What do you get when you combine hip hop, rock, pop, rap, electronica, indie and R&B? You get Idle Warship, the collaboration of veteran underground Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli and Res (pronounced reese), a lesser known but well-seasoned R&B/pop vocalist hailing from Philadelphia, Penn. Touring in support of their recently released album, “Habits of the Heart,” Idle Warship paid a visit to Harlow’s Sunday night and won over the audience of 300 plus members with their unique brand of music that defies categorization due to the influence of so many music genres packaged together in their high energy show. Many members of the audience were unfamiliar with the Idle Warship concept before the

Ricky Berger pours out her heart and soul through her music at Harlow's on November 25, 2011.

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

Looking to celebrate the New Year in style? The Sacramento Press has compiled a list of New Year's Eve events that will start 2012 off with a bang. Sacramento New Year’s Eve Dinner Gala Hornblower Yacht 1206 Front Street Boarding at 6:45 p.m. Cruise is from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. $128 per person. Discounts are available for seniors and children Get a private viewing of the fireworks on the river aboard the Hornblower Yacht. Hornblower Cruises and Events offers a three-hour cruise that includes a four-course seated dinner, a cocktail bar that includes dinner liqueurs and house champagne. There will be a DJ on board for guests who have their dancing shoes on. For more information, visit the web

Photographs by Barry Wisdom   There's a wee bit more gray in the thinning hair of Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart, but the 66-year-old performer best known for such hits as "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages" presented a note-perfect pre-holiday show to a packed crowd at Sacramento's Harlow's Dec. 18. His wry sense of humor was on full display – as was his guitar virtuosity – as he shared the stage with fellow guitarist David Nachmanoff. The long hair from the mid- to late-'70s may be gone, but his voice and nimble fingers seemed to have been frozen in time. Here are some shots from the Dec. 18 show – frozen in time.    

As always, Sacramento steps up to the plate with holiday events of all sorts. At Sacramento365.com, we see a lot of events come through the site every day. Though there are myriad options in our Holiday Event section, we've narrowed down the list to 10 to get help you pick your Christmas Eve & Christmas Day festivities. Christmas Eve Events: Sure, the night before Christmas should be spent snuggled in bed waiting for Santa Claus, but why not get out and about during the day. Here are some options to keep you entertained around town: 1. Free Admission at Fairytale Town & Sacramento Zoo: FTT 10am-2pm; Zoo 10am-1:30pm Treat the kiddies to a day out while both Fairytale Town & the Sacramento

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00. Friday, December 9th - Friday, December 23rd: Sacramento Bellet presents The Nutcracker at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $15.00 - $69.00 Friday, December 9th: Cage The Elephant at Ace of Spades is Sold Out! Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th: Capital Christian Center presents The Singin

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00. Friday, December 2nd: An Irish Christmas at Three Stahes Folsom Lake. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $75.00-$100.00 Friday, Decmber 2nd - Saturday, December 3rd: Tesla's Twisted Wires Acoustic Tour at Ace of Spades. Doors open at 7PM. Tickets are $30.00. Friday, December 2nd - Sunday, December 4th: River City Chora

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00. Saturday, November 19th: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Power Balance Pavilion. Two Shows at 3PM and 8PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $59.00. Saturday, November 19th - Sunday, November 20th: Sacramento Oepra presents Paglassi with guest The Sacramento Philharmonic at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $28.00 - $1

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00. Friday, November 11th: Hot 8 Brass Band at Mondavi Center, UC Davis. Concert ay 8PM. Tickets are $37.00. Sunday, November 13th: BB King at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $99.00. Sunday, November 13th: Peter Noone at Thunder Valley Casino. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $20.00

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Have a  Happy Halloween!! Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00. Friday, October 28th: Sacramento Ballet presents Dracula at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $17.00 - $68.00. Friday, October 28th: Midnight Star - A Taste of Honey at Thunder Valley Casino. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $20.00 - $30.00. Saturday, October 29th: Exotic Hallowe

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $32.00$48.00. Friday, October 21st: English Beat - The Snobs - Avenue Saints - La Noche Oskura at Ace of Spades. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $21.95. Saturday, october 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th: Sacramento Ballet presents Dracula at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $17.00 - $68.00. Sunday, October 23rd: Lord of the R

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $32.00- $48.00. Friday, October 14th: Journey with Foreigner & Night Ranger at Sleeptrain Amphitehatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $30.00 - $280.00. Saturday, october 15th & Sunday, October 16th: Sacramento Philharmonic presents Rachmaninoff featuring pianist Olga Kern. SAT at Sacramento Communit Center Theatre at 8PM. SUN at Thr

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Friday, October 7th: Cake at UC Davis Pavilion 8PM (Online Tickets Sold-Out) Friday, October 7th: 10 Years - Redlight Kine - End of Days at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $18.95 Saturday, October 8th: KAI KLN at Harlows. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $20. Saturday, October 8th: Sick Puppies - First Class Citizen - ALLINADAY at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $23.95 Monday, October 10th: Panic at The Disco at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $29.95 Tuesday,

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Friday, September 30th: Basia at Harlows. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $35. Saturday, October 1st: SAMMIES Block Party on 20th Street (Between J&K) in Midtown Sacramento. A Variety of musical guests, food/drinks and more. Free/5-10PM  sammies.com Sunday, October 2nd: Blink 182 - My Chemical Romance - Matt and Kim at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.Concert at 7PM. Tiickets are $38.00 - $84.00. Sunday, October 2nd: Keith Urban & Jake Owen at Power Balance Pavion. Concert at 7:30PM. Ticket

A little knowledge is good, a lot of knowledge, well, if you are a fan of “Old –Time” Rock and Roll as well as other closely related musical genres as the 200+ fans who packed Harlow’s recently can attest, “The Kollege of Musical Knowledge” as taught by Dan Hicks is an essential requirement for all who have ever turned on a radio, or applied needle to vinyl, or most recently, downloaded a song or two. “The Kollege,”according to Hicks, was inspired by a 1930s to 40s radio program with the same title, a popular quiz show with music hosted by the swing-era bandleader Kay Kyser. But instead of asking questions, "Professor Hicks” shares songs and offers tuneful history lessons reaching back

Blind Pilot front man Israel Nebeker remarked mid-way through his band's captiviating Tuesday evening set that the Harlow's crowd was "one of the loudest crowds we've ever played for," which of course was met with raucous approval from the quite sizable (for a Tuesday) masses. The irony is, despite Nebeker's "don't take this the wrong way" qualifier, that comment was probably not entirely meant as a compliment. Harlow's always seems to bring more than its share of chatter, and always a few folks who think that everyone else in the room cares about their half of a cell phone conversation. That is exactly why Blind Pilot's encore turned out to be such a rare and beautiful moment, and to so

Having had a grandfather who was a nightclub owner as well as a record distributer in the 40’s and 50’s had its benefits. One of which was the wonderful collection of music left to some of his children and grandchildren upon his passing. Some of my fondest memories were listening to the tunes from the juke boxes filled with the old 45’s  and later on the turntable from such great’s as Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, The Big Bopper and, of course, Buddy Holly. As a young child, I’d dance and sing to them all! Then in 1971 a friend and I were sitting in her room listening to the radio when a DJ from the now defunct Sacramento radio station, KNDE announced, a song by Don Mclean, “

The “vision” of any great song is that it practically writes itself. There is perhaps no more intriguing image than that of a sheer moment of inspiration streamlining itself into a song, from the mind of the writer directly onto a sheet of paper. Or onto a cocktail napkin. Or onto the back of an old airplane ticket while coasting down the driveway at Neil Young’s ranch. (FYI, that last one was a story told by Eddie Vedder at last year’s Bridge School concert, as he quipped “I’m not saying that I wrote the song quickly – just that Neil has a really long driveway.”) Such was the inspiration of the title track on Blind Pilot’s euphoric sophomore album, “We Are the Tide,” which Israel Nebek

Scanning the Harlow’s crowd an hour or so before Le Butcherettes were slated for the stage, you would have found lead singer Terri Gender Bender leaning against a large pillar, her small foot tapping in rhythm with the hard drumming coming from Diciembre Gris, the second opener. This small metronome action would have been the only outgoing behavior exhibited by Terri, who, off stage, seems quiet, docile and introverted. When approached by fans or curious bystanders, Terri offered the same genuine smile and sweet responses, a reaction surprisingly different from what you would expect to come from a bawdy woman known for her bloody apron uniform. That is until Ms. Gender Bender got on sta