The following is the March 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.
St. Patrick’s Day passed a couple days ago and that luck of the Irish would’ve been handy for scoring tickets to recent shows. Cake returns to its Sacramento stomping grounds for the first time since 2019, but its run of shows from Saturday through Monday at Channel 24 are sold-out. The nights are bound to be filled with Sacto pride, 1990s nostalgia and likely tears given the recent passing of original guitarist Greg Brown. Let’s hope Cake comes back sooner than later.
On the jazz side, the much-anticipated debut of LabRats’ “Who is Jef Costello?” is also a sold-out affair. The show takes the beloved Sacramento jazz fusion band to theatrical heights with dance and hip-hop in an adaptation of “Le Samouraï,” a stylish noir film from 1967. Whoever nabbed tickets for these shows on Saturday at Sac Dance Lab definitely scored.
Still, no need to get wrapped up in the FOMO. The upcoming week is filled with cultural life, including street art from a Sacramento institution, music ranging from soothing Hawaiian guitar to blistering vintage sounds, ballet and more.
Let’s get it!
Dig into 25 years of art from a signature Sacramento gallery
Toyroom Gallery’s archives exhibit at Never Board. (Denis Akbari)
The details:
Never Board, 1518 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
5-7 p.m., March 21 (Saturday)
Free
Toyroom Gallery is in the midst of celebrating 25 years on the forefront of street art in Sacramento. Over the past quarter-century, the gallery has showcased works from the likes of Shepard Fairey, best known for his Barack Obama “Hope” posters and around Sacramento as the creator of the Johnny Cash mural on 15th and L streets. Through its various gallery spaces and organizing exhibitions, Toyroom Gallery has a keen eye for art that’s accessible and visually eye popping.
Toyroom Gallery is an especially staunch supporter of local artists who take their cues from graffiti, pop culture, political activism and other contemporary styles. In tandem with Never Board in Del Paso Heights, “From the Archives” celebrates 25 years of Toyroom Gallery with such Sacto artists as Skinner, John Stuart Berger, Pete Bettencourt and the late Nathan Cordero.
But the clock is ticking. After a month-long run, a closing reception for “From the Archives” will be held Saturday at Never Board. Plan for an evening of art appreciation and live music that’ll rock your senses.
Relax with pints and pretend it’s Hawaii
The details:
Ruhstaller Farm Brewery, 6686 Sievers Road, Dixon
6 p.m., March 20 (Friday)
Free
Close your eyes as Ledward Kaapana plays his masterful Hawaiian slack key guitar, and it’ll feel like O’ahu’s sandy beaches are footsteps away. Ruhstaller Farm Brewery in Dixon will transform into a bit of tropical paradise as one of Hawaii’s most celebrated guitarists takes the stage. Savor the sunset with a pint, and you’re in for one idyllic night.
Get inspired by ballet through the ages
The details:
The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
7:30 p.m., March 20 and 21 (Friday and Saturday), 2 p.m. matinee, March 21 and 22 (Saturday and Sunday)
$55-$99
Sacramento’s dance community lost an icon with the recent passing of Ron Cunningham, Artistic Director Emeritus of the Sacramento Ballet. No better way to honor his deep legacy than enjoying a performance this weekend of “Visions.” The Sacramento Ballet will perform innovative works ranging from George Balanchine, the beloved “father of American ballet,” to contemporary choreographers such as Caili Quan and Ihsan Rustem.
Catch a great mid-week gig with an early start time
The details:
Torch Club, 904 15th St., Sacramento
6 p.m., March 25 (Wednesday)
$20
If you missed the run of Cake shows, you can still get a taste of the band next week. Before linking up with Cake in 1998, Xan McCurdy was best known as the guitarist for Oakland’s The Loved Ones, a mod/R&B group that packed local spots like Old Ironsides. Next Wednesday at the Torch Club will be a double-whammy of vintage sounds with The Loved Ones and Th’ Losin’ Streaks kicking off the show with garage rock aplomb. Note that this gig starts early with 6 p.m. doors. On behalf of Gen X, thank you.
More events you won’t want to miss
Let’s keep it going with bonus picks for this week and beyond:
Before I go,
On Monday, I’ll be in the KDRT 95.7 FM studio as a guest on “That California Sound!” Hosts JonEmery Dodds and Scott Schiller invited me to chat about the local music scene, my arts journalism career and whatever the heck else comes up. The show starts at 6 p.m. and you can listen here. I’m definitely looking forward to it.
See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.