.

The restaurant sponsored the work, and it was coordinated by artists Donna Billick and Terry Hollowell under the aegis of YoloArts. The sculpture is topped by a ceramic globe of the Earth.

A public dedication for the work will be held Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the restaurant, 1790 E. Main St. in Woodland. For more information, contact YoloArts at 530-406-4844.

When it comes to literary honors, the National Book Award completes a powerful triumvirate with the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Received separately or in conjunction, they can validate and/or greatly escalate a writer's career.
That's why the publishing industry is buzzing today:
The National Book Foundation has released the names of the finalists for this year's National Book Awards. Winners will be announced Nov. 18.
Nominees are:

Fiction
Bonnie Jo Campbell, "American Salvage"
Colum McCann, "Let the Great World Spin"
Daniyal Mueenuddin, "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders"
Jayne Anne Phillips, "Lark and Termite"
Marcel Theroux, "Far North"

Nonfiction
David M. Carroll, "Following the Water: A Hydromancer's Notebook"
Sean B. Carroll, "Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species"
Greg Grandin, "Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City"
Adrienne Mayor, "The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy"
T.J. Stiles, "The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt"

Poetry
Rae Armantrout, "Versed"
Ann Lauterbach, "Or to Begin Again"
Carl Phillips, "Speak Low"
Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, "Open Interval"
Keith Waldrop, "Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy"

Young People's Literature
Deborah Heiligman, "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith"
Phillip Hoose, "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice"
David Small, "Stitches"
Laini Taylor, "Lips Touch: Three Times"
Rita Williams-Garcia, "Jumped"

Don't miss my profile of Sacramento's own William T. Vollmann, a past winner of the National Book Award, on Sunday in the Living Here section.
- Allen Pierleoni

For many musicians, one of the most influential books about music performance has been Barry Green's "The Inner Game of Music".

Never one to stand on his laurels, Green is coming to Sacramento to lead an all day workshop on Nov. 14.

Green, who served as Principal Bassist of the Cincinnati Symphony for 28 years, will explore how musicians can overcome mental obstacles to performance. His "Inner Game of Music" is such a vital book for musicians that many colleges and universities make the book required reading for music majors.

Some of the techniques he will use include Green's humorous demonstration of the distracting inner voice.

The first half of the workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and explores "Inner Game" Techniques.

The second half runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and plumbs the issue of bringing music to life through breath, pulse and movement.

The workshop includes live coaching demonstrations with performers.

The workshop is open to all musicians and is sponsored by the American Guild of Organists.

WHEN: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Nov. 14
WHERE: St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2391 St. Marks Way, Sacramento
COST: $30 full day, includes lunch (students with I.D.: $25); $15 (half day-no lunch)
INFOMATION: 916-422-5168 or e-mail Nancy Metzger at nmetzger@rcip.com

Tuesday night's Lyle Lovett-John Hiatt concert at the Mondavi Center offered plenty of laughs along with great music.

Lovett, lyrically sly and soothing of voice, and Hiatt, bluesy, gritty and mesmerizing on acoustic guitar, complemented each other nicely. They occasionally dueted, but most often, one would sing while the other simply listened appreciatively.

Some of the most memorable moments happened between songs, when Hiatt and Lovett bantered about their music and their lives.

At one point, Lovett asked if the long-married Hiatt would clue him in to the secret to enduring love. After Hiatt answered with something semi-sincere, Lovett responded, "Oh, I thought it was about misrepresenting yourself."

Lovett then launched into "Her First Mistake," in which a fellow pretends to be a "sophisticated Northern man" to impress a woman.

Straight man for most of the evening, Hiatt delivered a few zingers after Lovett sang "Fiona," in which Lovett describes a beauty who is "skinny as a rail ... six feet high ... with just one eye."

The song, Hiatt commented, is "just so visual." He noted that although Lovett's description of Fiona's single eye might inspire some listeners to envision an eye patch, he sees her with "just the one eye." Hiatt then created a circle with his fingers and placed his hand to the middle of his forehead.

Lovett appeared to contemplate Hiatt's observation.

Was he way off base? Hiatt asked.

"No," replied Lovett, drier than dry. "I am just wondering when and where you knew her."

Walk the cobblestone streets and listen to stories about Sacramento's early days - and the spirits that still haunt its historic waterfront district.

Old Sacramento Ghost Tours return this weekend, for five nights, with costumed actors portraying characters - morticians, train robbers, politicians, a "soiled dove" and more - dating to the Gold Rush.

The tours are presented by the Old Sacramento Living History Program and Historic Old Sacramento Foundation.

"Most of the stories are true. They'll throw in a few that are just for fun," says Kristina Swanson, the foundation's deputy director.

"Some things that happened here were extraordinary and a little bit funny. It's real history, but the actors put a funny spin on it, so it's family-friendly. And they will throw in facts - that the town was raised 18 feet; a lot of people don't know that - and so people will learn something about our city."

Tours are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, as well as Oct. 23-24, and Oct. 30, and will run every half hour between 6:30 to 9 p.m. Meet at the Eagle Theatre, 925 Front St., Old Sacramento.

Tickets are $15 general and $12 for children under 12.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

OK, so think waaaaaay back to Season 4 of "American Idol." Thinking, thinking, thinking.

Who came in second?

That would be the man with better hair than most women: Bo Bice, the runner-up who really hasn't embraced his ranking in the past four years. Certainly, it can be taken into account that Bice became very ill after the show wrapped and winner Carrie Underwood's country music career saw her crooning about cheatin' dudes and bustin' headlights with a Louisville Slugger.

Anyway, Bice is leaving the South and heading to California. That's if the monsoon lets him in. He'll appear at 9 Wednesday night at the Avalon Nightclub, 805 15th St. No, it ain't the "Idol" stage, but intimate settings seem to suit some of the finishers who didn't finish first.

Here's the rub (at least for me): The tickets are $30 in advance! Really? Seems like a lot, especially considering that Season 7 finalists Brooke White AND Michael Johns did a show last month at the Boardwalk in Orangevale for $22 a pop. That's double the musical enjoyment.

But Bice deserves his day, er, night back in the spotlight. So shine on. For more info, click here

Roseville Arts! Blue Line Gallery has issued a call to artists for its 33rd Annual Open Show, with $2,000 in prize money.

It's open to all kinds of original art, and artists may enter up to five pieces. Fees range from $15 for one piece to $45 for five pieces.

Submission deadline is Jan. 8, 2010.

Chosen artwork will be displayed at the gallery from Feb. 20 through April 9 of next year.

The show will be juried from digital images by Shelly Willis, manager of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's Art in Public Places collection.

For a prospectus, stop by the Blue Line Gallery, go online to www.rosevillearts.org or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Blue Line Gallery, CA 95678 405 Vernon St., Roseville.

American Mensa, the organization dedicated to being smart, will hold testing for Mensa membership Oct. 17.

The group is open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized intelligence test. Local chapters are slated to hold testing on Oct. 17 and it is open to anyone for a non-refundable $40 fee.

Applicants can also take a pretest at home for a fee of $18, to see whether they are a good candidate for the full test.

For more information on Mensa and testing day locations, see www.us.mensa.org or call (800) 66-MENSA (666-3672).

Barry Manilow has postponed his Arco show scheduled for Oct. 16, and the John Hiatt/Lyle Lovett show Oct. 13 at Mondavi Center in Davis is sold out and taking waiting-list submissions (at 866-754-2787).

But there are still concerts in the coming days that target music fans who prefer the seasoned and sophisticated to the teen angsty.

First off, Sal Valentino, former lead singer for 1960s pop band The Beau Brummels will perform along with a band and string section Saturday night at Marilyn's on K. Word has it Chris Webster will further class up the joint by joining Valentino for a few songs.

Expect a lot of commentary during Jamie Foxx's Oct. 15 show at Arco Arena, where the Oscar winner will mix comedy with his R&B hits. And even though Foxx definitely appeals to a younger crowd, his core audience seems to be a bit older, including people who have followed him since his "In Living Color" days.

Ani DiFranco is 39 and doesn't appear to have aged a day since she arrived on the scene a few decades ago with her folk-funk picking and politically charged content. She plays Oct. 19 at the Crest.

NBC

I'm a big fan of NBC's "The Office," and I'm also a sucker for a TV wedding. So last night's one-hour nuptials for Pam and Jim (pictured) lived up to my sitcom expectations - and then some. I was either laughing so hard I had tears, or was actually crying because, well, I cry at weddings - even faux ones.

The entire "Office" Dunder Mifflin employee entourage gathered in Niagra Falls as Pam and Jim took the plunge - literally.

I won't spoil the details for those of you who are saving the episode for tonight, tomorrow - whenever. But I will let wedding lovers in on what Pam wore. It was a $399 gown from David's Bridal's Galina Collection. Her bridal party (at least those who made it down the aisle) wore silver frocks - also from David's Bridal - which cost $145.

And I love this: In an e-mail the bridal company says, "As an experienced and stylish businesswoman, Pam Beesly knows that choosing David's Bridal, the nation's most trusted bridal authority, will guarantee a beautiful wedding."

OK, she looked stunning, but what about Kevin's "shoes?!"

Back to reality in Sacramento. It is Second Saturday tomorrow, and I wanted to get the word out about an event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Fringe boutique (2409 21st St.). Owner Audrey Wells is hosting a benefit for the Sacramento Garden Alliance's Gardens in Schools Program.

She's turning her boutique into a sneak peek featuring holiday decor and live presentations from guest designers and local artists. And what would a holiday preview be without noshing: Freeport Bakery, Bistro 8 andMagpie have the eating honors. And there will be live music by the Undulations.

Fringe is asking for a $5 donation for the Gardens in Schools Program.

The Barry Manilow concert scheduled for Oct. 16 at Arco Arena has been postponed.

The new date will be some time in 2010, according to LiveNation, the promoter behind the event. Tickets already purchased will be honored at that time.

LiveNation attributed the postponement to a scheduling conflict.

The Sacramento Kings are looking for artists to create Kings-inspired art pieces for billboard displays this season.

The deadline to submit a thumbnail version of your two-dimensional, large-scale artwork idea is Oct. 15.

Send the thumbnails to vaughan@arcoarena.com

Winning artists will be compensated for their time and materials. The billboard art will range from 12-by-25 feet to 14-by-48 feet.

The artwork will become the property of the Sacramento Kings.

It's going to be a treat (no pun intended) for both fashion design and business students to hear from Johnny Cupcakes at a speaking event at 7:30 tonight at Sacramento State's University Union Ballroom (6000 J St.).

Johnny, voted America's top Young Entrepreneur of 2008 by BusinessWeek magazine, is the name behind an indie clothing brand of T-shirts he started in 2001. Today, at age 26, he doesn't sell icing on a little cake but food-themed clothing and accessories. The guy's definitely got a cult following. Maybe because he started selling his wares from the trunk of his car. You can find out more about him at www.johnnycupcakes.com.

Tonight's event is one of many opportunities Johnny has taken to speak about marketing, branding and building a business. He's also talked to folks at Boston College, Boston University and Colorado State.

In other local events:

• Trunk show:
Serendipity Boutique will host a four-day trunk show featuring the Gorjana jewelry collection, including necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the east Sac boutique (5362 H St.); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Roseville location (1182 Roseville Parkway in the Fountains shopping center).

• Holiday from Carlisle:
The Carlisle clothing brand's holiday 2009 women's collection will be shown starting Friday and running through Oct. 19. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see the collection and place orders. For more info or to book a time: (916) 600-8900. You also can see the apparel (plus a sneak peek at spring 2010) at www.carlislecollection.com and www.persecollection.com.

And the survey says ... more votes are needed.

The Bee is conducting a survey of the Top 20 things for families to see, do and eat in the region. We need you, dear reader, to cast your ballot.

It takes about a minute to answer the multiple choice questions, which range from best park (McKinley, William Land or Southside) to best place to buy dad a gift (any hardware store, Best Buy, REI).

Have a say in which hospital is the best place to give birth - Sutter Memorial, Kaiser South or UC Davis Medical Center and whether Slocum House, Ella or Moxie is the best place to go for a date-night dinner.

The results will be published in the Living Here Family section later this month.

Go to www.sacbee.com/survey to vote.

The region's first museum aimed at young children will hold a festive groundbreaking event Oct. 21.

The Sacramento Children's Museum is partnering with Rancho Cordova to develop the new facility at 2701 Prospect Drive in Rancho Cordova.

The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. with groundbreaking at about 5:15 p.m.

Activities will include: Music, games, and entertainment. Attractions will include Raceways, an exciting hands-on activity for children of all ages to experiment with gravity and momentum by using golf balls in a 1,500 square foot exhibit. Kids will also be able make their own lava lamps, get 'tattoos' and face painting and do artwork at a coloring station.

Participants will include Radio Disney, Dinger from the River Cats and members of local police, fire and canine units.

The museum is scheduled to open next year. Additional information about the Oct. 21 event is on the Museum website at www.sackids.org.

The Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure," the annual Mother's Day 5K to support breast-cancer research, is known for its colorful T-shirts awarded to participants.

In a new twist, the public is able to vote on the shirt's design, raising even more money for the nonprofit organization. Now through Nov. 8, those logging on to komen.org/raceshirt can vote on the design online for a $5 donation. The design that garners the most donations will be used for the 2010 Komen "Race for the Cure," which last May drew 20,000 participants in Sacramento.

Patti Teale, co-race chair in Sacramento, says that 75 percent of the funds raised through the T-shirt selection promotion will be used in the Sacramento area for breast-cancer programs and screening.

Registration for the race itself, to be held on May 8, begins in February.

Reading will go global Thursday when adults and children around the world share a common reading experience.
Jumpstart's Read for the Record program, designed to spotlight the importance of early literacy among young people everywhere, asks adults in dozens of countries to read the same book to groups of children on the same day. The reading selection is the classic picture book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," about a homely caterpillar that turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Most of the readings will take place in schools, libraries, day-care centers, hospitals and private homes. To be officially counted among the participants, registration is required at www.readfortherecord.org.
For the fourth year, Sacramento will again play a role in Read for the Record. Dozens of events will be happening Thursday throughout our area.
The pbulic are invited to three:
- 8:45 a.m. at the Coyote Ridge Elementary School, 1751 Morningstar Drive, Roseville; (916) 774-8282.
- 10 a.m. at Shriners Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento; (916) 453-2218.
- 10:45 a.m. in the Tsakopoulos Galleria at the Central Library, 828 I St., Sacramento; (916) 264-2919.
At the Shriners Hospital and the Sacramento Central Library events, Mayor Kevin Johnson will read the book of choice.
- Allen Pierleoni

Hilary Mantel has won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for Fiction for "Wolf Hall," it was announced today.
The novel, set in the 1520s, details the intrigues and dramas of English statesman Thomas Cromwell's rise to power in the Tudor court of King Henry VIII. Book critics have called it "a rich, absorbingly readable historical novel."
Mantel will receive 50,000 British pounds, or about $77,000. "Wolf Hall" is her 11th book. She devoted five years to writing the book, and says she is working on a sequel.
"I'm not a historian by background, so it was a challenge," Mantel said.
In July, "Wolf Hall" (Henry Holt/Fourth Estate, $27, 560 pages; on sale Oct. 13) landed on the Man Group's "longlist" of 13 finalists, which became a "shortlist" of six titles by Sept. 8. It was favored to win the contest from the get-go.
Mantel beat out other shortlisted authors A.S. Byatt ("The Children's Book"), J.M. Coetzee ("Summertime"), Adam Foulds ("The Quickening Maza"), Simon Mawer ("The Glass Room") and Sarah Waters ("The Little Stranger").
The Man Booker rules specify that entries must be "written in the English language by a citizen of either the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland or Zimbabwe." Even being among the list of finalists can make a writer's career.
- Allen Pierleoni

The $1 billion expansion project at Sacramento International Airport has taken off nicely, so it's time for a sneak peek at some of the $8 million in public art that will dress up the place.

Shelly Willis, manager of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's Art in Public Places collection, will talk about airport art at on Nov. 5 at Roseville Arts! Blue Line Gallery.

She'll share designs for the first two phases of the airport expansion, which includes work by artists Ned Kahn, Camille Utterback, Joan Moment, Donald Lipski, Christian Moeller and Lawrence Argent.

According to the gallery's news release, "Willis will talk about the range of media, scale and content in the artwork designs - from a discreet interactive and multi-media piece located in the floor of the airport - to a 56-foot-long, suspended Fiberglass sculpture.

"Attendees will learn about the artists, the development of their designs and how the artwork will be fabricated and installed."

Admission to Willis' talk - at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 - is $15 general. The fees will be applied to the gallery's educational programs.

Blue Line Gallery is at 405 Vernon St., suite 100, in Roseville.

For more info: (916) 783-4117, www.rosevillearts.org

As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, the Crest Theatre (1013 K Street) tonight will show "That Midnight Kiss," the movie that opened the theater on Oct. 6, 1949.

Tickets are 60 cents, and the film will be preceded by newsreel footage from the theater's star-studded opening night 60 years ago. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.

The Crest recently unveiled a restored, vibrantly colored marquee. The four-month-long marquee restoration project was paid for by a $213,000 loan with forgivable provisions issued by the city of Sacramento.

"Project Runway" continues to fuel a trend of fashion competition that's gaining ground in Sacramento.

That said, get ready for the "Fashion Feud," which might sound vaguely like the Hatfields and McCoys as runway designers, but here's how it works:

Two local designers go head to head in a one-hour contest to design an outfit. The first fashion battle is at 8 tonight at Harlow's, 2708 J St. Actually, things get going at 7 p.m. when the designers - Mika of Exqusitely Eclectic Designs and Heather of 222 Clothing - each receive a bag full of raw clothing material, scissors, needles, thread and accessories (jewelry, etc.).

At the end of the hour, the Harlows audience will vote for their favorite frock by applause. The winning designer gets a monetary award and moves on to the fashion finale, which won't happen until Jan. 27, 2010.

Other designers will compete on Oct. 28 and Nov. 18 at the same time at Harlows. This is an 18-and-over event. And, you can't beat the price: Admission is free!

The Sacramento chapter of the American Women in Radio and Television held the first of what it hopes to be an annual presentation of Examples of Excellence awards, dubbed SAWRTEEs.

The awards were to recognize stars (behind and in front of the cameras and microphones) in local media.

According to a release from the organization, the awards given Sept. 23 went to:

Rookie Agency Buyer:
Lea Benavidez - Media Solutions

Rookie AE TV/ Cable:
Kate David - KOVR CBS 13

Rookie AE Radio:
Tammy Hall - Entercom

Agency Buyer (3+ years):
Carol Gleeson - Media Solutions

AE TV/ Cable (3+ years):
Teresa McManus - News10

AE Radio (3+ years):
Karen Onstad - Clear Channel

LSM/ GSM/ NSM/ Director or Supervisor:
Amparo Perez-Cook - GM Bustos Media

Creative Talent or Team (Non On-Air): TIE
Jeff Bloch - KOVR CBS 3/KMAX CW 31
News10 Promotions Dept.

Radio or Television/ Cable Personality or Team:
Amy Lewis - KFBK Radio Morning Anchor -31

MARK MORRIS mmorris@sacbee.com

The first Capital Fashion Awards show Friday night at the Park Ultra Lounge in Sacramento gave local designers and hairstylists something to shoot for - a spot in next year's event.

The show, which honored the best in design, modeling, photography and hair styling, also featured a bevy of celebrities who dazzled - and all under one roof! Yes, it was jammed (standing-room only) for the hundreds who got a ticket, but they got to see the likes of Merlin Castell from "The Fashion Show," Jonathan Waud from "Make Me a Supermodel," Naima Mora and CariDee English from "America's Next Top Model," Luis Xtravaganza who toured with Madonna and the amazing Bobby Trendy from L.A. Plus great DJs and exciting local presenters, including Sarah and Rachel Campbell from Twinsoup.com.

Several local designers presented shows (pictured), including Lauren Oto, Dee Aguilar and Mercedes Ben.

Some of the winners were present; others were doing what they do for a living (and for which they were nominated) in cities like New York and L.A.

Who won?

* Male Model: Larry Scott

* Female Model: Alexandra Crandell

* Fashion Innovator of the Year: Richard Hallmarq (pictured above)

* Avant Garde Designer of the Year: Steven Willey

* Salon of the Year: Rowena & Takashi

* Stylist of the Year: Marci Landgraff

* Fashion Photographer of the Year: Billy Winters

It was a well-done show and kudos to M.A.C. cosmetics for the models' and celebrities' makeup and Strands Salon & Spa for the amazing hairstyles.

And special props to Hallmarq for pulling this show together with the folks at the Park Ultra Lounge. They might just need a bigger fashion boat next year!

Sacramento's City/County Poet Laureate Bob Stanley was crowned with a laurel wreath Sunday, after swearing a tongue-in-cheek oath with his hand on a volume of e.e.cummings at the Central Library.

Stanley's installation was a free-wheeling and entertaining event that had much more than poetry readings. It also included dance by Elk Grove troupe j. Leah Dance Company, singing by a capella jazz singers from American River College and a brief speech by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

The event, attended by past laureates Jose Montoya, Dennis Schmitz and Julia Connor, was largely paid for by the new laureate, who also produced a special pocket-sized poem/booklet for the event, under Richard Hansen's Poems-For-All imprint.

It was titled, "Coupon Good For One (1) Poet Laureate, not redeemable (for cash.)"

Sacramento's monthly gallery crawl has become a happy, crowded street party, particularly in midtown.

It's not for everyone.

For those who would prefer to take their Second Saturday Art Walk at a saner pace, and without the driving, the Arts and Business Council of Sacramento and travel company Sports Leisure Vacations now offer shuttle service from four "park-and-ride" locations as far away as Roseville, to three midtown gallery "pods."

Starting this Saturday, and again Nov. 14, participating galleries will treat the "early birds" to art talks, art demonstrations and refreshments from 2 to 5 p.m.

The cost is $59 per person, with proceeds going to the Arts and Business Council.

To register and learn more about the new Second Saturday shuttle, call (916) 361-2051 or (800) 951-5556 (toll-free.)

Heads swiveled about in anticipation today as the Arts and Business Council announced it was giving its first Lifetime Achievement award to Wayne Thiebaud at the Prelude to the Season Annual Awards Luncheon in the Doubletree Sacramento Hotel.
Alas, a Thiebaud sighting was not in the cards. Muriel Johnson, director of the California Arts Council, picked up the award on behalf of the celebrated American painter and Sacramento icon.
Painter and sculptor Stephen Kaltenbach, however, did take the stage to claim his Artist of the Year award, modestly asking: "Are you sure this isn't a mistake?"
It was a logical question, Kaltenbach said, since he was up against Michael Bayard, owner and artistic director of Rhythm Magic!, and Barbara Crockett, a founding member of the Sacramento Ballet.
In a moment of humility that tickled the audience, Kaltenbach explained that he leans on God for help with his work. He then acknowledged that he knew not everyone in the audience appreciated his work and that they wer probably thinking: "This guy has God's help, and this is all he can do."
Punctuated by heart-felt acceptance speeches and electric performances by local entertainers, Prelude to a Season provided memories to share for a few days in just two hours. Other awards categories recognized partners, patrons, arts organization leaders and volunteers:
Arts Management Excellence (in organizations with budgets up to $250,000): La Raza Galeria Posada.
Arts Management Excellence (in organizations with budgets over $250,000): California Lectures.
Arts Business Partnership: Crocker Art Museum expansion project and the City of Sacramento.
Arts Executive of the Year: Bill Blake, B Street Theatre.
Business Support of the Arts: Commerce Printing, led by Gil Caravantes.
Volunteer of the Year: Laurie Pederson, Capital Film Arts Alliance.
Individual Leadership: Joyce Raley Teel, who has played a crucial role in the Crocker expansion project and in providing capital for a building that will house four of the region's biggest arts groups. Teel's daughter accepted the award on her mother's behalf, saying she knew that if her mother were there, she would thank her own mother, E. Claire Raley, for instilling a love for the arts; her father, Tom Raley, for building a successful enterprise; and Raley's customers whose patronage has allowed her generosity.
Arts Educator of the Year: Michael Neumann, artistic director and premier orchestra director of the Sacramento Youth Symphony.
Although a number of audience members were disappointed they didn't get to see Thiebaud, event organizers were sad they didn't get to see Ed Goldman, a Prelude Committee member who put in a lot of work on the event but was too ill to make an appearance.

Lodi's Clark Pest Control carried out audtions in Reno, Paso Robles and - most recently - at the Lodi Grape Festival to pick a non-professional to appear in a company television spot.

David Frame of Stockton, 9, was the winner at the Lodi fest. Having seen Frame's spot and those of the other finalists, we're rooting for him.

Frame stood in front of a projection of a Black Widow spider and, impassioned, spoke his lines: "After you marry them, they'll eat you alive! Clark, we need you!"

Frame, who goes to River Oaks Charter School, is an aspiring actor who regularly makes up plays with his older sister, according to a company release.

The overall winner will be announced by the end of November. All audition videos can be seen at www.clarkpest.com/pest-control-events.html.

Congratulations are in order to Sacramento Ballet dancer Kirsten Bloom, who announced this week that she is expecting her first child. Bloom, 36, has been with the ballet company for 14 years. She will dance at the Ballet's inaugural Capital Choreography Competition at the Crest Theatre on Oct. 17 and 24 in a special tribute that will pair her with several of the company's male dancers, including her longtime dance partner, Stefan Calka.
The baby is due April 24. Bloom, who said she and the father "are very excited and happy," will take a leave of absence, planning to return to dance in the 2010-11 season.
One of the dancer's signature roles is that of the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker," the ballet's annual holiday production. "I absolutely love dancing it and will miss it this year," she said. "It'll be the first time in 14 years. But I'll be there in the audience to see it."
"I'll be there for all the show, but it will be really strange to be in the audience and not on the stage."
Bloom cited several "wonderful ballerinas" who have taken time off during pregnancies, had their babies and come back to dance. "It's not uncommon for ballerinas who dance later into their careers," she said. "I just have to figure out how to do it.

Kanye West has canceled his "Fame Kills" tour with Lady Gaga, including a Nov. 18 stop at Sacramento's Arco Arena.
Concert promoter LiveNation, in announcing the tour's cancelation Thursday, said those people who already purchased tickets can seek refunds at the point of purchase. Tickets purchased online or via phone will be refunded automatically.
No reason was given for the cancellation, but West's reputation has taken a pounding since he interrupted singer Taylor Swift 's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last month.