Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "mumbo gumbo"

Friday Night Concert in the Park: watch Mumbo Gumbo here

2011-06-23T16:26:59Z

Now that summer is finally in full swing, join The Sacramento Press at Cesar Chavez Plaza for Friday Night Concerts in the Park.

Los Blazing Hangovers will open the evening with zesty Latin honky-tonk. Headliners and longtime Northern California favorites, Mumbo Gumbo blend the flavors of Cajun, zydeco, blues, folk and good old rock and roll to create the unique of form of Americana that has kept crowds dancing for 20 years.

This week’s show kicks off at around 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.

Located between Ninth and 10th and I and J streets, this free, all-ages outdoor concert series will run every Friday until Aug. 12. See a full schedule of this season’s lineup here.

Street parking can be a challenge for this Friday night music favorite. To avoid hunting for a spot or parking blocks away from the all the fun, parking is available at the City Hall Garage (10th and I) for $5 after 5 p.m.

In its 20th year, Friday Night Concerts in the Park attracts huge crowds of music lovers from all walks of life. Bring the whole family and enjoy a summer evening full of FREE and fantastic live music, interesting vendors, delicious food stands and some of the best people-watching of the season. The ever-popular beer garden has been expanded for this concert season. Stop by after work and sample a local brew or an old favorite.

This year, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership has launched a new SCVNGR Trek for Concerts in the Park. Download the SCVNGR app before you head out to the show so you can play the “Friday Night Concerts” trek. Complete the challenges to earn points all season long for a chance to win prizes each week.

Stop by the Sacramento Press booth, get a balloon for the kids and sign up for our weekly newsletter and weekly local events page, Go.See.Do. You can even rent a blanket to lounge on the lawn while you watch the bands. All blanket rental proceeds will be donated to charity.

If you can’t make the show, The Sacramento Press will also be live-streaming video of each band’s performance, which can be found in this article on the day of the show:

Come by and check out the festivities!

Free live streaming by Ustream Free video chat by Ustream

Album release concert celebrates 'Sunday Evening Jazz'

2010-06-25T02:09:12Z

Many musicians learn how to read music before playing a song. It was the opposite for guitarist Doug Pauly.

"At some point, I started writing stuff out to teach myself," he said. "I didn't grow up playing music in formal situations, so it was a means to learning. I really learned to read well musically by writing stuff out. Most people learn to read well by reading in concert band or jazz band."

Pauly said being a good sight-reader doesn't necessarily mean you play well, it just means you read well.

This Sunday at JB's Lounge inside the Red Lion Hotel, the Doug Pauly Trio and Meleva Steiert will play an album-release concert for their new release, Play Nice. The show will also celebrate seven years of Sunday Evening Jazz, an event at the hotel created by musicians Glenn Hair and Vivian Lee to bring local jazz to an intimate audience of about 150.

Pauly, who said he is over 50, grew up in Sacramento listening to all kinds of music. As a young adult, he started playing professionally, learning music theory from Oscar Robinson's Oak Park Conservatory and attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

"I woke up one day and realized that I just had been drawn into it," he said. "At some point I said, 'I just want to play,' because I realized it's a craft. If you're not doing it consistently, then you're not getting better."

Now with nearly four decades of experience and six albums released, Pauly has played nearly every style of guitar. He spent nine years in a Bulgarian dance band and has released albums as a soloist, in a duo, in a trio, and as part of a five-piece Latin band.

It's apt to say that Pauly is a master of rearranging songs to fit any particular musical group, whether it's a solo composition or a band arrangement. Play Nice features Latin, pop and jazz covers arranged for bassist Paul Klempau, drummer Rick Lotter (Mumbo Gumbo), woodwind player Mike McMullen (Capital Jazz Project) and vocalist Steiert.

On Latin tunes, Pauly plays a guitar-type instrument called the Cuban tres to create a style called són, which blends African rhythms with Spanish songwriting. Steiert sings in a no-frills manner reminiscent of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn or Ella Fitzgerald, allowing McMullen's flute and saxophone flourishes and Pauly's chord compositions to embellish on the straightforward melody delivery.

There are even a few popular songs that a non-jazz listener could appreciate, including The Police's "Don't Stand So Close," R.E.M.'s "Electrolite," and the R&B classic "Fever," made popular by '50s and '60s artists like Peggy Lee and Elvis. The material is a collection of tunes the band has been playing over the last two years at local shows.

"It's just a general ethic: Why not 'play nice?' " Pauly said in explaining the album's title. "Even people who play really head-banging music, there's still an ethic of 'play in the way we've agreed to play.' All this music is very accessible and not in-your-face sort of music."

When he's not recording and playing shows, Pauly teaches private lessons three days a week at the Guitar Workshop in East Sacramento. He is currently working on a book of guitar exercises to hone budding guitarists' techniques.

The Red Lion Hotel is located at 1401 Arden Way. The show is all ages and costs $8. For reservations and more information, call 723-5517 or e-mail Vivian Lee at vtlee54@gmail.com. Sunday Evening Jazz takes place every Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Photographs:

1. Pauly (credit Jonathan Mendick)

2. Pauly and Steiert (courtesy Doug Pauly)

Friday Night Concerts in the Park return May 7

2010-03-30T20:52:21Z

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
Mae McCoy & The Neon Stars

June 18 - Secretions
The Shruggs, The Four Eyes, The Enlows

June 25 - Mumbo Gumbo
Not An Airplane

July 2 - The New Humans
Sister Crayon, Chelsea Wolfe

July 9 - Izabella
Walking Spanish, Inversions

July 16 - Kate Gaffney
Gerald Pease, Autumn Sky, Juliana Zachariou

July 23 - Lite Brite
Prieta, Musical Charis

July 30 - Whiskey & Stitches
Final Summation, Bastards of Young

August 6 - The Golden Cadillacs
Light Rail, Johnny Guitar Knox & the Soothers

August 13 - The Brodys
The Phantom Jets, This Luxury

*Schedule is subject to change.

Produced by the DSP, the Concerts in the Park attract more than 4,500 fans every Friday night during the 15-week concert series. The event is presented by Budweiser and sponsored by Revolution Wines, CBS 13 and CW 31.

Disclosure: Article submitted by DSP Marketing Manager Jennifer Snyder

Concerts in the Park season extended five weeks

2009-07-23T05:13:53Z

The season of free Friday evening concerts in Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th and J streets in downtown Sacramento, a summer tradition, just got a bit longer.

Promoter Jerry Perry, who has been arranging the multi-act shows, all featuring local musicians, since 1997, just got permission from the city to extend the concerts another five weeks.

And this time, Perry will be in charge of the whole event, over the five-week series. Called “End of Summer Fest,” it will begin when the current series of concerts ends on Aug. 14.

“I’ve always felt that the season ends too soon,” he said by phone Tuesday. “But I was never completely in charge before.”

The shows are generally sponsored by the Downtown Partnership, with Perry in charge of booking the acts. Other sponsors chip in, and a popular beer garden underwrites the remainder of the cost.

The new series of five concerts, which begins on Aug. 21 and runs through Sept. 18, will be sponsored by The Sacramento Press. Other sponsors will be coming on board during the next few weeks, Perry said.

Artists already signed by Perry to perform during those five weeks are artists he couldn’t book during the original 15-week season, including Jackpot, Agent Ribbons, Shannon Curtis, Mike Farrell and a reunited Kai Kln. More artists will be announced shortly.

The concerts have proven popular, but producing them is still a huge effort, and a risky one at that. Perry says that the cost of putting on the show, with beer garden, food vendors, police, fire and health department inspectors and other costs total roughly $20,000 per week.

And although the shows are free, audiences wax and wane week to week, depending on weather, competing events, the timing of holidays, Furlough Fridays, and even last year’s wildfires, which led headliner Mumbo Gumbo to cancel.

This year, says Perry, “We got rained out one day and rained on two days. If it’s too cold, you don’t sell enough beer, if it’s too hot, people don’t come out. Last week was our lowest beer garden in a few years, I don’t know why. We got hit harder with the heat than anything. When it’s 105 degrees, people don’t want to come down to the park.”

Still, Perry says, being more in charge, while daunting, is allowing him to make a few changes he’s been wanting to make. One is to create a separate food court with tables, accessible only to those who buy food and want to sit down to eat it. He also says that problems with the beer lines have been eliminated.

With the enthusiastic support of the city – Perry says Tuesday’s approval of permits came in a mere seven minutes – the new End of Summer Fest seems likely to continue a tradition that is one of downtown Sacramento’s most popular.

But that doesn’t stop him from worrying.

“I think about the days getting shorter, is that going to affect turnout?” he says. “But I want to take it further, see where we can go with this. It is one of the things that defines downtown Sacramento in summer.”

Concerts in the Park: Mumbo Gumbo

2009-06-26T01:50:12Z

When thinking of Mumbo Gumbo's gig this Friday, the word "regulars" comes to mind. This year marks the 16th year in a row the band will play at Concerts in the Park.

As the name suggests, the New-Orleans-flavored septet blends many genres to create its sound. From soul to Zydeco and from ballad to boogie, the band has covered the gamut in its nearly 20-year history, during which the members have produced eight albums.

They have been a big part of the Northern California concert scene. Many of the band members have even formed successful side projects over the years.

Guitar player Jon Wood, sax player Reggy Marks and bass player Lynn Michael Palmer recently formed The Nibblers. The seven-piece funk/soul band has been playing clubs around town and will open for Mumbo Gumbo on Friday.

Drummer Rick Lotter is part of Capitol Jazz Project, and lead singer Chris Webster has a solo career - well, had a solo career.

That was until a little over a year ago, when a paralyzed vocal cord forced her to stop singing. Luckily the band had another great singer, Tracy Walton.

"We were in a strange time," Palmer said. "We floundered around, not quite sure when and if she would come back."

Eventually the band decided it would be silly to stop playing, and members discovered they could be strong even without Webster. Walton fronted the band, alone, for a year. But after that year had passed, Webster had healed. She is back for every gig now, and this will be her return to Cesar Chavez.

"She's singing as well as she ever did," Palmer said. "This spring has been an exciting time for us."

On Friday, the band will be playing a lot of songs from its latest album, a compilation called "Fun Pack." It's filled with danceable, "party-flavored" tunes, said former keyboardist Bill Fairfield, who now helps the band with booking.

Fairfield's keyboard work is featured on much of the album, which includes tunes spanning the band's 19-year career. The album also includes three new originals and a re-recorded song.

"Businesspeople, families - a whole cross section of the Sacramento community seems to be out there," said Fairfield of Concerts in the Park. "We look forward to that show because it's always a great vibe."

Added Palmer: "I'm just excited about this season coming up and getting to play with the full band again."

Friday Night Concerts in the Park take place at Cesar Chavez Plaza on 10th and J Streets from 5-9 p.m. every Friday until August 14.

Don't forget that your Friday night festivities continue if you show your wristband to one of the following businesses:

Brew it Up! $4 drafts, Bacardi, Jack Daniels and 3 Olives cocktails, plus half-price appetizers

Fuzio Universal Bistro $3 drafts, $5 martinis, plus a selection of $3 appetizers

Marilyn's on K $1 off well drinks, $3 draft Bud Light

Parlare Euro Lounge $3 domestic beers, $5 wine, $4 assorted appetizers

Pyramid Alehouse $2 pints of Curveball

Sofia on 11th $3 drafts, $4 wines, $4 wells and and half-price appetizers

Table 260 Half off appetizer menu, 10 percent off dinner, $5 drink special on Sac Soul

Toppingz Pizza inside Image Lounge $2.50 Bud and Bud Light, $4 Jack Daniels, appetizers starting at $1

Sheraton Grand Hotel's PMB Bar $3.50 Bud and Bud Light (bottle or draft), $5 nachos or artichoke dip

Amourath Lounge at Hyatt $1 off Bud, Bud Light and all appetizers

Citizen Hotel $99/night weekend rate for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in a deluxe king, queen or dual-double-bed room. This deal is exclusively for the Concerts in the Park, and for information on how to book the room, call 916-447-2700.

Sacramento is filled with music & talent this weekend...

2009-06-25T23:28:03Z

Summertime is here and Sacramento is stepping up to the plate! Sounds like it's going to be a scorching weekend at upwards of 100 degrees but the music and entertainment events are equally as sizzling! With a nice mix of free and low cost things to do as well as a few splurges, June is going out with a jam packed weekend! Browse this list to find plenty of opportunities to laugh, feast & learn along with local talent & tons of live music. It's sure to keep you and yours entertained all weekend long...

Thursday 6.25

Theatre: Hedwig and the Angry Inch -- $25
Where: Artisan Theatre (1901 Del Paso Blvd)
When: 8pm (also showing Fri & Sat nights this week)
Why: This is the last weekend to see it if you haven't already...New Helvetia Theatre is a brand new theatre company in Sacramento. Founded in January of this year, NHT is “committed to the preservation and rebirth of the American Musical…By unearthing forgotten gems, exploring classics, and producing new works, the company seeks to enrich the community through productions of creativity and depth”. Directed by Matthew Schneider, “Hedwig” is New Helvetia’s first production. This rock musical is the story of Hansel, an East German boy who has undergone a botched sex change operation and becomes "Hedwig." After being left by “her” husband, Hedwig forms a band called "The Angry Inch." It may go without saying that this show is definitely intended for mature audiences only- leave the kids at home.
Details

Friday 6.26

Music/Fundraiser: Celebrate The Arts at Special Concert in the Park -- $Free
Where: Cesar Chavez Park
When: 5pm-9pm
Why: This week join the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) at a special Friday night "Concerts in the Park"!! This arts awareness event is part of the regular Friday night concert series, however SMAC is inviting Sacramento arts groups to participate by hosting booths that feature their organization. This is a great opportunity for arts groups to introduce concert go-ers to their organization, make new contacts and raise awareness for the arts! There will be over 25 Sacramento arts organizations represented, a lively art raffle, good food & fun- all accompanied by the lush and festive sounds of Mumbo Gumbo & The Nibblers. Donations will be accepted to support the arts and arts education programs for our youth. Plan to visit the booths, participate in the raffle and have a great time!
Details

Music Festival: In The Flow Festival --$Various ($20 Wristband for all 3 days- some shows are free)
Where: Along Broadway
When: 6pm-10pm (also Saturday, 11am-9pm & Sunday, 11am-8pm)
Why: The In The Flow Festival is a Sacramento celebration of jazz and creative music, art and local businesses. Over the course of the weekend, an array of talented musicians will be performing at various venues along Broadway. Beatnik Studios, a trendy new photography studio/gallery that operates under a collaborative philosophy; Java Lounge, an unconventional coffee house serving pizza, beer & wine along with live music & art; R5 Records, an eclectic records store with great staff & live music and Comedy Spot, where you can go for a good laugh every Fri & Sat night. Some of the performers include: Harley White Jr. Orchestra, Tony Passarell's Thin Air Orchestra, Byron Blackburn Trio, Darren Johnston and Devin Hoff, Alex Jenkins' Sound Immersion, The Alegria Quartet as well as many other groups from the Sacramento and Bay Area. Check ‘em out!
Details

Comedy: David Allen Grier -- $15
Where: Punchline comedy Club
When: 8:30pm & 10:30pm
Why: If you grew up as a teen in the 90’s, and maybe even if you didn’t, you should be familiar with the show “In Living Color.” If not, you missed out! David Allen Grier was one of the hilarious cast of the show that helped put the likes of Jim Carrey and the Wayans Brothers on the map. Grier is currently the Star and host of Chocolate News on Comedy Central and is also known for being the 3rd host of Loveline with Dr. Drew. He is only in town for two nights so try to make it!
Details

Film & Video: MOBS presents, Guest of Cindy Sherman -- $5
Where: Guild Theatre (2828 35th Street)
When: 7pm & 9:30pm
Why: Here is MOBS’s synopsis: “Filmed over the course of 15 years and including interviews with a veritable who's who of the art and entertainment world (including Roberta Smith, Ingrid Sischy, John Waters, Robert Longo, Carol Kane, David Furnish, Danny DeVito, Molly Ringwald, and Eric Fischl), "Guest of Cindy Sherman" paints a vivid picture of a New York art scene increasingly driven by money and fame. H-O also tackles-with more than a bit of humor-the role his own fragile ego plays in his relationship with Sherman. The end result is a witty, illuminating look at celebrity, male anxiety, and art.” I was not disappointed with my last visit to MOBS, a definitely unique cinema experience!
Details

Music: Albino -- $10
Where: Marilyn’s on K (10th & K St)
When: 9pm
Why: This 10 person ensemble band brings Sacramento some West African Funk! They call it Afrobeat. In addition to the funk, they mix a little politics and protest along with unity & community to reflect some of the current events affecting us all…What better way to spread the word than through music, right? Being the diverse and eclectic city it is, Sacramento is a perfect place for Albino.
Details

Saturday 6.27

Music Festival: Sammies Award Show & Music Fest -- $FREE
Where: Cesar Chavez Park
When: 3pm-9pm
Why: Music stages, SAMMIES Awards, Beer garden, dunk tanks, carnival games, awesome vendors, and more bands to be announced! So far the bands include: Category 7, Silver Darling, Sol Peligro, Agent Ribbons, Alak, Be Brave Bold Robot, Righteous Movement, Dog Party, Justin Farren, Light Rail, Arden Park Roots, The Other Poets, DJ Shaun Slaughter and Sister Crayon. This event is part of 2009 SAMMIES - Honoring the best musicians in the Sacramento area.
Details

Art: Sacramento Potters Group Annual Show -- $Free
Where: Shepard Garden and Art Center
When: 10am-4pm
Why: The group's annual show and sale is back! One day only at McKinley Park. Come and buy yourself a nice present or find that perfect early holiday or birthday gift for a special someone. There will be a wide variety of clay sculpture, pottery, glass art and metalwork along with wheel throwing demos throughout the day.
Details

Music Festival: Baby Boomer Music Fest-- $10 at door/ Kids 10 & under Free
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
When: 11am-7pm (also Sunday, 11am-5pm)
Why: The name says it all! With Classic Cars, live music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and over 100 exhibitors this event focuses on the good memories, the nostalgia, the dreams and the needs of America’s “Baby Boomer” generation. Musicians will include the Woodstock icon, Country Joe McDonald, and a list of major tribute bands performing the music of the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Elvis, Santana, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and others. There will be Inspirational Speakers and Seminars convering important and valuable topics relating to finance, health and energy. Exhibitors reflect the needs and interests of the Boomer generation, including health & fitness, finance and investments, arts & crafts, wineries and restaurants. And to top it off, know that you’re support our youth with 10% of the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento.
Details

Food & Wine: King of Feasts -- $50 general/$45 members/$60 Day of event
Where: Sacramento Zoo
When: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Why: Everyone loves to go to the Zoo! I can’t think of a better time to visit the animals than when there are over 50 restaurants, wineries & breweries dishing up food & drink for you to enjoy along the way! 3 of my favorite things in one place! Don’t forget to don your “safari” attire (Because all Sacramentans are sure to have this in their closet…) to fit in with your “Wild” surroundings. You will also be entertained with live blues by the Rhythm Vandals. An all around feast fit for a King (in this case-of the jungle)!
Details

Food & Wine: Gourmet Cooking Class With Chef Linda -- $20
Where: Arden Hills Resort & Spa
When: 11am
Why: Eating healthy foods can be fun and exciting, too! Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa is proud to offer monthly gourmet cooking classes designed to tempt your palate with interesting new and delicious meal ideas. On the menu this month is elegant and easy Asian Vegetable Rolls and Summer Fruit Compote with Orange Honey Sauce. Mouth watering yet? It will be! Learn to cook, live and eat well, reserve your space today.
Details

Sports & Rec: Urban Dare Adventure Race -- $100/team or $40 per person
Where: Starting point, MVP Sports Grill
When: Check-in, 11am; Start, 12pm
Why: Urban Dare is the team race that’s part photo hunt, part trivia and part dares. The challenge is to be the first team to cross the finish line after successfully completing checkpoint dares and getting required photos. Teams of 2 must solve clues to find checkpoints throughout the city. To move on they must take photos or perform dares to earn passport stamps. You can run. Walk or use public transportation, however bikes are not allowed. The winner receives a 3-Day Royal Caribbean Cruise next February where they
will compete in Super Dare with a first prize of $5000. Additional prizes will be awarded for best picture & best costumes. The remaining proceeds from this event help raise money to fight breast cancer. Do you dare to take the Urban Dare? This dare may result in some great prizes and guarantees a full day of fun!
Details

**There are so many other things happening on Saturday: Art classes & Featured Tours at the Crocker Art Museum, Pops in the Park Family Concert Series, Family Fun Program at the California Auto Museum & many more…find them all at Sacramento365.com.

Sunday 6.28

Kids & Families: Sacramento Street Scenes -- $Free
Where: Old Sacramento
When: 10am-6pm (Every Sat & Sun through August)
Why: The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation in collaboration with the City of Sacramento is proud to introduce a new Street Scene Program beginning this month. Calling upon the talents of musicians, jugglers, storytellers, re-enactors, volunteer fire fighters, artisans, and even some burros, Old Sacramento will offer free, family-friendly and historically educational entertainment every Saturday and Sunday June through August. This Sunday there will be Storytelling, Children's Games, Bowling- Gold Rush Style, Juggling, & Shootouts!
Details

Sports & Rec: WWE- The Bash -- $17.50+
Where: Arco Arena
When: 4:45pm
Why: It’s been 8 years since the last time the World Wrestling Entertainment came to Sacramento. If you’re a wrestling fan, this is your chance to see your favorite superstars from RAW, SMACKDOWN & ECW all under the same roof on the same night! Some of you may smirk but I know that there are some WWE (or maybe the old WWF) fans out there! Show them some Sacramento support!
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events. If you have an event you would like to add to Sacramento365.com, visit the website. Its easy and free to add your events! Also, if you want to mention an event that I didn't squeeze into this little article- add it to the comments below! Have a great weekend!!

NOW: 36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee

2009-05-22T02:56:21Z

The Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee is a Sacramento tradition that conjures up summer, swinging, and saxophones.

This year's festival, the 36th annual, will feature 600 jazz artists from all over the United States and the world, including the Count Basie Jazz Orchestra, a number of featured performers and about 60 sponsored bands from all over the stylistic map.

With 24 venues total, 19 in Old Sacramento and four at the Sacramento Convention Center, the whole shebang kicks off Thursday night at the Radisson Hotel from 8-9 p.m. The concert featuring the 17-time-Grammy-winning big band will be streamed live on Sacramento's Jazz Station, KXJZ 90.9. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door and $25 for Jazz Jubilee ticket holders, volunteers and Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society members.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, people should start lining up for the Jazz Jubilee's parade, according to the website. At 10:45, event organizers plan for "joyful noise" to be played from balconies in Old Sacramento, then, around 11:45, Mayor Kevin Johnson will serve as parade marshal.

Jazz bands, marching bands, "fire trucks, antique cars and limousines, clowns, dancing ladies and cakewalk strutters, military color guards and various dignitaries" will parade through Old Sacramento, under Interstate 5, down Second Street, J and L Streets and back to Old Sacramento.

The Festival will continue throughout the weekend, with music going on from 1-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday. Special events will be held throughout the weekend such as a Memorial Day celebration, a swing dance contest, jam sessions and a closing ceremony.

Along with professional musicians and bands, 16 groups of developing high school and younger musicians will be playing on the Delta King Riverboat, the California State Railroad Museum and the Round Table Pizza in Old Sacramento.

Besides the Basie Jazz Orchestra, other notable bands include Mumbo Gumbo, Tom Rigney and Flambeau and theBenny Goodman Centennial Tribute.

The full schedule, hotel deals, transit information and more can be found at sacjazz.com.

*photo is a screen capture of sacjazz.com

Weather will determine if ‘Concerts in the Park’ series at Cesar Chavez Plaza begins today

2009-05-01T09:00:58Z

The first scheduled concert of Sacramento's 'Concerts in the Park' series may or may not occur tonight depending on the rain, according to concert organizer Jerry Perry.

The bands Sol Peligro, Retrograde Revolution and La Noche Oskura are scheduled tonight to play the first of 15 series lined up for this summer's concerts, held every Friday evening at Cesar Chavez Plaza. If it rains, Perry said the series will begin next Friday, and an extra concert will be scheduled Friday, August 14, to make up for tomorrow’s cancellation.

This is the 18th year that the Downtown Sacramento Partnership has hosted the concerts, which are free and open to all ages.

The plaza is located at 10th and J Streets and lined with food and jewelry vendors during the performances. There is also a beer garden adjacent to the stage. Perry said that depending on the musicians' set times, the concerts typically begin at 5:30 p.m. and end by 8:30 p.m.

Perry, who has been booking local acts ranging in genre from folk, rock, reggae, blues, acoustic, to punk at the concerts for the past 13 years, said he feels really good about the performances scheduled for this year.

“My thing is always trying to introduce new bands…I love all the new bands that are out there,” Perry said. Perry has 29 first-time acts booked to play the concerts for this summer.

Notable returning performers will include the Brodys, Bucho, Mumbo Gumbo and Agent Ribbons, according to Perry.

Also scheduled to play this year is renowned Sacramento rock band Tesla, whose performance was cancelled last year.*

The partnership's Director of Marketing, Lisa Martinez, said that in addition to a variety of new venues participating in the concert pub crawl after the performances, there will also be a number of new vendors selling food during the concerts.

It's a great event because it's free, and you can usually get food and a drink for under $10," said Martinez.

According to Martinez, 4,000 people attend the summer concerts on a weekly basis, and a total of 67,000 attend the concerts annually.

The concert series will continue for 15 consecutive Fridays at the park until August 7 or August 14, depending on whether or not tonight’s show is cancelled.

For a full list of this year's performing bands, visit http://downtownsac.org/concerts.

* Editor's Note:Tesla is not scheduled to play this year, nor did they play last year, but have played previously.