One of California’s highly regarded Mexican folkdance companies, Compañia Mazatlán Bellas Artes (CMBA) is bringing their folkloric dance spectacle to Three Stages Performing Arts Center in Folsom, CA next week. Friday, May 18, 2012 7:30 PM Three Stages Folsom Lake College 10 College Parkway Folsom CA 95630 Phone: 916-608-6888 Tickets: $20 (children), $25-$39  https://www.threestages.net Under the artistic direction of 2011 Maestro Award winner Steven Valencia, twenty-six exceptional young dancers (ages 16-30) and a live Latin American music ensemble present a passionate rendition of Mexican culture and heritage, both past and present. For lovers of fine ballet folklórico dance, the “Cora

Sacramento’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations branch out this year with Mexican music, tequila tastings, full-on fiestas, of course the requisite drinking & dancing events, and even a few options for the non-drinking crowd. In addition to the events included in this article, discover even more options in the round up below, and don’t forget to head over to Sacramento365.com's Holiday Event section to check out the whole shebang. Ay-yi-yi! Foodie focus: 5th Annual Tequila Festival: Zocalo, Thurs 6pm-9pm This year features six different tequila distilleries: Siete Leguas, Herencia Mexicana, Fortaleza, Avion, Seleccion, and Tres Agaves. Hosted by Joe Anthony, Jimmy, and Ernesto. And, for aficiona

April’s “Verse on the Vine” featured the talent of Cynthia Linville. Linville teaches writing at Sacramento State and was on hand to treat guests to several of her poems. The event took place on Wednesday, April 11 in Folsom. The Petra Vineyard wine tasting room is located within the Sutter Street Art Gallery. Guests at the monthly poetry readings have the opportunity to enjoy wines from this fine vineyard and enjoy poetry readings. Folsom’s Sutter Street Art Gallery is located at 627 Sutter Street in Historic Folsom. Lining the walls of the Sutter Street Art Gallery was art from various artists. Poets at the event were able to use the colorful tapestry of local artists as their backdr

The art of poetry can capture moments in time and immortalize an event forever. Petra Vineyard’s Wine Gallery in Folsom hosted “Verse on the Vine” Wednesday night, with various poetry readings that captured moments in the poet’s life. Writers shared personal thoughts and feelings that dealt with love, courage, honor, pride, relationships, shoes and bras. “Verse on the Vine” will be a monthly event featuring highly acclaimed poets from Northern California, and the open mic will give other poets a chance to share. This month’s featured the poetic talent of Shawn Aveningo, plus several people took the opportunity to share their poetry during the open mic. Appetizers were provided by Petra V

  Back in the 1950’s, Folsom Lake was created to provide water sequestration and flood control for the greater Sacramento Valley. Below the lake that now provides a venue for water skiing, fishing, and swimming, lies the confluence of the North and South forks of the American River. Also under the lake are the former mining settlements of Salmon Falls and Mormon Island.  When the lake was flooded, their history was flooded also; except during low water years like this one, when bits of their history re-appear.  After the discovery of gold on the south fork of the American River at Coloma, small settlements formed along the lower stretches of both forks of the American River by settlers i

In many ways, it can be tough to reconcile the very institution of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band itself with the individual talents of the men who play in it. It's a collective that has been the ambassador of New Orleans jazz for a half century - an indelible fixture of the city, and indeed, of jazz itself. It's easy to get caught up in the idea of the band and the mystique that surrounds it, and not recognize each individual (many of whom are part of an unbroken bloodline of 'Nawlins musicians) for their personal talents and accolades. Even walking into the beautifully intimate and acoustically flawless Three Stages theatre on Friday evening and seeing the "Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The American Heart Association (AHA) held its 2012 Start Training Team Kickoff on Saturday at the California Family Fitness Center in Folsom. The event included health screenings, nutritional and health information as well as a series of mentor and inspirational speeches. This year’s run/walk half marathon will be held at the American River Parkway on April 28. Participants are required to raise a minimum of $500 through writing letters, email campaigns and personal fundraising websites. The goal for this campaign is $100,000. By the kickoff meeting, a little over $6,000 had already been pledged. Start Training is a team training program for AHA half marathon participants of all levels

Ben Jaffe couldn’t quite remember the name of “that big record store” he visited the last time Preservation Hall Jazz Band visited Sacramento, rehearsing for the jazz ballet suite “Ma Maison,” performed at the Mondavi Center back in November. He did remember that it was “right downtown,” and it occupied a large corner. Not hard to determine that we were discussing The Beat. “When you walk into places like that, its like, ‘thank you, Lord!’” Jaffe emphatically proclaimed. “You need human interaction - in society we’ve become more and more isolated,” he said, ruminating on the eternal feud between the comforting smell of a house of vinyl and the ever-increasing prominence of MP3s. “Even t

Think Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson rolled into one, and yet you can only begin to imagine the sensation of a Lukas Nelson performance. Hitting the stage at the Powerhouse Pub in Folsom, with his talented band Promise of the Real, Nelson immediately captured the respect of his audience with his opening poetic dirge, “Let Me Smoke My Pipe.” He spent the evening rolling them into his powerful, soulful, rockin’ blues concert that left all satisfied with a truly smokin’ hot afternoon, indeed. At 23, showing off his recent clean-shaven face and shorter locks, the strikingly handsome yet still boyishly charming son of music legend Willi

I had a picnic at Folsom Lake on Sunday. Who would believe we’re still having sunny days to enjoy our beautiful lake. We walked in at the levee entrance at Sophia Parkway and GreenValley Road in El Dorado Hills and found we weren’t the only ones with the same idea. Boaters, families, individuals with dogs, Whipperwils, Seagulls, Geese and a lone Loon populated the lake. Hikers, Cyclists, Equestrians, and nature enthusiasts alike enjoy the many trails. One of the popular trails leads to Brown’s Ravine in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area that is home to the Folsom Lake Yacht Club and Folsom lake Marina, also located on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills. Although only the brave would g

Fans lined up outside Folsom’s Three Stages Theater to attend the ninth annual Northern California Yoga Asana Championships on Saturday. The event featured this year’s competitors showing off their three-minute routines all for the chance to move on to the national competition held in spring. A group of Matt Guyton’s fans cheered him on with banners and posters. “We came to support last year’s champion, Matt Guyton, and first-time competitor Julie Strand,” said fan Laurel Hansen of Lincoln. “We all go to the Lincoln studio,” added fan Rena Garcia of Lincoln. Many of the participating studio members brought crowds who quickly filled up the seats, cheering on the beginning and experienced

While many of us stuffed our faces and drank to our hearts’ desire over the holidays, the students of the Folsom Bikram Yoga studio were training and preparing for the ninth annual Northern California Regional Yoga Asana Championships on Jan. 14 in Folsom. This year, the championships are being held at the Three Stages theater at Folsom Lake College. The event will feature competitors performing a series of yoga postures also known as yoga asana. Although the judges will be looking at particular physical skill, participants will also be judged on their emotional demeanor, mental tranquility and spiritual presence. Each competitor is required to perform seven postures in three minutes, a

Around this time last year, I came at you with the top ten concerts of 2010 – and oh boy, were there some gems on that list. 2011 was also a fine year for concerts here in Sactown (Davis Music Festival, Dawes, Trampled By Turtles, the Silent Comedy, Blind Pilot, etc.), but right about now, I feel like I might go all Ndamokung Suh on the next “2011 Year in Review” list I happen across. Seriously, at this point we could probably put together a Ten Worst Ten Worst Lists List. So, here’s a better idea: Let’s look ahead to some 2012 concerts on the books that you can’t afford to miss. Because guess what, our calendar is loaded heading into the New Year. (Yes, a ton of these shows are at Harl

Early Sunday morning, over 4,000 runners from around the world participated in the California International Marathon, a 26.2-mile race from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. As the runners scaled the greater Sacramento area into the afternoon, hundreds of supporters lined the route carrying signs of support and yelling words of encouragement. Meadow Bailey, a 34-year-old homemaker from Rancho Cordova, was one of the many who came out to show their support. She said that although this was her first time coming, she had an enjoyable experience. “Everybody is cheering, and there’s a great sense of unity,” she said. Starting near Folsom Lake, participants headed east down Oak Avenue. Passing t

Folsom residents saluted its 11th annual Folsom Veterans Day Parade this past Friday. Parade participants gathered at the Target parking lot on Blue Ravine Road and made their way towards City Lions Park. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Saluting our Newest Generation of Warriors: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.” Thousands watched the parade as representatives from the armed forces, the City of Folsom, scout groups, community organizations and residents participated in honoring those who have served our country. Over 2,000 participants were involved in the parade. Representatives from various JROTC, ROTC, beauty pageants, youth sports and high school

The Elk Grove Force beat the Sacramento Donkey Fong, 33-23 in the final match, making Elk Grove the first champion of the annual Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops Regional Celebrity Basketball Tournament. There were more than 250 attendants watching the game Monday afternoon at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation basketball arena in Elk Grove. In the final match, Former Monarch Danielle Viglione of the Sacramento Donkey Fong injured her left ankle as she went for a rebound early in the game. In the last six minutes of the game, another Sacramento Donkey Fong player was injured: Rolland Foley III, 20, a Sacramento City College student, injured his knee. "I'm sad for my teammate

El Dorado Musical Theatre held auditions Monday night for the classic Broadway musical, "42nd Street". Set in 1933, "42nd Street" tells the story of a chorus girl, Peggy Sawyer, who gets the chance to become a leading lady after the fading diva, Dorothy Brock, is injured before opening night of her Broadway show. Fresh off their multiple Elly Award wins and their critically acclaimed production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast", El Dorado Musical Theatre drew a crowd of 53 local actors and actress, all between the ages of 13 and 22. Don't let age fool you. El Dorado Musical Theatre is far from your run-of-the-mill youth theatre group. Many of the performers are seasoned professionals, w

The National Basketball Association might still be in a lockout, but the Sacramento region is set to have a celebrity basketball tournament Nov 14. where eight teams representing Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, Roseville, West Sacramento, Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Sacramento are participating for a fundraising event. The Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops Regional Celebrity Basketball Tournament is a three-on-three half-court basketball tournament fundraising event held by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SACC). The proceeds will benefit Jumpstart 21, a workforce development and internship placement program by the SACC for young adults recently out of the foster care

November 4, 2011: On this Friday night, we were seeking adventure. What better place for adventure than the town of Folsom. A town filled with hauntings. On the way to Folsom, Judy and I picked up two more of our paranormal investigators, they are: Regina Tellez and Lisa Steele. While walking the streets of Folsom we came upon Scott Thompson, Head of Security/Maintenance. He works at the Folsom Hotel. The Folsom Hotel has a reputation of being haunted. Let’s hear Scott’s story. Scott tells Judy and I, that he has felt many cold spots in the middle of the basement when there is no one there. He tells us that they have a photo in which an apparition made its appearance amongst the patrons. T

An outer space experience took place in Folsom as PLA Skateboarding hosted Omar Salazar’s newest shoe release. The Friday night event brought over 150 fans to celebrate the release of the new Omar Salazar Pro model shoe. The free event hosted by PLA, located at 330 E. Bidwell Street, also included a photo show with photography by Greg Hunt, Joe Brook and Jeff Landi. Visitors to the event were treated to free pizza from Pizzeria Classico of Folsom. Several of their delicious specialty pizzas were brought to PLA and the delivery driver made another trip to the pizzeria to bring back more food. Ben Lutes and his crew at PLA did a great job showcasing Salazar’s Nike SB shoes and t