I’d love to give some free publicity to ConQuest Sacramento, “A gaming convention with a sci-fi flair” which will be taking place this weekend (April 7-9) at the Red Lion Inn. Special events include a costume contest hosted by one of my favorite local celebrities, Mr. Lobo, and a “questing through time” (this year’s theme) movie marathon including such time-travel hits as “TimeCop,” “Back to the Future,” and “Bill And Ted’s” (shorthand I suppose for a double feature of Excellent Adventure as well as Bogus Journey, though I don’t recall the Bogus Journey having a time-travel theme–didn’t they go to H-E double hockey sticks?). Gather your plastic tube of dice and put on your mage’s robe and giant fighting robot pilot helmet and join the fun.
Category: Arts
More handouts for the big big screen
This thing about the IMAX theater subsidy from the student… err, city council is just one more example of Sacramento making it a priority to bring features into the city that residents just don’t want. Has anyone heard of a subsidy for the Crest? It seems unlikely that this has ever happened. Well, it’s only the latest detail in a history of public infatuation with IMAX.
In 1998, the city gave $6 million to the Esquire Plaza’s previous
owners – led by developer David Taylor. That project included office
space and the 450-seat IMAX theater.
The city gave the money on the condition that IMAX remain open for at
least five years. When it became clear that IMAX was struggling,
Taylor’s group reduced the theater’s rent in its second year.
I’m not saying there isn’t a place for the giant screen at IMAX and the … also giant screen down the way at The Crest. I’m not saying people should not eat at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden. All I’m saying is, if the IMAX is failing, couldn’t that be because it is not competetive? Couldn’t it be because K Street has become a terrible location for any business? If the Crest is thriving, which I assume it is since it’s still in business, couldn’t that be because it is giving the people something they want?
Skating with (would be) celebrities
I had occasion to visit Skatetown in Roseville this past Saturday. Unfortunately, I was unable to use the free skate rental offer mentioned in a previous post. I could have used it though as it is $10 to skate these days (including rental). Who knew? Who also knew what a fuster cluck it would be out there, too? Good gravy, as you can see by the photo, there was little room for error. How the ice wasn’t littered with severed fingers is beyond me. I witnessed no fewer than 5 “close calls” where someone would take a header with arms out stretched only to have Apollo Ohno come whizzing by with hands tucked behind his back, etc.
What really got to me, however, were the jack holes that thought they would use this time to practice their axels and salchows. And then get irritated when someone was in the way of their landing. Very comical, I must say. I don’t go to the McDonald’s playland to practice my tumbling, right? Ok, once, but Tricks was closed!
Update: Due to technical issues beyond our control, comments made by Runnergirl and SinghCity were lost today. For comedy relief, I’ll attempt to recreate…
Get your Diamond on
I know nothing about music but I hear this guy Neil is pretty good. In fact he’s so good there’s a tribute in Davis tonight for him. Singers and listeners alike are welcome.
Bring Your Straw Boater and Your Arm Garters
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! Live at the Charmichael Elks Lodge. Make sure that you don’t miss the 2006 Banjo-Rama. This is ain’t your grandfather’s Banjo-Rama…ok, it actually is your grandfather’s Banjo-Rama. But, it’s still fun for the whole family. Besides, how often do you get to go up to some dude and say, “Hey, nice banjo.”
Jensen interviews Newhart
A great interview of comedy icon Bob Newhart on the Retrocrush podcast by Rockass.net and I Can’t Believe it’s Not Comedy’s Keith Lowell Jensen. Jensen manages to do a great interview without being starstruck–something I can’t imagine being able to do with someone of that stature. I always imagine myself as doing that Chris Farley interview bit. Jensen captures some really great trivia bits (that his wife contributed the “the show was all a dream” idea, for example) and some priceless reminiscing about Newhart’s early days. Don’t miss it, comedy fans.
How soon is now?
Did anyone happen to catch the evening of The Smiths cover bands downtown this past weekend? I’d have gone but had other commitments & am eager to hear how it was.
More for the nerds
Via Dotties nominee Badmouth here is a video interview with Richard Hatch, not the Survivor one, the “Battlestar Galactica” one, conducted by Mr. Lobo, host of one of our finest local public access shows, Cinema Insomnia.
Takin’ it to the streets
News10.net reports that Sacramento police will have zero tolerance for out-of-control street partying during Mardi Gras festivities in Old Sacramento this year.
Last year police in riot gear had to break up large street crowds in the historic section the weekend before the pseudo-holiday. Approximately 700 party-goers converged on the area for an event that never materialized. Instead, there were fights and vehicles were vandalized.
No wonder they were hostile, how embarrassing. If only the Sac Rag was around back then to warn the public.
Putting the “fun” at the beginning of Derland since 1947
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A little rain can’t dampen the funder at Funderland, Sacramento’s premiere spot for weird vintage carnival fun. I hadn’t personally been since I was a child, and let me tell you, it’s one of the best deals going in town. The train, the cars, the carousel (which was a little too fast for our birthday girl), the Flying Dragon (a toddler roller coaster), and as you can see the pink popcorn make even a drizzly day carnival-tastic. The only downside is a mild freakout every once in a while if you stare at stuff for too long.
The Sac Rag 