Orchestrating above the chaos: Part I on teaching performing arts in Sacramento during COVID
By Patti Roberts Performing arts such as theater, orchestra and dance are usually done before a live audience – and often based on a wide…
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House of a thousand laughs: Comedy at Sacramento’s ‘Orange House’ hints at new possibilities in entertainment
By Luis Gael Jimenez “Everything you see was either found, built, or stolen,” David Samuel says, taking a drag from a spliff.His long mustache hides…
Sacramento’s Mr. P Chill keeps up the crate diggin’ and spittin’ rhymes
By Casey Rafter One of Sacramento’s longest-running hip hop performers is a tall-ass white dude with a goatee. That description – along with a hat,…
Hips don’t lie: Belly dancer Bridggett Bess charms Sacramento with a life of storytelling through the arts
She dances, sings and acts: Whether taking the stage as Badia, or grabbing the mic as Pandora Gunn, Bess sees no limits to connecting with…
Theater creator takes his final bow in Sacramento
Buck Busfield looks back on decades of bringing life to the local stage By Patti Roberts After more than 35 years as one of the…
The Guru of Groove: A man of many names, genres and talents, Larry Rodriguez is Sacramento’s sonic mainstay
Some know him at Flower Vato, others as D.J. Larry – still others as the minster of a percussive ‘church’ By Casey Rafter It is…
There’s a call for more diversity in Sacramento theater and local stages are responding
By Patti Roberts As Hamilton lyrics ask: “Who remembers your name, who keeps your flame, who tells your story?” It’s always been the storytellers, whether…
Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum is teaching Sacramento the story of Black America
By Casey Rafter Drum raps bounce joyfully off of the walls of the African Marketplace at the Florin Business Arts Complex. The sounds come from…
Sacramento’s cheerful homicide historian releases book after brush with his own mortality
David Kulczyk’s ‘Forgotten California Murders’ will likely be his last outing in the genre By Scott Thomas Anderson Everyone seems to enjoy chatting with David…
When spiritual portals prevail: Meet the Sacramento art galleries that clung on and are keepin’ on
By Casey Rafter Pocked from age, the darkly stained planks visible in Brickhouse Gallery’s cement have outlived their original purpose: Once Soracco’s Sheet Metal works,…
Verge Center for the Arts is forging connections in Sacramento through ‘Personal Histories’
Center’s latest exhibit showcases the beauty of individuality amid local and nationally recognized artists, now open through February When artists are given the resources and…
The magic of movement: After some pandemic falls, Sacramento’s dance scene is alive and spinning
From jazz, hip hop and ballet, to burlesque and Brazilian flare, the Capital City’s performers are getting on their feet again By Casey Rafter On…
Sacramento’s swing man Peter Petty is reaching his zenith on stage
Fans say that Jazz’s prodigious partier brings an energy and audacity that’s hard to match By Casey Rafter Under the lights of The Sofia Theatre,…
Staging a comeback: Sacramento’s theaters fight their way out of ‘the longest intermission’ in history
After nearly two years of shutdowns, patrons’ generosity and artists’ adaptability staved off disaster By Patti Roberts Local theaters are currently aglow with Christmas productions…
¡Viva la cultura! Sacramento’s Latino Center of Art and Culture brings new life to a landmark, continuing its vital celebration of heritage
LCAC looks to new horizons at Winn Park, hosts its La Pastorela this week at The Guild Theater It wasn’t that long ago in Sacramento’s…
Vagabond virtuosity: The Sofia prepares for one hot night with The Hot Club of San Francisco
December 3 show in Sacramento highlights a rare nomad jazz legacy that’s gaining increased recognition By Scott Thomas Anderson It’s the music of mystery. Guitars…
City of Sacramento lands new national grant for artists hit hard by the COVID crisis
The rollercoaster nature of the pandemic – its teasing glimmers of a close before flaring up again – have equaled a Sisyphus-like climb out of…