Located just off Broadway on 17th Street, Beatnik Studios will launch an expansion project to add an outdoor artwork space, patio and event venue adjacent to its existing space. Construction is set to begin in two weeks, and the 1,800-square-foot spot of largely unused asphalt will be fenced in with a stone wall between it and nearby residences and an “art wall” made of tin panels and distressed wood by local artist Kermit McCourt. “We’d like it to be a place to have a sculpture garden, do some art shows and events, and maybe have some outdoor music if we can do it legally,” co-founder Wes Davis said Friday. Over the past year, Beatnik Studios, 2421 17th St., has become more involved as

The space that formerly housed Hangar 17 in Midtown has been taken over by owners of The Golden Bear, who plan to bring a “grown-up” version of their neighborhood bar and restaurant to the area. “We’ve been looking for a second location for quite a while,” said The Golden Bear co-owner Kimio Bazett. “It was preferably in Midtown and preferably a space that was built-out or established or had some unique architecture.” Hangar 17 closed in March, and the space still had all of its restaurant equipment intact, which saved a huge expense, he said. The approximately 4,000-square-foot building at 1630 S St. has about half of its space dedicated to the kitchen, an aspect Bazett said was import

Belly dancers, authentic Mediterranean food and music by The Dunes will highlight culture in south and eastern Mediterranean French-speaking countries Sunday at Midtown’s Beatnik Studios. The annual Fête de la Francophonie French Heritage Festival will introduce Sacramentans to the culture, food and customs of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon, said Beatrice Hildebrand, executive director of the Sacramento chapter of the Alliance Française, which hosts the event. The event has been held throughout the United States since the 1980s, she said. “Every year, the month of March has been dedicated to celebrating francophone cultures from all over the world,” she said. “We try to focus on

Award-winning travel writer and TV host Rick Steves is coming to Sacramento next week to share his thoughts on travel at St. John’s Lutheran Church. “Americans can travel in one of two ways,” Steves said. “They can travel in a way that widens the gap between them and the rest of the world, or with the proper attitude, you can broaden your perspective and get empathy for other cultures.” Steves got his start in the travel industry as a tour guide, and he has since authored more than 50 guidebooks. He is also is the host of the PBS series “Rick Steves’ Europe.” He had a simple message for those who are nervous or afraid about setting foot on foreign shores: “Fear is for people who don’t

   "Rhythmically dazzling," says Melody Bowman, an attendee of That 1 Guy's Thursday night concert at Beatnik Studios. "You think you have the Magic Pipe figured out then That 1 Guy pulls out the Magic Saw and the Magic Boot."    That 1 Guy, the one-man band of Berkley, California, performed for his second time at Beatnik Studio this Thursday. This was the second stop on this year's tour promoting his new album "That 1 Guy and the Magic Pipe Packs a Wallop!"    Alvi McLeary of Cosmic Family Lighting provided an amazing laser light show and sound that truly brought the show together.    The show was opened by Pops the Beat Wizard, a local act specializing in electronica. Pops set the