Category: Arts

SNR flash fiction offerings fail to impress

Chuck Rosenthal
Chuck Rosenthal,
one of my heroes

I know what you’re thinking, he can’t even write about local crime statistics without getting hated on, and now he thinks he’s a literary critic? Well naysayer, I’ll have you know I studied writing under Chuck Rosenthal, whose short short story “The Nicest Kid in the Universe” was anthologized in the eponymous anthology “Flash Fiction.” Anywhoo, this year’s stories are lame, and again I know what you’re thinking, no I don’t mean lame in an over-the-top shocking and offensive way. I mean lame fiction in the traditional sense. Continue reading “SNR flash fiction offerings fail to impress”

!!! – “Myth Takes” due out March 4th

!!!Tracks from !!!‘s forthcoming release “Myth Takes” have been hitting the mp3-link-osphere… Fans of the group’s hard dance rock will be pleased. It’s hard to pick a favorite from this mix but I like “A New Name” and as noted elsewhere you can’t beat the song title “Bend Over Beethoven.”

(Sadly, I have just noticed–before I read it in the Wikipedia link, that is–that a Google search for “!!!” gets you precisely zero results–well, not exactly zero results; it’s more like that search breaks Google. Luckily a search for the most common spelling, “chk-chk-chk” gets you where you want to go…)

“So much for world peace” or “Who wants to talk Project Runway?”

This was the punchline delivered by one of the news anchors on the Good Morning Today it’s Early show yesterday after running a story about, ahem, current Miss USA Tara Conner. Of course, no one got it and he had to explain that she’s being scrutinized for her underage drinking, drug use, and same sex lip locking (not that there’s anything wrong with that! well, she was Miss Teen USA, but she was 18! we think, not sure if she was at the time, but let’s not split hairs here) and that typically that’s the answer contestants give when asked…just as I will do now, he let it go and moved on…but I laughed, talking head, dude, I laughed!

Today, cbs13.com ran a story (lucky for me as I’ve been itching to rant on the subject and needed the “local angle” to pitch to my editor at headquarters) about a local beauty queen’s reaction to Donald Trump’s decision to let Miss USA keep her title as long as she agreed to enter rehab. Continue reading ““So much for world peace” or “Who wants to talk Project Runway?””

True Love Never Dies

…it just moves a few blocks.

The SacRag is pleased to announce the return of The True Love Coffeehouse! Earlier this month, owners Kevin and Allyson Seconds had the “soft” opening and are open for business at 2315 K Street.

In no time at all, the True Love will be reclaiming the title as the coolest place in town to catch live, local music. Will we also see the return of the Waffle King? Will movie night return? Can we still get the invigorating quadruple-shot Dark Lord?

The Grand Opening is still coming at an undisclosed date in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled as this will be a great party.Welcome back!

Fun with slideshows

(Yes, we’re having a slow day at the Sac Rag offices, so sue us!)

Ever notice how KCRA.com offers up slideshows on their site?  While they are usually your standard “Caught on Tape” wackiness, from time to time I find a few that are funny.  Mainly because they are not really explained or introduced.  They just jump right into their topic.  For example, I noticed two “Most Annoying” slideshows today.  The first was “The Most Annoying Songs of All Time” and the second was “The Most Annoying Celebrities of All Time“.

While we can all agree on Carrot Top, I’m not sure Don Johnson really fits.  And Nathan Lane?

But, be careful.  I still can’t get that darned “Mmmm Bop” song out of my head now…

Lost in the zoo

Zoo on-site veterinary hospitalI haven’t seen the Zoo’s new veterinary hospital yet, but my wife and daughters saw it yesterday, the day after its grand opening. As you can see from the thumbnail image (all I could find), it is a rustic building in the middle of a jungle-like setting. Mrs Cool caught a glimpse inside the open door, though, and spied a fully stocked operating room with an empty operating table, which put her immediately in mind of a certain TV show about people who are Lost on an island. That tall shaggy-haired orangutan better watch out, because Pickett has got that gleam in his eye…

The Local “Scene” & Weekly Improv at the Capitol Garage

I just got a little survey from sacbee.com asking me what changes I’d like to see in sacticket.com, the online version of the Bee’s “Scene” section. In thinking about it, I realized that what I’d really like to see is more coverage of local bands, comedians, theaters, artists, writers and performers and less focus on movies, TV and national celebrities which, let’s face it, have become the territory of bloggers, national news outlets and omnipresent marketing campaigns. Honestly, when was the last time you looked to the Bee to plan your movie viewing strategy? And Rick Kushman’s writing on TV? That guy should have a national column.
That being said, here’s a quick note on a new series of improv comedy shows that just started at the Capitol Garage. Every Wednesday, from 9-11, the Sacramento Comedy Spot is hosting an improv show at the Capitol Garage at 15th and K. Cover is $5, but the laughs are free.

Sully don’t surf

In my house, it’s notable when Sacramento is mentioned on TV or in a movie, even in passing. When it happens during one of my favorite TV shows it’s practically cause for a gala event at Spataro. On last night’s “Veronica Mars” our gal is on the case of the missing boyfriend: Sully, from Sacramento. Don’t think we didn’t cross our fingers and hope V, Wallace and the gang had to make a field trip to pick up some clues from the downtown plaza or the Crocker!

Daddy and the girls review: “Dark Metropolis”

Irving Norman: Dark Metropolis
Detail from “My World and Yours” (1954). Oil on Trapper Keeper.

This Sunday, I took my 2 daughters to the Crocker because, if you didn’t know this already, it’s free from 10 to 1. We started our visit with a snack on the grounds of the Crocker–crackers and apples in a garden setting, just to the left of the main entrance. It was a fabulous idea.

Then I made the mistake of telling my 3 year old that we probably didn’t need to see the special exhibit “Dark Metropolis: Irving Norman’s Social Surrealism” because it would probably be scary. Well, I might as well have told her that the paintings were made of candy (not because she’s a museum toucher–she’s actually quite restrained, maybe because I fed her first).

Continue reading “Daddy and the girls review: “Dark Metropolis””