Not only does this weekend hold the majority of Sacramento's Mardi Gras events (Mardi Gras is officially Tuesday, February 21 this year), it is also a three-day-er for many, given Monday's Presidents' Day Holiday. If your weekend's not already action-packed, or if you're looking to add a little bit more to your plate, here are a few viable options. If you're the type to get up and dance, head to The Park Ultra Lounge for their Mardi Gras Weekend Celebration, featuring two nights of decorations, masks, and beads galore. Friday night features DJ Scene and Saturday celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Bacardi Rum. If you prefer to hop around from spot to spot, there are two great pub crawls

Whew! If there are any stories from anyone out there about one of our biggest concert weeks in recent memory here in Sactucky, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Seriously, we want to know who was out gettin’ funky and where (and maybe with who, but keep it clean). Lindol and I took care of you over the weekend reporting back on the Mother Hips gig at Marilyn’s – and we could have done the same about Truth & Salvage Co. last night at Harlow’s, but as he duly pointed out, when it comes to covering that band, our objectivity and impartiality as journalists is somewhere in the gutter next to discarded fliers for the next stage show at Faces, and possibly a used rubber or

“All those doctors and those psychics/ they’re all right and they’re all wrong/ It’s like trying to sing every word/ when you should just hum along.” –Dawes “I fell in love twice/ Once with sex and once with pain.” –Shannon Harney “When a Ford man turns to Chevy/ the angel gets his wings.” –Jonny Corndawg Just another day at the office in Davis, CA – soul snapping indie Americana lyricism with white-hot jams, Its a Wonderful Redneck Life, and sultry hippie chicks who will devour your head after mating (and you will gladly let her). What a night with these three gems at Odd Fellows on Tuesday. Social D who? My partner in crime Lindol French has you covered with a full recap of the show

 In wake of the recent disaster in Haiti, many people are looking for ways to help the victims. There are various ways to do so on a local level, and some businesses are already making a difference. From big to small, fundraisers and donations are giving Sacramentans ways to reach out to Haiti. With the damage still unknown, there is still more we can do to help. Here’s what you can do to help with disaster relief in Haiti: -Local businesses and communities can take the initiative to raise and donate funds to the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross, whose spokeswoman Trista Jensen says, “The best thing that people can do right now is to make a donation.” KCRA 3 is joinin

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

There is so much to choose from this New Year's Eve in Sacramento. New Year's dancing venues are detailed in this article. Sacramento Press community contributor Barbara Ambler-Thomas wrote about the Empress Hornblower Cruise in Old Sacramento and Julia Beckner previewed several family activities. The following is a guide to several of Sacramento's New Year's Eve concerts featuring (mostly) local bands. Twitch Angry, White Minorities, Prylosis, Nekrosylum, Chernobog and Lycanthrope What: "New Year's Cancer's Evel" will feature metal and punk bands, hosted by music video and MySpace star Metal Sanaz. The event is also a cancer research fundraiser for the Derek's Wish Foundation. All age

Aaron Young can't stop writing new songs. "I'm sort of plagued with it," he said. "I write every day, no matter what I'm doing." It's part of a work ethic that came from growing up on a pecan orchard in Mississippi. "I don't know if you've picked pecans to make some money, but you need a lot of them to make a pound, so you're out there a long time," he explained. "It taught me how to stay disciplined at something [and] develop patience." It's Young's patience and discipline that helped him through rough times, like being dropped from a record label and being homeless in San Francisco. This Friday night, the currently West Sacramento-native soul singer will bring his uplifting lyrics a

"Exhilarating, like running naked through a bee storm," said music magazine NME of Middle Class Rut, or MC Rut for short. The duo headlines Friday's Concert in the Park in which Lite Brite, Consider The Thief and Early States will also play (click links for MySpace pages). MC Rut's style has been compared to Jane's Addiction and Rage Against the Machine, but the duo evokes a simpler feel than the The White Stripes, a band with similar instrumentation. Even so, the two-piece packs a fury of sound that never lets up. They recently released an eight-song EP entitled 25 Years and completed a tour of the United Kingdom. Lite Brite is a rock and roll trio that exudes a punk attitude, but can

Although many of the events this weekend do not really reflect the true meaning of the foundation of this holiday, there are still some great things to do! Whatever your plan is this weekend, do take a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day is about and be thankful for our fellow Americans who put their lives on the line for the sake of our country. Just in case you aren't sure as to what Memorial Day is all about and why it is a National Holiday, here is the definition from Wikipedia: "Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near

Jackie Greene has gone from a relatively unknown artist playing the original Marilyn's nightclub on K Street to becoming "Prince of Americana" according to the New York Times, but this Saturday he's back at Marilyn's on K as part of the singer-songwriter duo Skinny Singers. Skinny Singers -- Greene and Tim Bluhm of the NorCal band Mother Hips -- started as a lark by the two friends. They released an album called Skinny Singers Strike Again! in 2007 and play shows when they're not performing with their respective bands. In an email interview, Greene said he enjoys playing with Bluhm because it is "much more relaxed and low-key. It's a good escape from the normal hectic shows." One reason

This Wednesday April Fools Day, SBL Entertainment and Marilyn’s on K will be presenting a wonderful and special evening of music. The Waybacks will be playing a rare club gig, which is almost sure to provide a great time for all who choose to attend. To categorize the Waybacks is tough, their unique sound is cross-genre as well as cross- generational. While surely not for everyone, (the Metal or Hip Hop crowd may not put this on their must see list), most others would & should. Fans of Americana, Jam Band, Folk, Country (Real Country), Rock-n-Roll, Swing, New Orleans Jazz, Jazz Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Funk and / or a few other styles will want to attend. The Waybacks are a 4 piece band th