By Steph Rodriguez

Glittering floats, neon rainbows and a Sphinx glide down Capitol Mall this February, setting the stage for a month of music, art and celebration across Sacramento. Catch punk duo Rat Therapy tearing up The Press Club, or groove to hip-hop and spoken word with Ruby Ibarra at the Crocker Art Museum’s “Come Closer” feminist-inspired music series. 

For a little va-va-voom, the “Forbidden Fruit” burlesque show unveils playful, queer energy on Valentine’s Day at The Silver Lining Piano Bar & Lounge, while the city honors Black artistry with the Crocker’s Black History Month Festival. And don’t miss the fifth-annual City of Trees Parade, where dazzling floats, vibrant performers and an evening dance party light up downtown. It’s all here in your February guide to all things Sacramento. 

Music

Surf meets static 

Wednesday, Feb. 4: With fuzzed-out pop melodies and surf-leaning guitar tones, Santa Cruz band Trestles delivers sun-soaked garage rock into the present. It’s the type of sound that nods to its roots, reworked into something angsty, melodic and sharp.

That push-and-pull comes through clearly on their latest album, “Salt,” where songs like “Head First” and “Shake My Hand” pair tongue-in-cheek vocals with shimmery riffs. Joining Trestles on their “West Is the Best” tour is Colorado psychedelic rock band The Dirty Turkeys, and local singer-songwriter Brendon B opens the night, his music bridging dreamy pop with aching, diary-like honesty. Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $18.54; all ages.

Two rats and a trash can 

Friday, Feb. 6: A dented trash can sets the tone at Rat Therapy shows. It’s like the third member of this Sacramento art punk/emo duo started by two best buds who leaned into music as a more therapeutic, yet aggressive form of expression. Check out their song “Eat the Rat King,” a fun, high-energy punk jam that launches immediately and only builds, fueled by a furious drummer.

Speaking of rats, Fresno band Tower Rats, fronted by Jackie Bootstraps, adds their polished, yet intense blend of punk to the bill. Listen to their latest single “I Aim to Please,” a moody, self-deprecating standout the band released last spring. Plus, Toxic Waves’ chill vibes are for fans of Saves the Day, while Sacramento indie rock four-piece Push To Feel tops the night with their eclectic, genre-bending style. The Press Club, 1119 21st St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20 day of show; 21 and over.

Voices of empowerment 

Thursday, February 26: February kicks off the next chapter of “Come Closer,” the Crocker Art Museum’s genre-spanning music series inspired by bell hooks’ enduring call for feminist connection. This time, the spotlight turns to hip-hop artist, poet and activist Ruby Ibarra, whose sharp lyricism and commanding presence fuse hip-hop and spoken word into powerful reflections on identity, heritage and empowerment. 

Before Ibarra’s live performance, explore the “Making Moves: A Collection of Feminisms” exhibition or catch a DJ set from Mrs. Organic from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. With future performances featuring Chrissy Chlapecka in March and DEFEM in April, “Come Closer” invites audiences to lean in, listen closely and experience how feminism resonates through music, art and history within the museum’s storied walls. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; $30-$35; 18 and over.

Soul-baring blues 

Friday, Feb. 27: Soul-stirring blues vocalist Katie Knipp brings her immersive vocals, expert piano work and artful storytelling, promising an unforgettable Friday night at the Torch Club. Knipp, joined by her full band, will perform some selections from her fourth, top-10 Billboard album, “Me,” a collection of evocative, modern blues that spans sultry ballads and socially conscious themes. 

Known for sharing the stage with legends like Buddy Guy and contemporary favorites including Trombone Shorty, Knipp blends vulnerability with virtuosity in every performance. Audiences can expect haunting melodies, heart-tugging lyrics and electrifying musicianship, all delivered with the passionate energy that has made her one of contemporary blues’ most compelling voices. Torch Club, 904 15th St.; 9 p.m.; $15; 21 and over.

Culture

Take a bite of ‘Forbidden Fruit’

Saturday, Feb. 14: “Forbidden Fruit” is setting the Valentine’s Day mood at The Silver Lining Piano Bar & Lounge with an evening of burlesque performances, laughter and plenty of playful temptations. Behind the curtain is The Darling Clementines, the all-queer, POC-run collective that’s spent 13 years shaping Sacramento nightlife with striking burlesque and drag productions and full-on dance parties throughout the city. This sultry showcase is led by none other than the comedian and burlesque dynamo, ChaCha Burnadette, so attendees can expect risque vibes and cheeky humor. “This really is a space for queer people. It is sexy. It’s playful. It’s intimate and it is certainly something different and exciting to offer your friends or a date or yourself on Valentine’s Day,” says ChaCha Burnadette.

The intimate night features four up-close performances from ChaCha Burnadette, Deaja Girl on Fire, Reno’s Titanium Tina and Bay Area standout Sadira LadyLiquid, plus a spanking booth, lap dance auction and special VIP perks. With just 50 seats available, this theatrical striptease welcomes everyone from couples, throuples, friends and singles who are ready to enjoy a fun night of indulgence.The Silver Lining Piano Bar & Lounge, 1414 16th St.; doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.; $28.52-$129.89; 21 and over.

Art that connects

Sunday, Feb. 22: Celebrate Black artistry and community at the Crocker Art Museum’s Black History Month Festival, planned in partnership with Shonna McDaniels of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. This year’s theme, “interwoven,” is inspired by Faith Ringgold’s beautiful quilting patterns and Angela Hennessy’s hair-weaving masterpieces. 

Throughout the afternoon, attendees can listen in on special talks, quietly explore the gallery and also join Weaving the Sunflowers, a collaborative project led by Poppy and Pot and Keia Kodama for a lesson in tying hair, fabric and florals into a socially-made artwork. The museum’s ballroom will also feature a partner and artist showcase, including work from Gerry “Gos” Simpson, Shawtay Gorman, Jermaine Tilson and more. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 11 a.m.; free; all ages.

Celebrate African voices

Wednesday, Feb. 25: South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir showcases powerhouse vocals, mesmerizing choreography and their captivating energy at the Mondavi Center in Davis. Founded in Limpopo in 2009 as an after-school program for vulnerable children, the choir has grown into an international phenomenon, infusing chart-topping hits such as Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s hit “Shallow,” among others, with African rhythms and layered harmonies. 

The masterful group first wowed audiences on “America’s Got Talent” and earned a record deal with Syco Entertainment before releasing multiple acclaimed albums, including their No. 1 debut, “Africa.” Under artistic director Ralf Schmitt, the choir continues to innovate, performing everything from Zulu-language Queen covers to dynamic, socially inspired arrangements that have transfixed audiences worldwide. Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, 523 Mrak Hall Drive, in Davis; 7 p.m.; $18-$63.50; all ages.

City of beads

Saturday, Feb. 28: A Sphinx, a neon rainbow and The Giving Tree will all roll down Capitol Mall as a part of the fifth-annual City of Trees Parade & Mardi Gras Festival. It’s the city’s only nighttime parade with mesmerizing floats that starts just before sunset and illuminates a mile-long route from the Capitol to Old Sacramento. 

Last year, more than 1,300 performers joined in on the fun, and this year, festival-goers will be treated to live musical performances, interactive exhibits, local vendors and food trucks — plus a beverage garden that helps raise funds for the festival. It all caps off with the electric City of Trees Parade dance party. So if you’re interested in hopping on one of those dazzling art cars or special floats and want to toss 100% recycled beads at happy crowds — this is your festival. City of Trees Festival & Parade, 700 Capitol Mall; 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10.97-$232.57; 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, CapRadio, Hmong Daily News, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.