Last night wrapped up another fun XOSO coed volleyball season! Thanks to everyone who played and made it so successful. We had two championship match ups last night. In the Bumper division, Serves You Right squared off against Block Party to settle, once and for all, who was the better team. Earlier in the season, Serves You Right won two out of three matches against the second seed Block Party. Last night, Block Party raced to early leads in the first two games but Serves You Right battled back to win them both in thrilling fashion. The second game was as close as you can get with Serves You Right clinching the championship. In the Spiker division, Spiked Punch was going for a repeat

        Valentine's Day can be challenging for everyone out there, whether you've got a special someone to impress or not. The choices are limitless, and it can be hard to set something up that everyone will enjoy. This year, why not please the whole crowd with a just-before-Valentine's Day show starring local indie pop songstress Autumn Sky and up-and-comer Tre Burt?     Miss Sky, who recently won the Sac Show award for best Acoustic Show, holds a Valentine's Day show each year. 2009's show at Luna's Cafe drew a huge crowd, where patrons and audience members alike sat on floors and laps to fit in the tiny room. This year will prove to be no less of a good time, especially considering

After the last strains of the first song, “Strangers in the Night,” at last night’s Cosmopolitan Cabaret production of “My Way, a Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” singer Karole Foreman (Woman No. 1) leaned into the crowd and whispered, “I bet everyone in this audience has a memory associated with that song.” Do they?  I had to ask myself if only gray-haired Sacramentans might be moved and entertained by a local show of Sinatra medleys. In truth, the answer is complicated. Last week, my 18 year-old son was driving me around town with his iPod plugged into the stereo.  He played, his choice, not mine, a remix of that very song, "Strangers in the Night," by the young Berkeley band, The Mor

Employing a style he has dubbed “uninformed logic,” stand-up comedian Bill Burr has spent the better part of two decades refining his sardonic outlook on everyday life. An L.A. resident by way of Massachusetts, Burr lived in New York City for nine years before heading west to further his career in television and film. He is set to record his second one hour stand-up special for Comedy Central at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco on Dec. 17, but will first do a string of performances at The Punchline in Sacramento Dec. 10-13. “I’ve been working on the new material since the night I said goodnight on my last special, which was November of 2007,” said Burr from Los Angeles Internation

To commemorate the end of a month-long celebration of its 75-year existence, the historic bar Old Ironsides held a final party on Sunday. The Sacramento institution melded new and old, representing the vast changes in culture from its 1934 founding though the rest of the 20th century. “Old time” drinks from each decade were back on the menu to give patrons a taste of what past generations enjoyed. Obscure concoctions such as the Moscow Mule (a 1940s drink with vodka, lime and ginger beer) were suggested alongside more popular fare like the Harvey Wallbanger (1970s) and the Washington Apple (2000s). A few waiters kept a constant rotation of sampler platters circulating the two main rooms

If your friends have ever tried to get you to sing karaoke but you’ve been intimidated by the fear of being onstage alone, Rockstar Live Band Karaoke has eliminated your last excuse. Every Tuesday night at Marilyn’s on K, a live band takes the stage to provide backup for anyone who’s had enough liquid courage to sign their name to the sheet and belt out a selection from a growing list of more than 200 popular songs. The band, who also performs as a cover band by the name of Johnny Favorite, is made up of: Adam Donald: guitars and vocals Scott George: lead guitars Gerry Pineda: bass Larry Shiavone: drums and vocals David Van Dusen: keyboards and vocals After a few warm-up tunes beginning

By now, Bob Saget’s public transformation from blue comedian to household name beloved by millions of families nationwide — and the subsequent corruption of that image with a return to his original style — has been repeated more times than the footage of crotch abuse he narrated on “that video show,” as he refers to it. Suffice to say, Saget’s material is a far cry from his hugs-and-lessons role as Danny Tanner on “Full House,” a character he played perfectly due to his clean cut, family-friendly looks. Nothing is sacred, from his former costars to his own mother, who originally inspired him to go into comedy because he wanted to say things she didn't want him to. “Don Rickles called rig

For the third annual year, local Mexican restaurant Zocalo hosted its Dia de los Muertos celebration on Monday, Nov 2. The holiday (which in Spanish literally translates into “day of the dead”) celebrates the life and death of loved ones who have passed on over the past year. It is largely celebrated throughout Mexico, America and Canada. As with any festival, celebrating Dia de los Muertos properly requires an exacting eye for tradition. Much like its food, Zocalo saw to it that its party was as authentic as possible. Burning candles illuminated the large shrines in the center of the entrance to the restaurant, allowing patrons to read the names on tags hanging from numerous trees arou

Since 2005, the Sacramento Comedy Spot has offered unique improv, sketch and standup comedy at its original location at 1716 Broadway. Come Nov. 6, the venue will not only be moving, but making a significant upgrade in facilities. That Friday will mark opening night for the club at its new location at the MARRS building at 1050 20th St. "We started talking to Michael Heller, the owner of the building, in the middle of the summer," said Brian Crall, former member of the Upright Citizens Brigade, managing director of the Sacramento Comedy Spot and instructor of the improv classes there. "It was around September when we finally decided to make the move." The new space is considerably large

Autumn Sky's "Creature Feature" The only Halloween theme to land on a day sure not to interfere with your elaborate Trick-Or-Treats festivities falls on Friday, October the 30th. Join one of Sacramento's top chaunteuses, Autumn Sky, for a night of ghoulish tricks, treats, and musical fun at Luna's Cafe on O and 16th at 8:00pm. Cover at the door is only $6, and it's an all ages event sure to entertain with special guests Adrian Bourgeois, Carly Duhain, and Jared Emme. See you there (muahaha.) Costumes are highly encouraged, as all the talent will be in full Halloween-themed attire!   AUTUMN SKY'S "CREATURE FEATURE" 8:00pm on October 30th. $6, all ages, located at Luna's Cafe and Juice

Brian McKenna is marking 20 years of booking and promoting shows in Sacramento. In the mercurial world of show business, that’s a long time. The event on Saturday also is his 40th birthday; McKenna figures the first shows he promoted in 1989 happened earlier in the year. But who wouldn’t want to throw a birthday party with a bunch of cool bands? “I decided to get all the people I started promoting shows with 20 years ago, who are also some of my favorite people,” McKenna says. The birthday-anniversary show at Harlow’s will feature Victoria, B.C. punk band Nomeansno, resurgent local stoner-rock combo Kai Kln, and Triclops!, a San Francisco band formed by members of Victim’s Family, Flesh

Are you ready to experience true fear? The Downtown Plaza will be hosting Fear Overload, a haunted house that has replaced Gyros and will now be terrorizing the mall for the first time. "We have had people come out who have wet their pants and run into walls," said David Polanco, owner of the haunted house. "It's crazy what people will do when they are scared." The haunt features dozens of rooms that brave attendees can wander through unguided, for maximum scare, in groups of one to four. "A tour guide in a haunted house is not very scary," Polanco said. Polanco promises that no one is safe, even if you're in the middle of the group, in the haunt, with inmates, psychotic serial killer

The Naked Lounge is ready to turn it up a notch. On Oct. 15 at their Downtown location on the corner of H and 11th streets, the coffee shop will roll-up their garage doors for an all ages music venue.   "We opened this coffee house in February," said Jenn Fox, General Manager.  "We never wanted music inside the coffeehouse, we focus just on coffee. But then we got to thinking ... it's already next door, it's a great space, let's do a venue."  Over the next few months, the Naked Lounge music venue quickly started to form. The rented space, known as "Retrolodge," is aptly named after the Astro and Elroy motels. The style for both motels was modeled after the 1950s and 60s Palm Springs loo

If you're free this evening, grab a couple of cans and make it on down to Orangevale for this for-a-good-cause event. Autumn Sky will be opening the lineup of indie and rock bands, dedicated to getting food to needy families in the area this season. This will be an 8:00PM, all ages show. The cover will be somewhere around $6, and you are encouraged to bring at least two cans of food with you. Come early for a good place to stand, this is expected to be one of the biggest shows of the year at this venue. As usual, I'll be there early to chat and hang out with you guys. Don't be afraid to say hello!    

 As summer comes to a close, so did Sacramento's XOSO adult kickball season. In the tightest kickball standings XOSO has ever had, four teams had a shot at the championship game on the final day of the season. In the end, the "Kick Backs" (green), in first place for most of the season, faced "You're My Boy Blue" (blue team) in the championship game. In two previous meetings this season, the two teams each came away with one win and one loss, so this was a much anticipated redemption game. Despite playing back to back games in the heat, "You're My Boy Blue" came to play and defeated the "Kick Backs" 6-0 to win their bar tab at On the Y and some victory burritos from Chipotle. Congratul

Sweetwater Restaurant and Bar will have its grand reopening Tuesday, Aug. 11. The eatery stood on 57th and J Streets for nearly five years before relocating to 19th and S. Owner Brad Ross said he is excited for the opportunities the move will bring. "Our lease ended on the old location, and, though we loved the place, we thought it was time to move," Ross said. "The people in the new area dine out more, and it really is the next hot spot in Midtown because it is still developing. People move down here for the great places to go out." One of the major differences between the restaurant's old location and its new spot is the layout of the main area, Ross pointed out. "The original pl

It takes more than just top-shelf liquor to make a fine cocktail. It takes creativity with quality ingredients, inventive bartenders to mix them and establishments that like to be on the cutting edge. Starting Monday, the second annual Midtown Cocktail Week Sacramento begins a celebration of really good cocktails and the culture behind them: the people, the places, the spirits and the innovation of the city's growing artisan cocktail movement. "The cocktail movement -- it's just a movement toward quality," said 31-year-old bartender Erick Castro, considered by some to be the "godfather" of Sacramento's cocktail scene. "It's like the rebirth of a craft. And when you get down to it, it ju

It's back: Midtown Cocktail Week, slated for August 10-16, 2009.  As its website notes http://midtowncocktailweek.org/, "Midtown Cocktail Week Sacramento launched in 2008 as the brainchild of mixologist Erick Castro, President of the San Francisco chapter of the USB, and restaurant maven Joe Anthony Savala from Zocalo. These two friends and colleagues noticed what was happening in San Francisco with an entire city celebrating the cocktail and the people who create them. Now, MCW has grown into a collaboration that will provide a wonderful experience to everyone that attends." The event kicks off at L Street Lounge at 6 on August 10th, with the night wrapping up at a penthouse party acros

Streets and neighborhoods in West Sacramento will again be participating in the National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. The annual event, which promotes public safety and community partnerships, brings neighbors together for block parties and cookouts. At 7:30 p.m., in support of the Bryte & Broderick Community Action Group, the Police and Fire Departments, along with other agencies, will converge at Bryte Park at 425 Todhunter Avenue. For more about National Night Out, contact Community Service Officer Nora McDowell, (916) 617-4837 or noram@cityofwestsacramento.org .  

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Harmony on the River, a free summer concert series from the City of West Sacramento, will present the final concert of the season.  Enjoy an evening with Hurricane Sam & the Hotshots, featuring boogie, blues, and jazz. Harmony on the River is a family-friendly event, so please bring the kids, a picnic, and soak up the sounds. Pets on leash are allowed, but the City asks that you refrain from any glass bottles. Parking is free also, so just see a parking attendant on site for a pass. For more information, contact Scott Stanley of the City of West Sacramento Parks & Recreation, scottst@cityofwestsacramento.org.