By Steph Rodriguez

April is packed with unforgettable events across Sacramento, starting with Torch Club’s 25th anniversary celebration. The weekend features 16 bands and a special tribute to its legacy as a beloved social hub since 1934, when the music venue and bar first opened on 8th and L streets.

At The Starlet Room, Oh Lonesome Ana teams up with Rachael McElhiney for an emotionally charged EP release show, blending raw emotion with heart-swelling indie rock. Visiting from Japan, Johnny Pandora’s fearless stage presence and electrifying take on rock ’n’ roll is joined by Th’Losin Streaks and Dog Party for a show you won’t want to miss. 

For the K-9 lovers out there: The annual Doggy Dash returns to William Land Park, supporting the Sacramento SPCA, while Casa de Español celebrates the return of First Fridays with a photography exhibition and community gathering. And for big laughs, comedy fans can delight in the Bomb Shelter, a night of hilarious entertainment that features national comics in an intimate setting at The Silver Lining dueling piano bar. Here’s where you can start to plan your weekend and the month ahead. 

Music

Torch Club’s timeless legacy

Friday, April 11-Sunday, April 13: Raise a pint to the historic Torch Club as it celebrates 25 years as a beloved music venue and bar on 15th Street with a weekend of entertainment from 16 incredible bands — all ready to toast to the occasion. 

Originally founded in 1934 as a post-prohibition social hub, the Torch Club was purchased in 1969 by Frank Texeira, becoming a cornerstone of Sacramento’s music scene. Initially located at 8th and L streets, it has since settled across from the Memorial Auditorium, becoming a landmark where locals and travelers alike enjoy cold drinks and lively conversation. Today, the Torch Club continues its legacy as a vibrant gathering place for live music and community.

“My willingness to continue to run my small business is due to the community, and how I can utilize my space to make a difference,” says owner Marina Texeira, granddaughter of Frank Texeira.

The anniversary weekend includes performances by Stacie Eakes, who’s performed at the venue for over 20 years, Loose Engines, Element Brass Band, Red’s Blues, Peter Petty, Mind X and more. Drewski’s food truck will set up outside on Saturday, and homemade cupcakes by local caterer Jill Zenti will be served on Sunday. As a Torch Club mainstay, Eakes says, “It’s a magical place where music fills your soul.” Torch Club, 904 15th St.; show times and cover charge TBA; 21 and over.

New music loading …

Saturday, April 12: Sacramento indie rock band Oh Lonesome Ana joins forces with Reno singer-songwriter Rachael McElhiney for a raw and emotionally charged new EP, “So I Let Go,” set to release April 4 on Transylvanian Records. Written in free-flowing sessions and recorded in just one weekend, the four-track collaboration blends McElhiney’s (vocals) folk roots with Oh Lonesome Ana’s dynamic rock energy. The band — Evan Bailey (guitar, vocals, keyboard, percussion), Jacob Bradford (guitar), Ashley Maiden (bass) and Zach Peach (drums) — crafted an atmospheric soundscape that captures love, loss and self-discovery.

A standout track, “Dear Sister,” is a moody, cathartic piece that pulls listeners in with its emotional weight. Driven by haunting percussion and bass, McElhiney’s delicate yet aching vocals start with a quiet intensity before soaring into raw anguish:

“One last dose to clear out the fog /

One finger over my eye /

If anyone calls /

Tell them I’m still lying here waiting to die /

It’s been two entire years /

I don’t even have any pictures here /

You know I try /

Dear sister stay by my side /

Dear sister stay by my side /”

McElhiney’s soul-stirring vocals flex with emotive strength, paired with Oh Lonesome Ana’s impeccable musicianship, “So I Let Go” offers a striking blend of folk and indie rock. Experience this beautifully evocative fusion for yourself at the band’s EP release show at The Starlet Room.The Starlet Room, 2708 J St., above Harlow’s; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $19.15 in advance; all ages.

Tokyo’s rock ’n’ roll samurai

Saturday, April 19: If you’re a fan of rockabilly, garage rock and high-energy rock ’n’ roll — do not miss this show with Johnny Pandora, Th’Losin Streaks and Dog Party. Known as the “rock ’n’ roll samurai” in Tokyo, Johnny Daigo Yamashita’s bold persona and perfectly sculpted pompadour is just as iconic as his music. He and his band fuse rockabilly, blues and traditional Japanese influences with a fierce, electrifying sound that has captivated audiences globally. 

Sacramento’s Th’Losin Streaks will join the party, adding their signature garage rock sound to the lineup by performing tracks from their latest album “Last House.” And rebellious pop-punk duo, Dog Party, are the cherry on top of this frenetic night. They’re sure to deliver a tailored set serving up their fast-paced, catchy anthems from their new album “Dangerous.” Dog Party is also set to tour Japan with artist Peach Kelli Pop, supporting the band on guitar and drums. Torch Club, 904 15th St.; 9 p.m.; $15; 21 and over.

Shredding through sound

Friday, April 25: Get ready for a night of unrelenting punk and hardcore at Cafe Colonial, featuring Sacramento’s own Kill the Precedent, HotBods, Whorified and Luv visiting from the Bay Area. KTP’s breakneck speed, hard-hitting rhythms and unapologetic energy, performing tracks from their blistering EP, “Assassination Attempts” sets the tone for this stellar lineup. 

Luv delivers their unfiltered aggression, showcasing songs from their latest EP, “Living Under Violence Vol. 1,” released in January. 

HotBods infuses punk with melodic hooks and heartfelt lyrics, bridging the gap between punk and alternative rock. And hardcore punk outfit Whorified offers an in-your-face and refreshing take on the genres keeping the bill alive with high energy. Whether you crave crushing riffs or catchy punk anthems, this night promises a high-voltage experience for everyone. Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.; $18.15 in advance, $21.15 at the door; all ages.

Culture

First-first Friday

Friday, April 4: Springtime signals the arrival of warmer weather, later sunsets and the return of First Fridays in the City of Trees. Kick off the weekend by stopping by historic R Street to see “Nuestra Fuerza,” a powerful photography exhibition hosted by Casa de Español as part of Sacramento Photography Month. This robust showcase highlights resilience, heritage and identity through the works of acclaimed photographers, including Andrés Álvarez, Janine Mapurunga, Jorge Quintana, Daniela García and more. 

The evening also doubles as a fundraiser for NorCal Resist, supporting local immigrant communities. Enjoy live music, food, drinks and an artisan market while engaging with artists and fellow attendees. Casa de Español is a vibrant cultural hub that continues to celebrate Latin American culture by uplifting and showcasing the arts and empowering the community by hosting these interactive experiences. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in another layer of storytelling through striking imagery and community connection. Casa de Español, 1101 R St.; 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.; free admission, donations to NorCal Resist encouraged; all ages.

Explosive laughs ahead

Wednesday, April 9: The Bomb Shelter is a brand-new, monthly comedy showcase that promises to be Sacramento’s must-see event for folks who enjoy laughing out loud. Hosted at The Silver Lining (the dueling piano bar that took over Luna’s), this intimate experience invites national headliners to perfect their acts in front of a small, engaged crowd of just 60 people. 

What to expect? An exciting lineup of comics from Sac, the Bay Area and beyond, including April 9th’s headlining comedian Kalea McNeill with Niles Abston and Ashley Monique coming in hot with fresh material that’s sure to spark big laughs. Each show also features a standout collaboration with a local artist to create a custom art piece that performers will sign and auction off. This is the Bomb Shelter’s second comedy showcase since its debut in March, so grab your tickets now and bring a friend for an unforgettable night of jokes in Midtown. The Silver Lining, 1414 16th St.; 9 p.m.; $30 in advance, $35 at the door; 21 and over.

Makers in bloom

Saturday, April 12: Celebrate the flora and fauna of the season with the Spring Makers Market by River City Marketplace, featuring over 70 unique local artisans, crafters and entrepreneurs. This pop-up market will transform the Main and West Plaza at the Downtown Commons (DOCO) into a vibrant shopping destination, offering a variety of handmade jewelry, candles, art, bath and body products and other specialty goodies. 

Tease your senses with vendors like Wonder in Bloom, showcasing plants, flowers and resin art; Dangles & Tusk with unique jewelry inspired by the majestic elephant; and Symple Designs, offering one-of-a-kind home décor. As you browse, enjoy live tunes spun by a DJ, creating the perfect atmosphere to shop and explore. Whether you’re looking for a special gift or something fun to treat yourself, this market is the perfect place to support local creators and enjoy the season’s offerings. DOCO, 405 K St., across the Main and West Plaza; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; free entry; all ages.

Where my dogs at?

Saturday, April 12: Grab your leash and lace up those sneakers for the Sacramento SPCA’s annual Doggy Dash. It’s the region’s biggest dog walk and festival happening on the sprawling green lawns of beautiful William Land Park. On event day, registration opens at 8:30 a.m., with the 2k and 5k walk beginning at 10 a.m. Every step helps provide lifesaving medical care, low-cost vaccinations, spay and neuter services and additional support for over 40,000 animals in need each year. 

After the walk with your furry friends, stay for the Bark in the Park Festival with your human friends, which features K-9 demos, contests, more than 100 pet-friendly vendors, craft beer, local wine and delicious eats from Good Roots Café, Gyro Stop, Rainbow Snow Shaved Ice and so much more. Festival admission is free for registered walkers, but a $5 donation is suggested for other pet lovers in the crowd. William Land Park, 3800 William Land Park Drive; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; $35-$50 registration fee; all ages.

This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. 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, the city had no editorial influence over this story. 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.