This year’s Chalk It Up! event appeared to have outgrown its venue at Fremont Park. Thousands of visitors came to enjoy the three day annual event. As usual, the event was held during the Labor Day weekend. Talented and creative artists of all ages participated using just chalk and the sidewalk around Fremont Park to create some magnificent pieces of art. Music has always been a centerpiece of the event and once again Jerry Perry Presents put together a great lineup. Close to three dozen local musicians and bands participated to create another memorable Chalk It Up. Children’s activities, a beer garden, food and numerous vendors shared the grounds at Fremont Park. Chalk It Up! help

Over 500 people showed up - most in red heels, sandals or Converse - to the sold-out 2nd Annual Red Shoe Crawl on Sunday, June 26. The event was a stroll through midtown and downtown, where participants sampled complimentary food and drink from 16 different restaurants. Ticket proceeds directly supported children and families served by the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House and Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake. Event participants were asked to wear red shoes in celebration of Ronald McDonald and the non-profit organizations with which the mascot’s name is associated. “It’s fun to see all the people running around in their red shoes,” said Stephanie Spees, Community Relations Coordinator

Sacramento Ronald McDonald House fans have an opportunity to show their support by donning red shoes at the Second Annual Red Shoe Crawl that will be held June 26. Crawlers will begin at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, wandering around J and L streets at their own pace to enjoy the delicacies of Midtown and downtown Sacramento. Proceeds from ticket purchases will benefit the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House and Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake charities. The Sheraton will provide the first selection of food by Executive Chef Russell Michel, of both the Sheraton and Morgan's Central Valley Bistro. “We are working to create a great local taste,” Michel said “We always want to surp

Sac Press Reporter #1: “Coachella is overrated” Sac Press Reporter #2: “Never having been, I cannot speak intelligently to that contention, but definitely doesn't stir my fancy.” Sac Press Reporter #1: “Since when has that stopped you?” Touche! Drool seems to be filling the gutters from Sacramento all the way down to SoCal over the unveiling of the Coachella lineup, which features the usual diet of indie rock, electro tweak jocks, and a couple jam bands just for fun. And for some reason, Kanye West is a main headliner. Do you like fishsticks? Not that we specifically care about the Coachella lineup here at Sac Press – but the impact on our local calendar from some bands who may throw

Big concert news for Northern California announced this week everyone. Despite the two hour drive, you really don’t want to miss Bridge School – especially not this year. Now, back to what’s happening here in town. Harlow’s is going to get loco on Friday night with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a group that’s about to go off the hinges behind their new album “Backatown” and puts on a gut-buster of a live concert. Check out Sac Press writer Lindol French’s interview with Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. Hard to compete with that slugger of a live performer, but here’s who else is stepping up to the plate this week. The Melvins – OK, so just about every post-grunge, ‘90s-and-on rock b

This month’s Second Saturday ended on a bad note. Although the details are not known, as of this writing, a shooting took the life of 24 year old Victor Hugo Perez Zavala. Second Saturday has grown in popularity these past few months and crowds have also increased. Over 10,000 people show up to shop, admire art, eat, drink, listen to local bands and socialize during the Second Saturday event. The Second Saturday venue gives local artists a chance to show off their art where otherwise they would not get such an opportunity. This event has been so popular that similar events take place in Folsom, Roseville, Placerville and other areas surrounding Sacramento. September’s ending to Second Sa

Friday marked the day many local musicians and fans had been waiting for: the first show of the 2010 Concerts in the Park series. The 15-week-long summer event takes place annually at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 5 p.m. every Friday. It is free and all-ages. There are also booths complete with henna tattoos and food to purchase, and a beer garden for those 21 and up. This year, 31 bands will take the stage. Friday, four of those bands showed the crowd what they were made of, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The four bands were SIMPL3JACK, Dog Party, The Kelps and Kepi Ghoulie. Alternative punk rock band SIMPL3JACK kicked off the series by opening the show. All the age of 12, th

Friday marks the kickoff of the 2010 Concerts in the Park series at Cesar Chavez Plaza, located on 10th and J streets. Concerts in the Park is an annual free, all-ages event that runs during the summer at 5 p.m. every Friday and features local bands of various genres. Leading off this year's series is a lineup of four bands that fall under the indie/punk/hard rock genre. Headlining the show is none other than local legend and pop punk artist, Kepi Ghoulie. Bassist and lead vocalist of the former band, The Groovy Ghoulies, Kepi has continued his musical career and kept his fans. The full band consists of Kepi as guitar and vocals, Dino as bass and vocals, and Atom as drums and vocals. Fri

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) has released the 2010 schedule for the Friday Night Concerts in the Park. The free, outdoor concert series will rock Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J streets) every Friday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting May 7 though August 13. For the latest concert news, visit www.downtownsac.org/concerts. 2010 CONCERT SCHEDULE* May 7 - Kepi Ghoulie The Kelps, Dog Party, Simpl3jack May 14 - Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Low Down Dirty Dogs May 21 - Dance Gavin Dance Phallucy, Con of Man, Desario May 28 - Mike Farrell Aaron King & The Imperials, One Eyed Rhyno June 4 - Method Echo The Nibblers, Live Manikin June 11 - The Nickel Slots Los Blazing Hangovers

If Baby Grand keeps their current lineup and releases an album this year, it will be a huge first for the band. It will be the first time one of their albums shares the same lineup as their current gigging band. This Friday at Cesar Chavez Plaza, Baby Grand will bring their most solid unit ever: a six-piece playing mellow organic pop. Opening for them will be Dog Party, The Poplollys and Ricky Berger. Dog Party is a duo consisting of 11- and 13-year-old sisters who play original songs and covers on drums and guitar. The Poplollys are a local trio who play Americana style country, while another favorite, multi-instrumentalist Ricky Berger, sings mellow folk music. Baby Grand first formed