Can you belive 2011 is practically over? New Year's Eve is this Saturday and if you're still searching for plans, we here at Sacramento365.com have gathered up some activities for you. If you're looking for a great, family friendly New Year's Eve experience, complete with fireworks, be sure to head to Old Sac for the New Year's Eve Sky Spectacular. But, for those of you who are looking for some adult celebrations--no kids allowed--here're a few options to greet 2012 (see even more in our Top 10 & Holiday Event Section). Sacramento nightlife is kickin'! 1. New Year's 2012 Bash with Mickey Avalon: Ace of Spades, 7pm Hailing from Hollywood, Mickey Avalon is known to the world as one of the

People came for the music and because Sunday’s musical feast at Folsom’s Powerhouse Pub was a charity event. At $15 per ticket, with six bands lined up to cover a spectrum of blues music, and all ticket proceeds benefiting the 147 year old Sacramento Children's Home, there was no better place to be. The Randy Carey Band opened the show at 1:50 p.m. and their rocking country blues sound had people dancing early on. They opened with “Born Under a Bad Sign,” sung by Carey, who also penned several of the songs, including “Blue Boy Blues,” their next to last song. The band’s rendition of “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” had feet tapping and bodies swaying in seats and on the dance floor tha

If you equate blues music with Robert Johnson, you’re in for a surprise and a treat Sunday afternoon when Sacramento Blues Revue teams with Folsom’s Powerhouse Pub to host the second annual Blue Christmas for Kids, benefiting the Sacramento Children’s Home. The event kicks off at 1:50 p.m. with the Randy Carey Band, a country blues group, and will finish with Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, a blues/jump band, playing from 6 to 7 p.m. In between, attendees will hear blues/zydeco from GumboStew, blues from Pinkie Rideau & Blind Resistance, rockin’ blues from the Jimmy Pailer Band, and blues/R&B from Sacramento Blues Revue, led by Rick von Geldern. Von Geldern said he began working on this eve

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) conducts several walking Tours in the downtown area. The walking tours introduce visitors to people, places and events that have created California history. DSP’s mission is to establish downtown Sacramento as a vibrant business, cultural and entertainment destination in Sacramento via private and public partnerships consisting of residents, visitors and investors. This Friday they conducted a Rock & Roll History Tour and Pub Crawl. The tour began at the corner of 9th and J Streets at one of the entrances to the Concerts in the Park held at Cesar Chavez Plaza. The walk began at 6 in the evening. By this time, Wahnder Lust had begun their set at t

It's not every day you get a chance to see the next big thing before they blow up. It's more like every fourth or fifth day. . . depending on how many gigs Walking Spanish is playing that week. This week, four is the magic number. They are playing Wednesday night at The Torch Club, following up Saturday night's gig at The Naked Lounge. Walking Spanish recently released my favorite album of 2011, "Wishbones," and may not be long for venues as small and awesome as these. Alex Nelson (lead singer, guitarist and songwriter) and the boys (Timothy Picchi on bass, Christopher Haislet on keys, Robert Mills II on drums and Thomas Gunterman on violin) put on a phenomenal, high-energy rock show,

It's Wednesday (as I prepare your weekly Rundown), and all I can think about is some G. Love! "I cherish the moment when I get the lucky chance/ To sing my song and let the funky people dance/ make it last. Sonic blasts move past fast fly/ Outta speaker's sneakers stomp to the rhythm that will romp/ Let the wild rumpus start cause it just can't stop." I'll have you covered with a recap of the show, but for now, let's look ahead to a fine week of shows. Sactown's got sauce! Interpol - Loyal Rundown readers may remember a few weeks back when Lindol French and I were musing about the overrated hipster spectacle that is Coachella - but we agreed that the one benefit of having such a festiva

Zen Sushi, located at the corner of 15th and I streets, has re-opened after weeks of construction and renovations. Days following it's grand re-launch, I ventured in and sat down to talk with my favorite sushi chefs: Michael Kwong and Lou Valente, and to meet the owner and Master Chef, Jason Von Hom. Gone was everything. All the orange and brown lacquered wood and Formica had vanished. Short, white leather chairs standing neatly at attention alongside uber-thick marble counters replaced the old, rickety, high-seated counter stools. Large flatscreens behind the new glass sushi cases made the room look bigger and drew more attention to the ceiling. Now affixed to the ceiling of each room

Holy homecoming! We just wrapped up two back-to-back shows from local golden boy Jackie Greene last week at Marilyn’s and Blue Lamp, so what’s this I’m now hearing about two acoustic happy hour shows from him at the Torch Club next Thursday and Friday? Always appreciate the local love, Senor Greene. Just in case you need to be reminded, those shows will be packed, start cocktail hour early. We’re headed into some snappy territory on the local calendar with electronic music champions the Crystal Method also rolling into town next week to slap the woofers around at District 30; check out Sac Press’ Brandon Darnell getting up close with CM’s Ken Jordan. Not to mention that G. Love & Special

Sometimes, amazing things are happening right under your nose and all it takes is for one small moment to grab you and change your course of direction, sucking you into something you would normally have walked right past and never given a second thought. Saturday, March 11th.  The night was clear and I had just finished a long interview at Zen Sushi with restauranteur Jason Hon.  I stood at the corner of 15th and I Street, waiting for the light to change. It was quiet and I was admiring the way the spotlights showcased the brickface of the Memorial Auditorium when the silver door to the Torch Club swung open.  The blues that poured out of that door was the kind I hadn't heard in a long,

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Through Sunday, March 20th: 9 to 5 The Musical at The Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Shows at 8PM, 2PM, and 7:30PM depending on date. Tickets are $18.00 - $70.00. A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00. Friday, March 18th - Saturday, March 19th: Sacramento Ballet In-Studio Celtic Experience at 1631

Whew! If there are any stories from anyone out there about one of our biggest concert weeks in recent memory here in Sactucky, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Seriously, we want to know who was out gettin’ funky and where (and maybe with who, but keep it clean). Lindol and I took care of you over the weekend reporting back on the Mother Hips gig at Marilyn’s – and we could have done the same about Truth & Salvage Co. last night at Harlow’s, but as he duly pointed out, when it comes to covering that band, our objectivity and impartiality as journalists is somewhere in the gutter next to discarded fliers for the next stage show at Faces, and possibly a used rubber or

It's Thursday, just past midnight, and I've been at the Torch Club to see Trampled Under Foot. I'm out back behind my house sitting in the car, listening to the rain fall on the roof. Since last Saturday night, I've been so busy that the days have become a blur. The more I need things to slow down, the faster I am being pulled through an undertow of phone calls, discussions and fires that need putting out — all the while sitting on this review.  I can't even come up with a title. The Daniel Castro Band packed the Torch Club last Saturday, February 19th.  It was, by all accounts, one of those nights where everything flowed perfectly — as if by stepping through the front door, you entered i

Whether you’re short on cash or you’d rather spend your money on something else, Valentine's Day can seem like another unnecessary financial burden. With the typical gift of chocolates, roses and romantic dinners generally geared toward couples, it may feel hard to keep up on a budget. This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Monday, leaving a whole weekend’s worth of events leading up to the holiday. The Sacramento Press had the cash-strapped in mind, when we put together a list of things to do around Sacramento, Valentine’s-themed or otherwise, for $20 or less a person. Friday, Saturday, and Monday Selland's Specials Selland's Market-Cafe 5340 H St Served daily (Monday - Saturday) after

Photographs by Barry Wisdom   Christmas may be Autumn Sky McClean’s favorite holiday, but it’s the fans of the 22-year-old Orangevale-based singer/songwriter who are getting the early yuletide gift: a 5:30 p.m. show Tuesday at downtown Sacramento’s venerable Torch Club. Though she admits to being a bit behind in the seasonal revelry department, the perpetually busy McClean – who holds down a day job at a local café while forging a music career that’s already spawned two CDs – said she’s miles ahead of last year, when she failed to even tinsel a tannenbaum. “But we did have a Christmas branch,” McClean said of the household she shares with husband Matt and feline “snuggle bug” Digby, ad

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

“Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty is so big, it done gone & shook The Torch Club.” As I crossed 15th Street, I could hear a hard-driven bass drum beat beckoning to me like I was part of a tribal homecoming. The front door was vibrating and as I pulled it open, the powerful explosion of saxophone, trombone, bass, keys and a rippin’ lead break wrapped itself around me, sucking me in. Oh yes, yes, yes – this was the real deal. Funk was bumpin’ da Torch Club. Anything can happen in the Torch Club on a Wednesday night. In fact, if you looked at their weekly music schedule like a poker hand, Friday and Saturday is always a pair of Kings. Thursday night is a possible three of a kind, and Wednesdays are

It looks like the costume party has started early this week - who are these offensive ruffians dressed up in orange and black, racking up runs against the Fighting Nolans like notches on the bedpost after Saturday night at the Zebra? 20 in two games? Are you kidding me? Viva los Gigantes! Priority one this weekend: Games three and four. Priority number two: Halloween bar crawls, house parties and general incognito shenaniganry. Oh yeah, there's also some tunes a-brewing. Happy Halloween, Sactown. Fishbone - "You know, we would have loved it if we had been a breakout band, but the bottom line is that I’m in a band where, for the most part, I got to make exactly the music I wanted to mak

Things that make you go “Hmmm…”: Next year will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Has it really been that long? But, no need to dwell on negative memories as September 11 falls on Saturday, which also happens to be the date of one of the more jovial afternoon events in Sactown, the California Brewer’s Festival at Discovery Park. (Here’s an insider’s tip for the brew fest. Get buddy-buddy with the beer pourers, and they might not take one of those wooden tokens that are designed to regulate everyone’s hooch intake). If you’re still alive after sampling a few (dozen?) tasty NorCal ales, here’s what’s happening on your concert calendar. Side by Side Benefit Blues Show – OK, so we can prob

Pedestrian traffic may have appeared somewhat peculiar in Midtown on Saturday. Merry crowds of golfers, and a pirate or two, took to the streets in droves for the first annual Albie Puttin’ Pub and Putt Crawl presented by Go-Girl Energy Drink. Tickets were $25 for walk-ups and $20 for those who preregistered. All proceeds from the event went straight to Albie Aware Inc., a foundation dedicated to supporting women struggling with breast cancer. Executive Director Cindy Love, was a close friend to Albie Carson. The foundation was formed after Carson died of breast cancer in 2002. “We started the foundation because she was not given the proper testing after she was diagnosed, and we would

Golf, pub crawl and breast cancer are usually not three topics you see together. But then again, Albie Puttin’ is not your typical pub crawl. Saturday, Sacramentans can play a nine-hole game of miniature golf and enjoy drink specials all while helping breast cancer patients. All ticket sales will benefit the Albie Aware organization — founded to help provide resources such as paying medical fees to breast cancer patients. This is the first pub crawl event fundraiser that Albie Aware is holding, sponsored by Go-Girl Energy Drink. The crawl will begin with at noon Saturday at deVere’s Irish Pub. Each restaurant or bar has made its own themed hole and will feature drink and food specials,