Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "parties"

One Scary Nite a rowdy, spooky good time

2009-10-31T02:05:29Z

The irony of Flavor Flav hosting a Halloween party is that people actually dress in his everyday outfit for a celebration of this most dark of holidays.

The Public Enemy hype man and unlikely reality TV phenomenon arrived at the red carpet for the One Scary Nite Halloween party at the California Auto Museum with business partner Deon Taylor and retired Kings star Bobby Jackson. The trio hammed it up for the row of photographers, Flav flashing his gilded grill and trademark clock necklace while costumed party-goers yelled “Yeah boy!” as they filed into the horror-themed interior of the museum.

"I loved to go trick-or-treating when I was younger, but now I have kids so I take them," Jackson said. "I was gonna dress up as the hunchback but my costume was a little snug. I don't really have a favorite candy, but I do love Wathamacalits."

Inside, strobe lights cut through the darkness of the entrance where hired, professionally detailed ghouls with “Monster Staff” signs pinned to their backs dragged themselves around the room. Jason Vorhees sneaked behind unsuspecting victims and held his blood-drenched knife to their throats for photos while Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers rounded out the classic horror flick posse, aided by a small army of zombies in various states of decay.

A haunted hallway separated guests from the real action in the main room, where a massive dance floor lay in front of a stage equipped with a state-of-the-art DJ rig pumping club hits like Lady Gaga’s “Pokerface.” Werewolves and other such beasts shook their furry moneymakers with Playboy bunnies while go-go dancers grooved on three raised platforms on the floor.

Aside from the standard gruesome fare, more adventurous partiers traded comfort for creativity. The Master Chief from the wildly popular “Halo” video game series patrolled the room in full armor and weaponry, a Russell Crowe-style gladiator looked for combatants and a man with a huge stack of dollars with eyes on the top balanced on his shoulders was “the money you could be saving with Geico."

Co-host of the evening and “Good Day Sacramento” entertainment reporter Mark S. Allen stopped the party to say a few words.

“For a long time Sacramento needed a party like this,” Allen said. “Now we have one and it’s all thanks to you guys!"

Deon Taylor’s local enterprise bearing his name used a large screen hanging behind the stage to loop preview clips of the company’s “Nite Tales” TV series, a new horror program that will feature Flavor Flav essentially playing the same role as the Cryptkeeper from the classic “Tales From the Crypt” show.

The clock finally struck midnight and everyone converged on the center of the dance floor for what was promised to be a very special surprise performance. A red-suited Michael Jackson moonwalked onstage for a tribute to the sorely missed pop icon. Classics like “Billy Jean” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” were performed flawlessly, but the real highlight was a fitting rendition of “Thriller,” with the entire monster cast joining for the song’s famous choreographed dance sequence.

After the special entertainment exited, all eyes were directed up at a plastic bag full of $5,000 attached to the rafters of the museum. The bills rained down on the crowd in a flurry of green and were snatched out of the air and then scrambled for on the floor until the music kicked back on and everyone danced into the night with a bit more cash in their pockets.

Photos 1-7 by Jonathan Mendick.

Photos 8-14 by Cindy Saechao.

Interview quotes and press organization by Tina Armour, who got us on the red carpet.

Transitional Community Support

2009-04-09T11:50:13Z

The beautiful mind set of the program
Was a wonderful thing to me
A God-given program for
My state of mind
Loftiness and homeless I was
Until TLCS came by
I was welcomed to a community
Of warmth and support
Trying to live on my own
I could not afford
But TLCS gave me the support
To get back on my feet
And they reached
Out to welcome me with open arms
TLCS is a great place to be
Always having holiday parties and inviting me
I love the gatherings that we always have
Joining and pitching in and making everybody laugh
I've been through rough times
And I've been through bad times
Everytime TLCS was behind me all the way
Boy do they know how to make me have a great day
Three years ago, I almost lost my home
And was almost cast into the streets
TLCS came through like a ray of sunshine
I've been good friends with the community for years
Even friends with the big wigs of TLCS
They helped me to overcome my fears
They helped me overcome the recession
They did everything in their power
To help me keep my home
With TLCS I'm never alone
Because they gave me a warm home to live in
Thanks to TLCS
They'll always be considered my friends
They've been so loyal to me
Through darkness and depression
They helped me over come aggravation
And lead me out of oppression
That once had me bound
I reckon they're the best
In fact they are the best
Today I honor TLCS
For all their support and hard work
They paved the path to success for me
And they set my spirit free
So I give a toast to TLCS
My hat goes off to TLCS
The pathway to community and success

Watch the inauguration with your community!

2009-01-20T01:20:51Z

Sure, you could sit at home and watch it on TV. But this is the Inauguration of a new and different president, and this president, more than most, is about community. So, you wanna be with people on this historic day, no?

Someplace where you don’t need to wrap your head in wool to enjoy it?

The TVs will be on everywhere - what would a Sacramento bar be like without a TV? - but if you want a place where they’re celebrating, we’ve got a short list for you to check out. Keep in mind that most of these places will be offering drink and food specials, but we’ll leave it to you to find out what they are.

Here are a few places in town where you can watch the inaugural live - coverage begins at 8 a.m., but when He speaks is anyone’s guess. Aim for 9. And keep in mind that coverage will go all day and into the night. We’ve listed events by their start time. You are responsible for when they finish.

Start time: 8 a.m.

R15 - Bartender Todd tells SacramentoPress.com that the bar/restaurant will be decorated and ready with Bloody Marys and decorated food: red, white and blue pancakes. And the place has great east-facing windows for that “It’s morning again in America” sunshine. 15th and R Streets downtown.
40 Acres and a Mule and The Guild Theatre - Oak Park will be ground zero for celebrating the inaugural of the nation’s first African American president. The Guild, at 2814 35th Street, has a capacity of 220, and will be showing the whole thing on the big screen, while nearby 40 Acres and a Mule Gallery may be more conducive to live commentary. Note: There will be a $4 donation requested at the Guild.
A Touch A’ Class - Located at 4217 Stockton Boulevard, just south of 14th Avenue, this classic African American bar is a social center, and again, where better to be on this historic day?

Start time: 2:30 p.m.

Bridges on the River starts its celebrations mid-afternoon, but it should go on long after that. The bar will be offering drink and food specials, and they’re encouraging everyone to wear their Obama gear. At 2125 Garden Highway, this place is likely to be the prettiest and sunniest place to celebrate a new administration.

Start time; 4 p.m.

Revolution Wines, Sacramento’s premier “urban winery” will open its midtown location to Obama fans at 4 p.m., offering the first glass of wine for only 44 cents, in honor of our 44th President. The capacity of the place is only 80 and on Monday afternoon they were nearly 75% full, so get there early if you’re keen. 2116 P Street.

Start time: 5 p.m.

Colin Celestin and his staff are offering drink specials and their locally-legendary Island and Cajun Cuisine along with a celebration of the 44th President. The celebration starts at 5 p.m. at 18th and K Streets.

Start time: 6 p.m.

Butch and Nellie’s coffeehouse and soup emporium will start its celebration at 6 p.m. Their located at 1827 I Street, just west of 19th Street.

Start time: 7 p.m.

Fancy-pants gay disco Badlands will be hosting the gay community’s big celebration, starting the evening off right with its Red, Blue and White party at 20th and K Streets.

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Know of any other parties? Feel free to add to this list in the comments section below!