Category: Arts

New Movie Theater Opens with Red Carpet Flare

The Crest, which its grand architectural detail.
The Crest, which its grand architectural detail.
Palladio 16 in Folsom.
Palladio 16 in Folsom.

Last night marked the grand ribbon cutting and opening of the new Palladio 16 Cinemas in Folsom. The event offered much pomp and circumstance, complete with a limo loop to drive attendees from parking lot to red “carpet” (which is actually a sparkly, red, stone addition to the actual sidewalk).

The theater seats are spacious and cozy—they even recline. The digital picture quality was sharp and pristine. The entire place still smells of plastic and new—except for the entrance, which obviously smelled of freshly popping, buttery corn.

Overall, it’s certainly a quality viewing experience. Yet, for the $19 price tag you’ll pay to experience it, you won’t find any of the exquisite character of The Crest with its grand architecture and artistic detail. Aside from the fancy red sidewalk, it’s just a basic, dark, nondescript theater. You won’t be hearing the classic Annie song “Let’s go to the Movies” with images of Broadway tap dancers floating through your head. It’s just another movie theater with an ultra-high ticket price.

Who doesn’t like Discount Jazz?

Those chickens were mighty tasty
Those chickens were mighty tasty
I was hungry, so my trusty dog and I were chasing the wild chickens that inhabit hobotown on the North side of Boulevard Park. Hot on the trail, we crashed under a chainlink fence and were surprised to find a musical combo practicing their hot licks. We sat in the dirt and enjoyed their raising a ruckus for the local hobos that tolerated their caterwauling so they could cop a squat next to their barrel fire and catch a whiff of their manly musk. We passed a jug, kicked the dirt and roasted chickens until the night became blurry and uncomfortable.

Thankfully, I had forgotten most of that night until today, when I saw an ad for a hootenanny at Luna’s tonight. Sure enough, it was those two fine smelling gentlemen grinning out from the photo, bringing back terrible memories of undercooked poultry and a two week battle with the hobo flu. The only good recollection I have of that night is the toe tapping tunes and sharp wit of the Freebadge Serenaders that had me holding my belly with laughter and indigestion.

Keith Lowell Jensen’s Wednesday Night Comedy
at
Luna’s Cafe and Juice Bar (1414 16th Street)
8pm, $5

This Second Saturday Help Bring Art to At-Risk Kids

DelgadoThis Second Saturday, enjoy your art and share it, too. Head over to Raphael Delgado Art Studio, 1018 22nd Street, for a unique pairing of art and the spirit of giving. But don’t show up empty-handed! This party is for the giver, not the Grinch. Bring along some art materials to donate to the Stanford Home for Children’s annual Crayons to Canvas art supply drive.

This drive provides materials for the nonprofit’s art therapy program helping teens from at-risk families. They are specifically in need of art supplies for youth ages 10-18.

With art provisions in tow, Continue reading “This Second Saturday Help Bring Art to At-Risk Kids”

Polar Express Tickets are SOLD OUT

While the Kings may be suffering from the lowest attendance in franchise history it sure was refreshing to learn that, for the third year in a row, the “Polar Express” train ride in Old Sacramento is sold out for the season.

From News10.net:

“We don’t advertise. We do promote ticket sales to our members, but it’s just a word of mouth event over the last three years,” said Mello.

Of course, people have to be people and some have scalped auctioned tickets on eBay (tickets are normally $24 for adults, $16 for children).

At any rate, this is good news for Sacramento and for our otherwise crappy economy.

(For the 2010 Polar Express train ride, members of the California State Railroad Museum will have the opportunity for advance ticket purchase before the general public. For more information on becoming a member, call the Membership Office at (916) 445-5995.)

A Christmas Tale: DVD Review

Looking for a good holiday movie? Stick to the classics. Whatever you do, skip A Christmas Tale by Arnaud Desplechin. This newly released DVD can be found tucked alongside The Grinch that Stole Christmas, Elf, Home Alone, and dozens of other feel-good standards. But don’t be duped. This film doesn’t deserve such good company. The DVD jacket is dressed with quality quotes of positive film reviews, one going so far as to name it “#1 film of the year.” Let’s be honest. This is the #1 yawn of the year.

The movie takes place in France, so you’ll need to read subtitles. It’s about a dysfunctional family: the sister banishes a brother from her life; the mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness; and the grandson is sent to a mental institution. Then the whole family comes together for the holiday, and the viewer must endure their puffy speeches and trying interactions. The only likeable moments are those shared between the outcast son and his mother, whose constant banter about hating one another is clearly their distant manner of sharing affection.

Despite the jacket’s description of the film as a “black comedy,” Continue reading “A Christmas Tale: DVD Review”

Funk and flow at Harlow’s

One of the best hip-hop lineups to come through town in some time is tonight, so get your shoes on and get to Harlow’s for The Deadliest Catch Tour at 9pm. Chali 2na, from Jurassic 5, is touring on his release Welcome to the Fish Market, a teaser for his frequently delayed first solo album Fish Outa Water. He is performing with his band, so expect high-intensity funk jams and psychedelic looping to get the crowd dancing.

The three accompanying acts are equally stellar MCs: Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Mr Lif and Lyrics Born. Mr Lif just released I Heard it Today which is even more politically hardcore and confrontational than his usual work. Gift of Gab and Lyrics Born both have local roots through UC Davis and their early work with the Quannum MCs. They have deep fan bases in Sacramento, so get to the show early if you are buying tickets at the door. Tickets can also be bought online or at The Beat.

Today: Fine Art & Craft Show

This butterfly mosaic is just one of many beautiful pieces on sale today.Shop local. Help school kids. Grab your holiday gift list  and head over to the Fine Art & Craft Show benefitting St. Mary’s school. It runs today only from 10:00AM till 7:00PM. Tickets are $5 at the door, which is located at M & 58th Streets.

Visit their Facebook page for a preview of what’s on sale, and to print off a coupon for a free cup of coffee.

If you’ve got any women on your gift list that like hand-made jewelry, or pretty things in general, you’re sure to find something here.

Vintage Fresh: Bows & Arrows Offers Anniversary Sale

My pretty, pretty dress sewn by staff designers at Bows & Arrows. Purchased for $30.
My pretty, pretty dress sewn by staff designers at Bows & Arrows. Purchased for $30.

Do your eyes widen at the site of acrylic? Does your closet hold a collection of pieces from your mom, your grandma, and possibly even your dad’s old wardrobe? Can you replicate the latest fashion trends just by rummaging through treasures at the back of your closet? Do you wear those clothes to your professional job?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re a vintage junkie. Lucky for you, there’s an elemental store that caters to the inner-most fashion dreams of the true vintage queen: Bows & Arrows. Indeed, this place, decked out with its fluffy cat idols and ultra-hip recyclables, could easily double as a museum of fashions gone by—and come back again. Filled with age-old classics ranging from fluorescent, poke-a-dot housewife dresses and faded cowgirl boots to 80s sunglasses and authentic stirrup leggings, this shop will make you drop to your knees and thank the style goddesses. If thrift stores were ever trendy, Bows & Arrows takes the lead.

Bows & Arrows opened two years ago. In fact, they’re holding an anniversary sale this Second Saturday, November 14 with 25% off everything! With prices already ranging from $5 to $30, you won’t want to miss out on these savings. They’re located at 1712 L Street in midtown, and will stay open till 10 pm. Festivities will include live music by Rip Wavez, Lite Brite, and Musical Charis with featured art by Jairus Tonel.

Continue reading “Vintage Fresh: Bows & Arrows Offers Anniversary Sale”

Chris Jericho/Mr Lobo controversy hits TMZ

Chris Jericho
Creative Commons License photo credit: Will Beardmore

Sac For Tourists noticed that an incident between homoerotic entertainer Chris Jericho and the inimitable Mr Lobo has put Sacramento on TMZ once again:

Jericho was at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival two weeks ago … for a screening of a movie in which he appears. During a Q&A session, Jericho referred to the moderator several times as “Hadji” — a term sometimes used as a racial slur against Middle Easterners.

After the first wave of slurs — and a random shot at Paris Hilton — the host jokingly takes Jericho’s drink to sniff it for booze, when Chris chimes back, “it’s apple juice … fag.”

Continue reading “Chris Jericho/Mr Lobo controversy hits TMZ”