Things to do in Sacramento and Beyond

B Street Theatre announces three regional premieres for 2013-14

2013-05-06T20:50:55Z

B Street Theatre has announced that it will present three new plays in 2013-2014 that have enjoyed successful runs in New York on Broadway and Off-Broadway: David Ives' "Venus in Fur," Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities" and Lisa D'Amour's "Detroit." All three are award-winning and will be regional premieres (the theater has yet to put dates on the shows). Here are their descriptions of the plays:

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"Other Desert Cities" by Jon Robin Baitz

One of Broadway's wittiest, most engrossing dramas graces the Mainstage. The fragile bliss of the affluent Wyeth family is shattered when daughter Brooke decides to divulge the family's darkest secrets in a tell-all memoir. But her family's explosive reaction provokes revelations more shocking than anyone could imagine. Staunch loyalties collide with starker truths in Baitz' stunning new play.

"Venus in Fur" by David Ives

"Detroit" by Lisa D'Amour

Sacramento's Deftones take home 'Golden Gods Award'

2013-05-03T23:46:32Z

Put your hands together for Sacramento's Deftones, who won "album of the year" honors at the Revolver Magazine's 5th annual "Golden Gods Awards" Thursday night.

While the band earned an "album of the year" nod from Revolver in December, these "Golden Gods Awards" are voted on by the general public.

Deftones had been nominated for five awards, including best album, guitarist, drummer, bassist and singer.

Members of Korn presented the award - for the band's "Koi No Yokan" - at a ceremony in Los Angeles, where Metallica played with Rob Halford of Judas Priest to close the show.

Deftones singer Chino Moreno also performed, covering Depeche Mode's "Behind the Wheel" with Dillinger Escape Plan.

It's been a busy week for the band, who are on tour and still mourning the recent death of long-time bassist Chi Cheng.

This video from their May 1 concert in St. Louis - featuring the band paying tribute to Kris Kross' Chris Kelly who died earlier this week - has gone viral. Deftones mash up their "Engine No. 9" with the '90s rap duo's hit single "Jump." Check it out.

Cinco de Mayo events in the Sacramento region

2013-05-02T21:43:05Z

Cinco de Mayo 2013 is celebrated this weekend, May4-5. Here are some events planned for the Sacramento region. For complete calendar listings, see our events section.

Saturday

Mexican American Digital History Exhibit and discussion of the Mexican American Digital History Project. Learn how to record family history. Photos welcome. 1:30 p.m. May. 4; Sol Collective, 2574 21st St., Sacramento. Free. (916) 361-9072. MexicanAmericanDigitalHistory.org.

Sunday

Cinco De Mayo Celebration Old Sacramento comes alive Cinco De Mayo weekend. Participating bars will have live music, comedy, karaoke and dancing (River City Saloon, Fanny Ann, O'Mally's Pub, The Other Office, Vega's, Sports). The final party celebrating Cinco De Mayo will be on May 5 from 6 p.m. to closing time. Free. (916) 863-7465. facebook.com/oldsacbars.

]]> Cinco de Mayo Festiva and Tamale Cookoff with ballet folklorico dancing, mariachi, live music, tamale competition, and kid's activities, bounce houses, vendors. All proceeds benefit Sonoma Valley Schools. Noon, May. 5. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. $25 general, $15 children ages 3-12. (707) 480-1805. cincodemayosonoma.com.

Opening Day on the River Decorated Boat Parade The Sacramento Yacht Club hosts Opening Day on the River, a decorated boat parade, themed Cinco de Mayo. The parade will begin at the Sacramento Yacht Club at noon and will proceed upriver through Old Town and turn around at the Virgin Sturgeon restaurant. The parade can be viewed anywhere along the Sacramento River. Noon, May. 5. Free. (916) 300-2850. sacyc.com.

Latin Stars of Comedy and Music Celebration The Sacramento Cinco de Mayo Festival, featuring the Latin Stars of Comedy with comedians Paul Rodriguez, Carlos Mencia, Johnny Sanchez, others.

The Latin All-Stars Band features musicians, including Santana band, The Whispers, Tower of Power, Tierra. Also, a special musical guest performance by Sheila E and her entire band. 6 p.m., May 5. Sleep Train Arena, One Sports Parkway, Sacramento. $32.50-$72.50. (800) 745-3000. sleeptrainarena.com

Cinco De Mayo 2013 featuring live music by A-Train, Sacrad Fire, Grunge Inc., The Ripoffs, Rock & Rhyme, DJ Hektor S. General. Noon, May 5. The Union, 112 Pacific St., Roseville. $5. (916) 742-5081.

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California State Fair announces free summer concert line up

2013-05-02T17:18:24Z

The California State Fair celebrates its 160th anniversary this summer and will do so by offering a free concert every night during the State Fair run, July 12-28.

The line up includes acts like Night Ranger, Hoobastank, "Weird Al" Yankovic, EnVogue and others.

All 17 evening concerts during the State Fair are free with Fair admission and will be held on the Golden 1 Stage at 8 p.m.

]]> Concert seating for each show will be on a first come first served basis.

For advance sale discounted admission tickets and additional information visit: www.bigfun.org.

The 2013 Toyota Concert Series lineup:

July 12 -Night Ranger
July 13 -True2Crue - Motley Crue Tribute Show
July 14 -"Weird Al" Yankovic - "The Alpocalypse Tour"
July 15 -The Four Tops
July 16 -Third Day
July 17 -Hoobastank
July 18 -Lonestar
July 19 -Evolution - The Ultimate Journey Tribute
July 20 -Grand Funk Railroad
July 21 -Ana Victoria, w/ special guest Irene Davi
July 22 -EnVogue
July 23 -LeAnn Rimes
July 24 -Air Supply
July 25 -Kool & the Gang
July 26 -Queen Nation - Queen Tribute Show
July 27 -Zendaya
July 28 -TBA

Kenny Wayne Shepherd to headline Sacramento Music Festival

2013-04-30T19:00:35Z

The Sacramento Music Festival continues to slowly shed its image of banjos, straw hats and dancers with parasols.

Blues guitar phenom Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been booked to headline Friday (May 24) at the Sacramento Music Festival - formerly known as the Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee and the Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee.

Latin-rock stalwarts Los Lobos will headline May 25.

The festival will still feature plenty of the traditional jazz groups that have been a hallmark of this annual event, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

But the focus has shifted in the last few years toward broadening the types of bands, which now encompass rockabilly, bluegrass, Latin styles and more. That original dixieland demographic has dwindled and the challenge for organizers is to appease that core audience while adding more contemporary touches to the lineup.

The Sacramento Music Festival runs May 24-27 in Old Sacramento.

For more information: www.sacmusicfest.com

Davis-based novelist John Lescroart launches his 24th title

2013-04-30T18:02:52Z

New York Times bestselling legal-thriller novelist John Lescroart will host a launch party for his new novel, "The Ophelia Cut," at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St., Davis; (530) 297-2108.

The centerpiece will be his onstage conversation with "Morning Edition" host Donna Apidone. The evening will include a reading and book-signing; music; wine and catered food will accompany. The public is invited.

"I may even sing a song or two," Lescroart said.

Visit him at www.johnlescroart.com.

Rescue baby birds in Placerville

2013-04-19T18:16:45Z

Sierra Wildlife Rescue's April Baby Bird Nursery needs volunteers to help feed rescued orphaned and injured nestlings and fledglings from early May through July. But to help out, volunteers must be trained.

The SWR will provide that training at 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at its center, 3030 Newtown Road, Placerville. The feedings will continue from May through July.

Reserve a spot for the training at 530-621-2650, or at barbaraewing@cal.net.

Free movies next Thursday at Sacramento drive-in

2013-04-18T20:54:17Z

The West Wind Sacramento Drive-In off Highway 50 and Bradshaw offers inexpensive entertainment every night. But on Thursday, April 25, it will show movies free of charge.

"Wreck-It-Ralph," "Fast and Furious 5" and "Jack the Giant Slayer" will be offered for free as part of the drive-in's customer appreciation night.

West Wind has offered customer-appreciation nights for the past few years as acknowledgments of robust drive-in attendance.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. at the Sacramento Drive-in at 9616 Oates Drive. Movies begin at dusk. The event will feature live music and bounce houses for children.

. For information, see the drive-in's website.

Sacramento plays bit role in Louis C.K.'s new HBO comedy special

2013-04-11T18:21:13Z

Louis C.K.'s new stand-up special "Oh My God" will debut at 10 p.m. Saturday on HBO. The special was shot in February in Phoenix, but Sacramento played a role as well.

Louis C.K, whose brilliance I examined (with the help of some local comedians) in this Bee article, booked his February show at Wells Fargo Pavilion to prepare for the HBO special taping later that week at Phoenix's Celebrity Theatre.

The comedian told his Sacramento audience that he chose Sacramento because he needed a theater in the round like Wells Fargo Pavilion, to practice for the Celebrity, also a theater in the round. Otherwise, he did not care about Sacramento or its populace, he said.

Then he delivered more than 90 minutes of amazing comedy, suggesting he actually did care. It will be interesting to see what bits from the Wells Fargo Pavilion show made it into Saturday's hour-long special.

PHOTO: CARLO ALLEGRI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Late singer-actor-innovator Serge Gainsbourg to be feted

2013-04-10T19:36:10Z

He was a singer, songwriter, actor, director and all-around innovator, and on Saturday, the Sacramento French Film Festival will pay tribute to Serge Gainsbourg with its fourth Serge! tribute party.

As is apt for any celebration of Gainsbourg, the event will include music (live and by DJs), short films and liquor. Guy, the French bartender, will serve special Pastis cocktails as part of a no-host wine and beer bar.

The smoking will need to happen outside the Verge Center for the Arts (625 S St., Sacramento), site of the celebration.

Admission is $7, and proceeds go to the Sacramento French Film Festival, happening in June at Sacramento Crest Theatre, and to Verge Center for the Arts.

Gainsbourg, who died in 1991, would have been 84 this year. He left behind a treasure trove of experimental, influential music and the wonderful actress-singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, his daughter with model and actress Jane Birkin.

The SFFF also has put out a call for Gainsbourg-themed stencil drawings that can be include on the "Gainsbourg wall" in Paris. The artwork must be no more than 1 square yard and must include "Sacramento" somewhere within it. Deadline is May 30. University Art, at 2601 J St., will accept entries.

For information, call (916) 455-9390 or visit the French Film Festival website.

(Above is a video for "Bonnie and Clyde," a Gainsbourg duet with Brigitte Bardot and one of the coolest songs ever).

New space is previewed at San Francisco's Exploratorium

2013-04-09T21:07:22Z

By Ed Fletcher
elfetcher@sacbee.com

With triple the space at its new Pier 15 location, the Exploratorium promises to build on what was already a must-see San Francisco experience.

The new building opens to the public April 17 and adds 150 brand new exhibits -- including a free outdoor space -- to the experience.

"It was a bit dark," Dennis Bartels, the center's executive director, said of the old space where the hands-on museum lived for 43 years in the Palace of Fine Arts.

He said the new center with views to both the city and the bay will be more accessible.

Some 200 journalists attended the preview Tuesday.

Advanced tickets are for sale online. Tickets are $25, with discounts for various groups. For more information visit www.exploratorium.edu. Read the full preview in the April 19 ticket section.

See puppy matches at Sacramento dog show at Cal Expo

2013-04-09T19:16:24Z

This week, Cal Expo goes to the dogs - and it's a good thing.

Starting Thursday, the Sacramento Kennel Club hosts its annual show, a Sacramento tradition stretching back almost a century.

More than 4,000 dogs representing 100-plus breeds are expected to compete in this four-day event, which runs through Sunday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. In addition, dozens of vendors will offer canine-related products and services.

For the first time, the Sacramento show will host "puppy matches" - special competitions open only to puppies, age 4 to 6 months. Organizers expect the puppy matches to become an instant fan favorite.

Admission is $10; seniors and juniors, $8.50. Children under age 12 are admitted free. Only dogs participating in the event are allowed on the Cal Expo grounds.

Thursday and Friday are devoted to terriers. All breeds will compete Saturday and Sunday. For full details and schedules, click on www.sacramentodogshow.com.

Tonight in Davis: Prom, poetry and pink wine

2013-04-04T17:48:15Z

People Magazine staff writer Oliver Jones will be at the John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis tonight (April 4) for a reading of his essay "The Last Time I Had Zinfandel," part of the book "The Time of My Life: Writers on the Heartbreak, Hormones and Debauchery of the Prom."

Jones, who was written for magazines including Details and Premiere and is a past winner of the Glasscock Poetry Prize, will be joined by poet and UC Davis English and creative writing professor Joe Wenderoth, whose work has been widely anthologized.

Language and topics might be not be suitable for some listeners. Time permitting, there will be a Q&A after the event (an open mic at the gallery begins at 9 p.m.).

John Natsoulas Gallery is located at 521 First St. in Davis. Event starts at 8 p.m.

-- Tim Swanson

Rolling Stones play Northern California in May

2013-04-03T19:06:56Z

Maybe it's not so much of a drag getting old.

The Rolling Stones have announced new dates for its "50 and Counting" tour - celebrating the band's 50th anniversary - and they include stops at Oakland's Oracle Arena on May 5 and San Jose's HP Pavilion on May 8. (What? No Sleep Train Arena?)

Front man Mick Jagger, who turns 70 this summer, will be there along with guitarists Keith Richards, Ron Wood and drummer Charlie Watts. Former Stones member Mick Taylor will also share the stage.

"'50 and Counting' has been pretty amazing so far," Jagger said in a statement. We did a few shows in London and New York last year ... and had such a good time that we thought ... let's do some more. It's a good show. Lots of the classic stuff everyone wants to hear ... with a few gems tucked in here and there."

The last major Stones tour was its "A Bigger Bang" show that ran August 2005 to August 2007.

"50 and Counting" tickets for Oakland, San Jose and other cities go on sale Monday (April 8) at 10 a.m. local time and will be available at rollingstones.com

-- Tim Swanson

Here's looking at 'Casablanca' on Sacramento-area big screens

2013-04-01T17:02:00Z

Bogey and Bergman will always have Paris, and film buffs will always have "Casablanca."

Round up the usual suspects, get the tub of popcorn and settle into a screening Wednesday of the 1942 Academy Award winner at selected Sacramento-area theaters.

The showings are part of the Cinemark Classics Series.

When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Cinemark theaters in Elk Grove, Rocklin, Roseville and Sacramento.

Cost: $7-10

Information: http://www.cinemark.com/