Michael Jackson: "The Immortal World Tour" by Cirque du Soleil opened to chants of “Michael! Michael!” The near sell-out crowd at Power Balance Pavilion on Tuesday night sat almost breathless through two hours of a show that had the feel of a Michael Jackson concert, but with the incredible performances for which Cirque du Soleil has become revered. An awe-inspiring collection of contortionists, acrobats and dancers from around the world took the stage in this moving tribute to an artist whose music, moves and iconic image will forever define pop music, with a soundtrack that spanned Michael Jackson’s incredible career. The show easily transitioned from a thrilling rendition of “Wanna Be

From dinosaurs to wiener dogs, lawnmower races to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch rides, corndogs to chocolate covered bacon, the 157-year-old California State Fair has something for everyone. With roughly 40,000 people per day running through the fair, and numerous attractions to see, Norbert Bartosik, CEO and general manager of the State Fair, promises a “Passport to Adventure.” “It’s a new adventure every year,” Bartosik said. “The State Fair showcases what California is all about: its people. People showing off their talents, education, entertainment…It’s something you won’t find in a theme park.” Although the fair won’t be a theme park, the Cal Expo grounds were in fact designed

The one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death was a special night for Sacramento fans to remember and celebrate his successful career at “Laser Spectacular’s The Spirit of Michael Jackson” at the Memorial Auditorium. The tribute show highlighted Jackson’s legacy from the start of the Jackson 5 as a prodigy to his later years as a pop icon. Creator and Producer, Steve Monistere, began the project late last summer, and the first show ran in late October. On Friday night, the show was delayed 30 minutes while guests trickled into the auditorium. The “Greatest Hits” played with a powerful 5,000-watt sound as the flashy lights lit the stage. The projector screen displayed video clips

At this time last year many were mourning the loss of Michael Jackson and Billy Mays as well as digesting the draft pick of Tyreke Evans. Before last year's draft, many fans had their eyes on Ricky Rubio, who has yet to play a minute with an NBA team. This year was different. Kings President of Basketball Operations had his eyes on the same player as most Kings fans. That man was Kentucky forward DeMarcus Cousins. “I think in DeMarcus, we got an exceptional talent at the center position. He’s going to get us great size and skill in that post,” said Petrie. “He’s an outstanding passer, and we’re just really excited to add him into the frontcourt we have now with Samuel, Carl and Jason,”

"Laser Spectacular’s The Spirit of Michael Jackson" will light up the Memorial Auditorium on the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing (June 25, 2009). Steve Monistere, creator and producer of the multimedia tribute performance to the King of Pop, has a background in the music scene playing bass in a band, producing music, concerts, and writing radio jingles. Monistere began the project late summer of 2009 and the first show ran late October of the same year. “What I think people will get when they walk away from it is this real sense of how much he really impacted pop music," he said. "He (has)  the title 'King of Pop.' I think people will come away with a sense of music histo

  The 34th Street Dance company put on another high energy performance last Saturday at the Guild Theater. The theme was Fiat Lux, which is Latin for "let there be light.  The show wrapped up with a tribute of dance routines to the late Michael Jackson, along with a heart felt and tearful ceremony to the seniors graduating from the company. “Our mission is to use dance as a tool to build community and develop each dancer as a creative thinker, dance technician, and a leader” said Sheila Coleman, the founder and director of the company.  The company trains in modern, hip-hop, and contemporary movement forms and for seven years, has shared its passion for dance with audiences all over Cali

Fans moonwalked to the Century Stadium on Ethan Way for the very first showing of "This is it," Tuesday. Nearly 100 people wrapped around the theater in anticipation for the never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's rehearsals from what would have been his final 50-city tour. "You will never believe where I am at right now," echoed fans on cellphones as they stood in line. "I am about to see the Michael Jackson movie, it's the last one." Jackson's music played outside of the theater from the KSFM 102.5 van while fans of all ages sang and danced. As "Thriller" blared, fans teared, demonstrating the enormous impact that the "King of Pop" had on entire communities and generations. "I

Local bands came together Monday night to pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson by playing his music to a packed house at Harlow's. About 250 people filled the room to listen to nearly 40 of Jackson's songs performed by 13 different bands. Some of the more popular songs -- "Dirty Diana" and "I'll Be There," among others -- were played twice to a lively crowd of dancing fans. Upon entering, one could already hear Jackson's songs, both originals and covers, filling Harlow's in-house speakers. Jerry Perry, promoter and a self-proclaimed "big Jackson fan" picked and introduced all the bands starting with Absolute Zero, a four-piece of high-school-age musicians. Each band played between on

The California State Fair has been a main attraction for family fun in Sacramento for decades. This year did not disappoint. Smiling kids ran around in packs in awe of the lights and rides at their fingertips. Sitting on the children's midway among the funhouses and superslides sat rides from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch as well as the Neverland sign itself. Fairgoers can enjoy the rides for only three tickets as parents and fans of Jackson take pictures with life-size cutouts of the King of Pop next to the Neverland sign. The joy on faces of the children as they were seated on Michael Jackson's Neverland rides was just what he would have wanted to see while celebrating his 51st bi

Sacramento radio severely suffered two more steps back in the last six weeks. First KWOD-FM (106.5) stopped playing Alternative music, held on to Nirvana and Green Day, then re-birthed as 106.5 The Buzz -- "Totally 90s." Anyone Else Puking? Many former KWOD listeners did their marketing for The Buzz by publicly complaining about the new format. This has put The Buzz in a situation that every radio station would love to be in -- Everyone knows they exist. But do they care? No. Will it last? No. It might adjust to add 80's and/or early 2000's music -- which, I might add, it already plays a little bit of. With time it might adjust to sound more like a KGBY-FM (My 92.5) or even KZZO-FM (1