By Steph Rodriguez
Music is the pulse of February in Sacramento. From Omaha darlings Cursive, whose indie/post-hardcore bangers have made a lasting impression on listeners since the early 2000s (myself included), to Los Angeles punks Generación Suicida bringing their high-energy set en Español, this month is packed with plenty of live shows for every music lover.
There’s new local releases on the horizon, too, with Rainbow City Park celebrating their fresh EP “Fruitless” and longtime local favorites Forever Goldrush finally dropping the name of their upcoming full-length album (read on to see more). So whether you’re drawn to heartfelt ballads with a Phoebe Bridgers vibe or into dusty Americana anthems, the city is reverberating with unforgettable performances that speak to the heart, soul and diversity of Sacramento music culture.
Music
Still lost in Cursive

Thursday, Feb. 6: Cursive stole my heart in high school. I’d spend hours getting lost in the raw, heart-wrenching lyrics of songs like “The Casualty” from their seminal 2000 album, “Domestica,” or repeating “Some Red Handed Sleight of Hand” from “The Ugly Organ” record over and over again because I had never heard a cello shred with such intensity alongside fast-paced percussion and distorted guitars. I was hooked.
Fast-forward nearly 30 years later, and the Omaha indie rock/post-hardcore legends are back at it with “Devourer,” their 10th album released last September through Run For Cover Records — their first with the label. True to form, “Devourer” dives deep into themes of creativity and identity, propelled by Tim Kasher’s broody vocals and backed by the band’s now seven-member lineup. With cello, keys and, at times, dual drummers heard on the new record, Cursive continues to evolve without losing the depth and vulnerability that made them essential listening in the late ’90s/early 2000s. While pivotal albums like “The Ugly Organ” shaped a generation, “Devourer” reminds us why Cursive’s cathartic sound resonates now more than ever. Harlow’s, 2701 J St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $32.90; all ages.
New music loading …

Saturday, Feb. 8: Northern California-based rock ’n’ roll band Forever Goldrush has been pushing the boundaries of their signature, twangy sound since forming in 1997. The band, known for writing music that reflects the earthy echoes of the region’s rich history forged with a rugged blend of rockabilly and roots rock, has been busy adding the finishing touches to their upcoming album, “Shadow Days,” set for mixing in 2025.
As they look ahead, Forever Goldrush said they’re eager for their first performance of the year alongside songwriter and folk musician Jon Emery, and the band, King, who describe their sound as a mix between everything from KISS to Lynyrd Skynyrd and even a sprinkle of David Bowie. Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m.; $12 in advance, $15 at the door; all ages.
‘Musica del barrio, para el barrio’

Monday, Feb. 17: Your Monday plans just became far more entertaining. Los Angeles’ Generación Suicida is set to blast the doors open to Cafe Colonial with their impassioned, unapologetic punk set — all en Español. Formed in 2010, the proudly DIY quartet told British webzine, Kerrang!, in 2018, they write “musica del barrio, para el barrio” (“music from the neighborhood, for the neighborhood”) — and that tracks. Generación Suicida’s melody-driven punk is one to add to your everyday playlist in queue with the Ramones, the Adverts and “Killed by Death” compilations from the late 1970s to early ’80s.
Over the years, the band has gained a global following, performing in 24 countries across four continents. Fronted by singer-guitarist Tony Abarca, the band’s gritty, energetic sound transcends their South Central L.A. roots, while their message remains grounded in the neighborhood. With a fierce dedication to punk rock culture, Generación Suicida shows that the music belongs to everyone who cares enough to listen. Build Us Airplanes and False Flowers will also perform. Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.; $21.15; all ages.
Soul-baring soundscapes

Friday, Feb. 21: Rainbow City Park, an indie-rock band straddling Sacramento and San Francisco, celebrates the release of their new EP, “Fruitless,” with a kick-ass show featuring MRS, Cugino and Moondrops (SF) in Midtown. With influences ranging from Frightened Rabbit and Pinegrove to Phoebe Bridgers and The Shins, the five-piece band blends soul-baring lyrics with rich melodies and an alt-rock edge. Frontwoman and guitarist Dani Judith’s achy yet powerful vocals shine on tracks like “Chalk,” exploring the tension of romantic relationships that many of us can relate to with lyrics like:
“You knew the ending before I could even guess /
‘Cause what I wanted was so much more than I would ever get /
Believed it was something that it wasn’t /
Oh does it make you sick to your stomach? /
Or do you chalk it up to nothing?”
“Fruitless” is a strong collection of songs that truly touches on everything musically from ballads to shoegaze-tinged pop moments all expertly mastered by Ed Brooks, recognized for his work with Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie and Fleet Foxes. Goldfield Trading Post Midtown, 1630 J St.; doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m.; $21.29; all ages.
Culture
Sasha Velour’s artful rebellion

Friday, Feb. 7: Sasha Velour is a visionary and a powerhouse in the vibrant spaces of drag and activism. A visual artist and author with ties to Berkeley, Velour captivated hearts around the world with their breathtaking, rose-petal-covered victory on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season nine. Known for blending their artistry with advocacy, Velour’s critically acclaimed book “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag” celebrates drag as both a powerful form of self-expression and a revolutionary act of visibility for queer culture.
Now, Velour is visiting the Mondavi Center in Davis for their talk titled, “The Big Reveal: Why Drag Matters, Now & Forever.” Listen to Velour as she shares drag’s rich history, taking audience members through its revolutionary impact on queer culture and its ability to disrupt societal norms. Beyond the runway, Velour’s success continues with their one-queen drag show “Smoke & Mirrors” and their theatrical collaboration with Tony Award-winning Tectonic Theatre Project, “Velour: A Drag Spectacular.” Mondavi Center – Jackson Hall, 1 Shields Ave., corner of Mrak Hall Drive and Old Davis Road; 7:30 p.m.; $18.50-$82.50.
Star-crossed lovers

Friday, Feb. 14-16: Don’t have Valentine’s Day plans? Surprise your sweetie with tickets to the Sacramento Ballet’s freshly reimagined “Romeo and Juliet,” choreographed by world-renowned artist Young Soon Hue. These special performances run all weekend, so there are plenty of chances to catch this groundbreaking production, which is a historic first for American ballet as it marks the debut of Young Soon Hue’s full-length work in the U.S.
Sac Ballet’s “Romeo and Juliet” unfolds with the iconic score of esteemed composer Sergei Prokofiev, with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera bringing every note to life during each live show. Even if you’re not into the mushy stuff, William Shakespeare’s timeless love story is truly for everyone: couples, playwrights, hopeless romantics and anyone who’s been frustrated by their family. SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St.; performance times vary, visit Sac Ballet for more information; $25-$105.
Sacto-style Mardi Gras

Saturday, Feb. 22: Are you ready for the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in California? The City of Trees Parade & Mardi Gras Festival makes its lively return with an exciting lineup of more than 1,300 performers rolling down Capitol Mall from the Capitol west steps before making its way toward Tower Bridge and ending in Old Sacramento.
Cheer on vibrant dance troupes and marching bands, witness an adorable pet parade, and gasp at the talented LED fire-spinners and decorative mutant desert vehicles from Burning Man. The festival grounds at 7th and Capitol Mall will be abuzz with food trucks, a festival bar and gigantic art cars. This is also a family friendly affair with interactive fun for the kids like face-painting and a build-your-own Mardi Gras float contest. The parade rolls by from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., but festival organizers say the fun continues with live performances and a light-up dance party into the night. Capitol Mall at 7th Street and Old Sacramento; 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10.97-$105.05; kids with a prior RSVP are free; visit here for more ticket information; all ages.
Rhythms of identity

Thursday, Feb 27: Celebrate the dynamic intersection of Latinx and Chicanx music paired with contemporary art at the Crocker Art Museum during its latest series Global Rhythms: ¡Órale!. This month’s program aligns with the museum’s exhibition “Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective,” which delves into the de la Torre Brothers‘ multifaceted works shaped by their multicultural influences growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Since the 1990s, their art reflects the complexities of the immigrant experience, the tension of bicultural identities and their ongoing life and practice straddling both sides of the border. These themes deeply inform the brothers’ narrative and artistic aesthetics. Throughout the evening, attendees will also hear the Afro-Cuban beats and global percussion techniques of Son Café, led by musician Dominic Garcia. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 6:30 p.m.; $10-$30; 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. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.
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