On September 30, 2011, at Beatnik Studios, aspects of Sacramento’s finest culture will come together to support a truly inspiring cause. From 5pm to 9pm entrance is free and guests can stroll the studio looking at P.R. Brown’s photography show “The Known and Travel” while noshing on appetizers. Wine lovers can purchase a souvenir glass for wine tasting and entrance into a gourmet gift basket raffle. 100% of the proceeds are directed towards transforming the lives of orphaned and poverty-stricken children. Guests can further show their support by bidding at the silent auction. After 9pm a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated as the stage opens up to live performances from Katie Jane,

Every year on May 5, Mexico and parts of the United States celebrate Cinco de Mayo in honor of the victory won by the Mexican Army in 1862. Now it's time for Sacramento to celebrate with these restaurant specials and events around town. Here’s a round-up of Cinco de Mayo celebrations: Event: Cinco de Mayo Celebration Time: 5 - 10 p.m. Thursday. Location: Zócalo (A Taste of Mexico) on 18th Street and Capitol Avenue. Information: Zócalo (A Taste of Mexico) is throwing a street party that will include live music, performing artists The Midnight Players, and DJ Al Ruiz will be the entertainment for the night. Tequila shots and $2 tacos will also be served. Contact: 441-0303 Cost: No cover.

Monday night, a huge Dia de los Muertos caricature welcomed guests to Tequila Museo Mayahuel on 12th and K streets. Inside, sugar skulls, candles and marigolds transformed the new tequila museum and restaurant into a Dia de Los Muertos party, called “Subterraneo” put on by Jose Cuervo Tradicional tequila. The party was a sneak preview of the not-yet-open Tequila Museo Mayahuel. Only those in the restaurant and bar industry were invited. Jose Cuervo Tradicional is touring cities around the country with the Dia de los Muertos party and selected Sacramento to host Monday’s event. According to Gina Castillo, tequila ambassador for Jose Cuervo and Don Julio Northern California, Tequila Mus

The electric whines of drills and saws coming from the corner of 12th and K streets Wednesday indicated the opening of Tequila Museo Mayahuel is still a short way off. The sounds escaped from open doors papered in bright green with the words "Coming Soon to K Street." The restaurant and tequila bar had been expected to open by the end of 2010, and then by Feb. 1. However, the need for electrical changes and other construction delays, as well as permitting issues, have postponed the opening to March, owner Ernesto Delgado said. He hopes to imbue the 5,300-square-foot restaurant, bar and gift shop with a museum-like quality that highlights Mexico's culture through tequila. Born in the Mex

The streetfront of Zócalo restaurant was transformed into a huge fiesta Saturday, celebrating the food, dance and spirit of Mexico. Mex 200, commemorating Mexico’s 200 years of independence, was organized by Tatiana Bedoya of Latin Style Events. “I am proud of everyone who was on that stage tonight,” she said. “Very beautiful, very colorful, and something Sacramento can be proud of, something it deserves.” The proceeds benefited Raices de Mi Tierra, a folklore dance company that is dedicated to keeping the vibrant heritage and traditions of Mexico alive. More than a dozen vendors and food stations were involved - everything from beer and wine to baby clothes and Jamba Juice. Zócalo, o

Thursday marks Mexico’s bicentennial, and Sacramento’s Mexican-Americans are hosting a “MEX 200” party to celebrate those 200 years of independence Saturday in Midtown. “We’re shutting down 18th Street and Capitol, and we’re going to have stage performances every 30 to 45 minutes from 2-10 p.m.,” said Tatiana Bedoya, founder of Latin Style Events, which is organizing the show. One of the performers is Mexican-American comedian Willie Barcena. Barcena said he looks forward to the event as a way to celebrate diversity. “That’s what makes this country different from the rest of the world,” Barcena said. Barcena, who has been a comedian for 16 years and spent several years on the air in t

 Heart and Sammy Hagar. Between them they have sold nearly 100 million albums, not one of which was sold to me.    I knew Heart was from Seattle, and was famous for such hits as "Barracuda," and "that one song" and "you know that other song, the one, with the singer."   Hagar, "The Red Rocker," I knew from Van Halen, of course, but I have always been more of a Metallica guy. I can honestly say that I liked the Hagar incarnation of VH more than the David Lee Roth incarnation, but that isn't really saying much.    Sammy seems like he'd be a lot of fun to hang out with. Diamond Dave seems like he'd do all your drugs then leave with your girlfriend.    Heart and Sammy "co-headlined" a

Sacramento DJ Enrique Suavé has watched his friend Arturo Vallejo's Cinco de Mayo party become a huge bash over the last decade. The little celebration that started with about 200 people is now pulling in a much bigger crowd at the restaurant at 11th and O streets, across from the Capitol. Suavé has entertained the crowd every year. He has seen support from the community grow for an event that has come to mean many things to those who take part. He said he knows why Cinco de Mayo has become a big party — and that's just fine with him. "Cinco de Mayo to me is to remember the battle of Puebla. It's a day to celebrate our ancestors and culture with music and food and our familia," he said.

A México with bundles of tassels. A Mexico that is tame, quiet, wild, incongruous, strident, lighthearted.-Amalia Hernandez A Mexico that is a pure expression of roots, that convert themselves into reality though emotional sentiment Ballet Folklorico de Amalia Hernandez

Sacramento restaurateur Ernesto Jimenez was excited, yet afraid to take on the challenge of creating a restaurant in a 6,000-square-foot corner space in the old Arnold Brothers Motor Cars building. He already was the owner of the colorful Mexican restaurant Ernesto's when he and partners bought the 77-year-old building in 2001. And he'd been dreaming about his next restaurant for years. He wanted it to be something special. "It was a beautiful old building, so the restaurant had to match the exterior," he said. "I didn't want it to be just another restaurant. It had to be something beyond that." His visits to the new space at 18th Street and Capitol Avenue told him there was a lot of wo

Rodolfo Huerta, lucha libre wrestler and one of Mexico's most beloved film icons, is known as El Santo, or "The Saint." What's surprising though, is that the masked wrestler-cum-actor lived up to his exalted moniker on and off the screen. El Santo "saved" the Mexican film industry as it was on its deathbed, creating films that drew patrons back to the big screens, said Fred Dobb, film curator at La Raza Galeria Posada. When El Santo died in 1984 at the age of 66, thousands watched as the famous actor/wrestler was buried in his signature silver mask. For one week, starting Monday, La Raza Galeria Posada will show an El Santo film every night. The free series is sponsored by the Consulate

Sept. 16 marks the anniversary of Mexican Independence Day, the date in 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Mexican priest, held an early morning mass and rang the bell of his church to encourage his people to fight against Spain for their freedom. The call signaled the official beginning of Mexico's war for independence. While Hidalgo was captured and executed the next year, Mexico won the war a decade later and became its own country. The event is often confused with Cinco de Mayo, which is more popular in America. This date commemorates the Battle of Puebla, which the Mexican army won against the French on May 5, 1862. It is mostly celebrated in the state of Puebla, and though some

Margarita Zavala de Calderon, first lady of Mexico, arrived at Shriners Hospital in East Sacramento around 10am today. She came to visit nine children who were burned in a day care fire in Hermosillo, Mexico that killed 48 people and injured dozens on June 5. The children are being treated for burns. Upon arriving she was greeted in the lobby by the injured children's parents and Shriners Hospital staff and volunteers. She immediately went to see the children. Photos | Kati Garner

Bailemos, Sacramentita. Mexico's Trio Los Panchos will bring romantic bolero music to Sacramento when they hit the stage at Empire Event Center tonight on 1417 R Street. La Raza Galeria Posada is bringing the internationally acclaimed band up north as part of its Sabor! Music series. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $30 at the door. The fundraiser concert is being held to raise money for La Raza and its cultural programs. Nearly seven decades after forming, Los Panchos is considered one of Latin America's top trios. They recently played at the Hollywood Bowl for Mariachi USA. The original band members have been replaced by younger musicians. Gabriel Var