Blvd Park is a former Sacramento band, newly transplanted to Seattle after the end of their “New American Dream Tour” in May. They are coming back to play a special show at Harlow’s Thursday night with Keri Carr Band and Kate Gaffney with Steve Randall. Founding member Brian Ballentine recently spoke to The Sacramento Press about the upcoming show. What brings you back to Sacramento? One of our friends down there is getting married. We haven’t been there in a while. It’s been half a year I think. Have you ever played Harlow’s before? Yeah, we played Harlow’s about a year ago with Split Lip Rayfield before, I think about two years ago. What are you expecting from this show? A coupl

Sunday nights at Shady Lady Saloon are usually a quiet affair. A few dozen patrons, sipping drinks and chatting while listening to the band play, are the norm. This was not so this May Day, which saw the triumphant homecoming of local favorites Blvd Park and Musical Charis from their two-month, cross-country “New American Dream” Tour. The Afterlife was the first to take the stage at a quarter after eight. They played to an already sizable crowd, one that you would normally see on Friday or Saturday evening, rather than on a “school night” like Sunday. Tyson Graf on guitar and Zack Sapunor on upright bass warmed up the early arriving patrons and a small group of listeners that included a m

Join The Sacramento this Sunday for the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association's Music in the Park. Musical guests include legendary children's musician "Mr. Cooper" and headlining Sacramento-based swing/blues/rock group BLVD PARK. The SCNA has titled this edition of Music in the Park "Green-Themed" and plans on including environmentally responsible sponsors, decorations, booths, table displays and games for the kids. The generous sponsors who make this event possible include Kashi; It's All Yoga; Inspired Wellness Boot Camp; Miss Helen; Law Office of R. Andrew Murray; Worm Fancy; Meg, Michael and Melissa Heede of RE/MAX Gold; and City Council member Lauren Hammond The Sacramento Press

On Sunday, June 27th, from 6-9 pm, Sacramento’s Curtis Park will be filled with the sounds of frolicking children, laughing adults and fantastic music, as the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association opens its annual Music in the Park. This free concert is part of the 2010 season of events of one of the busiest neighborhood associations in the state of California. The event is the first in a series of three summertime concerts that provide Sacramento residents with a fun, relaxing evening of community and entertainment. This year’s season opener of Music in the Park will “go green,” as economically-conscious sponsors partner with Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) to help make th

Sacramento usually sees large crowds on Second Saturday. But Wednesday, it looked more like Dublin as thousands of green-clad Sacramentans attended block parties, drank green beer and celebrated everything even remotely Irish. The following is a photo essay, depicting some of the Wednesday evening festivities. The first seven photos are from the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party. Outside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party on L Street, this dog dressed for the occasion in a green sweater. The party drew thousands of people to the 1500s block of L Street. Kings mascot Slamson showed up to the block party on stilts and showed off his shamrock-covered blazer. He was a crowd p

Most musicians have day jobs. Now two musicians own theirs. Cooks Mick "The Deli Lama" Stevenson and Dennis "DJ" Rogers have kept the original Dad's Sandwich Shop going strong at 1310 S St. after assuming ownership three months ago. Dad's Kitchen at 2968 Freeport Blvd. near Curtis Park closed after its owners, Alison and Sam "Dad" England, weren't able to find a buyer. Diners may not even know a change of ownership took place, because Rogers and Stevenson had largely been running the restaurant, which operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, they said. Rogers, 26, also plays guitar in the hardcore punk band Killing The Dream, and 37-year-old Stevenson is in three bands: a pu