SEE YOU THERE!

I wasn’t planning on going out Saturday night. I was tired from work, I had fallen behind on my movies to watch from Netflix, I just figured I’d lay low, maybe pop into Old I for a little while for a fix of live music if the mood hit me later in the evening.

Then I got a call from my buddy, Jerry Perry. “Hey, I’m going to see Sal Valentino at The Palms tonight. You interested in going?”

Yes, I was, for two main reasons. First, I had not been to The Palms since they moved to Winters. I’d been to a good amount of shows in the old Davis barn location, but Winters just seemed so far away, especially when there are usually several good options for live music on any given weekend night here in town.

Continue reading “Valentino Day” »

The canceled Jason Isbell show last week was a disappointment to many, but to me it brought two fortunate things. First, was a free poster printed for the gig given as a consolation prize. Like the ones that are handed out in San Francisco after shows at the Fillmore or the Warfield or the more local Asbestos Press silk-screened posters you may have seen around town, it’s printed on thick paper that will last being tacked to the wall for at least a year. The design is a symmetrical mirror image split down the center featuring lightning bolts, oil derricks and the front ends of a classic Ford Mustang all on semi-glossy silver. To be honest, I haven’t had the chance to listen to Jason Isbell’s solo effort that he left the Drive-By Truckers for, but the imagery all fits with the down-home working stiff cowpunk that I’ve come to expect from DBT.

Continue reading “Shows Shows Shows Galore” »

A photo of Tom Brady is a blog post’s
ticket to Google success

Two free events coming up this weekend that I wanted to make sure to mention. First of all, don’t forget Saturday is Museum Day. Free admission to 25 local museums from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forecast calls for rain at least part of the day on Saturday, possibly in the afternoon, so maybe an after-lunch trip to the train museum will be just what the Dr. ordered for your weekend.

Continue reading “Weekend events: Museum Day, Harpeth Trace @ The Firehouse” »

Just got this news over the ‘Wire’ that Runaway Stage Productions is still looking for a few good men and women for their upcoming production of “Cabaret” (now in rehearsals).

Performances are 2/29 (that’s a Leap Year Day!) thru 3/23, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of taking in a Runaway Stage production, let me assure you that from a community theater perspective- they are top-notch. Far and away, they are one of the best local theaters in the Sacramento area- and totally cleaned house at last year’s Elly Awards for their production of “Chicago.”

An Absolutely FABULOUS Press Release after the break

Continue reading “Audition Notice: Channel your inner-Liza” »

Oooookay. There are a couple of angles from which I could begin this review and I don’t know where to start so let me puss out and just lay the my main points out right here. First, the Boardwalk is a less than desirable venue that’s far-the-fuck-away from downtown with security that doesn’t let you go back to your car to get the cell phone that you’ve forgotten unless you want to skip the show that you’ve already paid for, wristband and hand stamp notwithstanding. I have no idea why that is, but I will float the idea that the Boardwalk, being the 18 and over venue that it is, is afraid that the teenyboppers, mall punks, newly-pierced and tatted future hipsters that I’ll want to punch who can’t currently drink will be sneaking out to their cars to take shots of ten dollar vodka and come back to the show and cause a ruckus that security will not want to deal with. It was just my phone dammit. I can understand that dealing with the young’uns can an amazing pain in the ass, but I mean, c’mon.

Continue reading “Play Punkers Can’t Stop the Rock” »

Mark your calendars, the fall brewfests have arrived. Remember to plan ahead, as all three festivals offer a discount for advance ticket purchases. All three events benefit local children’s charities.

Continue reading “Three Brewfests, brew news and a brew rumor” »

157 years ago, on Sep 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state.  In order to celebrate this great day, there was a somewhat understated presentation at the Capitol including a barbershop quartet and a color guard.  Maybe it’s just my Calicentric viewpoint, but I think is a day that we should celebrate with a little more oomph.  There should be fireworks and parades and lots and lots of drinking.  In fact, this is a day that we, as Californians, should reflect on the greatness that is our state, and how fortunate the other 49 states are to have us.

I mean, think about it.  California provides 60% of the fresh produce, 35% of the commercial lumber, 68% of the wine, 90% of the movies, 80% of the attractive people, and 100% of the “California Cuisine” in America.  (all of these stats are made up, and therefore, totally true)  We need to celebrate all that is California this weekend.  Fly your Bear Flag in front of your house.  Shout “Eureka” a lot.  And don’t ever forget that you live in the greatest state in the greatest country in the world.

I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m playing in this show:

Sacramento’s newest and most revolutionary folk band will have their first public concert on Friday, June 29 at 8pm.

The “Dutch Elm Trio” featuring Greg Sabin on banjo, Chris Olsen on guitar and Pat Skiffington on bass will
make its debut at the Sacramento Comedy Spot studio at 1716 Broadway in Sacramento.  The trio’s
interpretation of classic folk has been hailed by themselves as “groundbreaking,” “jaw-dropping” and
“somewhat better than we’d intended.”

Special guests, “The Tip Top Trio,” Sacramento’s favorite rockabilly band, will be following the Dutch
Elm boys and rounding out an evening of musical entertainment.

Tickets are just $5 at the door, and they’ll be going fast, so make sure to get there early.  See you
Friday!

What:  Dutch Elm Trio: World Debut
When:  Friday, June 29, 8pm
Where: Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1716 Broadway
How much: $5

As a counterpoint to the lengthy calendar sections of the local media outlets, we here at the ‘Rag will not inundate you with events and happenings and cultural brouhahas that may not appeal to you.  We will, however, tell you what we, the writers of the Sac Rag, plan to do this weekend.  Please keep in mind that not only are we independently wealthy, but also attractive and tied in to the local scene tighter than a fat chick’s Wranglers.  So, here’s what we’re doing this weekend.  We don’t want to tell you what to do, but be aware, if you choose to join us in any of these outings, you will be a better person for it.

Continue reading “What Are We Doing This Weekend?” »