Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "shady lady"

Fourth annual Midtown Cocktail Week

2011-08-12T09:11:26Z

For Sacramentans who have ever pondered the mystery of what makes a cocktail special and want to sample new, classic, exotic and experimental cocktails, then they will have the opportunity beginning Monday.

Midtown Cocktail Week is coming back to Sacramento for the fourth year, and for seven nights, 15 designated Midtown or downtown bars and restaurants will be featuring specialty cocktail events.

For more information and a full list of events, click here.

“It’s good for business, (but) not in the monetary sense,” said Jason Boggs, co-owner of Shady Lady Saloon. “It lets people in Sacramento know they can drink better, and that makes quality of life better for everyone.”

Midtown Cocktail Week was founded by mixologists Erick Castro and Joe Anthony Savala in 2008. Their goal was to elevate cocktail culture in Sacramento and to provide an educational and cultural experience for locals according to Heather Philpott, communications coordinator of the Midtown Business Association.

Accompanying the special cocktail events, there will be bartending classes offered to public as well industry-only classes.

Shady Lady Saloon, located at 1409 R St., will host the opening event, titled “Women and Cocktails.” It will be an evening celebrating female palate and their role in modern-day cocktail making.

Boggs said that Shady Lady Saloon will be bringing in prominent female bartenders from across the country to showcase their skills. Charlotte Vosey and Jaqueline Patterson of William Grant, based in New York will be guest bartenders. Others will include Brooke Arthur and Morgan Young from San Francisco, Summer-Jane Bell - Vice President of the United States Bartender Guild and Delema Aseere of Montanya Distillery.

“There’s definitely a perceived notion that the alcohol industry and the bar as being a man’s realm” said Chris Tucker, bartender at The Golden Bear and Shady Lady Saloon. “But you look throughout history and there are key female figures throughout alcohol (making), tavern, pubs, bars. Women have had a key role in all of those avenues - wine making, brewing, distillation.”

Tucker and Boggs are co-chairing venue development and education for Midtown Cocktail Week.

Boggs, who was the former head chef of Cafe Bernardo and R15 and has spent the last two years behind the bar, is still experimenting and deciding which cocktails to showcase at Midtown Cocktail Week.

He is working on two still-unnamed cocktails. One is made with gin, Cocchi Americano, Maraschino, lemon juice and naturally-sourced rose petals.

The second cocktail is made with fresh muddled black berries, Brazilian Cachaca - made from fresh sugarcane that is distilled and fermented, fresh lemon juice, lemon bitters and topped with Brut.

“These blackberries and roses grew together,” Boggs said. “When I put this in front of (people), they are going to smell Sacramento summer.”

The biggest draw of cocktail week will be at Red Lotus Kitchen and Bar on Tuesday when the restaurant will host a mixology competition said Boggs.

Bartenders and Mixologists from 10 Sacramento bars and restaurants will compete to win $400. The founders of Midtown Cocktail Week, Erick Castro and Joe Anthony Savala, will serve as judges and oversee the competition. Frank Jakubka, a professional taster for Remy Cointreau will serve as the third judge.

The format of the competition will be punchbowl style. Their cocktails will be mixed in a punchbowl for all to see.

Red Lotus Kitchen and Bar is setting up monitors and speakers throughout the restaurant so that it can accommodate patrons.

Mixologist Rene Dominguez, inventor of the White Linen cocktail, will be competing. He said he came up with the White Linen when he was working at Ella Dining Room and Bar. In 2009, Shady Lady Saloon offered the cocktail on its drink menu, and it became a local sensation.

“I think it could become a signature cocktail for Sacramento,” Boggs said.

Though the White Linen is gin-based, Dominguez said he has more of an affinity for rum- and whiskey-based drinks. He also favors cocktails with minimal ingredients like the High Plains Drifter and the Cora Middleton #2 featured on their special menu for Midtown Cocktail Week.

Named after the 1973 western, the High Plains Drifter is a brown cocktail made out of Luxardo Amaro - a herbal liqueur also known to help digest food, lemon verbena, bitter lemon and tonic.

Aside from the High Plains Drifter, Red Lotus will be offering The Countess, Scottish Peche, Picasso’s Daughter, and Cora Middleton #2 each night during Midtown Cocktail Week. These drinks will be $7 each.

Zócalo, 1801 Capitol Ave., will be hosting A Night in Cuba 5 - 9 p.m. Aug. 18. Co-owner Jim Johnson said the Latin theme lends itself well to their menu.

There will be cigar-rolling recreation on the patio, according to Noe Hernandez, general manager at Zocalo. He said they will be serving Old Cuban, the Hemingway Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre, Demerara Punch and the Dark and Stormy. For $20 patrons will be able to sample the cocktails.

Cuban hats will be distributed to customers.

The Citizen Hotel and Grange will presenting be presenting “The Greatest Cocktail on Earth” Aug. 19. The Citizen Hotel Ballroom, 926 J St., will be transformed in a circus-themed party. The Vespertine Circus performers will put on a show beginning at 7 p.m.

Admission is free and upon arrival guests will be served a sample of Carni Punch. Drink tickets can be purchase for $8. There will be circus-inspired cocktails including Ice Monkey, Lion Tamer, Big Top and Bearded Lady.

The Golden Bear 2326 K St., will host the closing of Midtown Cocktail Week . Co-owner Kimio Bazett said he has been overseeing the preparation for the tropical luau-themed party that will be held at The Golden Bear and in the back lot. Admission is free.

Bazett said that they will be featuring six unique cocktails that he and his bartender are in the process of developing. Two will be whiskey-based, two will be tequilia-based and two will be rum-based.

General Manager Jane Gribbon said that local bands Snobs and Prieta are set to perform at the party.

There will be a closing ceremony awarding the winners of the Red Lotus Kitchen and Bar mixology competition. First place winner will be awarded a trophy in addition to the $400 cash prize. Second place and third place winners will receive $200 and $100 respectively.

“The bragging rights are the most important part (of winning),” said Tucker.

Fashion Flashmob

2011-08-09T05:06:51Z

What’s a fashion flashmob? I didn’t know either until this past Saturday. An event that lasted a little over an hour took a bit longer to put together.

Events and social connections coordinator, Vy Nguyen, spent about 2 weeks organizing and putting together a fashion flashmob in Midtown. The event was put together to help promote the Designing Dreams Fashion Show that will take place at the Memorial Auditorium on August 13.

Photographers, models, fashion interns, hair and makeup staff and Designing Dreams personnel were brought together for the fashion flashmob. Nguyen worked closely with various organizers and management at Zócalo, Paesanos, Yogurtagogo and Shady Lady.

Fashionistas and other volunteers gathered beforehand to go over some instructions. As we waited for the event to began people passing by commented on the models’ hair and remarked that they might be from “Hair Wars” while others asked questions. Ling Chan did the models' hair and was on hand for last minute touches.

When a rolled up red carpet was brought it signaled that it was time for everyone to start moving. As soon as things began rolling (including rolling out the red carpet) everything went by fairly quickly.

The models led the way as they walked into Zócalo Restaurant. As soon as music was cued up the red carpet was unrolled in front of the entrance leading into the restaurant. Five models walked the carpet and moved within the restaurant as photos ala paparazzi were taken. Customers also brought out their phone cameras and recorded the event.

The fabulous fashion flashmob moved in and out of the restaurant and as the red carpet was picked up the mob moved across the street to Paesanos where the process was repeated. Customers seemed to have enjoyed the models, paparazzi and red carpet shenanigans and asked question as each walk ended.

After Paesanos two pedicabs from Velocab took the models to the next destination. The entourage, with two interns carrying the rolled up red carpet, walked to Yogurtagogo for the next walk. This destination had the shortest red carpet walk of the evening.

Velocab picked up the models and everyone moved to the last destination of the evening which was to be at the Shady Lady on R Street.

The hard work devoted to the event went as planned and I heard many good comments regarding the walk at each destination.

Tickets to the Designing Dreams event, which will take place on Saturday, August 13 are still available. The Sacramento Designing Dreams Fashion Show will include designs by local and other talented designers. The event also benefits the Sweet Dreams Foundation.

Moonshine cocktail competition at Shady Lady Saloon

2011-07-18T21:47:28Z

Shady Lady Saloon will add a new white whiskey to its menu called Original Moonshine Clear Corn Whiskey, and to help introduce it, a cocktail competition will be held at 6 p.m. Monday.

White whiskey is different from other whiskey in that it hasn’t been aged in the barrel, or if it has, it’s not for very long, Shady Lady co-owner Jason Boggs said.

There are no guidelines for the competition – just that the bartenders use the Moonshine corn-based whiskey as the main spirit.

Three judges will decide which cocktails win first, second and third prizes, with rewards of $500, $300 and $200, respectively.

The three judges are Chris Dooley, ~~head spirits director~~ bar manager at Ella ~~L Wine Lounge~~ ; Sara Berry of Southern Wine & Spirits and Michael Keltsch, a representative from Moonshine.

“For me, it’s going to be hilarious and fun,” Boggs said. “(The bartenders) have been here all last week practicing.”

He said the bartenders will compete, one at a time, to make a cocktail for the judges.

“You’re gonna see all sorts of creative syrups, smoked ice and (homemade) tinctures,” he added.

Dezi Bush is one of the bartenders competing. She has worked at Shady Lady since February.

“I’ve been obsessing over this cocktail and having nightmares about it,” Bush said.

“It was a hard spirit to work with because it’s a corn whiskey. A lot of ingredients I put in it lost the integrity of the spirit,” she said.

“I feel like everyone who works here is a cocktail geek,” she said and added that she thinks there will be some tough competition.

From 4 p.m. - close, there will be five different Moonshine specialty cocktails available for $5:

Virginia Peach – summer peach muddled with Moonshine, fresh lemon juice, Falernum and fortified wine
Dogwood – blackberries, lemon juice, Moonshine and Aperol. Garnished with a blackberry nested in a lemon peel
Swamp Fire – Rosemary leaves, cola syrup, ginger syrup, lime juice, aromatic bitters and Moonshine
Golden Spike – Cognac, Jasmine Tea Syrup, citrus, Moonshine and spiced bitters
Surveyor’s Cup – Mint leaves, maraschino, Orgeat syrup, lemon juice, celery bitters and Moonshine

Patrons can also order any of the new drinks made during the competition Monday and going forward.

“(It’ll be) a great time to see some great bartenders battle it out,” Boggs added.

Shady Lady Saloon is located at 1409 R St.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

Scavengers hunt the grid

2011-06-13T07:05:42Z

Over 30 teams of bike scavengers took to the streets of downtown Sacramento Saturday in a race against time to interpret clues, hunt for items and complete challenges for the Bicycle Kitchen’s annual Hunt the Grid bike scavenger hunt.

If cyclists didn’t know Sacramento before the hunt, they sure do now. The hunt, now in its third year, is an event where teams of four hit the pavement and try to solve clues based on well-known venues and random oddities of Sacramento.

Bike Kitchen staff member and event organizer Ryan Sharpe, 32, planned the event with his staff non-stop for six weeks.

“No one is going to look at the city in the same way,” he said.

The city was broken up into quadrants, and cyclists had three hours to scavenge. Sharpe said it would be a lot of biking because they tried to utilize the entire grid. The hunt spanned everything from Old Sacramento to Alhambra, and B Street down to Broadway.

“There’s certain places they have to go to test their metal against our volunteers,” Sharpe said. “As they’re riding around town, there’s clues that they can decode, certain things to look out for — random items they might find on the street and things they might have to knock on someone’s door to get.”

The list, which came in a sealed envelope given to each team at registration, included a plethora of lists — four different clue sets leading the bikers to over 25 venues, shops and landmarks on the grid, four challenges and over 60 photos and items to collect along the way.

Once teams were allowed to open their packets, they huddled and began strategizing how to tackle the list.

Rachel Dudderar, 28, discussed a plan of action with her team.

“We’re trying to figure out where to go first and what the clues mean,” Dudderar said. “We’re probably going to split up and get back together and start off with what has the most points.”

Teams didn’t have to stick together for the entire race, but all team members had to be present for the destination stops and challenges.

Riders were led to destinations like the Crest Theatre, given the clue set, “Leave the toothpaste at home when you hit the theatre, but be sure your breath is fresh when you talk to the doorman.”

Doorwoman Candice Adams, 31, stood at the door awaiting the hunters to hand them a ticket that led them to their next stop. In the first hour of the hunt, she said she had seen at least 15 teams come through.

Movie ticket stubs, “Kings Be Heard” signs, coffee sleeves, Kevin Johnson’s business card and discarded bicycle parts were items to gather on the list. Another layer of the clues were picture sets, for which teams had to present photographic proof of their findings of things like a skateboarder, a street musician, an original red News & Review stand and Downtown James Brown.

“There’s so many clues, it’s going to be impossible to finish,” one biker said.

“IMAX. 3-D glasses. Let’s go!” replied his teammate, and they sped off.

Bikers were in and out of establishments and off and on their bikes as they raced against the clock and other teams.

“The goal was to make it so that no one can complete this no matter how hard they try,” Sharpe said. “I don’t want the fastest team to win. I want the smartest team to win. You have to be pedaling slowly around town to be able to catch certain things. If you’re just racing around from one place to another, you’re going to miss a lot of points.”

The organizers said they wanted to outdo themselves in comparison to past years and worked hard to make it better, including expanding the list, doubling the point values and adding the challenges

The challenges were worth six points and tested the wit and precision of the team members in various tasks, one which tested their shooting skills at a target behind a defunct sewing machine shop on J Street.

Sarah Pulse, 30, a Bike Kitchen volunteer and organizer, said the hunt is not just about biking around and finding stuff. It will involve strategy and a keen eye.

“You have to keep an eye on your surroundings,” she said.

The team with the most points at the end of the three hours was the winner. Prize baskets went to the top three teams.

Pulse said they gave out over $600 in prizes for first place, $400 for second and $300 for third. Bike Kitchen sponsors, some of which were destination stops, supplied the goods for the baskets.

“We have a lot of gift cards from local businesses,” Pulse said. “We have some merchandise from local businesses, some event tickets from local businesses and of course some bike paraphernalia.”

Magpie, The Beat, Shady Lady, Fox & Goose, Time Tested Books, Zen Sushi and many others supplied gift cards.

John Berlin came in third place the first year.

“It can be intense,” Berlin said. “It was super fun and I didn’t know what to expect being new to California and Midtown in general, but it’s a good way to test your knowledge of your city.”

Pulse said she didn’t expect people to work so hard. People came back looking haggard and drenched in sweat. People were overheard saying, “It was a lot of work,” “I don’t want to get back on my bike after that,” and, of course, “It was a lot of fun.”

The scavenger hunt ended, but the party continued. The Bike Kitchen closed out the evening with a big party celebrating their fifth anniversary.

The party featured music from local honky-tonk bands The Alkali Flats and Copper McBean and the Vested Interests, plus a T-shirt silk-screening station and art from Duder Manor and “more beer than they’ve ever had” from New Belgium. They announced the winners at the party.

“It’s been a lot of fun for us to put on the last three years, and we’ve been really happy with what we’ve received, not only in terms of prizes, but also the people actually going out and riding their bikes,” Sharpe said. “If you give people an excuse to go out and enjoy a beautiful May or June day on their bike, they’ll lap it up. It just gives people a new reason to ride their bike around town and maybe take a new look at the city.”

Show goes on at Ace of Spades

2011-03-19T00:49:30Z

Ace of Spades music club recently got its liquor license under limited hours following area residents' concerns about possible problems.

On March 3, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) transferred a liquor license to the club, which opened in early February at 1417 R St. The license was transferred from Empire Events, a nightclub operated there by the building's owner, Randy Paragary, and partners from 2004 until February 2010.

Ace of Spades' owners, Eric Rushing and Brett Bair, had hoped to serve alcohol at the club until 2 a.m. every night.

Under the conditions of the liquor license, the music club must stop serving alcohol at 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and at 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. ABC initially planned to allow alcohol to be served only until 11 p.m. or midnight on weekends, but the owners appealed, said the club's General Manager, Mike Soliven.

Residents told ABC they were concerned the 1,000-person-capacity club wouldn't host much live music, operating primarily as a bar and leading to a lot of late-night noise, litter and other problems experienced with Empire and its successor, Venue, which closed in August.

"They don't understand – the owners don't want a nightclub," Soliven said. "Seemed like the owners were being punished for problems in the past. These guys are brand new to the business."

Ace of Spades held its first live show with Rob Zombie February 10. Live music is scheduled for most nights during the rest of March and April.

Two or three earlier shows featuring rapper Andre Nickatina, Badfish and another act had to be canceled because the club didn't have its liquor license yet. Alcohol is "a must" for some shows’ audiences, but bigger shows went on as scheduled, he said.

ABC must weigh input from Sacramento Police, city officials and the neighborhood when making decisions on liquor licenses.

The license transfer took four months – now the norm for the central city, where residents and others often raise concerns over the licenses, said Jeff Gregson, supervising investigator for ABC's Sacramento District.

Ace of Spades opened before the license was activated, which raised questions in the community. But they didn't sell alcohol, Gregson said.

Alcohol distributors check the status of a license on ABC's online license query system when business owners place an order and won't sell unless the license is active, he added.

"It's a pretty steep penalty for a wholesaler or distributor to make a sale to a non-licensed individual," Gregson said.

An entertainment permit from Sacramento Police requires shows to end by 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

The ABC license, known as a type 47, allows the club to sell beer, wine and distilled liquor as long as a restaurant is also operated there. The establishment must have a kitchen.

"If a place has a microwave and sink and wants a type 47, that doesn't cut it," Gregson said.

Ace of Spades serves chicken wings, tacos, burgers, salads and other fare from 3 – 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 3 – 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon – 9 p.m. on Sundays. Prices range from $3.25 for a mixed green salad to $8.75 for grilled chicken pizza.

The club sits near the center of a trendy block in a former industrial warehouse district that is being gradually redeveloped. Most of the interior was kept from the Venue makeover. New crimson wallpaper and vintage-looking light fixtures dress up the main bar.

The liquor license will be up for renewal in a year. The owners can ask for later hours, but Soliven said he’s rarely seen that happen.

With three full bars, a juice bar for all-ages shows and six or seven bartenders working, Ace of Spades' owners could make an additional $10,000 to $15,000 in alcohol sales on weekday show nights if they were open until 2 a.m. like the smaller venues on the block. That's millions of dollars in sales a year, he said.

"Most people on that block don't start going out until 10 p.m.," Soliven said. "Shady Lady and R15 are busy at 11 (on weekdays) and we're kicking people out."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Sierra Nevada Brew Night

2011-03-03T02:56:44Z

Old Ironsides was packed to the gills Saturday night for an epic three-band bill. Two of Sacramento's best young rock bands, Honyock and Walking Spanish, bookended San Francisco darlings Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers.

All three played inspired sets, as you would know if you were there.

If you weren't, well, you would be well served to attend their next Sacramento gigs.

Honyock is bringing their rare blend of folk, classic and new age rock to the Luna's on Friday, March 4.

Walking Spanish will be bringing their searing high-energy indie rock, fronted by Jackie Greene's virtuosic kid bro Alex Nelson, back to Old I for their CD release party on March 25.

And Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers — well, Nicki has no Sacramento dates upcoming, although she has been known to make surprise (or not-so-surprise) appearances at her husband's shows. Tim Bluhm will be at Marilyn's on K with the Mother Hips this Saturday.

So what of the Gramblers, you ask?

You're in luck. Three of them will be headlining the Sierra Nevada Brew Night at the Shady Lady on Thursday.

in conjunction with Sacramento Beer Week, the Shady Lady will have Sierra Nevada Hoptimum, Glissade and a special top-secret brewer’s choice on draft.

Dave Mulligan & Friends (Deren Ney and Mike Curry) go on at 10 p.m. These guys are all supremely talented musicians, and they assured me personally that they will be blowing the doors off. Chico's Dick and Jane open things up at 9 p.m.

It's not every day you get a second chance. I just gave you four of ‘em. See you at the shows.

All-Star Bartenders in Sacramento - Matt Nurge, Shady Lady Saloon

2010-12-22T19:15:32Z

When the owners of Shady Lady Saloon decided Sacramento needed in on the newest bar craze, Prohibition-era drinks with people who are passionate about their craft, they lit up the Sacramento nightlife in a way that was just whispering through before.

An artisan like Matt Nurge, an incumbent craftsmen at Shady Lady Saloon, makes the third bartender showcased in my All-Star Bartender series.

The first time I met Nurge he was loaded down with drink orders and making it look like a snap. I don't like to burden bartenders with making labor-intensive drinks when they’re "in the weeds," but we waited a couple of minutes, and he was excited about the idea of making something new, not tired or daunted about the idea of some high-maintenance diva.

My friend next to me was of the bad gin and tonic persuasion, so I wanted to show her how wonderful drinks can be if you put yourself into the hands of an artist.

Those drinks include egg nog-style cocktails with dark rum, a fruit punch loveliness with a cayenne sugar rim and a new obsession of mine all to be blamed on Nurge: The Kentucky Buck.

"When ginger ale or beer is mixed with citrus in a drink, it is - or more accurately, was - known as a buck. Early cocktail books list recipes for the gin buck or London buck cocktail, and variations of rum bucks were called the Shanghai buck, Jamaica buck or Barbados buck, depending on the type of rum used. If you squeeze your lime garnish into a Dark 'n' Stormy, you've got a rum buck."
- Camper English

Nurge makes his Kentucky Buck with whatever fresh fruit they have available at Shady. I'm quite fond of the blackberry, and then he adds a sharp ginger beer, bourbon and all the other "special ingredients" that make it wonderful.

It was a revelation for fruit with whiskey, which I was always a bit wary of, till now. The following answers the questions to how he became so creative in the first place.

The Sacramento Press: How did you get your start in bartending?

Matt Nurge: I spent my youth at a Sacramento bar called Joe Marty’s El Chico on Broadway. My mom worked there on and off for almost 20 years. I would sit at the bar and watch cartoons before school every day. I met a lot of nice red-nosed old drunks.

My first bar gig was a the Hard Rock Cafe. One would think it would have been a clean, safe, family-friendly environment. It was not. Located in what I refer to as the "Shit-bird Triangle," it was nestled between the Amtrak station, the Greyhound station, resident motels and the county jail. There were more 5150s, sex offenders, freshly released convicts and other undesirables coming through this bar than any other in town.

SP: What’s your favorite drink/cocktail?

MN: Wine is always my go-to at home. My favorite cocktail of the day is called a Big Black Buck, which consists of bourbon, fresh lime juice, bitters, fresh blackberries and sage over crushed ice topped with ginger beer

SP: To you, what's the difference between a mixologist and a bartender?

MN: Patrick Gavin Duffy, a great barman, wrote in his 1934 book, "The Official Mixer’s Manual," that, "The idea of calling a bartender a professor or a mixologist is nonsense." I agree.

SP: What is the next big thing to watch for in drinking/cocktails/mixed drinks?

MN: Craft cocktail bars going mainstream. Corporate restaurant/bars ditching pre-made processed ingredients for fresh, local, seasonal, house-made ones.

SP: What's your signature recipe cocktail?

MN: One of my favorite go-to cocktails would be the Chappelle cocktail.

3/4 ounces gin

3/4 ounces sweet vermouth

3/4 ounces fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce falernum

3 1-inch cubes of fresh pineapple

shake and strain in cocktail glass

garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

SP: What's the best way to get a bartender’s attention?

MN: Patiently and silently keep eyes toward him/her with your order and your payment ready.

SP: Where do you drink?

MN: Mostly at home. Also at Shady Lady. But really wherever I please.

SP: Well said.

Up Next: Joe Anthony Savala

Sactown Rundown - Dec. 16-22

2010-12-15T22:41:09Z

Drifters, turn back! We’re keeping it good and local (kinda) this week as we celebrate our last weekend of theoretical playtime before Christmas all but consumes our ability to gobble up live music. We’re flanked by two gigs over the course of five days from one of the darlings of our local music family that have since relocated, but are spending a little time at home for the Holidays.

I’ll be taking next week off to dunk my head in a giant bowl of eggnog, but keep your eyes peeled the week after for a special New Year’s edition of the Rundown once we’re done singing “O, Tannenbaum” – because Lord knows we need something to counter all the usual NYE nonsense of paying $50 for a cover band and two ounces of bubbly. Happy Holidays, Sactown!

Agent Ribbons - A few years back, the duo of Lauren Hess and Natalie Gordon were our lovable "next big thing" here in Sactown; hand picked to open gigs for Cake, fixtures at Concert in the Park and all our other hot spots, and teetering on the edge of being added to the Tesla-Deftones-Far-Jackie Greene list. Even though they've jumped ship for the indie rock mecca of Austin, TX, we can still feel that pride of ownership back here in town as they are poised to live up to that potential with their new full-length gem of a record, "Chateau Crone." Delightful ditties like "Grey Gardens" (which sounds like it could turn into a cover of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" at any moment) and the back alley spice of "I'll Let You Be My Baby" (a tune that may have been stolen from the "Chicago" soundtrack by a band of Gypsies) are the kind of lushly produced and imaginative tunes we knew they had in them all along, and would ultimately round out their catalog to a level ready for the "big time" (whatever the hell that means). This vaudevillian indie pop duo will dish up two CD release shows for “Chateau” this week, one for the all age crowd and one for the “yo, barkeep” crowd. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with Dog Party, So Much Fun and Monster Women. Luigi’s Fun Garden, 1050 K St. (MARRS Building). $7. All ages. www.myspace.com/luigislice. 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Shady Lady, 14th and R St. $5. 21+. www.shadyladybar.com.

Check out Sac Press’ Meg Sevier’s full review on “Chateau Crone” and sample a few Agent Ribbons tracks on Daytrotter.

2 or 3 Guys – Clearly there was not much effort given to this band name. They were probably spending all their time studying up on geek-infused cross sections of late ‘90s alt rock, as if guided by They Might Be Giants into an alternate reality where Soul Coughing let their hair down even father, Marcy Playground didn’t care what anyone thought when they wrote “Sex and Candy,” and Nirvana and Weezer took square dancing lessons together after carpooling their kids to soccer. A memo to Hollywood: As soon as you’re ready with that “Revenge of the Nerds” remake (and that knot in your stomach tells you that you know it’s probably coming at some point), 2 or 3 Guys should have plenty of material for the soundtrack, especially for the scene where the robot that will now look like Wall-E does a fix-it montage with Zac Efron and Shia LaBeouf. With Buster Blue and Calling Morocco. 9 p.m. Friday. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $6. 21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

The Nibblers – They’re that band that’s quietly creeping up the ranks in Sactown – there’s nothing quiet about the sound, but the gigs just seem to keep getting bigger and more prevelant. No longer simply a weekly showcase at the Torch, sparkplug vocalist Hans Eberbach’s funk machine is becoming a major local player. We’ve known about Eberbach (Sweet Vine, Looking Star) for awhile, and there’s no doubt the man can belt, but the cast of dirt-rolling throwback funk scholars behind him has made this act a juggernaut, and they will do things to your hips that are illegal in most parts of Kentucky. Take in some funk on Friday night before Marilyn’s annual Bad Santa Party on Saturday night. 9 p.m. Friday. Marilyn’s on K, 908 K St. $7. 21+. www.marilynsonk.com.

Mind X CD Release Show – Details are always sketchy about what Mind X is up to. They don’t spend a whole lot of time beating their chests over being one of the top jam bands in this area, and they spend even less promoting themselves. That’s why there’s nary a whisper on the website about a new CD, and the only evidence of it comes from the Torch Club’s website. Hey, aren’t some of the best corners of music somewhat shrouded in mystery anyway? (Read: Robert Johnson). New CD or no new CD, you’d be hard pressed to find something better to do with your Saturday night than to let Mind X take you on a tour through the crossroads of blues, rock, jazz, bluegrass, funk, Americana and Worldbeat. 9 p.m. Saturday. Torch Club, 15th and I St. Call for cover. 21+. www.torchclub.net.

Baby Grand’s “Christmas Cocktails” – Baby Grand doesn’t book many dates these days, but one they never miss is this annual pre-Christmas hootenanny, where they take your yuletide favorites and throw them in a blender with a pint of whiskey and whatever holiday goodies you pillaged from the office. Local stalwarts Knock Knock join the party with Four Eyes. 9 p.m. Saturday. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $7.21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

Mark Your Calendars: 30 Seconds to Mars – Stuck on the image of Jared Leto getting his face pounded in towards the end of “Fight Club?” Guess what: He also sings. Jan. 16. Freeborn Hall at UC Davis. $29.50. All ages. tickets.ucdavis.edu.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Sactown Rundown - Sept. 23-29

2010-09-22T23:17:14Z

A pair of your Sac Press music gurus will be off-Grid this weekend checking out Band of Horses out in the Bay Area – here’s hoping they stretch out the jams a little more than their otherwise stellar show in Davis back in May.

It’s gonna be a great time, but man, look at what we’re going to miss!

Joe Buck Yourself– When I interviewed Joe Buck (not the baseball announcer with the baritone pipes) two years ago, he offered a fairly cohesive glimpse into his own version of reality; he was under control with anger, and according to him, he was surfing the internet for the very first time, attempting to buy Ron Wood’s leather jacket on EBay. He’s a man who doesn’t waste time on the web, wouldn’t mind extracting his weight in blood from J.D. Wilkes of Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers (a band from which Buck was unceremoniously dismissed), and swears he will never again be in a position where he’s expendable. As the longtime sideman of Hank III and as his own one-man band, his niche seems well in-tact. Buck’s fuming, gritty and sleezy country punk wiles come courtesy of a kick drum and a junky guitar, forged in fire and tuned by the Devil. The West Nile Ramblers support one of the more unique characters you’ll ever meet. 9 p.m. Friday. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. Cover TBA. 21+. www.myspace.com/bluelamp.

Truth & Salvage Co. – At some point, this North Carolina outfit will make a trip to Sac as a headliner; ditto for most of the cities they will play as their self-titled debut album (produced by the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson) continues its eponymous cycle. Having opened for the Avett Brothers at the Crest Theatre back in April, and this time sharing the stage with San Francisco’s Tea Leaf Green, this scintillating six-piece is a freight train ride down the Route 66 of American music, boasting a core membership of four singer/songwriters bouncing off each other in a Grateful Dead sort of manner, with nods to legends like Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and the Allman Brothers, and operating with the edginess of Wilco, Blitzen Trapper or Cross Canadian Ragweed. Sharing the stage with Tea Leaf Green, this one is a can’t miss. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Check out the Truth & Salvage Co. session over on Daytrotter.

Sean Hayes – No, this is not the same Sean Hayes from “Will & Grace” giving a lecture on what it’s like to have people think you’re a homosexual when you only play one on TV. This is the somewhat puzzling singer-songwriter who sounds enough like Mason Jennings to make you wonder if he stuck around after his show at Harlow’s a couple weeks ago, but has a style that’s a bit like trying to tackle a greased pig. He’s got all the standard makeup of your garden variety singer-songwriter, but he’s tapping into the neo-Americana movement as well as the resurgence of Southern jazz and blues at the same time. He’s an immaculate conception of a singer; musically, there’s no birth certificate, no social security number, and no forwarding address. Isn’t it more intriguing when there’s so many unanswered questions, and that he’ll be playing and disappearing with the sun barely down? 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Check out the Sean Hayes session over on Daytrotter.

The Silent Comedy – It is legitimately refreshing to see a band from out of town in the midst of a torrid love affair with our fair city of Sacramento; it appears we’ve used the Shady Lady and a motivated drinking crowd to woo the cats from San Diego’s Silent Comedy. Their prohibition indie punk rock wiles are a perfect match at the friendly confines of the Promiscuous Damsel (their self proclaimed favorite spot in town), as they will play there for the third time this year, and the fourth overall after their barnburner of a set at Old Ironsides earlier this month. Come for the ‘stache, stay for the sonic wallop. Local Sammie winners (and nominees for this year) Light Rail start the party. (NOTE: This show has been changed from it’s original date of Tuesday, Sept. 28th). 9 p.m. Monday. Shady Lady, 14th and R St. Call for cover. www.shadyladybar.com.

Mark Your Calendars: Dead Kenny G’s – Just because the name is so damn good! But so are the tunes, courtesy of sax madman Skerik and his fellow Les Claypool sideman Mike Dillon. Oct. 10. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $10. www.harlows.com.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Midtown Film Project Wraps Up

2010-09-01T00:52:39Z

A film crew has been shooting footage inside Naked Lounge, The Shady Lady and Clubhouse 56.

The film, “Untitled,” is a collaboration between two Ink Eats & Drinks employees. Theater director Anthony D’Juan Shelton directed the film, and Celia Crain, co-wrote and co-produced it.

Nanci Zoppi (New Helvetia Theatre’s “It’s Only Life,” “Tick, Tick…BOOM!” and “Hedwig and The Angry Inch” and “Graham-A-Rama”) plays Angelica De Grassi, a rising singer and the film’s main character.

Zoppi and Shelton previously worked together for an Actor’s Theatre of Sacramento production of “Othello.”

“Untitled” will be both Shelton’s and Zoppi’s film debut.

Shleton said he wanted to make a film about a human journey.

“It’s about a total breakdown and rebuilding,” Shelton said. “Bad things happen, but good can come from it.”

While filmed in Sacramento, Shelton said the story’s location is undisclosed within the film, and he likes it that way because it makes the film more relatable.

“Someone in any city could watch it and not think it was Sacramento,” he said.

Crain said both she and Shelton are huge fans of music, which influenced their creative process. Included in the film is an original song adapted from a poem written by Crain.

Film is a new medium for Crain as well. Most of her experience comes from stage dancing. Crain said she has danced for Disney, the Los Angeles Fringe Festival, and the Key Club Choreographer's Ball.

The film is in the editing stage, and the creators plan to show the film at Ink Eats and Drinks on 28th and N streets in about a month.

Here are some behind-the-scenes videos of the making of "Untitled":

Anthony D'Juan behind the scenes of "Untitled"

Anthony D'Juan directs and films "Untitled"

Midtown Cocktail Week stirs up drinks starting Monday

2010-08-09T04:51:25Z

Sacramentans in the mood for specially made cocktails need to look no further than Midtown this week.

The annual Midtown Cocktail Week kicks off on Monday with seven nights filled to the brim with cocktail culture.

Co-founder Joe Anthony Savala began the event in 2008 with Erick Castro after attending San Francisco’s Cocktail Week.

“We really love the whole Midtown vibe and how it’s growing, so [we thought,] let’s put something together here,” Savala said.

After some planning in conjunction with local restaurants and bars in Midtown and some help from San Francisco’s best bars, MCW was born. In 2009, the Midtown Business Association joined in.

MCW is more than just enjoying beverages, Savala said. It’s more about the mixology and cocktail culture.

“What we’re trying to do is educate a lot of the people here, people that love the cocktail culture and are even in the industry,” he said. “We try to bring a lot of the great minds, work together and brainstorm to make each other better.”

Savala, current beverage manager at Zócalo, described a mixologist as someone much like a chef who knows ingredients well and can mix them to create something great.

The secret to a great cocktail is balance, he said.

“A lot of times with young bartenders, they think they need more ingredients to make a great cocktail, he said. “Sometimes it’s really the simplest, purist form of a cocktail that makes it great.”

This year’s MCW will host its yearly bartender mixology competition Tuesday at Lounge on 20. Eight competitors are challenged to use Royal Combier liqueur in their creations and will be judged on appearance, taste and creativity.

Zócalo will feature drinks on Thursday made from distilled mezcal. Savala said some participating locations, such as Shady Lady, will feature local ingredients — including spirits.

“Just like people are eating a lot better now with more local ingredients, people are drinking better now, too,” he said. “It’s really bringing cocktails that have a lot of integrity.”

MCW is promoting responsible drinking and alternative transportation. Proceeds to MCW will benefit drunk driving educators and law enforcement agencies in Sacramento.

“This brings a lot of culture and awareness to Sacramento,” Savala said. “People aren’t really trying to get drunk anymore, they’re trying to enjoy a great cocktail. It’s maturing Sacramento into becoming great drinkers — people who are enjoying a great cocktail, culture, education and awareness.”

For a sneak peek at Savala’s “Oaxacan Old Fashioned” and “Anejo Sour” drink recipes, click here.

For more information and full list of events for MCW, visit midtowncocktailweek.org.

"Promenade on K" plan at Shady Lady

2010-07-09T14:56:29Z

On Saturday, July 10, D&S Development will host an event with information about the "Promenade on K," their proposed project for700 block of K Street. The event will take place at the Shady Lady, 1409 R Street, from 6 PM-8 PM. Complimentary food samplings from local retailers will be provided. The Shady Lady is one of several local businesses interested in joining the K Street project. They propose a mid-sized music venue to fill a much-needed niche in the local live entertainment scene, along with multiple restaurants and bars within the venue. This, along with other local businesses, will provide the retail component, while D&S provides mixed-income housing above and behind the retail stores.

According to Bay Miry of D&S, "The focus of our proposal is for it to be a balance between boldnessand doability. The proposal consists of 136 workforce apartments above unique predominantly locally operated retail. All while historically preserving the existing buildings. Think our 14&R project but albeit on a grander scale. Evidence of equity and financing has been given to the City. The amount of subsidy our proposal requests per unit is significantly lower when compared apples to apples with the other proposals. All ground floor retail tenants have already been identified!"

On Tuesday July 13, the Sacramento City Council will assign an Exclusive Right to Negotiate for the K Street project. The city's selection committee chose the D&S project and David Taylor's 700/800K, LLC, to share the project. An ad-hoc committee of City Council members chose the Rubicon Partners project. The City Council meeting will select a proposal for further work by city staff, an important step towards revitalizing K Street.

D&S has also set up a website where the public can show their support for the project to the city council, mayor, and city manager: www.700block.com

Saturday July 10, 6-8 PM

The Shady Lady, 1409 K Street

The K Street Plan: Local, Green, Historic and Affordable

2010-07-02T06:09:33Z

Disclaimer: This article is my opinion, given as a central city resident and board member of the Sacramento Old City Association. I am not an employee of any of the firms involved, nor the city of Sacramento. I am enthusiastic about this project because it represents the best combination of historic preservation, new development, downtown infill, fiscal responsibility, and promotion of local business, culture, and heritage.

In December 2009, the city of Sacramento asked local developers for plans to revitalize the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street. The project area occupies about one city block, around 2.5 acres, on two half-block lots. Four teams submitted proposals, and a five-member committee met three times to review the responses and select a recommendation to the city council. Their recommendation was based on experience, quality of vision and concept, relationship to local goals, proposed tenants, financial feasibility and delivery schedule. Based on these criteria, the committee chose elements of two proposals: the Promenade on K, proposed by D&S and CFY Development, for the 700 block, and a proposal by David Taylor, CIM, Zeiden Properties and Domus Development for the 800 block.

The Recommended Plan

The proposal for the 700 block includes 136 apartments along the alley side of K Street in a new mid-rise structure, with underground parking at Sacramento’s original street level. The apartments range from 450 to 1200 square feet, studios to 2-bedrooms. 37,840 feet of retail will occupy the ground floor of the existing structures on K Street. The front 90 feet of each building will be retained, and the two landmark buildings on the block retained entirely. The second floor of the historic buildings will also become apartments, and the building basements will be retained for storage or retail use. Because the 700 block has abundant street space, outdoor patios and kiosks will surround the walkway on K Street, creating an expansive outdoor room adjacent to the newly-remodeled St. Rose of Lima Park.

The 800 block will include new buildings on the corner of 8th & K and 8th & L, and the historic Bel-Vue Apartments will be restored and returned to residential use, a total of 110 market rate and mixed-income units, including three-bedroom units intended for families. Parking will be accessed via the alley and L Street, and will not be visible from the street. All buildings will have ground-floor retail, totaling 32,530 square feet. This project team is also considering acquiring the historic Kress and Montgomery Ward buildings, for conversion to mixed-use residential, but because these buildings were outside the project scope (the city does not own them) they were not included in the proposal.

Keep It Local

The proposal for the 700 block includes Letters of Intent from retailers interested in participation. Rather than seeking chain or out-of-town tenants, the D&S proposal sought local businesses. These include popular local eateries, like Old Soul Coffee, who plans a French bistro and wine bar, or Kru, who plans a ramen/yakitori restaurant and sake bar. Three of these potential tenants (Crepeville, Shady Lady and and Burgers & Brew) each plan live music venues in addition to a restaurant and bar. The Shady Lady letter points out Sacramento’s lack of mid-sized music venues, and suggests that this project could fill the glaring need for venues larger than small Midtown bars but smaller than the Memorial Auditorium or Crest Theatre. But it’s not all about music and drinks; the owner of “Top This” Frozen Yogurt wants to create a late-night dessert diner, adding cakes, pies and sundaes to their product mix. Rima Boutique and Muse Salon want to open boutiques selling clothing, accessories and artwork. Specifics on the 800 block’s retail mix were not available, but their team includes Z Gallerie’s Joe Zeiden, who has extensive experience bringing retail to downtowns throughout the state. Because all of these businesses can also operate during daytime business hours, they are useful to the tens of thousands of downtown commuters for lunch, daytime shopping, or after-work dining and entertainment.

Local business is complemented by the local residences included in the project. Affordable housing means employees of a yogurt shop or boutique can live in a nearby unit instead of commuting to work from the suburbs, and downtown office workers can walk from office to home, utilizing local retail options in their own neighborhood. Housing directly above K Street on the second floor, and along the alley, means greater safety through “eyes on the street,” complemented by evening activity in restaurant patios and street vendor kiosks. Many of K Street’s problems take place on vacant, disused properties where there are no residents or tenants. Bringing more housing and late-night business back to K Street means more safety by design. In many ways, this plan is a larger, more ambitious version of D&S’s recent success at 14th and R Street, where a dark, unused warehouse was turned into 12 residential units and a row of eateries and mixed retail, using a historic building, local businesses, and green design.

Keeping it Green on K Street

“Green” is a word that gets used a lot, so much that the meaning is sometimes obscured. This proposal for K Street is green in several important ways. It proposes using green and sustainable methods, plus solar and wind power generation on rooftops. Both blocks include green roofs as inner courtyards for tenant use. Adding downtown housing and the units’ proximity to transit means less driving and consumption of gasoline. Restoration of the existing buildings, instead of demolition, saves those buildings’ embodied energy, uses less energy than new construction, and reduces the load on our landfills.

This project is located at the nexus of both existing Light Rail lines and the Green Line to Richards Boulevard now under construction, with local bus access on both side streets. Recent changes allowing bikes on K Street, and proposed additional bike parking on the street and in the buildings, encourages biking to and from the project. Enhancing the streetscape, adding dense residential and greater security by design promotes walking and transit use. Project residents who work nearby, instead of in distant suburbs, won’t have to drive to work, and won’t have to go far for entertainment or dining.

“The greenest building is one that’s already built” is an old adage of the preservation community. Construction of a new building requires tremendous energy, an amount equal to decades’ worth of the building’s annual energy consumption. Old buildings, especially those built prior to 1940, were built when energy was more expensive, and were designed for more efficient use of energy. They are generally built of durable materials like brick, stone, and old-growth timber. They required less energy to create than high-energy materials like concrete and steel. Their energy cost has long since been paid. Demolition of old buildings is also energy-intensive, and sends most of those irreplaceable building materials to landfills, where they are joined by new buildings’ construction wastes (which makes up about half the contents of our landfills!) Saving old buildings is about more than aesthetics; it is the greener, cleaner and less wasteful choice.

Restoring K Street’s Legacy

K Street has been the heart of Sacramento since the Gold Rush, and it has played many roles over time. Younger people know it as the home of Light Rail and the Downtown Plaza mall, those in middle age remember the old pedestrian mall with its “tank traps” and fountains, and the older generation recalls the era of cruising K Street in hot rods in the 1950s and 60s. But all of these eras took place while K Street was in decline, and represent desperate efforts to bring suburban visitors back downtown. The era of K Street’s greatest vitality was during the early 20th century through the 1940s.

American downtowns boomed during this time, and Sacramento was no exception. K Street was a shopping street, home to every department store in town, with small specialty shops ranging from herbalists to bookstores. It was also a place for entertainment, including theater, vaudeville, movies, dining, live music, and dancing, although even then it was not Sacramento’s only entertainment district. It was also a place that thousands of Sacramentans called home, living in apartments above retail storefronts. These included modest rooms with a bath down the hall for working people, efficiency apartments for middle-class professionals, and elegant “palace hotels” for wealthy businessmen and legislators who wanted close access to the capital and the city’s financial district. Public transit reached through the city and the region, bringing visitors to K Street, but many called it home.

Teenagers and adults walked downtown on summer evenings, enjoying the respite from the heat, knowing that even at midnight, something was happening on K Street. Because people were always there, it was a safe place to visit. In the mid-20th century, this changed as suburbs grew, shopping centers and malls appeared, and redevelopment emptied the central city. Highways intended to bring people back downtown only made the central city easier to leave, and expensive redevelopment plans brought a few visitors during the day but the city still emptied at night. Sacramento’s legacy as an urban place was ignored, suppressed, and almost forgotten.

This project brings K Street back using a proven method: provide an experience and a place that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the region. Residential options and transit means that the automobile takes a back seat—you can have a car and live here, but you don’t need one. Unique entertainment and local retail means that shopping and dining and music is different than what you find in any suburban shopping center. Preservation of historic buildings means that K Street’s true history as a vibrant, urban place is apparent to visitor and resident alike, not simulating the past in Disney style, but using the lessons of the past to shape Sacramento’s urban future.

Putting the “Fun” in Funding Sources

In these cost-conscious times, many criticize the use of public subsidy for downtown reinvestment. However, when compared to the costs of subsidized suburban sprawl, subsidizing downtown infill levels the playing field. The “free-market” solution would mean allowing downtown Sacramento to decay entirely, until property values became lower than undeveloped rural land—a nightmare scenario. However, those calling for frugality have a valid point. City resources are limited, and any project on K Street must make the best use of public funds.

For this project, the city provides the land and existing buildings on the site. The recommended project utilizes the buildings, instead of demolishing them, making use of these valuable resources. For the 800 block, the project team has asked to use $16 million in funds that were set aside for a future redevelopment project by David Taylor’s company, and about $6 million in local, state and federal funds for the south half of the 800 block, including rehabilitation of the Bel-Vue. On the 700 block, the project team asks for two $8 million loans, one forgivable upon completion of the project, and one that would be repaid with interest.

One consideration when cities fund public projects is local benefit. Construction projects create jobs, but not all construction projects create the same number of jobs. New construction projects spend about half on materials and half on labor. Rehab of existing buildings spends closer to two-thirds on labor and one-third on materials, because fewer materials are needed and rehab is more labor-intensive. This means more local jobs per public dollar spent. Those dollars directly benefit the local economy, because workers spend the money they earn in their community. Materials for preservation rehab also tend to come from local sources, rather than materials from outside the community, so more of the construction costs also benefit the local economy.

Really Good, But Not Perfect

While the project has many strengths, there are some weaknesses. Downtown Sacramento lacks a grocery store. Existing corner markets and drugstores have limited options, and farmer’s markets do not operate in winter, creating “food deserts” for downtown residents. The closest market is Safeway, accessible by light rail, but downtown needs a more complete neighborhood market offering fresh meat and produce. The development team should consider a market as part of this project.

While transit is close by, service ends after 9 PM, making transit useless for late-night visitors. While transit budgets are outside the scope of the project, better public transportation would complement a transit-oriented project like this.

Finally, while developer David Taylor is well-known for his ability to complete a project, his projects are often criticized as being architecturally conservative and plain. The 800 block plan includes only volume sketches, not detailed renderings, so we do not know how it will look. Similarly, the 700 block’s new residential units must measure up architecturally to the historic buildings they will complement. The eclectic existing architecture of K Street, from Gold Rush brick to Art Deco terra cotta to 21st century high-rise steel and glass, means an unlimited palette for a talented architect.

On July 13, Sacramento’s City Council is scheduled to select a project for K Street. The recommended project is an excellent choice for Sacramento. It embodies and builds upon our city’s history and culture, promotes local business, and brings more housing across all income levels to K Street at a reasonable cost.

For more details about each of the four proposals for K Street, check the city of Sacramento's website:

www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/development-projects/700KStDevelopmentProjectConcepts.cfm

Photo Essay: St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento

2010-03-18T23:05:15Z

Sacramento usually sees large crowds on Second Saturday. But Wednesday, it looked more like Dublin as thousands of green-clad Sacramentans attended block parties, drank green beer and celebrated everything even remotely Irish.

The following is a photo essay, depicting some of the Wednesday evening festivities. The first seven photos are from the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party.

Outside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party on L Street, this dog dressed for the occasion in a green sweater. The party drew thousands of people to the 1500s block of L Street.

Kings mascot Slamson showed up to the block party on stilts and showed off his shamrock-covered blazer. He was a crowd pleaser, and he even sat down for an interview with Sacramento Press' own Sonny Mayugba. Slamson mimed and nodded while answering mostly yes or no questions.

Kings player Jon Brockman (left) speaks with Mayugba (right) during an interview. Mayugba interviewed a number of people throughout the day for a live stream of the event, which can be watched here.

Green beads, hats and Guinness were everywhere inside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party. A headband, sticker and glittery hat made this pair of party-goers stand out.

A sea of green fills the 1500 block of L Street.

San Diego band The Silent Comedy played a set of folk-influenced rock, with a fiddle providing an Irish pub-style twist to the set.

Guinness was the preferred drink for many.

Streets of London Pub threw its own party, turning its parking lot into a beer garden.

Though not an Irish Pub, hundreds visited Streets of London to eat Irish food like shepherd's pie and corn beef and cabbage while celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the makeshift beer garden.

Hangar 17 was so full of people, its crowd spilled onto the patio area.

A crowd gathered on the 1400 block of R Street as R15, Venue, Shady Lady and Burgers and Brew all participated in the R Street Block Party.

Searchlights outside Venue illuminated the sky and the large crowd outside the R Street Block Party.

Local band Blvd Park played a mini-set outside the Shady Lady.

Everyone is Irish for a day

2010-03-16T08:11:35Z

Dye the rivers green and dance in the streets, Saint Patrick's Day is here. A day when everyone is Irish and people takes to the streets for music, food and green beer. Below is a collection of restaurants and bars in Midtown and downtown offering specials on food and drinks and even hosting a block party or two.

de Vere's Irish Pub, 1521 L Street, is hosting their second annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party, closing off L Street between 15th and 16th. The street party will feature music by '80s cover band Tainted Love and the California Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Sandwiches, brats and other food will be sold to soak up the alcohol from the two outdoor bars and whiskey tent. Advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. 21 and up. The party starts at 8 a.m.

St. Patricks R District Pub Crawl, 1400s of R Street, is hosting a pub crawl along the bars and restaurants of R street. Participating places include Shady Lady, Venue, R15 and Burgers & Brews. $4 Jameson and Guinness specials are available at every place, with pints of Guinness costing $3. Irish food is also available. The fun begins at 11 a.m. and there is no cover.

The Flame Club, 2130 16th Street, is offering their famous corned beef and cabbage to customers again this year. Prepared in-house by a trio of lovely ladies, the meal is delicious. A full bar is also available. Food starts at 12:30 pm and runs until the food is gone. Food is free, tips always appreciated.

Check out this event at Brew It Up!

Bistro33 also has specials for St. Patrick's Day.

For Ben Food Crawl

2010-02-15T23:14:49Z

Eat from 20 of Sacramento's downtown restaurants with the purchase of one ticket supporting a 10-year-old boy fighting secondary cancer. The For Ben Food Crawl is from 2 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Each restaurant will have drink specials, a taste of their food, and tons of great people exploring the grid of Sacramento while supporting Ben and his family.

Beating levels while playing Nintendo DS, building cities with Legos, and making people smile are just a few of Ben's talents. But, that is not all he does. Ben has survived a brain tumor two years ago and now is battling secondary cancer in his spine. Intense treatments, intelligent doctors, unlimited prayers, and his close family and friends are pushing and pulling him through this tough battle.

Now, we have the opportunity to be part of the pushing and pulling.

It is our chance to purchase a ticket in support of Ben's challenge and have the opportunity to explore over 20 of Sacramento's restaurants wearing a "For Ben" T-shirt while believing, hoping, praying, and loving Ben.

Participants will meet at a given location, which will be posted online on Feb. 26 at forbenfoundation.com . On Feb. 28 participants will check-in and receive a map. The map will guide participants through midtown sampling food from the following restaurants:

Aioli Bodega
Brew it up!
Burgers and Brews
Cosmo Cafe
De Veres Irish Pub
The Grange Resaurant
Hot Italian
Jacks Urban Eats
Kru Restaurant
L Wine Bar
Lucca Restaurant
Luigi's Pizza Midtown
Magpie Cafe and Catering
Mochii Yogurt
R15 and Cafe Bernardo
Rubicon Brewing Co.
Sapporo Grill
Shady Lady
Yogurt a Go-Go
Zocalo

Tickets are $35 and if they are purchased before Friday Feb. 19th t-shirts are promised on the day of the event!

To purchase tickets visit:

Asha yoga on 20th between J st. and K st. (map)

Horizon Community Church in Galt, Calif. (map)

Bikram Yoga Elk Grove between Bond and Elk Grove Blvd. on Elk Grove Florin Rd. (map)

Starbucks at I-5 and Laguna Blvd. Near the Gold's Gym (map)

If the following locations are not convenient for you but you are interested in tickets please call Kevin at 209.712.8649

Sirens sizzle at anniversary cabaret show

2009-07-28T04:08:00Z

Sacramento’s Sizzling Sirens heated up Shady Lady Saloon Sunday night.

For their one-year anniversary show, the six-person burlesque troupe took the stage for an hour and a half of flirtatious numbers and plenty of naughtiness.

Attendees, who were encouraged to dress in '20s-themed attire, were decked out in suspenders, fedoras, sequined flapper dresses, pearls and pin curl. The bar's authentic saloon decor was more than fitting for
a Cabaret show.

The celebration started at 9 p.m., and a sexy jazz performance by The Harley White Jr. Orchestra set the sultry mood for the evening, further set by the Saloon's dim lighting. The spotlight went to the corner stage, where the sirens took turns tantalizing the audience.

As soon as the girls began writhing and wiggling their bodies to tunes of jazz and blues hits, the bar quickly filled to maximum capacity, with many of the male clientele positioning themselves feet away from the stage.

The dancers took turns putting on both solo and duet performances, using props like chairs and feather boas while they tantalized the audience.

Their scanty clothing became props as well, as the girls used their corsets, pearls, elbow-high gloves, garters and lingerie decorated with lace and bows as yet another way to tease the audience while they peeled away layers of clothing and accessories.

In between the ten sets, emcee duo The Freebadge Serenaders, a jazz duo, entertained the audience with wisecracks pertaining to the evening and revved the crowd up for the next striptease. Not much revving up was needed however, as the audience gladly whistled and hollered appreciatively with every unbuttoning of a corset and removal of a fishnet stocking.

The siren team for the evening was made up of Lorelai Love, Ava Aurore, Alex Digitalis, Shauni Fatale, Jay Siren (instructor of the group) and Lucinda Buttons.

Love serenaded the audience with velvety blues hits from previous decades like “W.O.M.A.N.” by Etta James and “Love me Like a Man” by Bonnie Rait.

A halftime show performance by the Serenaders included what they called “the least sexiest instruments alive: the banjo and the washboard.”

Raffle tickets, sold for $5, gave audience members the chance to win gift certificates to Shady Lady, Isabella Corsetry, Muse Salon and dance lessons at The Firehouse 5.

The cabaret-themed party continued until around 2 a.m. while guests listened to jazz, sipped on handmade cocktails from the bar and checked out the sexy Sirens while they mingled.

In the past year the Sirens have graced the stages of many Sacramento venues, including Press Club, Badlands, Parlare and The Park Ultra Lounge for the annual Hair Wars competition. Next up for the girls is the “We wash. You watch.” fundraiser car wash Aug. 8 at Suzie Burger. They will give an eyeful while they give scrub-downs to bikes, cars and mopeds.

The Sizzling Sirens host burlesque fusion dance classes at Midtown’s The Firehouse 5 every Sunday and also offer private and group lessons. For more information, visit The Sizzling Siren's website.

All images taken by Anthony Bento

Bourbon & Branch to guest bartend tonight at Shady Lady

2009-06-16T20:00:38Z

Tonight, the Shady Lady Saloon will have two guest bartenders, Erick Castro and Owen Westfield of San Francisco's Bourbon & Branch.

Bourbon & Branch has a set of house rules that coincide with the simplicity and no-funny-business attitude of the Shady Lady:

No use of cell phones
No photography
No standing at the bar
Please speak easy (or quietly)
Don't even think of asking for a Cosmo
Please be patient as the drinks are labor-intensive

Bourbon & Branch used to be the location of the JJ Russell Cigar Shop which operated as a speakeasy from 1923-1935, complete with a password that needed to be uttered to gain admittance, a trap door that opened and led down to the bar and five secret exit tunnels for easy escape.

Erick Castro is one of the instructors for the Beverage Academy, a school of mixology that Bourbon & Branch offers to interested alcohol enthusiasts. The Beverage Academy teaches its students the history and intricacies of absinthe, Tiki cocktails, tequila, scotch and, of course, bourbon. Future classes will touch on gin and rum.

Castro and Westfield will be creating a slew of cocktails especially for Shady Lady patrons. Here's a list of the mouth-watering drinks available for tonight only:

Kentucky Buck
A thirst-quenching strawberry and ginger refreshment for those seeking refuge from the mundane and ordinary. Bulleit Bourbon infused with organic strawberries from Monterrey Bay Farms, fresh lemon juice, ginger beer, and Angostura Bitters.

The Laphroaig Project
A tropical and light cocktail featuring a peaty single-malt. Delightfully intellectual, yet wickedly visceral. Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Green & Yellow Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lemon juice, and peach bitters.

Blame It On Rio
The Brazilians are well-known for many hedonistic traits and qualities and now with this drink, you can add one more indulgence to that list. Sagatiba Cachaca, Rothman & Winter’s Apricot Liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and bitters.

Casino Royale
Although, this drink is named after the famous novel written by Ian Fleming in 1953, the flavor is anything but fiction. Plymouth Gin, sloe gin, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lemon juice, and orange bitters.

Rye Maple Fizz
Like the initial stages of an autumn courtship, this beverage is frothy and slightly spicy, yet balanced with just a touch of sweetness. Rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, organic maple syrup, free-range egg white, Angostura Bitters, and soda.

Ambajador
Sexy, sinful and Latin. Allow this wayward cocktail to take you south of the border for a little passion-tinged journey to the heart of Jalisco. Keylime infused tequila, passionfruit, fresh lime juice, free-range egg white, agave nectar, and Indonesian cinnamon.

Wild Honey Punch
A punch that is both spiced and refreshing, yet sweet and complex, much like the kiss of an ex-lover … except without the early morning awkwardness and wayward feelings. Sagatiba Cachaca, Appleton 12-year Rum, Velvet Falernum, fresh lemon juice, organic wildflower honey, Indonesian cinnamon, seasonal fruit, and sparkling water.

Local chefs, community celebrate Adam Rains at Shady Lady

2009-04-22T07:07:59Z

Knives chopped, pans tossed and orders were shouted — it was an Iron Chef of sorts in the quaint kitchen of the Shady Lady. But instead of competing, a conglomeration of chefs came together to feed those who knew and loved Adam Gregory Rains, who passed away on April 17, 2009.

Rains was the victim of a car accident that left three people dead in St. Helena around 1 a.m. Friday morning.

His culinary career in Sacramento included working at Kru Restaurant, helping to open Tuli Bistro, and catering with Mulvaney's B&L. Rains had also begun attending the Culinary Institute of America this year.

One of Rains's coworkers from Kru said of him, "It didn’t matter how intense it got, he always made it a point to make everyone smile." She added that his famous laugh-inducing lines were “I love your face” and “I love your show.”

Jason Boggs, one of the owners of Shady Lady was happy to offer his bar to host the reception. Boggs said Rains had a “passion for life and for everything he did. He was an inspiration. He has a true chef’s soul and that’s what we’re trying to emulate here [today]."

Patrons of Mulvaney's B&L, Tuli Bistro and Kru Restaurant on Tuesday afternoon would find the chefs of these downtown restaurants missing from their kitchens.

That's because Patrick Mulvaney of Mulvaney's B&L, Adam Pechal from Tuli Bistro, and Billy Ngo, owner of Kru Restaurant, all showed up at Shady Lady to support one of the vibrant members of the chef community in Sacramento.

Well over 50 people filled the cozy booths and bar seats of the Shady Lady. Pechal, who worked closely with Rains to open Tuli Bistro, said, "If I get a quarter of this turnout at my funeral, I'll be happy."

The kitchen buzzed with activity as the chefs whipped up pastrami and Reuben sandwiches, sushi, pulled pork sliders, orecchiette pasta with peas and artichoke hearts and petit fours.

Blown-up photos, collages and bouquets decorated the interior of the Shady Lady. Both tears and smiles could be seen on the faces of those in attendance.

Mugs clinked together, and camaraderie filled the air as people huddled around the bar and embraced.

Kevin Ritchie of the Shady Lady and Robb Venditti from Mulvaney's B&L said of Rains, he was a "beautiful guy," "a great kid" with "good energy." Ritchie and Venditti added, "he's part of our community, the chef community — a brother in arms."

Here is a link to the obituary for Adam Gregory Rains.

Photographs taken by Jonathan Mendick.

Grand opening: Sacramento's newest saloon

2009-04-10T07:18:16Z

Three friends recently opened a saloon with a classic feeling, classic drinks, and a classic name: The Shady Lady. The saloon, which held its grand opening Thursday, April 9, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. is part of a newly renovated R Street Corridor which already includes new restaurants such as Burgers and Brew and Magpie Catering.

According to a previous Sacramento Press article, the three owners, Garrett Van Vleck, Jason Boggs and Alex Origoni wanted the saloon's warm, yet dark architectural theme to draw on Victorian influences. It also features 1920s music such as jazz, simple American food, and black-and-white decór to honor the prohibition speakeasies.

"I want it to look like it's been there for a while, that it's lived in, that nothing is new, and that things have collected over time," said designer Whitney Johnson in the earlier article.

"We're just happy that people showed up," Origoni said while walking around through the standing-room-only crowd which neared 100 as it reached 11 p.m. There were large crowds coming in through the rain to take refuge and shelter from the pouring rain, though many still took a breather in the patio area, which was a location for more intimate discussions.

The boisterous crowd spoke loudly as private conversations filled the room in booths, at tables, and by the bar. A large number of people were dressed in black and white hats, dresses, and old-style pinstripe suits.

Waiters and waitresses were dressed in black and white wearing classic accessories like flowers and suspenders as they served dishes like grilled cheese, meatloaf, and tomato soup. There was a clear juxtaposition with the Shady Lady serving a decidedly older and classier crowd than Empire, located only three doors down, which had less sophisticated crowd waiting to enter the nightclub.

The Shady Lady does not offer a lounge with a television, or top 40 dance hits, but a place for people to have a conversation and gossip after a hard day. It adds a sense of history and wonder to the R Street Corridor, and it's land-marked as a historical building to boot.

"It's been a really smooth night for an opening night and there haven't been any problems," added Van Vleck.

The Shady Lady Saloon

2009-02-04T05:36:34Z

While many local businesses are shutting their doors, three ambitious Sacramentans are putting their heads and money together to open a new saloon in Sacramento, The Shady Lady.

Garrett Van Vleck, Jason Boggs and Alex Origoni first met working at various Paragary restaurants.

After months of searching for the right place, the three took to the old Wonderbread factory and named it after the nickname for the first bar that Origoni went to when he was in school.

"That's one of the things that hasn't changed through our entire two year process of doing this," Van Vleck said.

The trio has gone through countless menus and concepts, but the name Shady Lady has been one constant.

None of the owners of the Shady Lady have opened their own business, but that wasn't any reason to hesitate on going through with the idea.

"We don't have a lot of money," Boggs said. "We threw everything we owned into it."

"I sold my house to get money to do this. We're going for it," Origoni said.

The Shady Lady will be going back to the basics.

"The last thing Sacramento needs is another ultra lounge," Boggs said. "This isn't going to be a place to get your Tokyo Tea and your Black Superman or your Adios."

Instead, the new bar will focus on tried and true cocktails that for some reason have fallen out of favor." They may be forgotten classics, but they became classics because they're so good," Origoni said.

The drinks will often be made from scratch, featuring housemade syrups, aromatic bitters, ginger ale and tonic.

The menu won't be fancy either - soul food, according to Boggs. Think stew, pork shoulder and other cuts of meat and bar fare.

You can find soul food in every culture," he said. "It's what the poor people eat."

"We're not trying to wow people with expensive cuts of meat that cost $30 a plate," he continued. "We're going to wow the customer with the way that we handle the food that we can afford to use."

Lunch will concentrate on soups, salads, and sandwiches, with items priced to meet the realities of the recession affecting the state workers and other professionals in the area.

The recession has also been a factor in planning the restaurant decor. "We're not spending any excess money," said Boggs.

Whitney Johnson, of Monighan Design and the designer of the Shady Lady, explained, "I want it to look like it's been there for a while, that it's lived in, that nothing is new, and that things have collected over time."

She used flocked wall paper, dark and distressed wood, a tin ceiling, blown glass lighting with a Victorian feel, plus black and white hexagon tiles to create the ambience.

The U-shaped bar has a low center island, while the booths are horseshoe-shaped and face the center of the room, making it easy for old friends to bump into each other.

"From every seat in the house you can see every other seat in the house," Origoni explained.

A stage in the corner of the saloon will feature live jazz, reggae and down beat music, according to Boggs, himself a saxophonist who plans to play at the restaurant occasionally.

And, don't expect flat screen TVs in the Shady Lady, warned the saxophonist. The entertainment will be found in good conversation and live music.

"This is not a place to be seen, so we're going to be very nondescript, not flashy or anything," he said. "It's gonna be a place to come and relax."

The Shady Lady Saloon is located at 1409 R Street and is set to open in late March of 2009.