The following is the Feb. 19 edition of Cultural Capital, an arts and entertainment newsletter written by Abridged contributor Chris Macias. Want it sent directly to your inbox? Sign up here.
Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s Day, whether you were on a hot date, stayed close to home or rolled out solo. I had a wonderful (but somewhat humbling) Feb. 14 as my wife treated us to a “paint and sip” night at The Hub Eats & Drinks. As we created portraits of one another, it was abundantly clear I’m more comfortable with words than paints. My beautiful wife ended up looking like a Muppet.
I have even more respect now for all those in the visual arts field. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find an emphasis on galleries and museums, including newer and established spots. We’ve also got a book release party that’s paired with cocktails, live music and more.
Pass the paintbrush and let’s go!
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Liz Awesome’s “Solidarity as an Art Supply” exhibition at Flower Fist Art Market on 1819 E St. in Sacramento. (Denis Akbari)
Liz Awesome ‘Solidarity as an Art Supply’
The details:
Flower Fist Art Market, 1819 E St., Sacramento
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Feb. 28
Free entry
Feb. 14 was a night of love and community as the Sacramento artist Liz Awesome debuted “Solidarity as an Art Supply” at Flower Fist Art Market with live music, poetry and a pop-up market. The exhibition will be up through the end of February and it’s highly recommended for those who want to tap into the camaraderie and cutting edge of local visual art.
In an email, Awesome said viewers can expect “an exploration of mixing media, interconnectedness and personal Sacramento history.”
Liz Awesome at her exhibition at Flower Fist Art Market on 1819 E St. in Sacramento. (Denis Akbari)
“All of the work in the show was collaged from artwork created by artists with work on consignment at Flower Fist and post-consumer trash,” Awesome added. “The group of artists were also interviewed for a series of videos on the Flower Fist Instagram page.”
The exhibit includes “weird handmade books,” a reinvented Seder plate, garbage tapestries and three collections of prints. It wraps up Feb. 28 with a Maker’s Summit that focuses on Instagram’s role in Sacramento’s art community and how to best move forward.
“There’s always something pushing the boundaries at Flower Fist, and yet the experiences are affordable and accessible,” said Liz.
Liz Awesome’s “Solidarity as an Art Supply” exhibition at Flower Fist Art Market on 1819 E St. in Sacramento. (Denis Akbari)
Cheers to a literary event with libations
The details:
Citizen Hotel Scandal Lounge, 926 J St., Sacramento
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Feb. 20 (Friday)
Free entry
Locals know Ryan Seng as a dual force in Sacramento’s cocktail and visual arts communities. He managed the food and beverage program at Star Lounge and was head bartender at the Citizen Hotel, where he created the mural in Grange Restaurant & Bar’s dining room and crafted stellar drinks like a maple bacon Manhattan called The Tusk. Seng’s since branched into the literary world with the release of his second novel, “Castle Monticello.” It’s an epic and surreal David Lynch-ish tale that unfolds over nearly 400 pages with vampires and primordial creatures down by the waters of Lake Berryessa.
Seng, who now lives in Austin, Texas., returns to Sacramento on Friday to wrap up his current book tour at Grange’s Scandal Lounge. Revel in the weirdness while sipping on a Charlotte’s Dose (green tea, pomegranate, lemon, ginger, gin) or a Hypoxia (whiskey, Madeira, maraschino liqueur, angostura).
Rock at a show that’ll have you seeing green
The details:
Opera House Saloon, 411 Lincoln St., Roseville
8 p.m., Feb. 20
$23.18 – $33.85
The version of Green Day that played the recent Super Bowl could’ve been Kidz Bop. The normally outspoken and smart-aleck band clearly played it safe, ditching some politically charged and profane lyrics in “American Idiot.” Might as well see a Green Day cover band to get a proper experience?
Not.GreenDay plays the band’s signature tunes from its early Lookout! Records days to its later radio hits (“Know Your Enemy,” “Minority”). Check them out Friday at Roseville’s Opera House Saloon and shout along with those missing “American Idiot” lyrics.
Celebrate a half-century of Davis art
The details:
Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis
11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 (Saturday), through March 1
Free entry
Gerald Ford was President of the United States when the Pence Gallery opened its doors. Fifty years later, the gallery is a definitive part of Davis’ cultural landscape with its exhibitions of contemporary art and educational programming. Be among the first to see “50 Years at the Pence: A Visual History.” This group show spotlights art, photos and documents from its archives. Drop by, then grab a bite down the block at MAYA’s Authentic Mexican Food (237 D St, Davis).
More events you won’t want to miss
Let’s keep it going with bonus picks for this week and beyond:
Before I go,
The clock’s ticking if you want to enter our giveaway for a “PBS is Punk” t-shirt. The drawing closes at 11:59 p.m. tonight so get crackin’ and click here for the entry form.
Thanks as always for your support of Cultural Capital and all-things Abridged by KVIE PBS. If there’s a Sacramento-area event or artist that you recommend for Cultural Capital, drop me a line at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.