Things to do in Sacramento

Look closely behind Dave Matthews at tonight's Grammy Awards on CBS and you will spot a young local musician.

Jon Hatamiya of Davis Senior High School will play trombone behind Matthews and company on tonight's broadcast, starting at 7 p.m. on KOVR (Channel 13).

Hatamiya's jazz-band-to-jam-band journey began when he won the first trombone slot in the 28-member Grammy Jazz Ensemble youth program via a national audition. He further distinguished himself when he was selected to accompany Matthews and company on stage during tonight's broadcast.

The Kings are getting more popular with the in-crowd, as in celebs galore.

A couple of months ago, the team hosted Matthew Morrison from the award-winning show "Glee." On Saturday, Annie Wersching, star of FOX's hit high-octane drama "24," will be at Arco Arena for a Q&A session with fans before the Kings take on the Charlotte Bobcats.

Wersching, who plays Agent Renée Walker, will meet and greet "24" fans during an exclusive pregame chat at 5:30 p.m. The Q&A session will take place in Arco Arena's lower bowl in Sections 102 and 103.

Fans may attend by purchasing a FOX40 "24" Kings ticket package for only $24! Tickets are available at www.Kings.com/24.

California Musical Theatre has announced that seats in the first row of the orchestra are being sold for $23 for every performance of "RENT: The Broadway Tour." The $23 tickets go on sale at the Community Center Theater box office, 1301 L Street, the day of performance only, two hours prior to the show. They are available to anyone, cash only, with a limit of two tickets per person.

This national touring production of "Rent" stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, two stars from the original off Broadway and Broadway productions. The limited Sacramento engagement runs February 3 through February 7. This is the tour's last stop.

For information, call (916) 808-5181 or (916) 557-1999 or go to www.californiamusicaltheatre.com or www.siteforrent.com.

Additional coverage:

Two original stars look back as last encore nears for 'Rent' - Jan. 31, 2010

The popular HellaCappella showcase of a cappella groups is back.

After attracting a crowd of 800 at UC Davis' Freeborn Hall last year, this Northern California showcase hopes to sell out the 1,300 seat hall this year, said Greer Shively, member of the UC Davis a cappella group The Spokes (pictured, right).

This year's line up offers eight college-based groups, including UC Berkeley's Decadence and Stanford's Fleet Street, as well as hometown favorites The Spokes.

And given the newfound interest in a cappella music after the four-part TV show "Sing-Off" on NBC, it's likely that HellaCapella will outdraw last year's big crowd.

And The Spokes know a little about NBC's "Sing-Off," too.

"We were invited to compete," said Shively. "Unfortunately, we couldn't make it to Los Angeles for the competition because it took place during the school year."

HellaCappella
WHEN: 8 p.m. Feb. 27
WHERE: Freeborn Hall, UC Davis
TICKETS: $8; $5 students; $10; $8 students at the door
INFORMATION: (530) 752-1915

Singing for your supper (and a big prize!) will have a Sacramento face - and voice - on tonight's second-season debut of "The Singing Bee" on CMT. Daniel Sanchez will appear on the show that tests contestants' knowledge of lyrics to well-known songs that are a mix of country music and popular favorites from other genres.The show, hosted by Melissa Peterman, airs at 9 p.m.

For sure, Sunday is the music industry's biggest night because it's the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (8 p.m. on Channel 13). Speculation still swirls that Michael Jackson's children might perform, though that seems highly unlikely. But these awards always guarantees surprises - whether it's who won or what someone wore. From a fashion standpoint, the Grammys - unlike other awards shows - offer numerous wardrobe changes for performers, nominees, presenters, etc.

Keep your eyes on Beyonce, who leads the nominations with 10. And then there's sweet Taylor Swift, with eight nominations (five of them outside her country music genre).

Not sure you've got three-plus hours to spend watching TV Sunday night? Then check Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild's 11 Reasons To Watch the Grammys. Just click here.

Sticking with the music/singing theme, I can only say that, mercifully, there's only one more audition city on "American Idol," and that's Denver next Tuesday (8 p.m. on FOX40). And this coming from a huge fan of the show. The first couple of auditions weren't so bad, with guest judges like Mary J. Blige. But this past week was painful with Avril Lavigne's horned-head hoodie and Katy Perry's bad attitude in L.A. Neil Patrick Harris was fun on the first day in Dallas, but Joe Jonas was just a "yes/no" man on Day 2.

If "Idol" follows past seasons, next Wednesday's show will be a rehash of the audition process. So Hollywood Week and the debut of Ellen DeGeneres as a permanent judge will be Tuesday, Feb. 9, which can't happen soon enough.

You can see the de Young Museum's blockbuster exhibit "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" absolutely free on Feb. 20-21, thanks to sponsorship by Target.

Here's what you should know:

Tickets will be on sale at the museum and nowhere else for those two days -- and are first come, first served, so go early. The box office opens at 8:30 a.m. And, tickets are limited to four per adult in each party.

Museum hours will be 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m., with last "Tut" entry at 4 p.m.

As a special consolation for folks unable to secure "Tut" tickets, everyone can view the museum's permanent collection and participate in such programs as children's art, fortune tellers, tarot card readers, and belly and sword dancers, all for free.

The de Young Museum is in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. For information: (415) 750-3600, www.deyoungmuseum.org

See the de Young Museum's blockbuster exhibit "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" absolutely free on Feb. 20-21, thanks to sponsorship by Target.

Here's what you should know:

Tickets on sale those two days only - only at the museum - and are first come, first served. Box office opens at 8:30 a.m.

They're limited to four per adult in each party.

Museum hours will be 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m., with last "Tut" entry at 4 p.m.

As a special consolation for folks unable to secure free "Tut" tickets, everyone can view the museum's permanent collection and participate in free programs, which will include children's art, fortune tellers, tarot card readers, and belly and sword dancers.

Watch mummy-themed movies noon-5 p.m. in Koret Auditorium.

The de Young Museum is in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. For information: (415) 750-3600, www.deyoungmuseum.org

- Dixie Reid

Folks of a certain age - coffee-drinkers or not - will remember the commercial jingle, "The best part of wakin' up is Folgers in your cup."

And in this day of a Starbucks on every corner, reliable, "store-bought" Folgers is looking to reinvent itself, jingle-wise, and has launched a contest - with a $25,000 grand prize.

The idea, according to a news release, is to "create the best, original version of the iconic 'The Best Part of Wakin' Up' jingle."

Individuals and groups of four or fewer can submit video entries through Feb. 28. Find contest information at http://www.bestpartofwakinup.com/sections/jinglehome.com

Songwriter and "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi will sit on the judge's panel.

Contestants must be 18 and older.

Monica Pearce (pictured), one of the three lucky winners in Clinique's Fresh Faces contest, is back at school at UC San Diego after a whirlwind trip to New York two weeks ago.

Pearce and her mom, Sue Chin Pearce, of Elk Grove spent three and a half days in the Big Apple. The trip included a photo shoot at Teen Vogue magazine and a tour of the Clinique headquarters. Oh, and there was a little time for shopping in Soho.

The photo spread of Pearce and the other winners will be featured in the April issue of Teen Vogue.

I recently got an e-mail from Sue Pearce, who was recovering from a bad cold - no doubt the result of sub-zero weather back east!

"We're back, and we had an unbelievable time! It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Monica," she says. "We were on the go constantly. We traveled with a crew of about 20 people.They included hairstylists, makeup and fashion stylists, camera crew, video crew, marketing and public relations (folks) from Clinique and Teen Vogue.

"Additionally, editors, publishers, fashion directors and fashion bloggers would pop in and out. Monica got to see the infamous 'fashion closet' (at Teen Vogue), attend a vendor meeting at Louis Vuitton, brainstorm about new products with Clinique and see how the photo shoot will eventually end up in the April issue of Teen Vogue."

The visitors also were treated to a Broadway show - "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theatre.

Sue says the trip was fantastic, especially for Monica. Now she fears she might lose her daughter to New York. "She loved NYC, and got so jazzed talking to all these intelligent, young, dynamic people at Teen Vogue and Clinique," Sue adds.

Sue wasn't able to take personal photos at the shoots because everything is hush, hush. However, Clinique has posted a video of the behind-the-scenes action at its Web site. Just click here. It's really cute, and you'll even see the "moms" in the video.

The Sacramento River Cats announced today that Ovations Food Services will take over the culinary detail at Raley Field.

The company, based in Tampa, Fla., also services Cal Expo in Sacramento.

"Great ballpark food - with its signature aromas and flavors - is one of the hallmarks of the Raley Field experience," said River Cats president and general manager Alan Ledford. "The expertise that Ovations brings to the table will provide terrific quality, variety and value for the River Cats and our fans."

Among the vendor's plans are to provide an "Everything Fresh" menu, along with specialty hot dogs from around the country.

The River Cats' first home game on the 2010 schedule is April 16. For tickets and more information: (916) 371-HITS (371-4487), www.rivercats.com

Let's face it, opera can seem like the most intimidating of art forms, especially for the newbie.

But it need not be so. Truth is, opera is as sexy, gritty and fresh as any other art form.

And the The Sacramento Opera's Joey Castañeda would like nothing more than to show you how.

As its Community Engagement Coordinator, Castañeda will be hosting one hour talks about opera, in Fair Oaks and Elk Grove.

Castañeda plans to strip opera of its elitist aura and will explain how to make a night at the opera as easy and enjoyable as watching an episode of CSI or Top Chef.

Topics will include the history of opera, the types of opera, opera voices and how they relate to character, the influence opera on modern music, and how opera has made its way into pop culture.

Commentary and discussion of the Sacramento Opera's upcoming production of "La Traviata" is also included in the talk.

A prize drawing for two free tickets opera tickets will be held at each event.

WHERE AND WHEN:

6:30 p.m., Feb. 10
Fair Oaks Library
11601 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks

1: 30 p.m., Feb. 13
Franklin Library
10055 Franklin High Rd., Elk Grove

3:00 p.m., Feb. 18
Elk Grove Library
8900 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove

INFORMATION: (916) 737-1000 or www.sacopera.org

They call him the "singing policeman".

That's the moniker that has stuck to tenor Daniel Rodriguez ever since he sang a moving rendition of "God Bless America" directly after 9/11.

And now he's coming to Folsom to sing at the Oak Hills Church, courtesy of the Folsom Lake Community Concert Association.

Nowadays, Rodriguez is touring and bent on a career that he would like to include Broadway, opera and beyond.

That's a tall order. So, does he have the chops?

There is only one way of find out.

WHEN: 3:00 p.m. Feb. 14
WHERE: Oak Hills Church, 1100 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom
TICKETS: $20
INFORMATION: (916) 934-0869 or www.flcca.org

The efforts to raise funds to help the relief efforts in quake-ravaged Haiti are ramped up big time, starting with tonight's two-hour "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" show.

It will be shown on the major networks either at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the channel's prime-time start time.

The benefit, organized by actor George Clooney, will feature musicians, sports stars, politicians and, of course, entertainment types and will broadcast from around the world: London, L.A., New York. Clooney managed to secure some of the best acts. Check it out: Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, U2's Bono and the Edge, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Wyclef Jean, Rihanna, Jay-Z, former President Bill Clinton, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Muhammad Ali, Clint Eastwood and Reese Witherspoon.

Viewers at home can donate during the two-hour show, and then purchase their favorite performances from the evening on Saturday at iTunes for 99 cents, with those proceeds also going to relief aid.

Here in Sacramento, Salon San Severo (20th and P streets) is partnering with other local businesses to raise money for hard-hit orphanages in Haiti. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the salon will have six stylists offering free haircuts to anyone who makes a donation. The group will be selling T-shirts to benefit a local organization - Help End Local Poverty - which also is assisting the children in Haiti.

"We saw a need and said to ourselves, ' what can we do to help out here'?" says Samantha Walton, one of the event's organizers. "We want these children to be taken care of and know that people out there love them."

Sofia restaurant is catering the benefit.

Suggested donations range from $30 to $60. All contributions are tax-deductible.

If you love American folk music, one of the coolest, but more obscure, webstreams out there can be found at the Southern Folklife Collection at the Wilson Library, at the University of North Carolina.

Although you would think this kind of thing was common, it is highly unusual for a library to offer a webstream from its collection.

Perhaps this will set a trend among libraries to unleash great collections?

The growing offerings of music that the Wilson Library is streaming is broken down into "channels," with the following categories:

Channel 1: Southern Folklife Collection - Old-time Music
Channel 2: Southern Folklife Collection - Country and Bluegrass
Channel 3: Southern Folklife Collection - Folk Revival
Channel 4: Southern Folklife Collection - Rhythm, Blues, and Boogie
Channel 5: Southern Folklife Collection - SFC Mix

Also, fans of American folk music and culture should note that the site is also a wonderful online collection of over 100 hard-to-find documentary films on folk music.

Bad weather forced "Twilight" actor Jackson Rathbone and his band, 100 Monkeys, to postpone their gig Wednesday night at Harlow's nightclub in Sacramento.

Snowy conditions in Siskiyou County earlier Wednesday prevented the band from making its way to Sacramento in time for the show, promoter Brian McKenna said. 100 Monkeys had played a show in Portland Tuesday night.

McKenna refunded money to fans who had bought tickets online and were lined up outside the J Street club before the postponement was announced about half an hour before show time. The band will try to make up the Sacramento show as early as this weekend, McKenna said. For updates, check the group's Web site.

Well, it's about time.

Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello will be making his Mondavi debut on April 7, it was announced by the Mondavi Center for the Arts this afternoon.

Costello will perform solo for this concert.

WHEN: 8 p.m., April 7
WHERE: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center for the Arts, UC Davis
TICKETS: $35-$65; $$17.50-$32.50 Students
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or at MondaviArts.org.

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If you were to put together a "best books of the decade," what would be some of your top titles and authors?
Please click on "Books" at www.sacbee.com/forums and share your choices with other readers.
A small tsunami of top-10 book lists swept through the media in November and December, featuring editors' and critics' choices for 2009's best in fiction, nonfiction, children's books, etc.
The book editors at Amazon.com recently released their choices. For a look-see, go to www.amazon.com/books and click on "The Best Books of the Decade." For a quick taste, these are the top 10:
1. "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon (Picador, $16, 656 pages): In 1939 New York, two cousins publish comic books starring superheroes (fiction, 2000).
2. "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain (Harper, $15.95, 352 pages): The chef shares his often-rowdy culinary career (nonfiction, 2000; the updated edition published in 2007).
3. "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen (Picador, $16, 576 pages): The National Book Award-winning novel examines the convoluted effects a patriarch's illness has on his family (fiction, 2001).
4. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls (Scribner, $15, 288 pages): A young woman escapes her dysfunctional family (memoir, 2005).
5. "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, $21, 944 pages): A different kind of Abraham Lincoln biography (nonfiction, 2006).
6. "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan (Penguin, $16, 464 pages): Scrutinizing the links in the nation's food chain (nonfiction, 2006).
7. "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky (Vintage, $15, 448 pages): A novel undiscovered for 64 years, it shows how the Nazi occupation of France affected Parisians (fiction, 2005).
8. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling (Arthur Levine, $14.99, 784 pages): The final entry in the mega-popular series (fiction, 2007).
9. "In the Woods" by Tana French (Penguin, $15, 464 pages): A Dublin, Ireland, police detective investigates a murder that may be linked to a crime from his childhood, in which he was a victim (fiction, 2007).
10. "The Forever War" by Dexter Filkins (Vintage, $15, 384 pages): The war correspondent's reports from Afghanistan and Iraq (nonfiction, 2003).
--Allen Pierleoni

In Susan Froemke's documentary "The Audition," it becomes painfully clear that even uber-talented singers have no assurance of success in the audition process at the Metropolitan Opera.

This excellent feature length documentary airs Wed. evening at 9 p.m. on KVIE Channel 6.

The doc is a behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions. Each year thousands of singers compete for a cash prize in the auditions, plus the chance to sing on the Met stage-and lay the foundation to a major operatic career.

The film follows a set of singers in one dramatic week leading up to the finals of the 2007 auditions. The dramatic focus is on three tenors: Michael Fabiano, a fervent 22-year-old grappling with inner demons; Alek Shrader, a 25-year-old with movie-star looks who attempts to sing nine high Cs in the difficult aria that made Pavarotti a star; and Ryan Smith, who at 30, and with scant training, pursues a dream of having an opera career.

The documentary is well paced, and offers joys intermingled with the bittersweet. The voices are all top-notch.

This film is an absolute 'must-see' for anyone with any interest in the arts.

With Conan O'Brien reportedly leaving NBC, Sacramento's KTXL Fox 40 has announced that it will offer the late-night host a day job on its program Wednesday.

The Wednesday edition of "Fox 40 Live" will include a "formal" job offer to O'Brien, station officials said. The station will mail, fax and read the offer letter on air Wednesday morning.

Although it sounds as outrageous as any of O'Brien's humor, news director Brandon Mercer was quoted on the station's Web site as being "totally serious. We're hiring producers anyway, and he's one of the most creative guys in the business."

"The thing about Conan is: He's accessible," Mercer said in an interview with The Bee. "Who knows?"

The station is offering moving expenses and an undisclosed salary. Less than he made at NBC, more than he'll earn from unemployment, Mercer said.

If O'Brien wants to spread his talents around other station's owned by Tribune Media (KTXL's parent company), the offer wouldn't even require he live in Sacramento. "We're open to telecommuting," Mercer said.

To say the morning show is a day job, though, is a bit of a stretch. Though it culminates with the station's morning program, the producer's shift starts around midnight - 3 a.m. in New York.

One more perk for O'Brien: an office. "The other producers are jealous," Mercer said. "They have cubicles."

However, the office is under the stairs. "We call it the Harry Potter Office," Mercer said, alluding to the young wizard's room under the stairs when he was taken in by his cousin's family, the Dursleys.

Still, that may be a step up from how O'Brien feels treated by NBC after the network bumped "The Tonight Show" back to make room for a time slot change by Jay Leno.

Attention Twihards: Jackson Rathbone, who plays chiseled, perpetually startled vampire Jasper in the "Twilight" film series, is coming to Harlow's (2708 J St.) Wednesday night with his band 100 Monkeys.

Rathbone sings and plays guitar in 100 Monkeys, a blues-influenced ... oh, who cares what they sound like? Jasper is coming to Sacramento! Eeek!

The usually 21-and-over nightclub will go 18 and over for this event, which starts at 8 p.m.

Younger teens and tweens will have to settle for trying to glimpse Rathbone from the sidewalk.

Tickets are $16 at the door or $13 in advance through the Harlow's site.

Sacramento radio stations owned by Entravision Communications are undergoing big changes.

KNTY 101.9 (The Wolf) ousted morning hosts Dave Kelly and Susan Brown, and The Bomb (KBMB 103.5) has ousted other hosts and appears headed for a format change.

Kelly, who says his country music morning show was a success, said he felt he was ousted to make way for an all-music show that's cheaper to produce. He said he had no animosity to local station officials.

However, he felt the change removes the human factor from the station. He and his co-host Brown did locally oriented programming, including a "Pause for the Troops" that recognized local members of the military.

Radio should be like that, he said. "It's like having a friend or neighbor. If people want an iPod they can play and iPod."

Radio veterans say the changes are brought about by a new ratings system.

"They're making changes at The Bomb, too," Kelly said. "They're doing the same thing."

KBMB host Nikia recently tweeted that she was no longer doing her program for The Bomb.

Radio Insight reported that KBMB 103,5 is moving to a more mainstream format. Such a change is predicted to bring in more revenue than the station's current hip-hop, locally oriented programming, one industry veteran said.

Meanwhile, at Entravision's KNTY 101.9, Programming Director Bob McNeill is also out after three years, reported AllAccess.com.

Station officials couldn't be reached on the holiday. The Web site for The Bomb reports that it is "Under Contruction."

The revamped 103.5 appears to be going under the name Hot 103.5. A Web address Hot1035Radio.com now leads to The Bomb's under construction site, but information can be found at www.1035thebomb.com/jocks/jocks.shtml.

Kelly said there may be a protest at the station Tuesday and that information on benefits to keep him in town would be posted at thewranglerbar.com.

Call it the little-known violin festival with serious street cred.

That's the best way to describe the Violin Festival at UC Davis.

This gem of a mini-fest is directed by Dan Flanagan (pictured, right). Local audiences will know Flanagan as the concertmaster of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Sacramento Opera orchestras.

The festival is co-directed by Michael Sand, founding member and first musical director of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

This year a festival highlight will be the Friday evening performance of violinist Fritz Gearheart, a member of the Oregon String Quartet. Gearheart will perform Mozart's Sonata in E Minor, K. 304 and Debussy's Sonata for Violin and Piano, with pianist John Cozza.

On Saturday, cellist Marc Vanscheeuwijck and harpsichordist Phebe Craig will perform with baroque violinist Jaap Schröder.

The festival also offers performances, master classes, and other activities.

When: 7 p.m., Jan. 22 and 23
Where: Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $18.00; $ 9.00 (student)
Information: (530) 752-5537 or www.MondaviArts.org

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sloshing through a sea of umbrellas and bright lights was the scene last night on a saturated red carpet at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills. The stars, many of whom admitted they didn't own an umbrella, held up well thanks to an abundance of Aqua Net and some creative hairstylists.

There were fashion standouts among the women: Kate Hudson (pictured), Sandra Bullock, Jane Krakowski, Emily Blunt, Penelope Cruz and Tina Fey wore some of my favorite gowns/dresses. Even in the rain, HDTV highlighted all the embellishments the fashion designers sprinkled liberally, including beading, ruching, jewel touches.

Varying shades of purple signal that this color will be hot for spring, once we finally put away the rain gear. And I love the blush-gone-pinky shades that stars like Drew Barrymore and Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men") wore. I was especially happy to discover that Christina wore a gown designed by "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano.

Local style consultant Karri Grant, who was featured in a Globes fashion forecast in yesterday's Living Here section, might have been surprised at some of the men. She predicted basic tuxes and little facial hair. And, with a few exceptions (Mickey Rourke and Morgan Freeman), designers like D&G kept the look simple. But beards (John Hamm and George Clooney) sprouted up on unlikely faces.

As for the show, I'm hoping it's one and out for host Ricky Gervais, who wasn't funny at all and, when he was onstage, was - for lack of a better term - a horse's behind. He drank beer and basically didn't have anything nice to say about anyone, taking potshots at NBC and inserting plugs for his new show.

We'll see how Alec Baldwin (who won last night) and Steve Martin do at the Academy Awards in March. Loved the speeches by winners Mo'Nique and Drew. Meryl Streep was also gracious in accepting for her role in "Julie & Julia." And, speaking of "Julia," it was nice to see Julia Roberts back at an awards show.

And, the gentlemen in my house nearly tripped over each other when Halle Berry presented. Even an especially hearty and rich homemade mac and cheese couldn't divert their attention.

And, no, you weren't seeing double last night. The Golden Globes, which typically are shown tape-delayed on the West Coast, aired TWICE last night on Channel 3 - at the original start time of 5 p.m. and then again at 8. I'm not sure why that happened, but six hours of Gervais would have been painful to watch.

E! (Channel 56) welcomes back Joan Rivers for its Fashion Police show tonight at 10. Here's hoping host Giuliana Rancic has scraped off her faux tan from last night and found some leftovers to cover up with that aluminum foil, "Balloon Boy" gown she was sporting on the red carpet.

Ouch! I had to say that.

Anton Barbeau, the noted singer-songwriter late of England, was eager to play a show Friday night in his hometown.

The only problem is that Javalounge, the 16th Street venue where he was scheduled to play, no longer appears open for business. And nobody told him.

"It's frustrating at the last minute to not know where to get information" about the status of the venue, Barbeau said Friday afternoon.

The telephone number listed for Javalounge now goes straight to voicemail, with no accompanying message. A sign on the door of the building promises, "We'll be back soon - hang in there." Yet holiday decorations remained in a window, and fliers for local rock shows in another window were from 2009. Javalounge's MySpace page, last updated Dec. 18, announced the venue was taking the holidays off.

Attempts to reach Jake Albus and Niki Kangas, who opened the coffee shop/music venue in 2005, were not successful. But Eiland Hogan, who owns Forever Tattoo next door, said he believed Albus and Kangas no longer owned the business.

Can there be a more provocative speaker than rapper Chuck D. when the subject is racial politics in America?

Doubtful.

After all, Chuck D is the leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group Public Enemy, and now an astute social activist.

The rapper's appearance at Sacramento State University, on Feb. 4, will see him talking about such topics as racial politics in America, digital media, negative views associated with rap music, and the music business, amongst other topics.

When: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4
Where: Sacramento State University Union Ballroom, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sacramento
Cost: Free
Information: (916) 278-6101 or www.csus.edu/mcc
Note: ticket requests can be made through Zenia LaPorte at zlaporte@csus.edu

FOX

So the two-night Season 9 premiere of "American Idol" is over. And, really, did anyone truly note the absence of former judge Paula Abdul? I didn't. But I wonder about the almost 30 million viewers who watched the first night of the show.

"Idol" debuted the same day judge Simon Cowell announced he won't be back next season, which hung over the TV like a wet blanket. That's more disconcerting than losing Paula. Cowell will leave to bring his "The X Factor" reality show to Fox in fall 2011.

Not to worry. Fox already has that one figured out. The show won't go up against what the network assures will be a Season 10 of "Idol" a year from now.

Anyway, back to Tuesday and Wednesday night. More than 19,000 would-be (emphasis on would-be) crooners showed up between the Boston and Atlanta auditions. I liked the show trotting out guest judges until newcomer Ellen DeGeneres takes her spot Feb. 9 when Hollywood Week launches.

Victoria Beckham, while painfully thin, kind of grew into her role on Tuesday. But it was Mary J. Blige in Atlanta who proved the perfect foil for Simon's barbs. Randy Jackson said last week she would be good, and he was right.

As for the contestants, it was the usual parade of freaks and geeks mixed in with honest-to-goodness talent. Pat Ford (shown above), 17, told Simon he was "sassier in person" but was informed by Randy that he should "stop singing forever."

The "let's-go-to-their-homes-and-shoot-film-before-they-audition" clips either tugged at your heart - Maddy Curtis and Katie Stevens - or proved big Italian families really like to cook together. That would be Amadeo DiRocco, 28, and his brood in Providence, R.I., who keep it real when they dine.

I worry about the sort of stereotyped contestants who received the coveted "golden tickets." Tyler Grady, 19, has a "Brady Bunch"-brother look and blew the judges away with his own spin on "Let's Get It On." But could he go the way of past finalists like Jason Castro from Season 7?

Last night, in Atlanta, things got off to a good start for Keia Johnson, a former Miss Congeniality winner in a Miss America pageant. She definitely can sing and she's got presence. But geez, I thought there was a ban on singing "My Heart Will Go On." I swear.

A favorite of the judges (and me, too) was church singer Jermaine Sellers, who sang "What If God Was One of Us?" Randy called it "one of the best vocals we've seen yet." Jermaine should do well in Hollywood if he doesn't get put in a group with contestants who can't sing.

And then there was Vanessa Wolfe, 18, of Vonore, Tenn., who says she jumps off bridges in the teeny town she's lived in since birth. The "Idol" footage certainly made it seem like bridge-jumping was the high - and low - point of her life. Again, my fear is Vanessa could get eaten alive in Hollywood. It doesn't matter to me because I've shopped there, but how many of these folks find themselves in the Dollar Store?

In all, 57 contestants received golden tickets this week. Next Tuesday, at 8 p.m. on Channel 40, "Idol" heads to Chicago. Country singer Shania Twain will serve as guest judge.

No doubt about it, Latvian-born Elina Garanča (pictured, right) may be one of the sexiest sopranos to perform the role of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in recent memory.

Local audiences will get to judge for themselves this Saturday when the Met's live HD simulcasts continue at local cinemas (see participating theaters, below) with a new production of Bizet's "Carmen".

Garanča sings the seductive Carmen role opposite tenor Roberto Alagna as the love-obsessed Don José.

Sparks are sure to emante from this tantalizing pairing of singers.

This production has much going for it, including acclaimed Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the direction of Olivier Award-winning British director Richard Eyre.

The cast also features tenor Mariusz Kwiecien as the toreador Escamillo. Local audiences might recall Kwiecien for his standout performance in the title role of "Don Giovanni" three years ago with the San Francisco Opera.

Christopher Wheeldon, artistic director and founder of Morphoses / The Wheeldon Company, created the choreography for this new staging.

So, what's not to like?

When: 10 a.m., Sat
Where: at the below participating theatres
Information: www.fathomevents.com or www.metoperafamily.org/hdlive.

Sacramento:
Cinemark Stadium 14
Cinemark Downtown Plaza 7
Cinemark Greenback Lane 16
Regal Natomas Marketplace

Elk Grove:
Cinemark Laguna 16, Elk Grove

Folsom:
Cinemark Folsom 14

Roseville:
Cinemark Roseville 14

Yuba City
Cinemark, Yuba City

Pizza and proms just go together, right? So a fun event is set for Thursday night at Hot Itailan restaurant in midtown Sacramento (16th and Q streets).

Susan Tiesing, owner of Tres Chic Boutique, is all about the fashion aspect of prom season, which can start as early as February and last until May. On Thursday, her event is being tailored for parents and their daughters, girlfriends - even boyfriends.

Here's how it will work:

"Prom 2010" will feature a runway show starting at 6:30 p.m. that will include top prom and celebrity designs by folks like Tony Bowls, Terani, Jovani, LaFemme, Interlude and Sean Collection. After the show, guests are invited to an after party at Tres Chic Boutique (23rd and J streets) where they'll be treated to pastries, coffee and beverages. Special sales will be available, and each ticket holder will receive a $10 gift certificate.

Tickets for the show and after party are $20 at www.sacramentoprom.com or at the midtown boutique. Doors at Hot Italian open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Jewish Film Festival celebrates its Bar Mitzvah year in 2010.

And to mark that milestone it's presenting four films that capture the diversity of Jewish culture.

The films hail from Israel, Argentina, Germany and the U.S..

One of the more interesting of those may be the Argentine film "Camera Obscura" (still, pictured right), which opens the festival on Feb. 6.

That feature, directed by award-winning Argentine director María Victoria Menis, tells the tale of a nomadic French photographer and the homely woman who discovers her sensuality after an encounter with him.

The film is an adaptation of the short story "La Camara Oscura", written by Argentine short story writer Angelica Gorodischer.

The Israeli comedy, "A Matter of Size," about four hulking men who learn the value of life and love while mastering the ancient sport of Sumo wrestling, follows "Camera Obscura" that Saturday.

WHEN: Festival runs from Feb. 6 to Feb. 7
WHERE: Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., Sacramento
TICKETS: $10. Festival passes $34; $30 for seniors, students. Day passes are $18.00, $16.00 for seniors, students.
INFORMATION: www.sacjff.org (916) 442-7378.

By Dixie Reid
dreid@sacbee.com

Sacramento Youth Symphony Academic Orchestra is here to offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the season with a free holiday winter concert designed for the entire family.

The concert is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria at the Central Library, 828 I St., Sacramento.

Angelo Moreno will conduct the full symphonic orchestra, featuring the Saltarello Flute Ensemble and Clarion Clarinet Quartet.

For more information on the event: (916) 264-2920, www.saclibrary.org

Call The Bee's Dixie Reid, (916) 321-1134.

Museum woes continue in Fresno.

Last week, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum closed its doors for good, after 25 years of bringing class and culture to downtown. And now the Fresno Art Museum has laid off its curator and staff preparator and is reducing the number of annual exhibitions.

To read Fresno Bee reporter Donald Munro's story about the future of the art museum, go to:

www.fresnobee.com/local/v-print/story/1777840.html

I guess this qualifies as somewhat of a shocker - maybe not. But the Associated Press reports that Simon Cowell, he of the fork-tongued comments - will be exiting "American Idol" after this season.

He tells AP that "The X Factor," which is his baby and a major hit in Britain, will be part of the Fox network's sked next year. Of course, "Idol" already is on Fox so Cowell is basically changing programs - not leaving us forever!

If you're doing the judging math, that means "Idol" - if it even goes to a Season 10 - could be down to only one original judge, Randy Jackson. Paula Abdul left the show this summer and is being replaced this season by Ellen DeGeneres.

The AP says Cowell believes it's too much to do both shows. Currently, he makes a reported $36 million on "Idol," but because he actually owns "X Factor," he could rake in more bucks if the show is a success.

And timing is everything. Cowell and Fox announced the news right before tonight's season premiere of "Idol."

"I was offered a lot of money to stay on," Cowell told reporters in Pasadena at a meeting of the Television Critics Association. "But that wasn't the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge."

No word according to AP on a replacement for Cowell - if any. We'll have to wait and see how Season 9 does in the ratings.

For the first time in its 38-year history, the non-profit Roseville Arts has created a juried membership exhibition, set to open June 19 at its Blue Line Gallery.

Members' work will be judged by Sacramento art gallery owners Pamela Skinner and Gwenna Howard.

Fees are $10 per entry, or three entries for $25. Deadline to submit entries is March 20.

Blue Line Gallery is at 405 Vernon St., Roseville.

For more information, call (916) 783-4117, www.rosevillearts.org

Here's your chance to be on Jeopardy, starting with an online test.

The show is searching for players - kids, teens, college students and adults - and is holding qualifying tests in late January and early February.

You can find all you need to sign up at www.jeopardy.com.

The process generally includes a quick online quiz, followed by invitations to a select few for auditions in a nearby city. Trying out for Jeopardy is fun, win or lose.

I should know, I'm one of the TV show's big losers. I racked up $29,800 and still only came in second when I appeared on the show in 2007.

Sally Conklin, the longtime Crocker Art Museum security guard whom The Bee <a href='http://www.sacbee.com/273/story/2198993.html' target='_blank'>profiled</a> in September, is on the mend.

That word comes from Crocker docent Paul Lee, who helped lead fund-raising efforts to help Conklin pay medical bills.

"Sally's doctor just declared her cancer free couple weeks ago," Lee writes in an email. "She just needs to grow her hair back and gain weight, then she can return to work which she is really looking forward to do. We raised enough money to help Sally and her husband to paid for her medical expenses."

FOX

If you think Randy Jackson can't muster up some enthusiasm for Season 9 of "American Idol," then he was faking it during a conference call Friday with "Idol" reporters.

Yeah, yeah, he's one of the two remaining judges from the beginning of this musical journey - along with Simon Cowell, of course - and Jackson maintains there's still magic for this singing competition that has seen its "grads" sell 40 million records, churn out 60 No. 1 hits, sell 14 platinum albums and earn seven Grammys and one Academy Award.

But Randy, what are you guys gonna do to make it fresh one more season?

Add a new judge! That would be Ellen DeGeneres, who joins the other judges, including Randy, Simon and, in her sophomore stint, Kara DioGuardi, this week when the show starts taping Hollywood Week.

Longtime judge Paula Abdul left the show last summer, and Ellen wasn't on board in time for the seven-city audition process so guest judges filled in. Randy talks about what the fans can expect when "American Idol" opens with a two-night premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on Fox. Each night is a two-hour show.

But 'Dawg doesn't give away too many surprises.

Q: After all these years of auditions in all the cities, are you growing impatient with the parade of contestants who truly can't sing?
A: "Yes, a little. You've watched the show. You know what it is. It's no mystery. I mean, what are the (non-talented) contestants seeing that I'm not seeing. I often sit there and think they (the producers) are trying to drive me out of my mind. But it's always new enough for me, so it's exciting. The first stop is Boston, and we fell right into our groove."

Q: Ellen isn't part of the audition process, so how did that work with you, Kara, Simon and the guests?
A: "The guest judges all brought something different. And they're all performers in their own right. In Boston (which is Tuesday), Victoria Beckham joins us. She's got the whole Spice Girls fame thing going. And there's Mary J. Blige, who brought a bit of the fear factor to the contestants. Katy Perry and Shania Twain bring new twists. And then there's entertainers like Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth who come from a totally different perspective. They all know what they're doing, and it was a good thing for the kids to rev up to."

Q: OK, so has the whole Paula issue been a distraction, and what will it mean once the four regular judges are together in Hollywood?
A: "When this whole thing started (Season 1) it was me, Ryan (Seacrest), Simon and Paula. I miss that. I look down the table and ask 'Where's Paula?' But we're welcoming Ellen to the fold. She's fun, charismatic, mad talented. And she's from Louisiana, like me. We need to remember that 'Idol' is still a singing competition. It's about the judges, yeah, but let's focus on what we're judging and the real meat of the show and that's the contestants."

Q: So speaking of the contestants, a female hasn't won since Season 6. What can we expect from what you've seen so far during the auditions?
A: "I've asked where are all the ladies? Dallas really improved this time around in terms of talent. I remember the state of Texas wasn't that good and then we found Kelly Clarkson. Boston was a good town. Orlando was really strange in terms of talent and who came out. After last season, you would have thought more Adam Lambert or Kris Allen types would show up, but that didn't happen. It will be interesting to see who stands the test of time. I think we've got some really legit singers."

Q: You mention Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert. What do you think now that he's no longer part of "Idol?"
A: "Adam is a giant personality. He's unbelievably talented. The whole American Music Awards thing was something he wanted to try. Yes, he's a bigger personality than (winner) Kris, but they're equally talented. Kris won for a reason."

Q: Are there any specific themes you can tell us about?
A: "I've been eager for each new season since the fifth season on because I'm interested to hear the kids sing current music. Wherever you come in to the competition you know you'll get a shot at going up against contemporary artists, so we'll see how the contestants stack up against the real world. I think the viewers will like a lot of the themes."

Q: A lot has been said and written about Simon leaving after this season and that the show could lose some of its luster. Your thoughts?
A: "Until I hear it from him, it's all speculation and rumor. But I believe this show is a rocket ship to the top. It's immensely difficult to sing in front of 30 million viewers and us judging them sternly. No, Beyonce didn't need the show, nor did Jason Mraz but they came into the business with hit songs that were undeniable. People like Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, they came from small towns. But they're stars who were born and cultivated. I think 'Idol' is the best show of its kind ever, and it can go on for a long time. I'm contracted for a couple more seasons, so I haven't thought about an end for it."

Q: So 'Dawg, one final question: What are you looking for in Season 9?
A: "The big three: undeniable talent, something that makes you unique and, dude, you've got to have star persona."

Check back to 21Q on Wednesday, after the first audition show. I'd like to get as many viewers involved in this season as possible. I'll post some thoughts on what to watch for during the audition process for both veteran viewers and, dare we say, newcomers. Then, let's chat about our likes and dislikes, either the contestants, the judges - whatever your "Idol" thoughts might be.

Besides, it's gloomy and gray outside. What else is there to do?

In honor of what would have been Elvis Presley 's 75th birthday, local oldies stations 92.1 K-HITS is playing Elvis all day today.

Or rather, playing songs recorded by Elvis and contemporaries such as Chuck Berry while interspersing remembrances from local people who saw him in concert. Not only that, but the DJs have donned their best Elvis outfits while spinning the King's tunes.

So just know, while listening to K-HITs on your car radio or streaming it online, you are being spared the actual sight of on-air talent in Elvis getups.

UC Davis' goal of housing and displaying 4,000 works in its art collection came one step closer to reality today with the announcement of philanthropist Margrit Mondavi pledge of $2 million to the campus.

The pledge kicks off a $30 million fundraising initiative at UC Davis. The goal is to help the university plan and build a new art museum to house a collection it has amassed over the last 40 years.

Margrit Mondavi's pledge is but the latest philanthropy from the Mondavi family.

She and her late husband Robert Mondavi, gave UC Davis the largest
single gift it had ever received - $35 million - in 2001.

That gift was given to support the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, and the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

The art museum will be built on a site between the Mondavi Center Theatre and Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. Hall - the new home of the university's Graduate School of Management.

I'm baaaaack!

After taking a holiday hiatus from blogging, I've taken up residence again at 21Q, and there's plenty to throw out for this weekend - especially if you're weary of the winter gloom and can't bear to watch another football game.

Here are some options:

• Bridal Showcase:
Cal Expo is the venue for what's called California's largest bridal show. It's from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and it's the place to be if you're planning a wedding. And that process can be as long as two years in advance, so bring your notebooks, laptops, etc., because there will be vendors representing every aspect of the wedding process: consulting, catering, entertainment, florists, hotels/lodging, invitations, limos, photographers, reception and rehearsal dinner sites, travel agencies, videographers, gift registry and, of course, wedding gowns, including accessories and groom's formalwear. And what would a bridal showcase be without fashion shows. At Sunday's event, shows will be held hourly, starting at noon. For more info, click here.

• Trunk show:
Five Figs Couture in Davis will host Meagan Camp, creator and designer for Telesca Jewelry. Camp, who spent many years working in Davis, will showcase her handmade jewelry, which features vintage and antique touches and semi-precious materials. She'll be in the store from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Five Figs is at 231 E St., Suite 3. For more info: (530) 756-3500.

• Second Saturday:
Sacramento will be hopping tomorrow with plenty of music, art, fashion and food for Second Saturday. And take advantage of the Midtown Ice Rink at 20th Street between K and J streets. Several special events have been scheduled at the rink for the art walk, including Grooves on Ice, featuring the Emperor's Jazz, starting at 7 p.m. The rink is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 18. Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for children, $2 for skate rental.

For years Symphony magazine, the The League of American Orchestras' (LAO) award-winning publication devoted to the orchestra field, was an insider thing.

But times have changed, and the orchestral world is changing with it.

As a result, Symphony magazine is is seeking to draw in a larger and more general audience with more populist stories.

That much was made clear with the LAO announcing it's new free online edition, "SymphonyOnline." The online edition can be accessed at americanorchestras.org.

The magazine's focus will continue on news, and feature articles about orchestras and their musicians, as has been the general focus the last 68 years.

However, the online site offers exclusive "online-only" articles, as well as live links to print, audio, and video files of note in the orchestral world.

For those with an interest in the workings of the American orchestra, the mag may prove a good read.

Seiji Ozawa, the most famous Japanese conductor of the 20th century, has been diagnosed with cancer, Reuters reported today.

Ozawa announced the illness at a news conference in Tokyo. The 74-year-old Ozawa said a diagnosis of esophageal cancer is forcing him to cancel all of his performances for the next six months so that he can concentrate on treatment.

Ozawa was due to step down as musical director of the Vienna State Opera in 2010.

In the classical music world, Ozawa is best known for his three decade run as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and also for his sartorial style - which included wearing a white turtleneck on the podium.

Local audiences will know him best for his tenure as music director with the San Francisco Symphony, a post he held between 1969 and 1976. Ozawa first performed with the orchestra in 1962.

Elvis fans can shake, rattle and roll over to Stage Nine in Old Sacramento on Friday and Saturday, where The King's 75th birthday will be celebrated in style.

An Elvis impersonator, a tasting of The King's favorite foods (think fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches) and memorabilia will be on hand at the two-day celebration.

Elvis impersonator Rob Ely will perform from 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday and is hoping to bring along his 1955 pink Cadillac, said Heather Atherton, a spokeswoman for Stage Nine.

The entertainment store is offering fans 25 percent off Elvis merchandise on Friday and beginning at 12 p.m. Saturday is selling a U.S. Postal Service limited edition of 500 commemorative envelopes for $4 each.

The food tasting will be held both days.

State Nine is located at 102 K St., Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 447-3623.

"Late Nite Catechism" has collected over $50,000 for the "real sisters" of America. The interactive play at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret has always included an appeal for audience donations for the religious women of America. Actress and writer Maripat Donovan who initiated the role of Sister and Nonie Newton-Breen who also played the role have stood in the theater's lobby after performances collecting money for the actual sisters who usually don't have Social Security benefits or pensions.

Newton-Breen said, since September the total collections in Sacramento have reached $50,000, mostly in dollar bills. $3 million has been collected at "Catechism" productions around the country. The Sacramento donations were sent to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, whose mother house is in Oakland.
"Late Nite Catechism: 'Til Death Do Us Part" closes Sunday, January 10.

Hey, electronica is not a genre that you instantly associate with Sacramento. But the fact is this genre has been a part of the music scene for years.

Just how much, and in what way, will be the focus of the Sacramento Electronica Music Festival (SEMF), later this month.

Fans of electronica will get their fix during SEMF's three-day event which will showcase several talented electronica artists from city and points beyond.

The artist list includes Command Collective, Tycho, Sister Crayon and The New Humans, amongst others.

WHEN: January 28, 29, 30
WHERE: Townhouse Lounge, 1517 21st St., Sacramento
COST: $5 per day or $10 for a three day pass
INFORMATION: (916) .225.6161 or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93079

Harlem Globetrotter veteran Curly Neal and player Buckets Blakes will be appearing at the
Midtown Ice Rink in midtown Sacramento Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The basketball entertainers will host a bowling on ice contest in which participants can win tickets to the team's 2 p.m. performance Jan. 18 at Arco Arena.

Information on fees and hours for the midtown rink - located right on 20th Street between J and K streets - can be found at www.exploremidtown.org.

After 25 years of bringing culture to downtown, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum closed on Tuesday. It fell victim to an ambitious renovation that went way over budget.

To read the story in the Fresno Bee, go to www.fresnobee.com/1100/story/1769719.html

Classical guitar quartets are not many. Luckily, Northern California boasts one: the The San Francisco Guitar Quartet.

Best of all, this adventurous quartet will perform at the Davis Art Center on Jan. 15. This group, which was founded in 1997, is as committed to new music as it is the standard repertoire. All four members have serious cred in the guitar world, with one a former member of the excellent Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

For fans of the classical guitar, this rare concert is a must-see. And for those who have never heard a guitar quartet it will prove a singular example of how four guitars can sound like a small orchestra.

When: 8 p.m., Jan. 15
Where: Davis Art Center, 1919 F St., Davis.
Tickets (donation): $15 general; $10 students and seniors.
Information: (530) 756-4100, www.davisartcenter.org