This week there is no excuse! Despite this 'little' slump we're in, I was able to find a slew of cost efficient ways to entertain yourself throughout the week. There's a little something for everybody...

Tues 4.14
Music: Lipstick- $3 (before 10pm)
When: 8:00pm
Where: Old Ironsides
Why: A fusion of indie rock, pop, garage & electronic dance part. It's been going strong for 8 years. 'Nuff said.

Sports: Sacramento Rivercats v. Portland Beavers- $10+
When: 7:05pm
Where: Raley Field
Why: If I am going to go to any Baseball game, it's going to be this one. Who wouldn't want to see which of the water creatures prevails?

Wed 4.15
Music: Ari Hest w/ Hana Pestle- $8
When: 8:00pm
Where: Marilyns on K
Why: His music encompasses the longing everyone feels to jump in the old beat-up car and live like Jack Kerouac. Although he may be a few decades too late to be called a beatnik, with his rejection of the major label, long hair and songs about chasing miracles, Hest would make Kerouac proud.

Music: Rowdy Kate- $8
When: 9:00pm
Where: Torch Club
Why: Rowdy Kate came together in late 2006 and began performing around Sacramento and the Central Valley. They bring a fresh take to old school honky tonk classics along with their own brand of clever country. From Keris fiery vocals to Geoffs stinging telecaster, their live show is a must see.

Wine & Dine: Picnic Basket Battles- $10
When: 5:00-7:00pm
Where: 58 Degrees & Holding
Why: Compare Pinot Noir vs Beaujolais wines along with light hors d' oeuvres. You're bound to find something to bring to your next picnic! And just in time for spring...

Thurs 4.16
Comedy: Jeff Dunham- $45
When: 7:30pm
Where: Arco Arena
Why: Jeff Dunham is an award-winning ventriloquist and a stand-up comedian. He's performed on numerous comedy shows, including Comedy Central Presents in 2003. His usual puppets include a woozle named Peanut, a bitter old man named Walter, a dead terrorist named Achmed (one of my personal favorites) and José Jalapeño - a talking jalapeño pepper on a stick. Good stuff.

Club/Dance: DJ Kaskade- $20
When: 9:00pm
Where: The Park Ultra Lounge
Why: He is world renouned! Not to mention that he's my favorite DJ.

Fri 4.17
Wine & Dine: Artisan Cheeses of Sonoma- $45
When: 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Cest le Cheese- Penthouses @ Capital Park
Why: Celebrated chef, cheesemaker and culinary educator Sheana Davis pairs delectable cheeses from her favorite creameries with her selection of fine wines and accompanies them with other local flavors. Among the treats to be savored is her very own "Delice de la Valle" which is currently on the menu at the French Laundry. and Murray's Cheese Shop in New York.

Festival: Traders' Faire- Free!
When: 10:00am-5:00pm
Where: Sutters Fort
Why:Shop like An Early California Pioneer! In a unique program, vendors of merchandise of the kind found during the 1800's will set up their tents inside the Fort walls. Shoppers will find clothing, house wares, toys, beads, knives and more for sale during this three-day event. Visitors can also witness demonstrations of crafts and skills of the era presented by costumed docents and volunteers

Sat 4.18
Family: Healthy Kids day & Camp Cook-off- Free!
When: 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Sacramento YMCA
Why: Fun & Free Family Event with games, food, music, & demonstrations!

Dance: Beer & Ballet 2- $25
When: 6:00pm & 8:00pm (next Saturday too!)
Where: Sacramento Ballet Studios
Why: Enjoy the casual atmosphere, watch contemporary & classically influenced dance along with friends and get yourself a glass of beer to boot! Watch as the professional Dancers of the Sacramento Ballet bring a totally different Beer & Ballet line up to the Sacramento Ballet’s Studio Stage.

Recreation: Marine Services Show- Free!
When: 9:00am
Where: Sacramento Marina
Why: With boating season just around the corner you won't want to miss this FREE Marine Services Show. Your one-stop shop to meet mechanics, canvas shops, detail shops and other providers of marine services

History: Historic Rose Garden Tour- Free!
When: 9:00am-2:00pm
Where: Historic City Cemetery
Why: Experience the splendor of heritage roses in a unique 19th Century setting! The Open Garden will feature free tours of the beautiful gardens located within the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. The sale of rooted rose cuttings and snacks and a raffle will raise funds for the maintenance of the gardens.The Historic Rose Garden is a collection of over 400 ‘found’ roses collected from cemeteries and other sites where the original plants were planted 100 years or more ago.

Sun 4.19
Art: Buddha- Closing Celebration- A Mass Meditation- Free!
When: 3:00pm
Where: Crocker Art Museum
Why: Mark the closing of Buddha with a mass mediation led by Lama Jinpa of Lions Roar Dharma Center and Michael Halfhill, founding member of the Dalai Lama Foundation.

Music: Blues Guitar Showdown- $20
When: 2:00pm
Where: Sacramento Horseman's Club
Why: Blues+BBQ+Bar= Good Times! This showdown will feature: Michael Burks- the "Iron man of Blues", Tommy Castro- Contemporary West Coast Blues, & Roy Gaines- a 50 year Blues veteran.

Family: ZooZoom- 29th Annual Run/Walk- $12-$30
When: 7:00am-12:00pm
Where: Sacramento Zoo
Why: Join the stampede as thousands of runners raise funds to benefit the Zoo. Are you as fast as a hare or as slow as a tortoise? There are options for everyone from a 5K to a 10K to the Saucony ‘Run for Good’ & Kid’s Fun Runs.

Find details to these events along with many more at www.Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.