Author: sac-eats

So, the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society announced last week that they were changing the name of the Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee (formerly the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee) to the “Sacramento Music Festival.” My initial reaction is that this is weak and pathetic. But then I thought about it, and realized that it’s cowardly and pathetic.

When I started going to the Jubilee as a tyke, it spread all over town like a giant squid, its tentacles reaching into every crevice in Sacramento. Now it’s shrunk down to fill only Old Sacramento — which is fine as admittedly the crowd has shrunk over the decades due to the unremitting scythe of death — but in the process of shrinking, it’s losing its soul. Instead of concentrating the essence of the Jubilee, which was old-time music mixed with fried food and libations, it instead is trying to find that perfect mix of party music that will bring out the crowds and keep the whole thing afloat. And even that’s not being done convincingly. Throwing a Steely Dan cover band into the mix isn’t exactly going to bring out the masses. Continue reading “Sacramento “Music” Festival to Feature “Music””

My air conditioning has been out all week, so I’m looking for anything to cool off. It turns out, this Friday, one of the coolest events of the year is coming to Sacramento. On Friday, July 15, The Yule Logs, the world’s funkiest Christmas/rock band will be gracing our fair city with a show at Luigi’s Fungarden in Midtown.

I’ve seen these guys before and they are one of the most fun acts you will ever see. Whether it’s December or the middle of summer, there’s no wrong time to see the most rocked out (and clever) versions of your favorite Christmas tunes. Check out their website http://www.yulelogsmusic.com/, for a sampling of their insane, seasonal sound.

Xmas in July featuring The Yule Logs, Uni and her Ukelele, and Musical Chairs

Friday July 15^th, 9pm. Luigi’s Fungarden- 1050 20^th St, Sacramento

According to Jerry Perry, preeminent Sacramento music booker, Old Ironsides, that bastion of rock, blues, folk, country, and everything in between will no longer have live music after July 1. All booked shows will be moved or cancelled.

It’s not often I break out the profanity stick, but what the fuck?

UPDATE: Apparently reports of Old I’s death are somewhat exaggerated. We’ll see if there is a temporary delay in live tunes at Old I or not depending on a situation with a rented sound system. The one thing this story has exposed is that almost half the town has opinions on whether or not Jerry Perry, or the management at Old I is or are douchebags.

Not too many people I know like to party in Old Sac. It’s a tad inconvenient, the cobblestones destroy your shocks, and the parking sucks more than the Dyson rollerball. Yet, a few swell places call Old Sac home. Most folks know of the Back Door Lounge, the swankiest dive in town, where seeing and being seen is the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. Then there’s the Delta King. Despite it’s kitschy, touristy vibe, it houses a pretty decent restaurant, a wine school, and one of my favorite river-side bars.

Add to that mix the Crescent Club, a recently opened “speakeasy” that features fancy cocktails, vintage furnishings, and live old-time jazz on the weekends. Each one of those offerings hits me in the sweet spot. I want to spend every night there, sprawled out in the opium den, sipping gin and listening to Django. Here’s the rub. Nobody else seems to share my passion. Each time I’ve attended an event or played an event there, the crowd is thin at best. Continue reading “Crescent Club: Potential, Potential, Potential”