By Steph Rodriguez

September is studded with events of empowerment, artistry and a touch of anarchy: There’s psych rock during Second Saturdays at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen; a smorgasbord to be had during this year’s Farm-to-Fork festival at Capitol Mall that anticipates more than 100,000 attendees over the two-day affair; a powerful evening of healing and advocacy with an exhibition that highlights trauma survivors hosted by the Memory Palace Movement and rooted in holistic, Indigenous and ancestral wisdom. 

Join a DIY workshop and listen to a wide range of community-driven panel discussions at the Sacramento Anarchist Bookfair, or check out the Torch Club for an evening of Americana music with attitude as The Nickel Slots kick off the night with their mix of alt-country and rock ‘n’ roll. Immerse yourself in the best of Sacramento art, music and culture. 

Music

Second Saturday psych rock

Saturday, Sept. 14: Sacramento’s rising psych-rock four-piece, The Snares, are anticipating the release of their debut EP, “Damaged Goods,” on Oct. 29 with Psyched! Records. The Snares say this record showcases the band’s varied influences, including ’60s garage and psychedelic rock, noise rock and post-punk — all morphed into their distinctive style. Featuring dynamic keyboard rhythms, hard-hitting drums and catchy melodies, The Snares’ latest single “What You Said!?” offers a taste of what’s to come. 

Recorded live-to-tape with minimal overdubbing at Atomic Garden Studios in Oakland with their go-to engineer, Jack Shirley, the EP serves as a sneak peek into their forthcoming full-length album, which will drop sometime next year. The Snares are also gearing up for a West Coast tour from late October to mid-November. Catch The Snares live at the Sac Bike Kitchen alongside The Me Gustas and Bobbie Sol. Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen, 1915 I St.; doors at 6 p.m., music at 7 p.m.; Free; all ages.

Farm-to-Fork-to-jams

Friday-Saturday, Sept. 20-21: Feast your senses on this year’s Farm-to-Fork Festival celebrating Sacramento’s status as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” hosted by Visit Sacramento. This two-day smorgasbord is free to enter and will feature demos from top chefs like Cecil Rhodes of Nash & Proper, Jamie Rathburn of Ella Dining Room & Bar and other Sacramento tastemakers cooking up mouthwatering dishes. Attendees can stroll through the Capitol Mall corridor circling Third to Seventh Streets where they’ll find a variety of delicious bites from dozens of food booths and unique vendors. 

Guests can also sip on craft beer and local wine, immerse themselves in interactive art activities for the kids and enjoy a weekend of stacked concert lineups. National and regional artists set to take the stage include Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens (Texas), Grammy Award-winning artist Andra Day (Southern Cali), plus Arden Park Roots, Boot Juice and more will represent the City of Trees. Festival organizers said they estimate more than 100,000 people in attendance, so plan ahead and check out the full music schedule here. Click here to sign up for the latest updates on vendors and entertainment via email. Farm-to-Fork Festival, 500 Capitol Mall; free to enter; times vary; all ages.  

Sonic legacy of activism

Tuesday, Sept. 24: British singer-songwriter and political activist Billy Bragg will light up the iconic Crest Theatre with his distinct mix of folk, punk and protest anthems as part of the Roaring Forty USA Tour. With a career spanning over three decades, Bragg has consistently used his music to advocate for social change and credits acts like Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and The Clash as influences. Bragg’s work remains as relevant as ever, especially through renowned albums like “Talking with the Taxman About Poetry” and the Grammy-nominated “Mermaid Avenue” collaboration with Wilco; a collection of unreleased Woody Guthrie songs that Bragg was asked to bring to life by Guthrie’s daughter, Nora.

Joining Bragg on this tour is Raye Zaragoza, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter known for her politically infused folk music inspired by her Indigenous, Asian and Latina heritage. Zaragoza gained widespread attention with her song, “In The River,” written in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.; $39.77-$77.26; doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.

Americana with attitude

Friday, Sept. 27: See The Nickel Slots perform their rugged style of early roots Americana at the historic Torch Club. With a blend of alt-country and rock ‘n’ roll played in the spirit of greats like Johnny Cash and the rebellious energy of The Clash, The Nickel Slots have graced many California stages and European tours for nearly two decades. Since forming in 2008, this four-piece band has built a reputation for their raucous, foot-stomping live shows, making them one of Sacramento’s most recognizable groups. 

Lead singer, songwriter and acoustic guitar player, Tony Brusca, writes personal narratives that touch on heartache and the good ol’ days that resonate with fans. He’s backed by bassist and mandolin player Paul Zinn, dynamic percussionist Christopher Amaral behind the kit and Steve Amaral’s rock and country grit on electric guitar. The Nickel Slots have released new songs as digital singles on their Bandcamp page, all of which will be featured on their upcoming fifth studio album set to arrive on Nov. 16 with a show at The Starlet Room marking 16 years together. The Nickel Slots will open the show at the Torch Club from 9 p.m.-10:15 p.m. and Silver Creek Constables are set to close out the night with songs from their latest album, “On the Wabash Cannonball.” Torch Club, 904 15th St.; $12; 9 p.m.;21 and over. 

Culture

Books, resistance, revolution

Saturday, Sept. 7: The Sacramento Anarchist Bookfair returns to the historic Washington Neighborhood Center, a Chicano cultural landmark that has been in the community for over 70 years. This year’s event supports both the WNC and NorCal Resist, a group running a variety of community support programs. The book fair aims to spread anarchist ideals and introduce folks to grassroots projects taking root throughout the Central Valley. 

The Anarchist Bookfair will feature local groups, independent zine distros and national publishers such as AK Press, PM Press and CrimethInc. Attendees can participate in hands-on DIY workshops and a wide range of panel discussions on various topics: including how communities across Northern California are responding to climate change-fueled wildfires; organizing collective assistance in the face of the rising cost of living; building solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers; local tenants’ unions fighting rent hikes and evictions; California parents pushing back against far-Right attacks on public schools; and LGBTQ+ youth.

Featured local presenters include Abel Rodriguez from the Teamsters with a “Know Your Rights on the Job” workshop and Kaley Terwilliger, who will speak about parenting from an anti-authoritarian perspective. This community-driven gathering will also have a food truck, a kids’ zone and books and art for purchase. Washington Neighborhood Center, 400 16th St.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; free; all ages.

Creativity unleashed

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7: Capital Dance Project’s annual Behind the Barre production celebrates its 10th anniversary at the Red Museum with an unforgettable outdoor festival blending dance, music and art. Behind the Barre transforms the Red Museum’s outdoor amphitheater into a vibrant hub of creativity, featuring more than 30 creatives, including dancers, choreographers, musicians and visual artists. Against the Museum’s stunning architectural backdrop, this multifaceted showcase will highlight world-premiere dance works within Sacramento’s thriving art scene. Featured artists include Franceska Gamez, Sunya Whitelight, Ember De Boer and a special set with violinist and composer Joe Kye.

Before the show and during intermission, attendees can explore a maker’s mart with one-of-a-kind, handmade creations, taste delicious offerings from various food trucks and visit the open artist spaces for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process of Behind the Barre. The Red Museum outdoor amphitheater, 212 15th St.; starting at $30; doors at 6:30 p.m., performances at 8 p.m.; all ages.

Art as empowerment 

Thursday, Sept. 12: Experience a powerful evening of healing and advocacy with My Healing Language’s The Memory Palace Movement. Organized in collaboration with UpperCloud and Community Responsive Education, this event focuses on supporting survivors of sexual abuse through art and activism. Attendees will witness an inspiring art exhibition showcasing works influenced by survivors’ healing journeys, explore impactful narratives in a collaborative zine and engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion with survivors and artists. 

This holistic initiative, partially funded by the California Arts Council, is rooted in Indigenous and ancestral wisdom, and aims to create transformative healing spaces for survivors, with each participant working with an artist to produce a personalized piece. Artists include Uli Smith, Esther Marie Hall, Sarah Rene Kraft and Jennifer Lugris. These artworks, along with survivor stories, are featured in a collective zine designed to empower survivors and combat stigmas surrounding sexual abuse. Sequoia at the Cannery; 1601 Alhambra Blvd.; 6-8 p.m.; RSVP at Memory Palace Movement.

Dia de los Marigolds

Sundays in September: Join the Marigolds for the Movement Project at the Seeds of Solidarity Urban Farm every Sunday morning from now to October; starting at 9 a.m., or 7:30 a.m. if temperatures exceed 100 degrees. What should you bring? Wear a hat to protect yourself from direct sun, long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and a water bottle. There will also be water onsite. 

Help build community by weeding, planting and watering — all while watching the farm’s vibrant cempasuchil (marigold) patch grow. The marigolds, nurtured from seed to sprout, will be used for Dia de los Muertos celebrations throughout Sacramento. Marigolds for the Movement emerged from a need for ethically sourced marigolds for Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Organizers said they believe their ancestors deserve to be honored with intention, and that everyone has the right to connect with cempasuchil. 

The goal is to connect people with this sacred flower by encouraging others to build relationships with the plant, whether with a group or in their own spaces. The collaborative effort between NorCal Resist, Latino Outdoors, The Marigold Society and Sol Collective invites everyone to be part of this meaningful and beautiful tradition. Seeds of Solidarity Urban Farm, 491 Regatta Lane, West Sacramento; Sundays through September-October; 9 a.m.; free; all ages.

This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics and protocols, the city had no editorial influence over this story and no city official reviewed this story before it was published. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer and Univision 19.