Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is a musician's musician. The prodigy started playing music at age 3 and got his big break at age 4 sharing the stage with Bo Diddley. "It was so long ago I can't remember," said Andrews, now 24. "I remember my mom saying I was playing (trombone) and some people crowd-surfed me to the stage, and they put me on the stage, and that was it." He earned his name because he could play a trombone before even being as tall as the horn. Sunday night, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will play their high-energy set at Harlow's. Opening will be The Nibblers, a seven-piece rock band led by local singer Hans Eberbach and Mumbo Gumbo members Lynn Michael Palmer, Jon W

Master Barber Shop was established in 1958 and was acquired by Earlie D. and Mary Brown in December of 1974. During that time, the shop was located on Stockton Blvd. and 7th Ave. Since those early days, Master Barber & Beauty Shop, has had several locations. Each location being better than the last. In 1989, sons Rodney and Marichal, joined the family business. The late owner and master barber, Earlie D. Brown, established business in the hair industry in the mid 1940's with Brown's Barber Shop (two locations, San Francisco and Marin City). What started out as nothing more than a dream and a dime and a nail in his pocket has turned into a family business. He died in February 1998. Mary Br

Randy Paragary, Bob Simpson, and Rick and Earl Lobley opened Empire Event Center in 2004. It was almost alone on the R Street Corridor for four years, before being joined by, among others, Shady Lady Saloon, Magpie Catering, Burgers and Brew, Space 07 Salon and Top This Yogurt. With all of these businesses opening in the past year, it was time for the space to undergo a facelift - to the tune of $2 million. Well, not just a facelift - a complete change. Today, all that remains of Empire are memories of past performers, including The Roots, Muse and David Garibaldi, Sacramento's own performance painter. According to its managers, from now on there will be no more 18-and-over club nights,

        Valentine's Day can be challenging for everyone out there, whether you've got a special someone to impress or not. The choices are limitless, and it can be hard to set something up that everyone will enjoy. This year, why not please the whole crowd with a just-before-Valentine's Day show starring local indie pop songstress Autumn Sky and up-and-comer Tre Burt?     Miss Sky, who recently won the Sac Show award for best Acoustic Show, holds a Valentine's Day show each year. 2009's show at Luna's Cafe drew a huge crowd, where patrons and audience members alike sat on floors and laps to fit in the tiny room. This year will prove to be no less of a good time, especially considering

Wine industry analyst Jon Fredrickson speaking at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium last week at the Sacramento Convention Center, said California wine shipments were down 1.6 percent. The largest disparity in sales included international exports in which 3.2 million fewer cases were shipped overseas. While Fredrickson argued that the decrease in California wine exports is due to the economy, his data and theories were being disputed only 50 miles away. The El Dorado Winery Association held its annual Bring out the Barrel event Saturday and Sunday to packed cellars and enthusiastic wine lovers. “We learned something and had great wine,” said Glenda Lumsden of Placerville, Calif. Along w

Though he's not onstage at the moment, comedian Pablo Francisco is already warming up. A little after 8 a.m. Thursday, Francisco is on the phone telling dirty jokes, making fun of himself and impersonating celebrity actors Michael J. Fox and Shia LaBeouf. Francisco brings a fresh and diverse persona to comedy, with sound effects, slapstick impressions and fast-paced non-sequiturs peppering his routine. Thursday through Sunday evening, the Chilean-American comedian will perform at the Punchine with Matt Claybrooks, Sean Savoy and Ashley Fils-Aime opening. Originally from Tuscon, Ariz., Francisco's career choices didn't always go over well with his parents. He recalled delivering pizzas in

Ok. So tonight is the big night. If you still haven’t made your plans to say good bye to 2009, here’s a quick and dirty guide to the best low key local spots to check out. Part four: Low key and local Start out at Brew it Up, at 14th and H streets. Here you’ll find a reasonably priced prix-fixe menu at only $30 per person. Stick around after dinner for the Brewery Bash, which begins at 9 p.m. Pre-paid reservations score you a reserved table, party favors, canapé appetizers and sparkling wine at midnight. Call 441-3000 for more information. Or, check out de Vere’s Irish Pub for a hearty, home-style meal with a glass of bubbly for only $45 per person. Menu items marry contemporary Califor

Now that we’ve covered both family-friendly options and have supplied partygoers with a variety of exciting nightclub options this New Year’s Eve, we shift our focus to those who may prefer a more sophisticated, grown-up celebration. Several exciting dining options await you this New Year’s Eve. Part three of this four part series highlights Downtown’s finest haute cuisine, with specific information on each establishment’s New Year’s Eve options. Part Three: Wine and dine your way into the new year! For romance, nothing can beat The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento. This well-respected eatery is extending its dining hours and opening its heated outdoor patio to accommodate the New

This four-part series features very different itineraries to celebrate 2010 downtown. Whether your idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve involves funky beats, bottles of bubbly, a caravan of kids, or haute cuisine, the Central City is the place to be! Downtown is home to some of Sacramento’s coolest bars and clubs, with many venues offering VIP services that can take your night ‘to the next level.’ Part two showcases these hotspots and their VIP amenities like private booths, bottle service, dedicated staff and complimentary champagne.  Part Two: Party like a rock star! Over at 10th and K, Cosmo Café, Cosmopolitan Cabaret and Social Nightclub are partnering to offer something for all ages th

So, you survived Christmas. Now the big question isn’t whether or not you’ve finished your holiday shopping, it’s all about what to do this New Year’s Eve. This four-part series aims to take the mystery and anxiety out of what to do in Sacrmento to ring in the New Year. Each day, we’ll feature very different downtown ways to celebrate 2010. Whether your idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve involves funky beats, bottles of bubbly, a caravan of kids, or haute cuisine, the Central City is the place to be! Part One: Family style Got kids? Start your evening early with a visit to the California Museum’s Out of this World exhibit, an exhibition of famous television and movie costumes sure to deligh

Local Americana musicians Richard March and Tyler Ragle are not afraid to get political. Their new song "Gold Star Café" includes a café conversation about politics, praises for President Obama and criticism of the public for not being involved enough in politics. "Thank God this young man got the vote/But he alone won't save this boat/Gonna take 'all hands' to get her right/So we can sleep at night," March writes. Saturday at Javalounge, the local country-influenced folk duo will play a CD-release concert for their five-song EP Kings and Thieves, their first release as a duo. Davis-based singer-songwriter Nat Lefkoff will open the show. March lived in the Bay Area until age 30, when h

One of the best kept secrets of the South Sacramento area is a small, private school tucked away in the Lanai Shopping Center on Freeport Boulevard, neighboring the Sacramento Executive Airport, where it has existed in rented space for 21 years. Over the years, most of the shopping center tenants have moved away. Meanwhile, countless hours of parent, teacher and student work have gone into transforming a run-down property into a school with colorful classrooms and playgrounds. It has an understated entrance, but Camellia Waldorf School is an oasis for children. The kindergarten yard is home to Mr. Mountain, a big pile of dirt, and Ms. Sandy, a big pile of sand. There are climbing struct

There is no doubt that businesses in general have suffered through our ever-changing economy. Businesses on multiple levels have had to make sacrifices; downsizing, cutting salaries, furloughing, laying off, and certainly cutting expenses.Small business, especially in Sacramento, is no exception. One expense that seems to be a commonality, is the Company Holiday Party. Historically, no matter how large or small an office or business is, company's have celebrated the holidays and their accomplishments with their partners, employees, and sometimes, vendors and customers. It is a time when people put work aside, and come together over food, drinks, entertainment and memories that often survi

The Wall Street Journal featured a story recently that held some tremendous promise for Sacramento Area small businesses.  The article titled “Three Best Ways to Win Community Support” outlines the some opportunities that small businesses can create or take advantage of.  I think these are particularly ripe for those businesses around the Sacramento community.   First off, a recent trend in small business marketing has been to develop community around your products and services.  Community is where loyalty comes from.  It is why we have newsletters, a social networking presence, and why we all wish there was a bar where everybody knew our name.  These tips will help you further to engage

Sacramento's First Global Online Resource Center. VISAO - The portuguese word for vision. Visao Media is a unique operation. We have been involved in electronic music for over 10 years and are thrilled to combine elements on a new and inspiring level and bring to Sacramento something raw in electronic music. Our electronic music department focuses on artist spotlights, house & techno, DJ mixes and video animations. From Paris to London to New York and to the beaches of Ibiza, we're bringing you cutting age entertainment. We are heavily affiliated with creative groups around the globe and promote the past, present and future of electronic music. We also include a variety of product des

The Neighborhood Services Department invites you and your children to join us this Friday from 10am to 3pm for a fun and safe Halloween trick or treat celebration at New City Hall (915 I Street). Ghosts, goblins, and characters of Halloween will roam the passages of City Hall giving away sweets and treats. We look forward to seeing you.

The Jewish Federation is celebrating their move to Midtown Sacramento by throwing a big party for a cause! The Big Nosh is a gourmet food and pub crawl benefiting 5 local charities where participants will get a chance to eat and drink their way across the grid sampling appetizers and cocktails at 30 restaurants and coffee shops. Tickets are $36/person and Crawl Captains may register at www.thebignosh.com and earn their ticket for free by recruiting 10 or more people to their team. Teams will start at different locations at the same time in a "round robin" format and experience Midtown as it's meant to be experienced: walking! Calling all Crawl Captains...register now at www.thebignosh.com

Oktoberfest meets BikeCrawl Welcome to the 3rd "bicycle-themed" Grubcrawl. When: Thursday, October 15, promptly at 5:00 for the pre-party, we're off to the first spot at 6:00. Where: Bikes and Bites, 1013 12th street @ 12th & J, Downtown Sacramento. Starting off with the HOPPIEST Kick off party on the planet! HOPPY BREWING COMPANY has offered to help get thing hoppin’ before we even leave the starting line. HOPPY BREWING COMPANY will be bringing 4 of their nationally renowned brews for all the registered BikeCrawlers to sample. Not only that, HOPPY BREWING COMPANY has also offered to supply scrumptious snacks to compliment their excellent choices in brew. What a kick off! And all you

Creepy, crawly, slithery critters abound!  The reptiles at the 12th Annual Sacramento Reptile Show were the stars at the Sacramento Convention Center.  The show, which began Saturday, will continue through Sunday and should average about 10,000 reptilian enthusiasts and animal fans alike over the weekend. With strollers packing in the 15,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall, people of all ages appeared amazed at the wide selection of chameleons, bearded dragons, pythons, and poison dart frogs.  Vendors with colorful signs were selling everything from reptilian food, assorted enclosures and incubators.  Many of the vendors were offering promotional discounts for this special show. Jeremy and Ange

If you're free this evening, grab a couple of cans and make it on down to Orangevale for this for-a-good-cause event. Autumn Sky will be opening the lineup of indie and rock bands, dedicated to getting food to needy families in the area this season. This will be an 8:00PM, all ages show. The cover will be somewhere around $6, and you are encouraged to bring at least two cans of food with you. Come early for a good place to stand, this is expected to be one of the biggest shows of the year at this venue. As usual, I'll be there early to chat and hang out with you guys. Don't be afraid to say hello!