The Grove at the Radisson rocked to a funky soul beat on Friday night, as Oakland’s Tower of Power brought their trademark horn-driven sound to town. The excited crowd gathered in the cleared dance area in front of the stage to sip cocktails and reminisce about their Tower of Power fan experiences. People from the Bay Area, Los Angeles and even one couple from Arizona recalled the first time they danced to the powerhouse band. Several people wore vintage T-shirts from concerts five, 10, even 30 years ago. Fans have generally sought out the group’s concerts multiple times over the 43 years the band has been in existence. But before the music started, another type of celebration took cen

On Saturday night the Radisson Hotel was filled with anticipation...and people. Boz Scaggs was in town, ready to play and his fans were ready to listen. Photos by Ron Nabity

"Sacramento became an epicenter for a new millennium."   Ten years ago, Randy Neal and Victor Styrsky didn’t know each other. What they did know, however, was that Christianity should reject part of its past and move in a new direction. Neal had founded Bridges Ministry and was reaching out to Native Americans, Jews, and other ethnic communities. Pastor Styrsky had co-founded a church that rapidly grew to 325 members. Most dear to these religious leaders, however, were Jews — the apple of God's eye, the very people who gave Christians their savior. Accordingly, what most tormented these men was the long, sad record of Jewish persecution. Finally, what most galled them was that 2,000 yea

The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce will hold its 3rd Annual Installation Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento. Guy Farris, co-host of News 10’s popular TV magazine program, Sacramento & Co., will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and live auction with auctioneer David Sobon of Maximum Benefit Auctions at 6:30 p.m. Auction offerings will include fine wine and dining packages, exotic travel and other luxury items. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the Rainbow Chamber Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting programs for at-risk youth and other causes. The evenin

This weekend Sacramento fans can get their fill of everything anime during the 5th annual SacAnime Convention at the Radisson Hotel. The event has increased in popularity since its inception in 2004. In an e-mail interview director of console gaming and press liaison Jason Dube said last year's event was attended by several thousand people. This year the numbers are expected to be even bigger. According to SacAnime's website the convention began as an extension of the Sac Con show, an event geared more toward comic books, toys and collectibles. In 2004, the manager of Waldenbooks at the Sunrise Mall store approached founder and convention organizer Dan Houck and his Sac Anime volunteer s

The harmonica is "the accordion of the soul," said Bud Gardner, founder of the Sun City Harmonicoots. Last year Gardner and the Harmonicoots, made up of 60 people from the Sun City retirement community, wrote a letter convincing the Society for the Advancement and Preservation of Harmonicas (SPAH) to hold the Harmonica Convention in Sacramento. The convention, now in its 46th year, began Tuesday and continues every day through Saturday at the Radisson Hotel. It features harmonica concerts, lectures and sales as well as impromptu (and scheduled) jam sessions. The convention will be continued next year in Milwaukee. "All four of the major harmonica manufacturers are here: Hoener, Sydel, H