Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "festivals"

Annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival November 25-27

2011-11-21T22:32:51Z

Nearly 100 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique creations during this year’s annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival. Presented by the Crocker Art Museum and the Creative Arts League of Sacramento, the festival is held at the Scottish Rite Center, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento, at 6151 H Street.

This year’s offerings will include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, gourmet food, holiday items and more. Impress your friends and family with local handmade gifts while supporting local artisans and the Crocker’s exhibitions and education programs.

Attendees can also enjoy delicious treats by Ambrosia Catering. For those who want to capture the holiday spirit, there will be a Victorian Santa Claus available for a vintage photo opportunity.

The three-day festival begins November 25, the day following Thanksgiving. Festival hours are 12 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27. Admission is free for Museum members, $6 nonmembers, and $3 for students and seniors. Parking is free of charge.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and remains one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Hundreds Gather at State Capitol to Celebrate Mexico's Independence Day

2011-09-17T05:48:59Z

Hundreds of people gathered at our state’s capitol Thursday night to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day.

Voices rang proud and flags swayed high, as both the American and the Mexican national anthems were sung in tribute to the mixture of these heritages. Americans of all cultural backgrounds stood in solidarity, reveling in the significance of this day, when, 201 years ago, Mexico waged war against Spanish rule and tyranny.

Still for many, the festivities were more than just remembering what happened two centuries ago, or eating too much of the amazing food provided by Sacramento’s mobile food trucks. Instead, they represented the struggle of Mexican Americans here in the United States in becoming an important and recognized ingredient in America’s melting pot.

As people listened to their favorite ranchera and banda music, wore their craziest or most authentic Mexican outfit, and cried out “Viva México, y Viva los Estados Unidos” (Long live Mexico, and long live the United States), cheers of gratitude and pride echoed everywhere for the great struggle of our ancestors, who fought for equality in this country.

Having the opportunity to celebrate who we are on the steps of California’s great capitol, made the Mexican American struggle and its successes that much more real for all of us there.

The Best Food Comes From the Heart

2011-09-15T20:14:12Z

The best food in world does not come from five-star restaurants that take months to get a reservation and a month's salary when you finally get one. No, the best food comes from treasured family recipes lovingly handed down from one generation to the next. That beautiful tradition will be celebrated at the upcoming Jewish Food Faire sponsored by Carmichael's Congregation Beth Shalom on Sunday, October 16th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Savor stuffed cabbage, corned beef on rye, chopped liver and a dizzying array of Jewish style baked goods, among other iconic Jewish foods.

"The best food comes from the heart," said Sheila Wolfe, Jewish Food Faire Chair. "That's what we want to convey with this year's Faire theme, 'From Generation to Generation.'" "What says love more than a steaming bowl of chicken soup, for instance," said Wolfe. "Sacramentans eager to surround themselves with wonderful, nurturing and delicious food will have a very special experience," she added. "Much of the food for sale at the Faire is lovingly made by hand by members of our congregation using their own treasured family recipes which were handed down to them by a mother or grandparent."

Embrace tradition at the Jewish Food Faire on October 16th at Congregation Beth Shalom, 4746 El Camino Avenue, Carmichael. For more information, visit www.cbshalom.org.

Disclosure: I am a unabashed foodie and a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Jewish Food Faire to Celebrate Culture's Rich Traditions

2011-08-25T14:48:37Z

Foodies and those who just love good food in a festive atmosphere will gather at Carmichael's Congregation Beth Shalom on Sunday, October 16th, for the 35th Annual Jewish Food Faire, featuring iconic Jewish deli items such as authentic corned beef on rye, bagels and lox and noodle kugel, plus a dizzying array of Jewish style baked goods.

The Faire, located at 4746 El Camino Avenue (Mission), will be held from 9 am to 3 pm, but come early because the food does tend to go fast.

This year's Food Faire theme is "Generation to Generation," recognizing the rich tradition practiced by many cultures in the Sacramento area of passing down family recipes from one generation to the next.

Join us for wonderful food that cannot be found anywhere else in the area, local arts and crafts and music. For more information, contact www.cbshalom.org.

Disclosure: I am a unabashed foodie and a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Selena may be gone but Elida isn't.

2011-07-05T23:16:58Z

Land Arrows Productions is back for the 5th Annual Tejano Conjunto festival or Tex-Mex. festival, as some call it. This year one of the 3 Divas of Tejano music will be delighting the audience with her catchy music, her sultry voice and her great sounds. Her music is s considered traditional Conjunto with a modern twist. Straight from San Antonio Texas, Elida y Avante will be the headliners at this annual event. Elida does not claim to be Selena, the late Queen of Tejano music, but her popularity has certainly soared reaching a large audience. She recently won a Grammy for best Tejano female singer. As Elida steps onstage, you can hear the fans shouting in unison "Elida Elida" . She appeals to the young and old alike. The younger generation of Mexican Americans have found another idol in Elida. Her band consists of a much younger generation of musicians. They have been performing to sell out crowds around the United States. This is the 1st time Elida performs in Sacramento California. Fans from around the western US are already purchasing tickets for this all day outdoor music festival. It is held every Labor Day weekend at Cesar Chavez Plaza . The date of the festival is Sept 4th 2011 from 2:00 -9:30 pm. The Saturday night before the festival their is a dinner/dance to kick off the festivities at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. For more information log on to the website at www.Landarrowsproductions.com or by calling (916) 529-5299.

Disclosure: Ramona Landers is the CEO of Land Arrows Productions.

Norcal Noisefest at Sol Collective

2010-10-05T02:29:52Z

Show for all ages

Day one of this year’s Norcal Noisefest was held on Friday, October 1 at Luna’s Café on 16th Street. About a dozen acts showed off their unique Noise (music) making abilities. Some of these acts, probably like people back in the Paleolithic Age, used any available material to construct music making instruments for their performance. Styrofoam, 10 gallon plastic water bottles, tin foil, bricks, soda cans, nails on a board, sticks, and other rudimentary noise making instruments were used to make rhythmic sounds. None of the shows I witnessed used the nails screeching down a blackboard but it would have been interesting. Traditional instruments played their part with some acts as did synthesizers, effect pedals and other similar instruments. Ear plugs were provided, if they were requested, and although not always necessary they did come in handy. In some cases it was music to the ears and in many it was interesting just to see what these artists used to experiment and evolve their Noisefest making abilities.

This was the 14th annual event funded in part by the Microgrant Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with support from the City and County of Sacramento. Other event sponsors included Luna’s Cafe, Sol Collective, EMRL advertising, John Natsoulas Gallery Center for the Arts in Davis, Thee Instagon Foundation, KDVS, Noise FX, Brown Paper Tickets and Molotov Energy Drinks.

The event was broken down into three main sections called "The Good, The Odd, and The Ugly." Luna’s Cafe hosted The Good and Sol Collective hosted (the venue I attended) the odd and the ugly. Two smaller events were also included this year, a prelude at the John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis and a finale at Nebraska Monday at Luna’s Cafe.

Acts came and went in rapid succession. As one performer ended their set another began to set up and in some cases two groups would set up at the same time. Many of the acts are based in northern California but the show also included other acts from throughout the state as well as out of state and out of the states.

Most of the acts were made up of 3 to 4 members but this was about the only theme they had in common. Homemade instruments were also the “norm” as was the experimental phase of their Noisefest making abilities. One of the first acts I saw that included a traditional instrument was Houston’s Thomas Helton playing a stand-up bass. His set, I believe, touched almost every note conceivable reminding the listener that these acts will experiment and take their noise making to the next level.

Camino’s Noisepsalm included other traditional instruments, a cello and banjo, in their set but again their orchestral ensemble performed an untraditional arrangement. People react differently when they hear fingernails screeching on a blackboard some akin that sound to styrofoam being scratched, broken or rubbing a piece upon another piece. Styrofoam Sanchez used a similar technique during their set. The three member group, dressed in black suits, wore styrofoam masks during their act. Although their act seems to be easy to describe their arrangement was indescribable. I think at one point they may have been able to awaken neighbors across the street from Sol Collective.

I was mesmerized by the whole experience and although I only mentioned a handful of acts most of them indeed were music to my ears. This type of art has its place and the following it conjures is very impressive.

Noise, the next genre of music, has lasted 14 years via the Norcal Noisefest and for its 15th anniversary a film project is in the works. A full-length documentary will document the year long process of organizing the 15th annual event. For more information on the project and this year’s Noisefest log on to the Norcal Noisefest site.

Although neighbors from across the street did not complain about Noise it will be interesting to see how they react on Day of the Dead (Día del los Muertos). For the record - St. Joseph’s Cemetery is across the street from Sol Collective.

The “Ugly” section of the program started with Jolthrower wearing several Jolt t-shirts and making Noise with jolt (or some energy drink) cans. L.A.’s Pulsating Cyst followed and rhythmic Noise continued pulsating until close to midnight. Noisefest’s website contains a listing of all the acts for this year’s event. The 2011 film project will be covered and updated throughout the year and some history, along with photos from previous events, are available for viewing. Noise has been used to describe most genres of music at one time or another by different generations. Noisefest has been around for over a decade so you can’t call it new anymore and it can only continue to grow. Its teen years will be very interesting, thanks to the artists, organizers, supporters, and fans that continue to experiment with this type of art.

Acts that performed at this year's Norcal Noisefest included; Big City Orchestra, Lords Of Outland, Uberkunst, Xome, Crank Sturgeon, En Nihil, Instagon:Mixer Set, +Dog+, Dental Work, Actuary, Chopstick, Liver Cancer, Klowd, Mucky The Ducky, Overdose The Katatonic, Pedestrian Deposit, Sharkiface, Pete Von Petrin (Formerly Fognozzle), Darryl Shawn, Jolthrower, Wrong Hole, Basidiomycota, Styrofoam Sanchez, Thomas Helton, Mama Buries, E Yard, Noisepsalm, Tarantula Princess' Rat Skulls, Calm Inferno Archives, Medicine Cabinet, Cmbls, Reptile Alien, Ink On Suit, Audioemetic, Holly Herndon, Pulsating Cyst, Lifeliner+, Heating Metallurgical Schions, Vankmen, Smite!, Hammond, Corcoran Steed, and Shawn Quartet Striatins amongst others.

Photos:

1 - Reptile Alien, 2 - Thomas Helton, 3 and 4 - Heating Metallurgical Schions

5 and 6 - Tarantula Princess' Rat Skulls, 7 and 8 - Noisepsalm, 9 and 10 Tools of the Trade

11 - Sharkiface, 12, 13 and 14 - Mucky the Ducky

15 and 16 Styrofoam Sanchez, 17 - Neighbors across the street from Sol Collective

18 - Klowd, 19 - Big City Orchestra

20, 21, and 22 - Jolthrower, 24 - Pulsating Cyst

Polish Festival and Other Outings

2010-09-13T04:59:09Z

For the past several weeks Sacramento has hosted many cultural events. This weekend the Veterans of Foreign Wars honored their comrades in a Carmichael Ceremony. The small hall was full and people were standing outside listening to the ceremony. Outside the veteran's hall a 21 gun salute honored the veterans and as if on cue a stealth fighter jet flew overhead as the ceremony continued.

Up the road in Roseville the 21st Annual Polish Festival was taking place on Main Street. The festival was sponsored by the Polish American Club of Sacramento. Vendors were on hand to sell merchandise and some delicious food. Polish and American beer was being sold. It was a little too early for me so I bypassed the beer.

A stage was set up for various dance and musical groups. There was another stage for dancing and eating. A musical trio played music for the audience to dance to traditional Polish music. Most people were dancing or eating. My favorite, potato pancakes were being sold, and we had a couple of servings. We also enjoyed some golabki and pierogi, as well as some homemade Polish pastries.

The Lowiczanie and Rozanie Folk Dance Groups were on hand for outdoor entertainment. Several hundred people were on hand to enjoy the festivities, food and each other’s company.

Over in Midtown, Hot Italian together with the Center of Contemporary Art Sacramento sponsored an 80th year Pininfarina celebration. Several Ferraris were on display at the Fremont Park site and just outside Hot Italian. Adam Saake, man about town, was on had to greet visitors.

Photos:

1 to 3 - Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stealth Fighter Jet

4 to 11 - Annual Polish Festival

12 to 19 - Pininfarina 80th Anniversary

Art, music, and magic at CurtisFest

2010-09-03T05:28:49Z

Whimsical ceramic characters that wink as you walk by, domestic and exotic animals who allow you to pet them, a fairy who paints a glittering swan on your face, and musicians whose songs are brand new each time they perform. These are only some of the imaginative artists and activities that await kids and adults at the 4th Annual CurtisFest on Saturday, September 11th. Presented by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA), Curtis Fest will be held from 10am until 4pm in Curtis Park, an eighteen-acre parcel of ground surrounded by quaint bungalows and shaded by heritage trees.

CurtisFest was established in 2007 to give local artists a venue at which to exhibit and sell their work. This free fall event will feature almost sixty artists and artisans who will present samples of their creations, great food from local vendors, live music, and a craft area where kids can have fun and make art themselves. Ceramicists, watercolorists, jewelry artists, photographers, potters, portraitists, fabric and giclee artists, and many more will be on hand to provide a fall feast of visual delight.

The photography of Eleakis and Elder, Francisco Dominguez and Donald Satterlee will be displayed at the festival. Doug Wylie, Lori Ervin and Wes Ervin will present their ceramics and pewter; Gerilyn Maslowski her vases, wall tiles, and pottery; Mickey Abbey his stained glass; and Patt Illouli her ink, watercolor house portraits and general portraits. Laville Logan will display her original and giclee prints, watercolors, and soft pastels; Wendi Weston her handmade totes, and Susan Barnes’ her oils and watercolors. Yoly Petra Stroeve will also offer her paintings, and Robyn Slakey her garden totem poles and ceramic vertical sculptures. Painter Reine River will be there with her watercolors, acrylics and pastels, and Natalie Thiele with her broken tile mosaics.

A number of innovative ceramicists will bring their work to share with attendees. Ellen Huls fanciful “kitschy characters” will be joined by the ceramics of Sharon Bloom and the creations of Rosalie Roth. Phyllis Koessler’s pottery and ceramics will be on display, as well as Denise Wilken and Joan McClellan’s handmade scarves, jewelry, birdhouses, and table runners. Marsha Elam will offer her ceramics, jewelry and collage.

Heading off the early-entry artists who work in jewelry and related media are Olga Barmina and Paula Forman with their “From the Heart Hair Clips” and June Bug Jewelry, Caron Gregg and her beaded jewelry and jewelry boxes, and Dot Edwards with her jewelry, glass and mosaics. The jewelry of Mary and Lee Coldren will be shown, as well as the jewelry and mixed media of Jodi Queenan, and Gale Lee and Jodi Vidad’s handcrafted costume jewelry and handmade fabric totes. Attendees at this year’s CurtisFest will also be able to enjoy the jewelry art of Linda McAtee, of Leticia Botello, and of Sandi Osterman. Finally, Christi Hunter will be at the event with her sterling silver jewelry and art glass vessels.

There will be lots more for attendees to do as they delight in the work of the visual artists. Offering their musical take on the richly creative atmosphere of CurtisFest will be the improvisational project band Instagon. Begun in 1993 as a musical experiment in the unexpectedly compelling sounds that can be created from everyday objects and situations, Instagon formed when a number of local musicians began incorporating this “noise” into a fusion of progressive rock, jazz, and drunge punk. Different musicians join Instagon for each performance, keeping the vibe crisp, intoxicating, and very much alive.

In 2007 a trio of musicians from Instagon developed the idea of creating a band with a solid lineup of jazz cover-versions of popular songs and riffs. The idea caught on with fans, and Garage Jazz Architects was born. Now on indie label TIF Recordings, Garage Jazz Architects will bring their spontaneous garage-jazz covers to CurtisFest to share with all.

The third musical group on board for CurtisFest is The Mike Justis Band. After performing together throughout northern California for twenty-five years with the popular band, Poetic Justis, Steve Mc Iane, Kathy Barwick and Mike Justis formed a trio to bring their mix of country rock and blues to venues in and around Sacramento.

Children are perhaps the most special part of CurtisFest, and this year’s festival offers two events that have proven to captivate children of all ages. Voted 2010 Family Favorite by the Bay Area Parent magazine, Happily Ever Laughter is an ensemble of specially-trained performers who’ve created a cast of singular characters to entertain at all sorts of children’s events. These professional “faeries” are known to enthrall children with not only their extraordinary face-painting, singing, magic, and balloon art, but also their genuine connection to the children with whom they “play.”

After conversing with the fairy from Happily Ever Laughter, kids can wind their way over to visit the animals of Pony Ranch Parties. The law firm of Soluri Meserve is sponsoring this first-ever CurtisFest petting zoo. Expert at providing a safe and fun experience for both children and animals, Pony Ranch Parties introduces children to a variety of domestic and exotic animals. The adult staff members of Pony Ranch Parties go the extra mile to share and teach in this memorable interactive experience.

No event would be complete without great food, and CurtisFest’s blend of culinary items will not disappoint. The first vegan food cart in Sacramento, Happy Go Lucky will offer its gourmet, healthy street food to the patrons of this year’s festival. Happy go Lucky was voted Best Vegetarian Food Cart by the Sacramento News & Review. Soon to be featured on an episode of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Dad’s Kitchen will be on hand to offer its scrumptious cuisine. Chunk's Stand By Me is the lifelong dream of street food enthusiast Ryan "Chunk" Filippini, who prides himself on his quality hot dogs, hot links and hot pastrami, all served on fresh baked rolls. And when ready for something cool to finish the experience off, kids and adults can enjoy Shasta Valley Shaved Ice’s frozen treats.

This richly-conceived celebration of creativity and community is offered free to children and adults of the Sacramento area. “It’s got something for everyone,” says Dusty Miller, one of the event’s organizers. “And it’s a great lead-in to Second Saturday.” Event chairperson Nicole Soluri agrees. “The community of artists and artisans participating in this year’s CurtisFest is incredibly talented, diverse and enthusiastic” says Soluri. “Our city will not be disappointed.”

For more information on the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Associations 4th Annual CurtisFest, call (916) 452-3005 or email faith@sierra2.org. Those interested in knowing more--and in hearing about new participating artists and vendors--can also follow CurtisFest on Facebook. Posters and postcards highlighting the event, designed by Curtis Park artist Scott Gordinier, can be seen throughout Sacramento.

The Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) formed in the 1970’s to rescue the old Sierra School from demolition. Since then, SCNA has brought neighbors together for a diverse slate of year-round events, and has offered a cohesive voice for community concerns. The restored Sierra 2 Center serves as a focal point for artists, teachers, students, parents, children, and seniors, who rely upon its dance studios, gardens, performance spaces, meeting halls and class rooms to provide a secure, charming home. Curtis Park is a neighborhood of approximately 2500 homes, a patchwork of diverse architectural styles situated around a quaint park.

Music, merriment and message in Curtis Park

2010-07-23T17:57:31Z

On Sunday, July 25th, revolutionary artist Kevin Sandbloom will headline an event that integrates great music, easy relaxation and family fun as the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association presents this year’s second Music in the Park. This free summertime concert is part of the 2010 season of events from one of the most active neighborhood associations in the state.

Each performer, activity and sponsor will reflect the event’s theme of “Health and Wellness.” This midsummer event will feature elements that are both familiar and new to the many residents and visitors who flock to the annual Curtis Park concert series.

Children will race to the stage at the start of the evening to hear legendary children’s composer and performer, “Mister Cooper,” who is returning to offer his participatory musical presentation. The creator of Songs That Teach, an original curriculum-based music program, “Mister Cooper’s” musical talent and rapport with children have made him indispensable to schools and parents throughout Sacramento. Cooper’s music, as Christie Hamm of Belle Coolidge Library says, establishes “a connection with children long after the songs are over.”

During intermission, kids can once again participate in a hula-hoop contest, and can visit Sacramento’s Health Education Council, who will be on hand to educate both kids and adults on the best ways to eat healthy and stay active. In operation since 1979, the Health Education Council’s mission is to promote well being in Sacramento’s communities through education, programming, and partnerships. Children who visit their table can also play the health trivia game, for which they’ll be awarded prizes for correct answers.

Next up on the stage will be headliner Kevin Sandbloom, who offers audiences his unique blend of music and message. A guitarist whose style is referred to as “urban delta soul,” Sandbloom’s compositions are sung in a voice, says Sean Rasul of WhoGotSoul.com, that ranges from “a smooth or raspy falsetto to a powerful and distinct tenor,” and with lyrics that are “poetic and insightful.” It’s music that reaches the gut” from a musician who is active in the world of community involvement and human rights.

Sandbloom is currently releasing an EP of songs related to the cause of social justice, with partial proceeds benefiting the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, an organization devoted to the advancement of ideals named in the United Nation’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With grooves ranging from soul and R&B to hip-hop and bossa nova, Sandbloom is the perfect centerpiece for an evening of soulful relaxation. As the online music blog Rasx Context says, “If you take the extremely talented D’Angelo and Ani DeFranco, and mix it with even more humanity, you end up with Kevin Sandbloom.”

A number of returning sponsors are partnering with Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association to help make the event possible. Since 1946, SMUD has empowered its customers with solutions that increase energy efficiency, protect the environment, and reduce global warming. It’s All Yoga has been voted “Best in Sacramento” twice by Sacramento News & Review. Personal trainer and nutritionist Sham Sanghera’s Inspired Wellness Boot Camp enables clients to achieve goals and maintain healthy lifestyles. For twenty-five years Miss Helen has nurtured children and provided developmental activities in the areas of music, crafts, and movement. The Law Office of R. Andrew Murray prides itself on its personal attention to clients in matters of real estate, business formation, estate planning, and bankruptcy.

These familiar sponsors are joined by Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, which, established in 1977, is a public agency devoted to supporting, promoting and advancing the arts in the region. Born at Home, an independent midwifery practice providing complete maternity care to families in Sacramento and surrounding counties. Tammy Cohen of K9 Bliss teaches dog owners the structure and consistency of communication that results in secure, blissful companions. D20 Dental, the first green dental office in Sacramento, combines the latest clinical practices and technological innovations in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Locally-owned since 1973, the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop is a trusted source of natural foods and products, and a reliable resource for consumer information.

Returning as Music in the Park’s main sponsors are Meg, Michael and Melissa Heede of RE/MAX Gold, the number one independently-owned brokerage firm in California, and City Councilmember Lauren Hammond, who is gifting SCNA with the stage that is the main setting for the event.

In accordance with city codes, alcohol will not be permitted at the event. However, an enclosed garden of fine beer and wine will be on site, with beverages available for purchase by concert attendees.

The Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) was formed in the 1970’s to rescue the old Sierra School from demolition. Since then, SCNA has brought neighbors together for a diverse slate of year-round events, and has offered a cohesive voice for community concerns. The restored Sierra 2 Center serves as a focal point for artists, teachers, students, parents, children, and seniors, who gather frequently in its dance studios, gardens, performance spaces, meeting halls and classrooms.

32nd Annual Jewish Food and Craft Faire

2009-10-07T06:06:59Z

Explore the wonderful variety of ethnic Jewish food at the 32nd annual Congregation Beth Shalom Food and Craft Faire. You will be able to purchase kugel, rugallah, mandlebrot, falafels with pita bread, chicken and vegetarian matzo ball soup and kosher beef hot dogs with dill pickles. There will be breakfast items from 9:00 to noon, including bagels with trimmings and cheese blintzes. Lunch items will be served from noon to 3:00 and include BBQ brisket. There will be a coffee bar open all day and plenty of water and soft drinks. All this and more will be available on OCTOBER 18TH, a Sunday, from 9:00 to 3:00. Admission and parking are free at the temple, 4746 El Camino Ave in Carmichael.

Special this year will be salami from Katz's Deli in New York and specialty Jewish rye and pastries from Canter's Deli in Los Angeles. There will also be plenty of homemade pastries made by the members and friends of the temple. There will be musical entertainment throughout the day, including Taiko drumming, the Congregation's Music with a Beat Band, and a DJ between 11:00 and 2:00. Children will have art projects and activities available to them all day. Over 30 artists will display their crafts for sale, which can help you with your holiday shopping. Most of the items are handmade and include kitchen, bath, pottery and jewelry items.

The Sacramento Bloodmobile will be there in the morning so you can donate on behalf of your favorite organization. Go to the temple website at CBShalom.org to see a list of the foods available and to preorder your favorites. Come hungry on the 18th and enjoy a full day of meeting new friends and learning about Jewish food. Watch the SacPress for additional details between now and the event. We look forward to sharing the day with you!

In Praise of the Sacramento Film Community - An Open Letter to Mayor Kevin Johnson

2009-07-31T20:01:13Z

Dear Mayor: Thanks again for calling the Film Community meeting at City Hall Thursday July 30, 2009. As I surveyed the room, I realized the 50 attendees represented many independent films and small festivals who came to life in the past 2-10 years..... each created independent of the others, designed to reach out to specific audiences and needs, each operating beneath the radar in our larger community.

The many festivals (Place Called Sacramento, Music and Film, French, Jewish, Gay & Lesbian, Black, and International) have attempted cooperative meetings in the past. These meetings were successful in coordinating schedules and taking the edge off of "competing interests" but gathered little or no traction with local media, Convention and Visitors Bureau, nor the City Council. Your leadership is much needed and appreciated. Please permit me to share several insights that may help in going forward with the work of the committee - FYI.

(1) Incentives - Big films will require a financial incentive to work in Sacramento. And if they do come to town (the Travolta film "Lucky" comes to mind several years ago), the crew will come exclusively from Hollywood. This is a boon to local hotels and restaurants but not to the local film community. The only local hires will be for security duty. Hollywood is looking for "deals" to pack up and come to Sacramento. Very difficult for our City in tough financial times. Before offering the "financial incentives" offered by other Cities and States discussed in the meeting, examine if those states and communities were in fact too generous and actually lost money to gain cache.

(2) Small budget independent films - This is the "sweet spot" for Sacramento. We are a very inexpensive town to work in and we are very cooperative. LA is very jaded and the business communities and residents are tired of 3 AM "Law and Order" shoots that light up the streets of LA and disrupt sleep and traffic. The small independent films are budgeted at $500K to $5 million with small crews and open to finding local talent on both sides of the camera. Our cooperative environment and many varied locations keep costs low and achieve bigger bang for the buck. In these films, there is no budget for "special effects" so the right location and affordable "talent" is everything. Our local community theater groups will work at scale or free to serve as extras. Our local, experienced production crews will leap at the chance to earn $200 per day (as compared to $1,000 per day for grip positions in LA). We should continue and support Film Commissioner Lucy Steffens and reach out to the major film industry but we should also concentrate on the "Independent Spirit Awards" and the small film production groups and agents. This can be achieved by "outreach"rather than giving money away. We will save the small independent films much money, while charging Sacramento full rates in our notoriously "cost effective" community.

(3) Grow our own - The meeting was filled with "homegrown" film production leaders. As a group we have groomed local talent for the past 10+ years with great success. "Butts in Beds" is not the only measure of film success in Sacramento. Direct your clout with "star power" by inviting key LA stars to participate in the many existing film festivals. This awakens the Bee and other regional news outlets to the existence of these festivals and validates our community resources and assets without negative comparisons to other cities.

(4) Avoid comparisons to other Cities - We read it in our papers and hear it every day. Pick a topic. Pick the "best" City in the World in that topic area. Compare that City to Sacramento. Result: Sacramento is inferior. Here are some obvious examples. "Best Basketball Team" = How do the Kings match up to the Lakers? "Best City with Rivers and Bridges? = How does Sacramento compare to Portland or Pittsburg or New York?"Best Coffee?" = How does Java City compare to Starbucks? etc. etc. etc. In mental health terms, this is the path to an inferiority complex not a motivational tool. If a coach did this every game, his team would not be motivated.... they would give up. Comparisons like this don't motivate - they just reinforce "Sacramento is a cow town" AND WE DO IT TO OURSELVES without even thinking. We are already a "World Class City" if we declare ourselves to be so and highlight our "assets". Thank you Mayor Johnson for your high visibility and constant praise of our hometown. But digging ourselves out of the slippery slope of "self-deprecating mental attitude" will take more time and more leadership. This is not to say we cannot aspire to greatness.... but it must be "on our own terms and standards" not in comparison to other cities. Each city is different with different assets to build upon. Let's "build and reinforce Sacramento positives" not "compare and give other cities props at our expense".

(5) Praise our local Festivals as the symbol of our love of independent films - This is easy.... just keep doing what you did at the Music and Film Festival last Friday night... show up and support. For example, in the ten years of the "Place Called Sacramento" film festival - a unique event featuring all Sacramento stories, talent, and resources produced by hundreds of volunteers - Not a single County Supervisor or City Council member or Mayor has ever attended any of the nine previous events. They were invited. The Crest has been filled with 700-900 Sacramentans each year. Each film is 100% a Sacramento product. Why no visible support?

My guess is two reasons and neither one is "My schedule is too full".

(a) "If I did it for this event I would have to be active in all of them." YES.... this is supporting the independent film community and Mayors routinely attend events with 50-100 people.... what about 500-1,000? Films about and starring Sacramentans? A film celebration of our best and brightest aspirations and concerns. An elected leader (if not several) should be at each of these "opening night" events and viewing our community through a "local lens".

(b) "A successful films initiative can be judged by 'butts in beds' alone." YES and NO. The easiest benchmark is reports back from local hotels and restaurants that an event pulled in non-Sacramento residents to stay overnight and bring "new money" to the business community. This is "reaping the corn but not planting the seeds".

Our local festivals "plant the seeds", creating creative capital for our community and bolstering our collective self confidence. This meeting room was filled with the "local filmmaking farmers" who have been toiling away for years planting the seeds of filmmaking, film appreciation and film involvement in Sacramento. They are not profiting from these efforts but they persist with success an intangible but real byproduct. Hotel revenue must not be the only standard of success in this endeavor.

We are building community through local filmmaking. Emphasize the positive of what is happening now as we build an even greater future. Thank you for your leadership and this opportunity. If Access Sacramento can be of help, just call. Ron Cooper - Access Sacramento and "A Place Called Sacramento" Film Festival

Third Saturday breathes fresh air into K Street

2009-07-20T04:51:56Z

The fliers and advertisements promised big things: “Local arts, crafts and fashion vendors will descend upon K Street, transforming downtown Sacramento into a bustling creative district.”

On Saturday, Sacramento News and Review hosted the inaugural Third Saturday Creative Block Party and nudged K Street in the right direction.

Despite the scorching heat, more than 40 aspiring clothing and jewelry designers, artists and local businesses set up shop along K Street.

“I think it’s wonderful of SN&R to have done this…it brings life to the downtown area. We’re so happy to be here,” said Ginger Wong, president of Transformations Makeup Institute, did makeup, hair and glitter tattoos.

Both aspiring and already-established local clothing and handbag designers like Meshugga Chic Vintage, Deranged Designs, Atelier and Fancy Foury Paws (for the four-legged) showed up and laid out their goods. While most outdoor festivals are cash-only, many of the booths made it convenient for card-holding customers to make purchases.

While the street fair was touted as being focused on primarily fashion and art, other businesses took the opportunity to get some attention as well. A Crocker Art Museum representatives handed out posters and brochures about their upcoming exhibits, and Sacramento-based Green Sol, which bottles water in biodegradable water bottles, helped people cool down with good-for-the-Earth water bottles.

Paul Imagine, widely known throughout Sacramento for his rock poster prints, was on hand to sell his colorful pieces and SN&R proudly displayed its local artist-designed newsstands as part of its “Newsstand Project.”

ICUP Comedy Troupe held an impromptu comedy skit performance in front of Pyramid Alehouse, a lone street performer played guitar and palm reader Linda Austin told fortunes along the closed-down streets.

In the center of all the action, a main stage in front of Temple coffeehouse featured performances by local bands Musical Charis, ZuhG and The Kinetics throughout the day. (link to their MySpace or websites)

“I’m really looking forward to the next one, and I think it will really liven up K Street,” said Sam Baldwin, a Midtown resident.

K Street businesses, which have suffered in the last few years, took advantage of increased foot traffic. The Crest Theatre promoted its current film series, “Trash Film Orgy” with a “Hot Zombie Chicks” table and art gallery Art ten20 opened its doors to anyone who cared to wander inside.

The party continued all the way to the end of K Street, with youth performance groups entertaining diners at Hard Rock Café from 3-6 p.m. on the restaurant's main stage.

There were groups of security guards and police officers on every corner, but they were not needed as the event was a peaceful gathering.

The Corona beer garden, sectioned off in front of Cosmo Cafe, was advertised as part of the “day party” to begin at 3 p.m. but remained desolate until a good couple of hours into the festival. As downtown’s night crowd poured into the Grid, the streets bustled with excitement into the evening.

Social Nightclub held the official after party for the event, which began at 8 p.m. and lasted until 2 a.m. with a discounted $3 cover before 10 p.m. The nightclub enjoyed a busy night and was almost packed to maximum capacity after the street fair ended.

Third Saturday was exactly the breath of fresh air that K Street has been needing. Cheers to Sacramento News and Review for an event well done and a hope for many more Third Saturdays,

Often pictures speak louder than words. Click HERE for pictures by Paula Aguirre from the Third Saturday Creative Block Party.

Weekend jazz festival flows down Broadway

2009-06-29T02:04:12Z

The second annual In the Flow jazz festival brought music and art fans out to Broadway's hub with more than 30 bands, poetry readings and live painting.

For $20, ticket holders were given wristbands that allowed entrance into all of the weekend's shows, which spanned five different venues along Broadway. For those who weren't wearing wristbands, several free performances were hosted at Records, Java Lounge and Records.

The back-to-back schedules at the venues allowed for a constant stream of activity, and if ticket holders didn’t like one performance, they could walk down the street to the next one.

The goal of the festival was to "showcase all of the different kinds of jazz you'll find in the area...not smooth jazz though....yikes," said Ross Hammond, who was the weekend's main coordinator and also a co-founder of the festival.

Hammond, himself a jazz musician, made an appearance with Vinny Golia on Saturday at Beatnik. He said that there is a huge jazz scene in Sacramento and the festival is a way to make people aware of the artists' presence.

“It was really hot, but the people were fun and I liked that there were so many performances to choose from,” said Mathew Zvonicek, who attended the festival Saturday evening.

Other highlights of the weekend's various shows included Byron Blackburn's CD release at Java Lounge Friday evening featuring Tom Monsoon, Alex Jenkins and Hammond. Jacob Felix Heule, Arom Shelton and Tony Dreyer performed a unique jazz set at Records on Saturday, using unusual techniques like scratching cymbals with drumsticks and vibrating objects on their drums.

Beatnik had a constant flow of talented musicians coming through its photography studio all weekend, including DJ Tommy V, the Harley White Orchestra and Tony Passarell and the Thin Air Symphony.

Jazz music wasn't the only form of art that made an appearance at the festival, however.

Java Lounge hosted the "Scary Art Collective Reception" Saturday to showcase works by local artists like Kathy Blackburn, who also has work on display at Beatnik. The walls of the cafe were filled with paintings and drawings of skeletons, owls and ghouls. Music served as the background to the reception, with five groups performing during the afternoon.

Saturday, a group of artists from the Pacific Art Collective in San Jose set up an art station in front of Beatnik, open to anyone who wanted to stop and paint. They said their inspiration for the music and art collaboration comes from "live paintings" that are popular in the Bay Area.

On Sunday, The Comedy Spot hosted music, poetry and the spoken word with Josh Fernandez, Frank Andrick, Mike Farrell and other artists.

Hammond and the other organizers were given a grant by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission that made the festival possible and enabled them to give all money raised through ticket sales to the artists.

The festival also received sponsorships from Swell Productions, The Greater Broadway Partnership and local businesses like Sacramento’s Skip's Music and Kline Music.

"We're planning on doing this festival annually, so just mark your calendars now," advises Hammond.

A.ll photos were taken by Paula Aguirre

Sac Convention Center gets inked

2009-06-21T03:58:48Z

Guns and needles took over the Sacramento Convention Center Friday.

Tattoo guns and needles, that is. The first day of the eighth annual Forever Tattoo’s All American Tattoo Festival kicked off the weekend with the best of the best in the ink industry, tattoo contests and circus-style side performer George the Giant.

Sponsored by Tatt life, Tattoo Energy and Budweiser, the festival gave ink fans the chance to peruse and purchase the work of more than 80 tattoo artists from not only the United States but as far as Sweden (Living All Tattoo), Greece (Nico Tattoo) and Italy (Cherry Tattoo).

“I usually go to the festivals in San Francisco, but this is the first year I’ve gone to one [in Sacramento]," festival-goer Zachary Bacon said. "They have a lot of great artists and I’m really impressed."

Some festival-goers had blank flesh canvases and others had mere inches of available space to tattoo. A few artists offered “festival” specials, knocking anywhere from $20 to $40 off their prices, and some charged several hundred dollars to customers, who more than willing to pay for their expertise.

Newly tattooed festival-goers have the opportunity to enter their pieces into contests, which will continue throughout the weekend. Friday’s contests included best sleeve and leg tattoos, and the recipients of the coffin-themed plaques (and bragging rights) were Samantha Schue and Matthew Kleinhauas (pictured).

The evening’s main attraction, besides fresh ink, was George the Giant, a stunt performer who starred in the movie Big Fish and was on “America’s Got Talent.” George stunned his captive audience by swallowing a sword, hammering a nail through his nose and inviting an audience member to walk on his face, which was resting sideways on a pile of broken glass.

In the center of all the action, an art showing that will remain through Sunday lined the aisle leading up to the stage. The tattoo-themed paintings were created by various local artists whowill be inking throughout the festival, including Sacramento’s American Graffiti and Folsom City Ink.

Tattoos weren’t the only things being hawked, however. Livermore’s Charlotte’s Web sold tattoo-inspired clothing and Belzel Books set up a tattoo book nook. Tattoo aftercare companies took the opportunity to boasts their products as well, with companies like Tattoo Genie and Tattoo Goo claiming faster and better healing.

Hells Angels Sacramento, whose many members are tattoo collectors, set up shop to sell their gear and promote their organization. Passion Parties representatives handed out free samples of their intimate party favors, and Nos energy drink supplied boosts to the crowd.

Tattoo fans of all ages roamed the convention center until the doors closed at 11 p.m., many preparing to return the next day and get inked.

The All American Tattoo Festival will continue through Sunday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the box office, located in front of the Sacramento Convention Center.

For Saturday and Sunday's schedule, click here

All photos taken by Jonathan Mendick

All American Tattoo Festival this weekend

2009-06-18T05:31:08Z

Tattoo artists from across the country and around the world will join local tattoo artists in offering their inking services to Sacramento for the eighth year in a row at the annual All American Tattoo Festival this weekend. The festival begins Friday and will continue through Sunday at the Sacramento Convention Center.

The festival is organized in a joint effort between local promoter Alan Mahon and the owners of Sacramento's Forever Tattoo. Attendees can view over 100 art pieces, submissions of mainly paintings and drawings from the artists that won't include tattoo designs, on any of the three days of the festival, in addition to getting tattooed by world-renowned artists.

“Fifty to 60 percent of tattoo artists should not be tattooing anybody,” Mahon said. He explained that the festival provides tattoo-goers the opportunity to get a “better than average tattoo” by expert artists they normally don’t have access to, since many of them are overbooked or live in other parts of the country or the world.

Contests will be held each day for best tattoo pieces, in addition to special appearances by renowned sideshow art performer George the Giant. The festival will also host the worldwide debut of Shige, a book based on the life and work of world-renowned Japanese tattoo artist Shigenorii Wasaki. Both Wasaki and Horitaka, the author, will be tattooing at this year's festival.

Artists from local tattoo shops like American Graffiti, Modern Body Custom Tattoo, Monster Ink, Legacy and River City Tattoo will be stationed at the festival, in addition to the artists from Forever Tattoo.

Anyone wanting to get inked by unfamiliar or foreign artists can choose from a wide selection of tattooers from the West Coast, Texas, Missouri, Florida, New York, Japan, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Brent Patten, an organizer of the festival and co-owner of Forever Tattoo, pointed out that the festival offers more options than just needles. Attendees can get tattooed with the Japanese hand-painted method Tebori using a brass wand, or with a Tahitian method using a "tapping" stick.

"You get to see all these people from all around the world," Patten said. "You read about them in books, [and to] maybe get tattooed by them is really cool."

For several local artists, participating in this year's festival will be a first-time experience.

Steve Shippey, who has been tattooing for five years and specializes in horror realism, portrait and cartoon-inspired pieces, will tattoo for the first time at the festival along with Ronnie Grizard, on behalf of Sacramento's Modern Body.

Ten-year tattoo artist Tuan Tran will also participate for the first time on behalf of Monster Ink, a newer two-and-a-half-year old tattoo shop in Sacramento. Tran specializes in Japanese-style tattoos, along with realism and demon-inspired pieces.

Both Shippey and Tran expressed their excitement about the festival and an opportunity to meet other artists from around the world.

If there's anything to not look forward to, it's bargain hunters.

"Sometimes you get people who think that they can walk out with $20 in their pocket and get a three-hour piece for next to nothing," Shippey said.

For more information about tickets, schedule times, the artists and parking, visit this link.

Author's note: All photos courtesy of All American Tattoo festival.

Lots of free (and cheap) events this Weekend!!

2009-06-17T23:55:20Z

It has never occurred to me that Father's Day weekend always happens at the same time as the summer solstice. Is that by coincidence? The longest, sunniest day of the year falls on the weekend that we celebrate our Dad's. That's kind of cool! At least for those of us who celebrate them. Otherwise, think of it as an extended day for you to be having fun! This weekend is packed with family friendly events for the whole family to enjoy at budget friendly prices. There are a few things I've mentioned that are a little more pricey... but they sound so fun! Whatever your budget is and whomever you'd like to spend your time with, check out what this weekend has in store.

Thursday 6.18

Class: Small Business Forum: Going Green -- $FREE
Where: SHCC Offices (1491 River Park Dr)
When: 9am
Why: Every month a different topic is featured in these workshops. From accounting practices, legal issues, buying new technology and creating a business plan—they’ll teach you all you need to know to be more efficient in your business. This month will focus on the latest trend in business…Going Green. It won’t cost you any green to come so check it out!
Details

Food & Wine: Wild West Cheese Adventure -- $45
Where: C’est le Cheese (Penthouses at Capitol Park)
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Why: “Artisan cheese makers are pushing the frontiers of flavor into an entirely new world by using the sweetest, creamiest milk from locally raised cows, goats and sheep to create an exquisite array of stupendous artisan cheese. Join Laura Martinez, author of "The Everything Cheese Book", in a tasting adventure of these wild and wooly cheese creations paired with wine and beer from pioneering vintners and brewers. This class is guaranteed to transport you to the best of the Wild West!”~ C’est le Cheese
Details

Music: Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series -- $10 (FREE to Crocker Members)
Where: CSUS Capistrano Hall
When: 5:30pm-8pm
Why: The Garrett Perkins Project will entertain with their versatile range of Jazz from bebop to modern contemporary jazz. The Garrett Perkins Project is dedicated to promoting music that is at once educational and entertaining. Garrett has had a Quartet since the age of fifteen as an avenue for playing his beloved alto saxophone.
Details

Friday 6.19

Festival: Sacramento French Film Festival—Opening Night -- $10/ $9 students (single ticket)
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 6pm (Movie at 8:30pm) ***The festival runs through Sunday, June 28th***
Why: Opening night and reception! You cannot see the film tonight without going to the reception. Enjoy an open wine bar and catered hors d’oeuvres by local restaurants and music by DJ Christophe. The Sacramento French Film Festival is an annual event held in July. It celebrates the present as well as the rich history of French cinema featuring new releases and rarely seen classics. It is the only festival dedicated to French cinema in Northern California and one of only two on the West coast. The Sacramento Bee described the Festival as “the Cinematic Highlight of Sacramento's Summer”. All of the films are in French with English subtitles. (Psst! Check out the website for more fun events like the fashion show on Saturday the 21st!!)
Details

Festival: All American Tattoo Festival--$15 at the door/$30 for the weekend
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
When: 2pm-11pm (also Saturday, 11am-11pm & Sunday, 11am-7pm)
Why: Tattoo lovers unite! Tell all your ink loving friends to come over to the CC this weekend. There will be tattoo contests for prizes in addition to the artwork and music. Whether you’re a seasoned (or should I say fully decorated) tattoo lover or a novice, this is the place to find what you’re looking for. Even if you’re not much of a tattoo fan, you got to come if only to see George the Giant. He is himself a complete sideshow performance- known for his fire breathing, sword swallowing, glass walking stunts and many more, he is sure to entertain! Plus...the world wide debut of SHIGE a book by Horitaka from the Yellow Blaze Tattoo Studio in Japan.
Details

Kids & Families: Wet 'n Wild Family Night @ the Y! -- FREE
Where: Sacramento YMCA
When: 6pm-8pm
Why: Join the Sacramento Area YMCA for a free Wet n' Wild Family Night with musical guests, Prima! Bring your swimsuit, flip-flops & towel, there will be plenty of wet n' wild games including a fundraiser dunk tank! This is a free community event where everyone is welcome so don't forget to tell your family & friends! Jamba Juice and Yogurtagogo will also be on hand selling their tasty juices and yogurt to help beat the heat!
Details

Kids & Families: Disney Train Comes to Sacramento! -- $FREE
Where: California State Railroad Museum
When: 9am-7pm (also Saturday, 9am-7pm & Sunday, 9am-4pm)
Why: Bring your family and friends to Old Sacramento to see the Disney Train on the tracks near the California State Railroad Museum. Disney is pulling out all the whistle stops and taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour, including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” Enjoy a snowy backdrop in June in Old Sacramento, complete with all of the sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and many more surprises. This Disney family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in Disney Digital 3D and in IMAX 3D.
Details

Music: A Classic Rock Tribute with “ATB” -- $
Where: Double Tree Hotel
When: 8:30pm-11pm
Why: After the Beatles, music has never been the same. Or so believes ATB, which stands for After The Beatles. They are a classic rock tribute band keeping the Beatles alive by playing the music that the Beatles made, after the Beatles.
Details

Music: Les Claypool -- $25 adv/ $30 at door
Where: Radisson Hotel
When: 7:30pm
Why: Legendary Bassist from the popular band Primus. Back in their heyday (aka the 90’s), Les was recognized for his inventive, funky style. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Dimple Records store, The Beat and R5 Records.
Details

Saturday 6.20

Art: Stellar Studios’ Summer Solstice -- $FREE
Where: Stellar Studios (23rd & C St.)
When: 5pm-12am
Why: Celebrate Summer Solstice and support some local artists while you’re at it! Stellar will be featuring new work in glass, ceramics, metal & mixed media from all local artists. Get a glimpse into the future of art spaces. Also, it’s a great excuse to peruse and shop around with music & fire to compliment the atmosphere on the longest day of the year.
Details: http://sacramento365.com/event/detail/38873

Art/Class: Figure Drawing Marathon for Adults -- $65 ($45 for Crocker Members)
Where: Crocker Art Museum
When: 10:30am-4:30pm
Why: Back by popular demand! This workshop is for beginners and advanced students looking to learn or improve drawing skills. Draw from nude models while exploring the figure through warm-up exercises, gesture drawings and long poses. Note that this is an adult class! You must be 18 years or older. Drawing materials will be provided. Make sure you call to reserve your spot because reservations are required.
Details

Festival: 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival-- $FREE
Where: William Land Park
When: 11am-6pm (also Sunday, 11am-5pm)
Why: A Celebration of Freedom and the Emancipation Proclamation. What a way we’ve come! This is a two-day event featuring two stages of live musical entertainment, vendors, children's activities, spelling bee, fishing derby, The Juneteenth Educational Theater, essay/poster contests, theater, cultural dance performances, and more on Saturday! The Juneteenth Talent Show is probably the highlight of the event where local aspiring talent takes a stab at the stage. Nearly 8,000 people attend Juneteenth annually. On Sunday check out the 3rd annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament, the Juneteenth Gospel Extravaganza featuring Sacramento’s best gospel artists, food/ware vendors, and all kinds of children’s’ activities. Be there!
Details

Fundraiser: Round ‘em Up Barbeque -- $10 adults/ $5 kids
Where: Swanston Park
When: 3pm
Why: Grab the kids and head to the park for a family friendly BBQ! The Sacramento Children's Chorus will be performing an informal concert for entertainment. All of the proceeds for this event benefit the Sacramento Children’s Chorus. With all of the funding cuts happening with children’s programs, makes sense to support them in family fun ways such as these…
Details

Music: Pops in the Park Concert Series -- $FREE
Where: Bertha Henschel Park
When: 6pm-10pm
Why: This week is featuring the George Bruno Big Band. I don’t know much about the band- and couldn’t find any information on them other than they play at all kinds of family friendly events- but I do know that the Pops in The park Concerts are a great night out for families. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and prepare to have some fun!
Details

Sunday 6.21 (Dad’s Day!)

Film: IMAX Father’s Day Package -- $Varies
Where: Esquire IMAX Theatre
When: 11am, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 (Start Times)
Why: Take your Dad to see an IMAX show this weekend- or dad’s, take your kids out and save. In addition to the Stimulus Deal IMAX has been promoting, this Sunday Dad’s get in Free! You still need the receipt from a restaurant though. So the Stimulus Package Deal goes like this: Visit any Downtown/Midtown Sacramento Restaurant and spend $20…then bring your receipt to the Esquire IMAX Theatre and purchase any ticket to see Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Under The Sea 3D or African Adventure 3D for $5 or get a $5 discount off the full price admission ticket to Monsters vs. Aliens 3D, Star Trek, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. (Subject to availability) Up to 4 Tickets can be purchased with receipt.
Details

Music: Father’s Day BBQ Train -- $49 Adults/ $25 Kids (plus taxes & Service charge)
Where: Sacramento River Train
When: 11am
Why: Why not? When’s the last time you rode the train? This 3.5-hour trip includes a 28-mile train ride with a stop for a barbecue lunch at Elkhorn Park. The Sacramento River Train, which has three open-air cars and three enclosed air-conditioned coaches, operates between Woodland and West Sacramento.
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events. If you have an event you would like to add to Sacramento365.com, visit the website. Its easy and free to add your events! Also, if you want to mention an event that I didn't squeeze into my little article- add it to the comments below! Have a great weekend!!

Doggy Dash and Bark at the Park has highest attendance of 16 years

2009-05-31T03:34:59Z

It was a moment comparable to being at the circus, watching dogs large and small waltz by in bright, bulky and outlandish costumes, some complete with suspenders or patent leather doll shoes. The woolly mammoth, the lobster, the ballerina, the Lion King, the construction worker, the geisha, the bum, and the hippie — exceptionally well-costumed dogs — assembled in line for judges to determine which one would win this year’s dog costume contest. Zury, the 2-year-old Australian cattle dog dressed as a bum, was the first-prize winner, followed by Rudy placing second for his construction worker duds, and Klusso placing third as the Lion King.

According to Lesley Kirrene, Sacramento SPCA director of public relations, today’s Doggy Dash and Bark at the Park festival had its greatest turnout of the 16 consecutive years it’s been held at William Land Park. She estimated that there were 3,000 participants in the 2K and 5K Doggy Dash walk/runs combined, and added that this year’s fourth annual pug race had more participants than ever before.

In addition to the Doggy Dash, pug races and costume contests, the Bark at the Park festival also hosted various dog demonstrations and other competitions in three separate arenas.

The Sacramento Police Department held a K-9 demonstration using three of the department’s nine patrol dogs: Butch, Hutch, and their newest addition, Crash. The three dogs performed obedience demonstrations as well as attack demonstrations on pretend “bad guys” with padded arm guards. Sergeant Steve Olivera said that the dogs require four months of training.

Robert Lynch and his 3-and-a-half-year old Staffordshire bull terrier won first place in the look-alike contest and third place in best smile.

Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate showcased their owner-dog teams engaging in coordinated disc-catching demonstrations — team members varied in sizes as small as Sammy the dachshund and as stocky as Aztec the pit bull.

Other dog owners entered their dogs in the disc, toss and fetch contest, or competitions for best tricks, best smile or best kisser.

Among eye-catching dogs in attendance included black and white great Dane Cosmo, who is 43-inches tall and 155 pounds, and supposedly related to the tallest dog in this year’s Guinness World Records, according to the owner.

“I’m not sure if that’s a horse or a dog,” said contributing Sacramento Press photographer Ed Fogle.

Amid the excitement were two new additions to this year’s festival: a free concert by Sacramento band the Indestructibles, and a kid zone inclusive with rock climbing and a jump house.

Along with booths dedicated to dog rescue and prevention of animal cruelty, the event also hosted a variety of booths promoting grain, wheat, hormone and preservative-free dog foods, spa indulgences, resort packages and pet medical insurance to dog owners who sometimes seemed more concerned with the well-being of their furry friends than of themselves.

By mid-afternoon, dogs and their owners walked away from the park. Some looked happy, some looked dog-tired.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to help homeless animals at the Sacramento SPCA. For more information about the organization, visit: sspca.org.

*Author’s note: Photos 9, 10, & 11 by Jenn Walker. All other photos courtesy of Ed Fogle; click the following link to view website: Maverick Photography.

Midfest is a go

2009-05-30T01:27:05Z

Midfest is happening this weekend after organizers won two permits early Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the event is scheduled to begin.

But Sacramento city staff notified organizers that city employees will be on the lookout for code violations after neighborhood residents complained that a previous event wasn't adequately managed.

The Bloc Concert Series permit was awarded to Paragary Restaurant Group for the festivities being held in Marshall Park, 915 27th St., from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. A separate permit was issued to the Midtown Business Association (MBA) and T & M Organization for the Arts for Sunday's Midfest Summer Celebration at the park.

In the final hours before permits were handed out, the city's Department of Parks and Recreation held a meeting with organizers to spell out "in no uncertain terms" the regulations and requirements organizers must meet during the festival, said Alan Tomiyama, recreation manager of the department's Community Recreation Services Division.

"If the permittee violates the terms of the permit, the city has absolute authority to shut an event down," he said, adding that organizers will be given one chance to fix a problem on the spo. "Immediately. If they don't, we'll shut them down."

The permits allow the main stage and a VIP tent to be set up next to 28th Street at the alley -- close to 28th Street residences -- and the beer truck and beer garden to be set up on the closed half-block of 28th Street adjacent to Paragary's Centro Cocina Mexicana.

That way, stage speakers face south, away from residential areas, and the noise level can be further dampened by event and traffic noise, said Hindolo Brima, spokesperson for the city Department of Parks and Recreation. That setup also funnels the concert crowd into the south half of the park near businesses.

Permit requirements include:

-- K Permit parking only from 6 a.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Sunday on I and H streets between 26th and 29th streets; 26th and 27th streets between J and G streets; and 28th Street between I and G streets. Violators will be towed, according to the permit.

-- 28th Street will be closed from J Street to the alley for a beer truck and beer garden.

-- A "reasonable" amplified sound level will be determined by the city's Special Events Services staff the day of the event, metered by police and ended by 8 p.m. However, the permit includes the city code's 98-decibel level for amplified sound being held on a street or sidewalk, rather than the section of code saying amplified sound in a park can't exceed 86 decibels 25 feet from the source, or 55 decibels on any residential property.

-- The Fire Department will set the occupancy load for the beer garden. Alcohol can't be sold after 7:30 p.m.

-- Seven Sacramento police officers, including a sergeant, and at least five private security guards must be hired for the event.

-- Debris and trash must be removed immediately after events on each day.

In recent weeks, the Department of Parks and Recreation pulled together the agencies that need to be involved in enforcing city regulations at the event to coordinate actions that will be taken to address potential problems this weekend, Tomiyama said.

The concerns brought up by residents living next to the park or nearby have never come up with other special events in more than a decade, he said. The park appears to be unique in the central city because it's lined with businesses and busy J Street on its south end but residential neighborhoods on three sides.

Sacramento's central core has undergone much development in the last five years -- including the addition of new bars and restaurants joining stalwarts Centro and Harlow's on J Street facing Marshall Park. Parks department staffers say they're trying to help find a balance with special events to meet the needs of businesses and residents, including Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association members.

Although it's never happened before, the city is considering those neighbors' request to be included in the permit application process for special events in the area.

"If there needs to be improvement, if there needs to be adjustments, we will do that," Tomiyama said. "At least, we will take a hard look at it."

The city has not awarded permits for any more last Saturday concerts planned for the Bloc Concert Series. The city will evaluate how things go this weekend and base permit decisions on that, he said.

Midfest concerns slow permit

2009-05-26T03:26:16Z

Neighbors’ concerns about the Midfest Summer Celebration and the recent Cinco de Mayo street party appear to be encouraging the city and organizers to take extra precautions to ensure fewer headaches for residents.

Meanwhile, Midfest organizers are still trying to get a permit to host the new event in Marshall Park next weekend.

Midfest is launching a series of Saturday concerts in the park at 915 27th St. (I and 27th streets), across from a block of bars and restaurants.

A special events permit has not yet been issued to Midfest's organizers, Midtown Business Association (MBA) and T & M Organization for the Arts, said Hindolo Brima, spokesperson for the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

The city's Parks and Recreation Department's Special Event Review Board met Thursday to review the request. With the event just days away, organizers say they have not been notified of any special requirements needed to get a permit.

"We have been on pins and needles for two weeks waiting for the permit," said MBA Operations Manager Aja Uranga-Foster, adding that the city has indicated the event will happen. (For more on special events requirements, click on http://sacramentopress.com/headline/8218/Midfest_Special_events_guidelines)

Organized long-time residents met with the city after Cinco de Mayo to voice their complaints about the event. They’re also preparing a formal complaint to submit to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said resident Vito Sgromo, past president of Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association and a board member since 1991.

MBA was caught off-guard by neighborhood association members’ reactions to the Cinco de Mayo celebration and the upcoming event. That reaction led organizers and the city to arrange extra services, such as more security and parking services, for Midfest, said Uranga-Foster.

They’re also limiting the 28th Street closure to half a block, on the south end in front of businesses. Skateboarding demos were canceled weeks ago because skaters are going to an event in San Francisco, said Uranga-Foster.

Meanwhile, the city is reportedly considering changing the special events permit process to require applications be filed two months in advance, rather than one, to resolve some complaints with the process and events. The current one-month timeline from filing to hosting the event doesn't always provide time to resolve all issues related to the event, she said.

Whether the city would change its policy that residents need only be notified seven days before an event was unclear.

The festival is planned for Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 in the park. Ads promoting the event have already been placed in local media, including The Sacramento Press.

On May 18, residents of Marshall Park and other nearby neighborhoods who were attending a Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG) meeting said they were "up in arms" because they didn't hear about the event until two weeks before it's scheduled.

“What we're fearful of is that it's going to be like Cinco de Mayo: Something that's out of control,” Sgromo said later.

But other residents like the Midfest idea. On May 16, a Midfest organizers’ street team notified residents living from J to H streets between 26th to 28th streets about the event. The team reached 44 people, and 38 supported Midfest, said Randy Paragary, who owns Centro Cocina Mexicana at J and 28th streets and other businesses in the area.

"A majority of them are renters and they’re young," said Trevor Shults, Paragary Restaurant Group's events and promotions manager. "They want to have fun. It’s all about making Midtown a fun and beautiful place to be.”

Sgromo said he and some other residents worry Midfest and three summer concerts will be “drinking parties” held primarily to draw more clientele to J Street bars facing the park.

“Their business is declining, and out of desperation, they're trying to make this into Cesar Chavez Park,” Sgromo said.

Centro is operating a for-profit taco stand at Midfest. It’s only natural that Paragary and other business owners hope the festival will attract customers to their restaurants and bars that weekend, Shults said.

At the meeting, Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Cohn said the council needs to update the approval process for special events permit requests. Uranga-Foster told residents the organization is working with the city to modify special events requirements so neighbors are notified well in advance even for smaller-scale events like this.

During previous meetings with Paragary, two leaders from Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association said they’d support festivals in the park, including Midfest, and agreed those would be a good way to raise money for a Marshall Park fountain. However, neither the association nor MBA notified other residents about Midfest plans until the street team went out. Other residents said they want to be included in the event planning process with businesses.

Midfest is being publicized as a fundraiser that will raise money for fountain and three nonprofits. At the meeting, residents questioned the fundraising aspect of the event, since other events have been touted as fountain fundraisers, but no money was ever donated to the fountain fund, they said.

Initially, the city was going to fund the fountain, but didn’t have the money, said Paragary, who then got involved. He formed the Gifts to Share Marshall Park Fountain Committee last year.

Paragary offered to donate $1,000 in Cinco proceeds to the fund “to make a nice gesture” to residents for approving Cinco plans. The Gifts to Share account was opened last week and the money donated after the accounting process, Paragary said. No other events have been held to benefit the fountain, he added.

J Street businesses have promised to donate $1,000 to the fountain fund every time neighbors have agreed to an event request, including Second Saturdays, opening GV Hurley’s, or last year’s Cinco de Mayo, said Sgromo and George Raya, co-chair of the Marshall School neighborhood association.

This could not be confirmed with Gifts to Share, a nonprofit fundraising organization where the fountain fund has been set up. Gifts to Share helps businesses and community groups partner with the city to raise money for city programs involving parks, recreation, neighborhood improvement, culture and education.

Paragary also helped set up the Sutter Business Improvement Area, which began operating May 1. The organization represents businesses from 27th to 29th streets between J and P streets.

The beer garden will be operated Saturday by an outside event company hired by Gifts to Share Marshall Park Fountain Committee. All those proceeds will go to the fountain fund, said Shults and Uranga-Foster.

The fountain committee will apply for special events permits for the next three concerts in Marshall Park, planned for the last Saturdays of June through August, Paragary said.

Sunday, the nonprofit T & M Organization for the Arts will operate the beer garden and collect the proceeds. A dunk tank run by the local roller derby squad the Sacred City Derby Girls will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The SPCA will benefit from the Splash Dogs Midtown Fun Jump held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot at 28th and J. For $20, neighborhood dogs will get a chance to jump into a pool to see how far they can jump and compete with other dogs.

Midfest will take place on the park's south end near J Street businesses. MBA and T & M have agreed to set the stage facing businesses, rather than residents, near 28th Street towards the park's middle. Two porta-potties will sit near the stage for performers and the main bank will be somewhat hidden in trees. The event runs from noon to 8 p.m. The MBA bought sound meters this week to check sound levels.

"Between all these sound meters, we'll be running around making sure everything's cool," Uranga-Foster said. "We're not out to blow anybody out of the park. It's not a rock out; it's just a show."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Hip Hop Congress Awareness Festival unites diverse crowd

2009-05-25T08:00:34Z

Watching the MC with the dreadlocks, the interracial couple, kids younger than 12, asians, blacks, whites and Hispanics congregated in the Washington Neighborhood Center all listening to the same music was a rare and inspiring sight.

Today was the third and final day of the first Sacramento Hip Hop Congress Awareness Festival. The day was dedicated to a showcase of performances by open-mic artists, b-boys, DJs and street, conscious and hip hop MCs from Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as art displays.

Bay Area musician Rahman Jahmaal and local musicians such as Skurge riled the crowd with their inspirational words. Jahmaal broke down the beauty in the art of hip hop.

"I want to encourage you to be a little more active in your community," Skurge said to the audience over the microphone.

The festival was heavily focused on bringing together the community and local artists with the different art forms of hip hop culture, in addition to introducing the local chapter of the Hip Hop Congress to Sacramento.

Yesterday included performances by Oakland's Simone Nia Rae and former member of Jurassic 5 Akil.

HHC co-chairs Vanessa Amarro and Aman Smith agreed that yesterday's featured music industry panel, involving a discussion between seven speakers representative of the hip hop scene and participants, was a main highlight of the festival. Smith estimated that there were 30 to 40 people present, ranging from 8 years old to 45 years old.

"A lot of people were happy with the total outcome [of the panel] because it was such a diverse group of people," Smith said.

According to Smith, the seven panel speakers included music supervisor Marcus Barone, professional bass player Kevin Cane, music attorney Christine O' Connor, professor Erik Chun, LA videographer Todd Strickland—who previously worked with Alicia Keys, Usher, and Jaime Foxx—Sacramento rapper Bueno and graffiti artist and b-boy (breakdancer) Taz Roc, who previously worked on the Sprite "Obey Your Thirst" marketing campaign.

Smith expressed his excitement about the discussion that ensued about the future of independent artists and being successful in today's market; he said the Sacramento chapter will continue the discussion once every month or every other month.

Twenty-eight-year-old Tatiana Turner, local music promoter and film short producer, said the panel was "surprisingly informative and very interactive."

"There was a little bit of each genre, and with a graffiti artist and a lawyer on [the same] panel, you could see the unity," she added.

In addition to the main stage, there was a separate room set up with microphones for kids to work on their music skills.

Twelve-year-old Sophia Marx, who just began volunteering for HHC over the weekend with the encouragement of her mom, said she really liked the sense of community at the event.

"I don't get to do a lot of this stuff at home—work, sing and dance," she said.

Rae, who said it was her second time performing in Sacramento, expressed her pleasure in being a part of the event.

"Hip hop Congress is always positive. It's all for the love of hip hop," she said.

To learn more about Hip Hop Congress, visit hiphopcongress.com

More JazzFest photos

2009-05-25T04:07:33Z

Has the fun been taken out of the Jubilee?

2009-05-24T06:59:40Z

Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums were busy "shooby-doo-wop-bopping" on stage. Meanwhile, a woman with a black halter dress, a chic A-line haircut and flashy white sunglasses jitterbugged with the man in the suit. The couple was eye-catching. They were not only good dancers, but they were an older couple.

This Memorial Day weekend marks Sacramento's 36th Jazz Jubilee. If you have never been to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, or JazzFest (they are referred to interchangeably), a consistent observation has been the strong presence of an "older" crowd. This can be attributed to the festival's traditional Dixieland appeal, an appeal that some patrons said is beginning to fizzle out.

Volunteer John Shannon, who said his parents had continually brought him to the festival since he was two years old, acknowledged the claim made by some that the JazzFest's recent shift in music "takes away" from the festival.

"But you can't take the fun out of jubilee," he responded.

"You could sit all day and listen to traditional [Dixieland]...but you have to have different genres to sustain something this large," Shannon said.

Jazzfest artists now perform genres such as blues, zydeco and swing, in addition to Dixieland.

Volunteers explained that the JazzFest is trying to appeal to a younger demographic to compensate for the older generations that are passing on.

"[There are] a lot more bands [and] different types of music to appeal to the younger generations, and it's working," said volunteer Betty Paul as she stood outside the crowded performance of the Benny Goodman Centennial Tribute Band. Paul has attended the festival since it first began in 1974.

Naturally, the "Next Generation" sites at the festival also draw some younger audience members, since they host bands consisting of teenagers and high school students.

Some volunteers and festival patrons expressed their disappointment with the changes of the festival.

"What the JazzFest used to be is a jubilee. They're trying to get younger people to come [and] the older population has dwindled," said John McDaniel, who has volunteered for 35 years.

McDaniel also noted the absence of RV parking and the lacking presence of foreign bands, two attractions that have drawn festival-goers in the past.

While there were teenagers scattered throughout the festival and occasionally young adults perusing the crowds with beers in hand, the older generation, some bravely adorned with fancy hats and studded sunglasses, was nonetheless predominant and looking to have a good time.

Bands like Tom Rigney and the Flambeau, a versatile San Francisco-based band, and Billy Mata and Texas Tradition, a band that incorporates sounds of swing and country, were both big hits with the older crowds Friday.

Volunteer Lewis Mutschler, wearing an oversized "Grumpy" hat, relaxed on the grass with his wife, who wore a headband with sparkly star antennas, as they sat and watched the high school swing and jazz band Santa Clara Swing.

"If they can draw a younger crowd and keep it from dying out it's a good thing," said Mutschler .

All photos courtesy of Anthony Bento. You can visit his website here: http://hatlesslincoln.com/photography/v/bento/

Sacramento's first Hip Hop Congress awareness festival this weekend

2009-05-21T21:43:44Z

Want to learn about hip hop or the hip hop music industry?

This weekend provides a perfect opportunity--the Sacramento Chapter of the Hip Hop Congress will be holding its first awareness festival May 22 through May 24 at the Washington Neighborhood Center at 400 16th Street in midtown Sacramento.

Hip Hop Congress is a nonprofit organization that identifies itself as "an international grassroots network that educates, empowers, and unites individuals...preserv[ing] and evolv[ing] hip hop by inspiring social action and cultural creativity within the community." The organization claims more than 50 chapters nationwide, in addition to chapters in Europe and Africa.

Vanessa Amarro, co-chair of Sacramento's recently formed chapter and also known as Lady Vex, explained that the purpose of the awareness festival is to introduce Hip Hop Congress to Sacramento while educating and bringing the community together with hip hop culture.

"Hip hop is a beautiful culture that brings so many nationalities together...but it gets a bad rap because there are people that don't understand it," explained Amarro. Hip Hop Congress strives not only to educate the community about hip hop culture, but also uses hip hop to educate the public on serious issues such as AIDS awareness, she added.

On Saturday, the festival will host a music industry panel with experienced industry members in order to educate aspiring hip hop artists about music business law, marketing, copyright and business practices.

"There's a lot of artists that are coming out into the hip hop scene but they're not business savvy," said Amarro.

The festival will also feature a showcase of the elements of hip hop, including live DJs, live urban art (art pieces will be made on the spot), MC cyphers, and b-boys, or "breakdancers."

Performing acts at the festival will include Akil, former member of hip hop group Jurassic 5, in addition to local acts such as Verbal Venom, Righteous Movement, and DJ Oasis.

The festival will be held between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. on Friday, and between noon and 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass. Tickets can be purchased in advance at United State, located at 1014 24th Street in midtown Sacramento.

The proceeds from the event will go to "the Foundation," an urban arts afterschool program at Natomas High School.

For more information about the event, visit: http://www.myspace.com/sachiphopcongress

For more information about Hip Hop Congress, visit: www.hiphopcongress.com

Lion dancers, Bunraku, Taiko and more at Pacific Rim Street Festival

2009-05-19T03:34:15Z

The above photo is of another dance team, the Eastern Ways Lion Dance Team

It had reached 100 degrees by 4:30 Sunday afternoon, and seven-year-old Caleb Mai disappeared beneath a massive red and black lion headdress the size of his body.

Moments later the drums began, and a line of lion dancers appeared on the stage, leaping and shaking beneath their bright costumes. They then each hopped onto the ground and scattered into the audience, standing on chairs and bobbing their oversized lion headdresses up and down. One lady laughed uncontrollably as a dancer shook its grinning masked face in front of her's. Every now and again Mai could be seen as he held the weight of the lion head high above his own and shook it wildly.

The drums stopped, and the dancers clamored back onto the stage. Mai's family stood from the front row to help him as he reemerged from beneath his costume.

This was the Diêu Quang lion dance team's first performance at the 17th annual Pacific Rim Street Festival in Sacramento, and Mai was one of several young dancers on the team. The festival's entertainment, stretched from the morning into the late afternoon, was divided among four stages set up in between Old Sacramento and Westfield Downtown Plaza.Along with Diêu Quang, it consisted of several performances exhibiting youth talent.

Chris Iwata, one of the performance coordinators and working board members of the event, explained that younger performers are common at the festival and their families enjoy coming each year to support them.

Aside from Diêu Quang, other new acts to the festival included the Hawaiian reggae group Koa Young and Friends, as well as Fijian Sanatan Youth Group.

Also new to the festival was the Green Valley Puppet Theater, which performed Bunraku, a Japanese form of puppet theater. The puppeteers, clothed in black from head-to-toe, unconventionally manipulated their puppets at waist-level on a table top, cleverly using a teapot, chopsticks, and white handcrafted figurines as characters in the story.

Sacramento Taiko Dan, a 20-year-old local drumming group and longtime festival participant, engaged the audience with a lively performance of coordinated Japanese taiko drumming.

The festival hosted a variety of other diverse performances, including dancing and music reflective of Filipino, Polynesian, and Hmong cultures.

By the late afternoon the crowd began to dwindle, and the lion dancers took to the streets for a final dance.

*AUTHOR'S NOTE: Accompanying photo borrowed from photo essay by Kati Garner*

To view more photos from event, see her photo essay at the following link:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7748/Paciific_Rim_Festival_fotos

To see a preview article written about the event, see the following link:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7597/Annual_Pacific_Rim_Street_Festival_on_Sunday

Fifth annual Japanese film festival tells story of war heroes

2009-05-17T22:48:21Z

Despite a smaller turnout than last year, the fifth annual Japanese Movies at the Crest Film Festival had a great turnout this weekend at the two-day event.

The festivities were kicked off with a showing of Love and Honor on Friday evening. The winner of three Japanese Academy Awards in 2007, the film pleased the audience with a drama about two samurais that go head-to-head.

Saturday's lineup opened with a black-and-white docu-drama filmed in 1951, Go for Broke!, which stars actual Nisei (second generation Japanese-American) soldiers from World War II.

At intermission, Nisei war veteran James Iso took the stage to give commentary about both the movie and his own experiences during the war.

"Our numbers are diminishing monthly, yearly--but our memories stay strong," said Iso.

The impressive film shows the rarely-told story of the Japanese-American soldiers that made up the 442nd Regimental Combat unit. While they initially had skepticism from their American counterparts, the Nisei became the true heroes of a five-day battle in France after saving the lives of 211 men of the Texas National Guard. The Congressional Medal of Honor was given to 21 of the men from the unit and they received the most Purple Hearts in U.S. military history.

Iso said that the film, which included difficult-to-swallow scenes where the Japanese soldiers were called racist names by the American soldiers, was very reflective of what he himself had gone through. Iso also stressed that the soldiers of the infantry should continue to be commended and remembered always for their heroism.

"We've had among our Nisei outstanding heroes and we don't want to forget our fallen soldiers," Iso continued.

As the audience spilled into the foyer after the film, many could be heard discussing stories told within their own families, and it was an echoed sentiment that many Japanese-American war veterans did not discuss this battle often.

"Mr. Iso has the valid concern that the full story of the Nisei's tremendous contribution in WWII will be lost. So many of his friends and colleagues are no longer alive," said Barbara Kado, a member of the Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC) and a main coordinator for the event.

The Japanese Movies at the Crest has an overall goal of cultural outreach, and funds raised from ticket sales will go toward the SJUMC's adult literacy program and the South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership Food Closet.

"It’s a great way for everyone to experience Japanese culture--new and old generations," said Miguel Cruz, who attended the second day of the festival.

Go for Broke! was followed by three other feature films throughout the day, including a PBS World War II documentary, Most Honorable Son; an award-winning anime, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; and English-subtitled 2007 Cannes Film Festival award-winner A Stranger of Mine.

Contributing to the event's success was the financial support received from various community organizations, including Ravel Rasmussen Properties, Folsom's Gekkeikan Sake, Inc., Capital Public Radio, and East Lawn Cemetaries. Individual donations were also made by various community members and businesses.

Local businesses from around the area donated favors that were handed out to ticket holders including pens from Tops Pen Co. and SpareTheAir.com, recyclable shopping bags from Oto's market, dog tags from CalVet and items from Kotobuki Trading.

For more information about upcoming events put on the SJUMC, visit sacjumc.com.

Annual Pacific Rim Street Festival on Sunday

2009-05-14T06:20:23Z

If you need a dose of cultural festivities this weekend, the Pacific Rim Street Festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Old Sacramento and Downtown Westfield Plaza. This year’s theme is ‘Hats and Headdresses.’

The festival is held annually in collaboration with the Asian Pacific Rim Foundation to "honor and celebrate" the diversity of Sacramento's Asian Pacific community since it was first presented by Sacramento’s restaurateur Frank Fat and community groups in 1993.

The festival’s chairwoman, Merlayna Yee, said the festival highlights Asian Pacific culture and food, and added, “The more you get exposed to it, the more you understand it.”

At least 300 volunteers help to coordinate and stage the festival, according to Yee, which will include various music, dance and comic performances on four different stages. Food, art, craft and community organization booths will be set up along surrounding streets.

For more information on the event, visit: http://www.pacificrimstreetfest.com

Community participates in Sacramento’s first Jewish heritage festival

2009-05-04T08:01:05Z

Israeli music, the sound of pounding drums, and the smell of Mediterranean food lingered in the air as crowds mingled among white tents at the west steps of the Capitol yesterday afternoon.

More than 3,000 people participated in Sacramento’s first Jewish Heritage festival yesterday despite the unpredictable weather, according to the Sacramento Jewish Federation.

The festival, presented by the federation, began with a “Salute to Israel @ 61 Walk-a-thon,” consisting of a “walk for unity” around the Capitol. The walk was followed by an opening ceremony emceed by Bill Slaton, member of the SMUD Board of Directors, and Sacramento’s KCRA Channel 3 Anchor Edie Lambert.

Both the celebration of Israel’s 61st anniversary and the diversity of Jewish heritage locally and throughout the world were emphasized in the opening ceremony and throughout the event.

“This is a sign that Israel is not alone even in hard times,” said the federation’s executive director, Mihal Kohane, to the crowd in her opening statement.

“Our goal today was to bring you Israel in every possible way,” she added.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego) both made statements during the opening ceremony.

“On behalf of the city of Sacramento, it’s an honor to be at this first annual event,” Johnson said.

Performances by renowned international singer Noa Dori and the West Coast Jewish dance ensemble Keshet Chaim attracted a large audience following the ceremony on the main stage.

Various attraction tents and booths were arranged around the main stage and the west front of the Capitol in “complexes.” A section of tents was dedicated to displays of Jewish life in Latin America, Russia, India, China and around the world at the Jewish Life Around the World complex.

Other complexes included the Jewish American Heritage complex, displaying photo exhibits of Jewish-American heritage from the Gold Rush to the present and the Salute to Israel @ 61 & Tel Aviv Centennial complex, displaying photo exhibits of Tel Aviv and hosting booths for the Israel Consulate General, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The Green Revolution complex included booths from Green Sacramento, the Sacramento Bike Kitchen and the Sacramento Tree Foundation, along with ‘green’ workshops explaining processes like composting.

The festival drew supporters from both the Jewish and non-Jewish community.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the state of Israel and Jewish traditions, so I’m glad to see they had a festival this year,” said Oak Park resident Darby Flynn.

Others came from neighboring communities such as Lake Tahoe and Elk Grove.

“I’m here to support Israel, I’m here to support our synagogue, and I’m here to have a lot of fun and buy things from Israel,” said Mary Sorellis of Elk Grove.

Crowds gathered around the artist’s street market, where vendors sold colorful handmade glass, landscape photographs of Israel, hand-bound books, jewelry and handmade soaps.

A long line accumulated by the international food court, where people gathered to taste both American food and Mediterranean foods like falafel, borekas and hummus.

A separate area hosted children’s activities, where renowned storyteller and juggler Izzy Tooinsky entertained children and parents. Meanwhile, a 21-and-over area hosted a beer and wine garden selling He’brew beer and wines from the Israel Wine Company.

The festival ended with an eco-friendly fashion show modeling clothing from Sacramento’s Atelier and Freestyle Clothing Exchange, and from Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Oakland designers. The theme revolved around sustainable clothing made from recycled cloths, hemp and organic cottons.

Various festivalgoers expressed excitement at the turnout of people to the Sacramento event.

“Three thousand people are out here today, and that’s a phenomenal feat, especially with the rain…it’s so exciting to see the community come together,” said midtown Sacramento resident Rebecca Johnson.

Sacramento's first Jewish heritage festival anticipated to draw large crowd Sunday

2009-04-30T21:07:08Z

Sacramento's Jewish Federation will be holding Sacramento's first
Jewish Heritage Festival on the west steps of the capitol this Sunday.

The festival is open to the public, and admission is free. It commemorates National Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the 61st anniversary of Israel's independence this year, and the centennial anniversary of the first Hebrew city, Tel Aviv.

For the past two years, the federation has celebrated Israel's independence at the capitol. Encouraged by the turnout of more than 3,000 people at the capitol last year celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary, the federation decided to present the festival to Sacramento this year.

In April, Senate Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg released a resolution, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger a proclamation, reaffirming former President George W. Bush's 2006 proclamation of May as National Jewish American Heritage Month, further emphasizing the significance of the month for the local Jewish community.

The festival will begin at 1 p.m. with the second annual mile-long Salute to Israel @ 61 walk-a-thon’ at the capitol’s west steps by community members. The festival's activities will include live entertainment, including performances by international singer Noa Dori and Israeli-American dance troupe Keshet Chaim, as well as an eco-friendly fashion show.

International food, an artist street market, dance workshops, a Mediterranean teen lounge, cultural photo and art exhibits and the He'Brew Beer and Wine garden are anticipated to draw a large crowd to this year's festivities.

Noam Harel, the federation's producer of the event, said the federation is aiming for a goal of 5,000 attendees this year.

Harel said the festival is "very much a cultural celebration," serving as a means for people to celebrate unity and diversity while recognizing Jewish life and communities around the world.

"I'm not Jewish, I'm just volunteering...I have friends that are not Jewish that are attending also," said Karen Lee Ford, who was one of the participants at the capitol last year. Ford is helping to coordinate the fashion show at the festival this year.

"I'm very excited. It's going to be a great event."
For more information and a full list of sponsors, visit: www.JHFsac.com.

Week 11: 7 Days, 7 Things to do

2009-03-17T21:47:06Z

And so begins the eleventh week of 2009. Sacramento continues to surprise us with great events all week long!

Week 11: March 17-24, Check out:

Tuesday: Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

There is a day full of festivities in celebration of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. Don your green garb and join the fun! 100.5 The Zone will be broadcasting live at Brew it Up on 14th and H Street. Enjoy Celtic & Irish music all day with dining & drinks specials starting at 11:00am. Live music by Mother Mayhem will begin at 9:00pm and you may even catch a glimpse of the Jameson and SoCo girls while you're there! Be sure to head down to Old Sacramento for the 13th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Old Sacramento. The parade starts at 6:00pm but check out the pre-parade entertainment starting at 4:00pm. Then, Get Your Irish Up! with a block party at De Vere's Irish Pub and MIX downtown. L Street will be closed between 15th and 16th Streets. This is an all day event starting at 10:00am featuring: Irish bagpipes, Gaelic dancers, classic Irish food, full bars serving fine Irish whiskey, and over 30 beers on tap. Music by Tainted Love will begin at 8:00pm. Get your tickets today for $20 at De Vere's or MiX. Call (916) 231-9947 for more info. There will also be plenty of specials and entertainment around town. Some participants include: Streets of London, Golden Bear, Marilyn's on K, Capitol Dawg, Cosmo Cafe, Bistro 33 Midtown and many others!

Wednesday: Broker's London Dry Gin Mixology Competition

Come to the Lounge on 20 to witness this bartending showdown! Ten of the Sacramento's most creative and talented mixologists (aka bartenders) will be competing to make the "Best" cocktail. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winners. Onlookers and fellow cocktail connaisseurs can enjoy a specialty priced cocktail menu all night (including $5 Broker's Gin cocktails) along with a Broker's Gin tasting table. The doors open at 5:00 and the competition begins at 6:00pm so get there early! Lounge on 20 is located at: 1050 20th Street, Suite 100 (20th & K). (916) 443-6620

Thursday: Crocker Cinematique: The Cup

Explore your understanding of Buddhism with this special evening! Sponsored by the Crocker Art Museum, the Cinematique program features films reflective of current exhibits at the museum. The most current exhibit is Buddha which runs through April 19th. The Cup is a film about the challenges of the Lama, head of the monastery, in teaching the word of Buddha in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Maria Jaoudi, Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at Sacramento State, will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterward on the spiritual dimensions, concerns and values of Buddhism portrayed in the film. Held at the Sierra 2 Center, Curtis Hall at 2791 24th Street. Free with admission to the Museum. Call (916) 808-1182 for reservations (required). If you haven't seen the exhibit yet, pre-screening tours of Buddha will begin at 5:45pm at the Crocker Art Museum.

Friday: Sacramento State Festival of the Arts

Sponsored by the Sacramento State School of the Arts, this event features various media and artists showcasing their talents. There will be performances and shows to include jazz, theater and dance, poetry and lectures. The event begins Wednesday, March 18 and continues through Saturday, the 21st. Many of the events are free, others range from $8-$15. On Friday, Check out: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, put on by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Show starts at 8pm and costs $15 General Admission, $12 Students/Seniors, $10 Children (although recommended for teens and up). Held in the Capistrano Hall at Sac State, 6000 J Street. (916) 278-5155

Saturday: Journee de la Francophonie

French language isn’t just for Parisians! The Alliance Française de Sacramento is hosting this fun filled day to celebrate the languange and culture of the French speaking peoples across the globe. Take a trip around the world in one day with dancing, movies and lectures for the whole family to enjoy. $5 for non-members, $2 for members, children 14 and under are free. The Alliance Francaise de Sacramento is located at 1721 25th Street. (916) 453-1723

Sunday: Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

If you are one of those people who never really understood the notoriety of the prose and productions of William Shakespeare, the Sacramento Theatre Company has got the play for you. This abridged version of Shakespearian works is performed by three actors who humorously perform all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in less than 2 hours! Acclaimed as “wildly funny” by the Los Angeles Times and “the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime” by the Montreal Gazette. Lovers of Shakespeare alike will undoubtedly find this show equally entertaining. Prices range from $15-$46. Sacramento Theatre Company is located at 1419 H Street. For tickets visit the box office or call (916) 443-6722.

Monday: Strong Women, Powerful Financial Strategies Seminar

In honor of Womens History month, Ameriprise Financial is holding this special financial workshop geared towards women at Borders Bookstore of Sacramento. As per their website, "The rules of financial planning are different for women. This informative seminar will focus on how you can: Gain control over your finances, make informed financial decisions and protect the people and things you love the most." This is a free event. The seminar begins at 7:00pm so get there early to reserve your space! Located at 2339 Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Find these events and many more Sacramento events at Sacramento365.com.

The 12th Annual Sacramento Jewish Film Festival

2009-02-05T22:16:06Z

As a film festival director myself, I’m always intrigued to talk to other directors about their festivals and their process. For every film that makes the cut, there are a mountain of discarded others that may never see the light of day (or the light of projection) and hundreds of unseen administrative tasks associated with presenting the program. I recently asked Sid Heberger, General Manager of the Crest Theatre and Co-Director of the Sacramento Jewish Film Festival about their upcoming event:

Q: This is the 12th Annual Festival: How did the Festival get its start?
A: Margi Park, the co-founder of the Festival, contacted me about starting a festival because she was tired of schlepping to San Francisco for her Jewish Film Festival fix. So, in 1997 we partnered on a screening at the Festival of Cinema to “test the waters” and had a tremendous turn out. The next year we branched out on our own and have been at it ever since.

Q: How do you find films for the Festival?
A: In the beginning, we sought films from other festivals and combed the internet for films we thought would be of interest in Sacramento. Now that the festival has matured we are receiving submissions from film makers and film companies from around the globe.

Q: This year’s festival includes the Oscar Nominated short film “Toyland”. Is that a concidence?
A: Yes, As I was looking for short films for the comedy program I came across this dramatic short film. I actually booked it long before it was nominated. It’s satisfying to know that my taste in films is validated by the Academy!

Q: You’d added a late night slot on Saturday, is this new direction for the Festival?
A: Yes, we’ve been looking for ways to engage a younger audience and then we found this hilarious film “Circumcise Me” and decided to build a lineup of comedy shorts. It’s an experiment for us but so far the response has been positive so we’re thinking this might become a regular program. We recognize that if the festival is going to grow and continue that we need to engage younger people now before our older audience is no longer able to come out to the shows.

Q: What makes a film “Jewish”?
A: Some film festivals accept anything that is made by a Jewish director whether the film is about the Jewish experience or not, but we feel that that just about includes every film out of Hollywood since 1920! A film has to have a substantial part of the plot dedicated to showing the Jewish experience.

Q: So, is the Jewish Film Festival just for Jews?
A: (Laughs) No, and it’s not just for breakfast anymore! Actually, as we look at the film submissions we give weight to films that we think will have cross-over appeal to other festival demographics. We have strong partnerships with the Sacramento French Film Festival, The Sacramento Film and Music Festival, and the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. You don’t have to be Jewish to connect with the dramatic, funny and touching human stories that we feature.

The 12th Annual Sacramento Jewish Film Festival takes place at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento on Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th. Full details, schedules, and ticket information can be found online at www.thecrest.com. Note: “Toyland” and all of this year’s other Oscar Nominated short films open at the Crest on Friday, February 6th.

Mazal Tov!

Tony Sheppard is a Co-Director of the 10th Annual Sacramento Film and Music Festival, July 24th-Aug 2nd, 2009, also at the historic Crest Theatre (Full disclosure!).

ECOS' 1st Annual Fall Festival

2008-11-06T23:37:45Z

Every year for 36 years, ECOS has presented the “Environmentalists of the Year Awards.” This year is the first year that they have turned the awards ceremony into a full-blown celebration with the introduction of their 1st Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25. By creating a celebratory atmosphere, ECOS was hoping to bring more people out to the event as well as encourage people to bring their kids. Family-oriented activities included a crafts table and endangered species face painting.

The festival featured two local bands: Schwamigos and Hard Clumpin’ Litter. The music set the tone for a relaxed and joyous occasion. I would characterize both bands as being a bit rock and roll, with some twang. There was tons of local wine, beer and food. Local food vendor sponsors for the event were Synergy Catering, Sampino’s Towne Foods and the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop. The food was delicious, and included in the ticket price of $25. There was more food than people to eat it, so it was basically and all-you-can-eat buffet of really high quality and wholesome food.

The event was organized by ECOS's Program Director, Jaclyn Hopkins, "with a little help from [her] friends." There were tables and couches to sit, eat and enjoy the music. Also, several organizations came out and set up tables with information for festival-goers. Some of the organizations that made it out for the event were Peak Adventures, the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA), Friends of the Swainson's Hawk, Save the American River Association (SARA), the California Native Plant Society (CPNS), and SMUD. All of them had an incredible wealth of information and pamphlets for people.

Several of the tables had fliers advertising an upcoming event. On November 15th the City of Woodland will be hosting a Green Summit: State of Our Environment Conference. The conference will be held at the Woodland Community & Senior Center from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Most of the groups in attendance for the ECOS festival will also be present at the Green Summit, along with several others including the Sierra Club, Putah Creek Council, and the Sacramento Tree Foundation. This is a great opportunity for people who missed the ECOS event and are interested in understanding where we as a community stand on environmental issues or how you can get involved. Tickets are are $15 and can be orders online at www.tuleyome.org or by calling (530) 350-2599.

Aside from the tables and great food and drink, one of the purposes behind the festival was to present the Environmentalists of the Year Award. The awards were presented to Neighbors Advocating Sustainable Transportation (NAST) for their work and victory opposing CalTran's plans to add a carpool lane to Highway 50. Also, Eric Davis, the ECOS President, received an award for his work in cooperation with NAST on the same issue.

Carol Witham and Keith Wagner were also awarded for their work in protecting a vernal pool habitat, which was threatened by the approval of Rancho Cordova's development project, "The Preserve at Sunridge." Witham is the President of CPNS and has been a long time advocate for protecting the diverse ecosystems of vernal pools. Wagner is a lawyer and represented CPNS in their lawsuit challenging the development project.

Finally, the last award went to LJ Urban, the developer who is responsible for "Good," a new green residential development in West Sacramento. This is the first ECOS Green Business Award, and it seeks to honor businesses who take the risk and display the innovation that is required for green business. For more information about this exceptional new development, visit Good's Web site.

After the awards were presented, the music resumed and guests were encouraged to return for seconds and thirds at the food table, as there was a ton of food left. People began to put stuff away and Hard Clumpin' Litter played a few last songs. My friend and I decided to call it a night, gathered up our goodies, which included three plants and too many handouts to count, and headed home. The festival was very fun and we got to meet a lot of really interesting people. Where you there? What did you think of it?

If you missed it, you can see some pictures of the event by looking at my Flickr photostream and viewing the set called "ECOS 1st Annual Fall Festival."