Blvd Park is a former Sacramento band, newly transplanted to Seattle after the end of their “New American Dream Tour” in May. They are coming back to play a special show at Harlow’s Thursday night with Keri Carr Band and Kate Gaffney with Steve Randall. Founding member Brian Ballentine recently spoke to The Sacramento Press about the upcoming show. What brings you back to Sacramento? One of our friends down there is getting married. We haven’t been there in a while. It’s been half a year I think. Have you ever played Harlow’s before? Yeah, we played Harlow’s about a year ago with Split Lip Rayfield before, I think about two years ago. What are you expecting from this show? A coupl

Over one hundred degree weather seemed to have kept many Concerts in the Park aficionados at home (or at least indoor at bars across Sacramento). Concerts in the Park’s line up for Friday included Juliana Zachariou, Autumn Sky, Gerald Pease and Kate Gaffney. As I approached Cesar Chavez Plaza tonight I could hear Juliana Zachariou singing in the background. Juliana was runner up in the Jammies 2010 held earlier this year and I've been lucky enough to have seen her performance before. I heard her singing in the distance as I waited for a traffic light to turn green on the corner of I and 10th streets. Just as I was about to cross the street an ambulance was heading toward the intersection

After a small break, The Sacramento Press will be back at Cesar Chavez Park, 10th and J Streets, for Concerts in the Park featuring Kate Gaffney. This free, all-ages outdoor concert series will run every Friday until Aug.13. This week’s show runs from 5-8 p.m. with acts Juliana Zachariou, Autumn Sky, Gerald Please and headliner Kate Gaffney featuring a full, live band. In its 19th year, Friday Night Concerts in the Park still attracts huge crowds from all walks of life. Interesting vendors, delicious food stands, great live music and the ever-popular beer garden make for a fun and inexpensive summer evening. Stop by the Sac Press booth to spin our prize wheel, enter a raffle, and sign u

Brighten up your day & have some fun at Happy Hour today (Tuesday 4-20). Kate Gaffney who has been creating smiles for the Torch Club Happy Hour for some time now will have a very special guest sitting in today. Bob Woods is probably the regions best kept secrets when it comes to incredible guitarmanship (may not be a real word, but it sure fits the bill). Bob has been playin' the juke joints of the Sacramento Valley and beyond for decades now. While possible stardom lurked in the future some time ago (Bob became a brief member of the Surfaris, one of his early bands was a regular opener for Commander Cody & other great bands of the time), Bob listened to common sense or perhaps it was his

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

It was a combination of a songwriting workshop and heartbreak over a girl that jump-started Americana singer Elliot Randall's career. "I think that every songwriter gets into songwriting because of a girl," he said. "Songwriters can write about heartbreak all day long if (they) experience it." Heartbreak or not, Randall has made a name for himself in a relatively short time. Since his debut album, Take the Fall, came out in 2007, he's had the chance to open for some of his childhood heroes: Creedence Clearwater Revisited and the Steve Miller Band. On Friday night, at the Fox and Goose Pub, Randall and his four-piece band will play the first concert of a California tour that he is co-hea

The vibe at Fremont park was laid-back and friendly during the new Hot Lunch series presented by Hot Italian and The Sacramento Press. Dozens of people sat scattered through the park on blankets and in lawn chairs, bobbing to the live music and chowing down on the food that was delivered from Hot Italian, just across 16th Street. Most people in attendance were on their lunch breaks some were just walking their dogs and got pulled in by the delicious smells and intriguing sounds. Attendee Melissa Olsen said, "I'm here on my lunch hour, and I think this is a good morale booster for all of the state employees in this hard time, to have somewhere near the end of the week to just unwind and l

Playing music outside is like playing to the ocean, local musician Kate Gaffney said. "If you're standing near the ocean, anything that's ever bothering you, you can just toss it out into the sea, and the sea will just engulf it and you won't have to worry about it again." On Friday, the Philadelphia-native singer/songwriter will be headlining Concerts in the Park. Opening for Gaffney are Boulevard Park, West of Next and Christopher Fairman & The Stilts (click on links for MySpace). Gaffney first visited California during a college internship, instantly deciding it was the place for her. After earning her bachelor's degree from Penn State, she moved here and took a job at Sacramento Coun

Once a year the Auburn Community throws a big 'ole Party, and wants all our neighbors to know you're invited.  This Friday, June 19, The Auburn Park and Recreation District takes the lead on the regions biggest and best Free Concert and Family Fun Event.   Party in the Park has grown to be the "Premier Music Event" in the Foothills, and it is because of entertainment such as this years headliners The Waybacks.  The Waybacks have been thrilling festival crowds for some time now with their unique blend of styles, which really defies definition but appeals to a wide variety of tastes, I would suggest going on YouTube and searching their name, it is quite a journey.  From great songs when th

The weather looks like it will be nice, and I know the music will be great - this will be Sacramentos own Kate Gaffney's "triumphant return", as this will be her 1st show after a 3 month tour, Steve Randall will be accompanying her (Steve is such a great guitarist!) - Please come welcome her back, enjoy the heapin' hospitality of all at the Ridge - there is no charge for the show, Happy Hour runs 'till 7 - great food, great atmosphere, easy access...... - win, win, win! - I hope to see there - as always... Keep Smilin' Party on the Porch, as Kate Gaffney Returns!  Ridge Golf Course & Bar and Grill Address: 2020 Golf Course Rd City: Auburn State: CA, 95602 Event Time 6:30 to 9:30 Contact

Who has a copy of Kate Gaffney at The Torch Club?  Where can I hear the Dead's 1981 New Years Shows?  Blockbuster doesn't carry my favorite movie "Attack of the Killer Leeches" where do I go?  Quick where can I find a copy of Householders and Landers paper "Mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system"?  These are questions one might find themselves asking themselves, and thanks to the "Internet Archives" ( www.archive.org ) there is now a one stop location that answers these questions and countless more.  Questions you didn't even know you needed to ask! This is what the Archives have to say about themselves: "The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to bu

Local singer/songwriter Kate Gaffney played her last of a string of eight recent shows Tuesday evening, filling the Torch Club, Sacramento's favorite blues haunt, with a devoted crowd. Despite the happy hour timing, Gaffney's audience was most decidedly there to see her, and they greeted her performances with approval and even a little bit of dancing. The fans were there to send Gaffney off on her trip to Austin this Thursday for the South By Southwest music conference, on a self-guided mini tour that will take her to Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as to Austin and Dallas, Texas. In April she'll be headed east for a couple more weeks of playing wherever she can. "I just want to p