The 2011 In the Flow festival came to an end at Luna’s Café on Monday night after five days of enjoyable music at different venues. Jazz, rock, electronic, noise, poetry, spoken word, blues and other genres were delivered by talented musicians from May 12 to 16. On a rainy Monday evening, several bands came to share the small stage at Luna’s. The intimate setting provided great entertainment and gave it a delightful jazz club ambiance. In the Flow is the brainchild of Ross Hammond and Byron Blackburn. Performers play smaller venues such as La Raza Galeria Posada, Luna’s, Antiquité Maison Privée, Phono Select Records and the Press Club. Hammond’s grassroots approach is creative and provid

Sweet Jesus, I’ve finally done it – the biggest Sactown Rundown in history. It’s just that kind of a week here in Sacto, friends. With no disrespect to the amount of local talent that pours blood on the stages week in and week out, there were way too many “can’t ignore this” shows coming through town this week – and we’re not even talking about Eric Clapton at Arco or Escape the Fate over at Ace of Spades. Harlow’s is packed, and you’re going to have to pick at least one week night to go to work smelling of cheap hooch and leftover sweat. Did we mention that the initial High Sierra lineup is up? Too much to talk about this week, heads will explode! And much of this coincides with Beer W

Touchdown! Where will you be celebrating when the winning touchdown is scored? Haven't found a place yet to party for this year's Super Bowl? Sacramento's bars have got you covered with great drinking games, discounts on beer and food, and raffle drawings. Ink Eats & Drinks, located 2730 N St. is having a $3 touchdown shot special - one for each team. The Green Bay Packers’ shot is a Midori Kamikaze and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ shot is a Tawaka lemon drop. Along with that, you can also enjoy $4 nachos and happy hour specials lasting the entire game. "We change it every year, but we do happy hour for every football game of the season," said Micah Shapiro, manager of Ink Eats & Drinks. Pr

Happy Holidays, indeed! It's not even Turkey Day yet and the local calendar is locked and loaded with sonic happenings to keep you distracted from shopping for pumpkin pies. By the way, there's plenty in here for the No-Work Club next week...but even if you are strapped to the cubicle, it's only for three days, right? Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving, Sactown. Keller Williams - Jamgrassreggaefolk or Jazzfunkreggaetechnograss? You decide. Check out more on tonight's Keller Williams show (his first in Sactucky in a decade) in this killer Q&A with Williams and Sac Press' Lindol French. If you end up looking at real estate listings after searching him, your Google skills need as much work as yo

Finding local bands both past and present has now become a lot easier for music fans. A website called My Hometown Bands, created by Sacramento native Mark Chiolis, has been locally launched in an effort to provide music fans an online venue to engage with songs, photos and biographies from bands in their region. Not only do fans benefit from the new site, but bands also receive a new online tool for sharing and cataloging their musical careers. About two and a half years ago, after rummaging through piles of old music videos and recordings, Chiolis realized he had an invaluable hoard of great music paraphernalia that needed to be shared with others. Chiolis said he believed there had

Dreams came true last night when the Press Club brought Dick Dale, King of the Surf Guitar, to Sacramento. The guitarist who invented surf music in the 1950s ripped through a horizonless sea of songs and riffs that broke over the crowd like powerhouse waves. Playing as fast as ever, Dale shredded hits like Esperanza and Taco Wagon while his bass player and drummer tried to keep up inside the tiny club at 2030 P St. A packed house jammed up to the stage's railing to watch Dale's fingers draw impossibly high-pitched guitar beauty from a sparkly yellow Fender Stratocaster guitar. Over and over, the man in black with frosty blue eyes created the most unbelievably rad riff combinations. And

One of Sacramento's most respected musical exports, !!! (pronounced chik-chik-chik, pow-pow-pow, or any other exclamation you prefer) will be making a rare hometown stand at The Press Club at 21st and P, starting tonight. Rare because the band moved to Brooklyn, New York, a few years back, and has since become one of the top underground dance rock bands in the country, touring nationally and internationally to great critical acclaim. Their blend of funky dance grooves, electronic colors and rock extravagance has earned them a rabid following, many of the original members of which will likely be hitting the Press Club this week. Three nights in a row makes this an event, particularly with