This year’s Chalk It Up! event appeared to have outgrown its venue at Fremont Park. Thousands of visitors came to enjoy the three day annual event. As usual, the event was held during the Labor Day weekend. Talented and creative artists of all ages participated using just chalk and the sidewalk around Fremont Park to create some magnificent pieces of art. Music has always been a centerpiece of the event and once again Jerry Perry Presents put together a great lineup. Close to three dozen local musicians and bands participated to create another memorable Chalk It Up. Children’s activities, a beer garden, food and numerous vendors shared the grounds at Fremont Park. Chalk It Up! help

Happy Green Beer Day, everyone! Yes, we all know how big the De Vere’s party in Cesar Chavez Park is going to be, and thanks to them for putting it on. But assuming the hangover from Thursday doesn’t drop you like “Two and a Half Men” for the rest of the week, don’t sleep on some fine shows on deck. Slainte! Art vs. Science – Fortunately for people that don’t like techno, the definitions of what actually constitutes “techno” are beginning to broaden - look no further than the fact that many techno acts are starting to employ live drums (read: Pretty Lights), which is one of the tasty elements of Sydney, Australia’s Art vs. Science. They’re generically self-billed as a rock band that hap

This month’s Second Saturday ended on a bad note. Although the details are not known, as of this writing, a shooting took the life of 24 year old Victor Hugo Perez Zavala. Second Saturday has grown in popularity these past few months and crowds have also increased. Over 10,000 people show up to shop, admire art, eat, drink, listen to local bands and socialize during the Second Saturday event. The Second Saturday venue gives local artists a chance to show off their art where otherwise they would not get such an opportunity. This event has been so popular that similar events take place in Folsom, Roseville, Placerville and other areas surrounding Sacramento. September’s ending to Second Sa

Friday marked the day many local musicians and fans had been waiting for: the first show of the 2010 Concerts in the Park series. The 15-week-long summer event takes place annually at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 5 p.m. every Friday. It is free and all-ages. There are also booths complete with henna tattoos and food to purchase, and a beer garden for those 21 and up. This year, 31 bands will take the stage. Friday, four of those bands showed the crowd what they were made of, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The four bands were SIMPL3JACK, Dog Party, The Kelps and Kepi Ghoulie. Alternative punk rock band SIMPL3JACK kicked off the series by opening the show. All the age of 12, th

Friday marks the kickoff of the 2010 Concerts in the Park series at Cesar Chavez Plaza, located on 10th and J streets. Concerts in the Park is an annual free, all-ages event that runs during the summer at 5 p.m. every Friday and features local bands of various genres. Leading off this year's series is a lineup of four bands that fall under the indie/punk/hard rock genre. Headlining the show is none other than local legend and pop punk artist, Kepi Ghoulie. Bassist and lead vocalist of the former band, The Groovy Ghoulies, Kepi has continued his musical career and kept his fans. The full band consists of Kepi as guitar and vocals, Dino as bass and vocals, and Atom as drums and vocals. Fri

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) has released the 2010 schedule for the Friday Night Concerts in the Park. The free, outdoor concert series will rock Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J streets) every Friday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting May 7 though August 13. For the latest concert news, visit www.downtownsac.org/concerts. 2010 CONCERT SCHEDULE* May 7 - Kepi Ghoulie The Kelps, Dog Party, Simpl3jack May 14 - Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Low Down Dirty Dogs May 21 - Dance Gavin Dance Phallucy, Con of Man, Desario May 28 - Mike Farrell Aaron King & The Imperials, One Eyed Rhyno June 4 - Method Echo The Nibblers, Live Manikin June 11 - The Nickel Slots Los Blazing Hangovers

Friday marked the eighth annual Jammies Night of Contemporary Music at the Crest Theater on 1013 K St. The Jammies are a musical competition for high-school-aged musicians who are selected from the a Battle of the Bands concert series. This aligned with the Jammies Evening of Classical Music held Saturday at the Mondavi Center. Musicians from 11 acts ranging in age from 12 to 20 showcased their talent for a packed house at the Crest. From the hardcore metal of Carcerys Vale to the acoustic guitar solo of Julianna Zachariou, the youths put on a fantastic show that really shed light on the next generation of music coming from Sacramento. Danny Secretion, elementary school teacher and memb