The Sacramento Ballet can never be accused of élitism.  Not when it dresses up as zombies and arranges a "Thriller" flashmob dance and encourages everyone to join in! Last week we attended a 'performance rehearsal' at the Sac Ballet studios for the work-in-progress of the upcoming performance of 'Dracula'.  The news is that it looks great! - Lots of exposed necks and flashing fangs and swirling velvet capes, even if Vincent Price won't be in it. Smart patrons have already got their tickets booked (we have). Spooky haloween-themed fun, but without the high fructrose corn syrup! But, after the rehearsal, there was a rehearsal of another kind  - As the audience filed out, another group was

Local bands came together Monday night to pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson by playing his music to a packed house at Harlow's. About 250 people filled the room to listen to nearly 40 of Jackson's songs performed by 13 different bands. Some of the more popular songs -- "Dirty Diana" and "I'll Be There," among others -- were played twice to a lively crowd of dancing fans. Upon entering, one could already hear Jackson's songs, both originals and covers, filling Harlow's in-house speakers. Jerry Perry, promoter and a self-proclaimed "big Jackson fan" picked and introduced all the bands starting with Absolute Zero, a four-piece of high-school-age musicians. Each band played between on