Parlez vous français? Non? That’s OK! Crowds permeated the lobby of the Crest Theatre Friday as the Sacramento French Film Festival, whose theme this year is "My life is a French film!", celebrated their opening night with an excellent reception and two French-directed films, one short and one feature length. The film of the night was “A l'Origine (In the Beginning)”, directed by Xavier Giannoli. Based on a true story, it had multiple accents of beauty throughout, including a scene where the protagonist con-man is stuck in a storm, raving like a lunatic in true Learish fashion. The film also played on morality issues, especially the morality of the thief. Cinematically the film was bri

Greed, corruption, exploitation, murder and, of course, some good, old-fashioned razzle dazzle. Opening tonight at the Sacramento Community Theater to a sold-out audience, "Chicago" shows that all the world is a con game and the stage is the biggest scam of them all.   Set in the decadent 1920s, "Chicago" tells the story of Roxie Hart, a bored, philandering housewife, who dreams of one day seeing her name in lights and murders her lover when he decides to walk out on her. Gut-bustlingly played by veteran actress Bianca Marroquin, Roxie is sharp-tongued, crude and best of all has you rooting for her until the curtain closes.   Brenda Braxton’s interpretation of the bawdy Velma Kelly was e

Panel Advises City Leadership on Proposed Rate Changes City of Sacramento residents are invited to apply for the Utilities Rate Advisory Commission (RAC). The RAC is a sounding board for proposed rate changes and expert advisory board to the Mayor and City Council. Members also serve as a community liaison, providing information about utility service rates and collecting feedback. “We understand that customer input in the rate setting process is vital to balancing service levels set by the City Council with competitive rates,” said Department of Utilities Director Marty Hanneman. “The Rate Advisory Commission provides an avenue for residents to actively participate in finding that balanc