Monday, July 11, Power Balance Pavilion hosted American Idol Live! for the tenth time. Spectators waited - thick, glossy programs in hand - for a live glimpse of their season favorite. There were even several devoted fans with binoculars. Power Balance Pavilion has hosted American Idol Live! every year since its inception. This year, the event exceeded expectations. The 11 young stars sang to a crowd of over 11,000 people. The evening’s show opened with all five ladies, all in white, singing Lady Gaga’s, “Born This Way.” Naima Adedapo, Haley Reinhart, Thia Megia and Lauren Alaina in a walking cast, helped down the stairs by Pia Toscana, opened the show. Start to finish, Idol Live! produ

This coming Monday, July 11, the Power Balance Pavilion will host the top young stars of the music world. The evening’s events will include performances by the top 11 artists of the recently completed American Idol season, the tenth season of the reality series. American Idol Live! will feature the deep, country voice of 2011 American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery, as well as fellow country singer and runner-up, Lauren Alaina. Audience members will also have the opportunity to see 2011 stars Haley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo, Pia Toscano, Seattle-born Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Paul McDonald and the all-around musical talent of Casey Abrams. The top 11 are rounded out with James Durbin of Sa

The nerves, pressure and tension could be cut with a knife during the “American Idol” auditions at Arden Fair Mall. Seventeen-year-old Sam Cracraft drove from Vallejo early this morning to ensure his place in line. “I feel like I am going to throw up,” Cracraft said. “I have never sung in front of anyone before.” Cracraft didn’t throw up, and in fact did very well, singing a song by The Script while playing his guitar (that he only just learned to play this year). When asked how he would feel if he didn’t make it, he replied, “if I don’t, it means I am not ready, and that’s OK with me. I will keep practicing.” Chantel Robinson, 24, from Natomas said she is here to win. “I know the jud

American Idol held its first auditions in Sacramento at Arden Fair Mall's courtyard today from 10am-2pm. By the end of the four-hour competition, Arielle White of Sacramento, came away the winner. She heads to San Francisco tomorrow to audition in front of judges and producers of the popular FOX talent show. If she is the winner of that she heads to Southern California for another round of competition. Here are some snapshots of the competition today: Morning radio personality Paul Robins emceed the final round of competion in the courtyard as many people looked on from the second floor of the mall. Hundreds stood in line, either waiting their turn to audition or to support someone. A

  On Thursday August 12, Dane Drewis performed at Crawdad's on the River located at 1375 Garden Highway in Sacramento. Set on a floating stage that connects to a floating venue, the scene at Crawdad's is unique. River wakes cause the place to rock and roll.  Boaters out on the river can pull up and dock alongside the floating venue and join in the festivities. On this night, Drewis and his band were excited. Both Dane and his younger sister Janel are competing in the upcoming American Idol preliminaries being held first in Sacramento at Arden Fair Mall from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday August 17, and followed quickly by a round at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Thursday August 19. The Sacramen

Greg Saunders of FOX40 News, several radio stations, Jeff Keith - lead singer of Tesla, an American hard rock band formed in Sacramento, Sac Metro Chamber and passers-by, rallied enthusiastically at the west steps of the Capitol today, sending a message to American Idol: Bring auditions to Sacramento! Here's some scenes: Jeff Keith, Tesla, spoke and sang (below). School-kids wholeheartedly supported the cause. Representatives from The Wolf radio station (above) and Metro Chamber (below) lent their support for American Idol to bring auditions to Sacramento. According to the Bring American Idol to Sacramento Facebook page, "American Idol has held auditions in 37 different cities. Sac

Did Carrie Underwood visit Sacramento for the dogs or her fans? Both. Pop country singer and five-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood played Thursday at Arco Arena on her “Play On” Tour. Just hours before her sold-out concert, she and Pedigree Brand held a news conference, for the Pedigree Pet Adoption Drive to donate to Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary. Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, a no-kill animal shelter in the Sacramento area, was presented with a check for $10,000 for its efforts in rescuing dogs and finding homes for them. The Pedigree Pet Adoption drive is encouraging Facebook users to become fans. In return, the pet food company will donate one bowl of food to shelter dogs per fan.

Former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry brought his self-titled band to Sacramento Friday night, playing before a half-filled Arco Arena. Daughtry has toured nonstop since 2007, playing tracks from the self-titled debut album "Daughtry" and sophomore album "Leave This Town," released in 2009. The night began with an opening by rock band Cavo, whose song "Let It Go" was featured in the film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Cavo entertained the early crowd, playing for about 30 minutes as fans continued to file in. You would have thought by the crowd reaction that Lifehouse, second in the lineup, was the headline act. Promoting its March 2010 record release of "Smoke and Mirrors

Ahhh, yes, it's that time of the month again folks. Second Saturday weekend that is! Although there are great things going on all month long throughout Sacramento, many locals will argue that the second weekend of the month in Sacramento is their favorite time to venture out on the town. In addition to the Art Walk on Saturday, this weekend has a plethora of cool things to check out. And for Sactown, mid-July is looking to bring us some relatively mild weather to boot! Take a look to see if any of these events can lure you to venture out...try something different this week! Thursday 7.9 Food & Wine: California Grape & Gourmet -- $50 ($70 day of) Where: Sacramento Convention Center When: