The following is the Aug. 20 edition of Cultural Capital, an arts and entertainment newsletter written by Abridged contributor Chris Macias. Want it sent directly to your inbox? Sign up here.
So many of my favorite youthful memories are tied to music, like blowing my allowance at Tower Records, the hijinks of marching band trips and discovering bands at the Cattle Club. Now, I love seeing my own kids digging into the arts, like my daughter’s fascination with singing and musical theater, along with my son ripping away on guitar.
On this note, we’re spotlighting a beloved local program that’s built its own memories for local musicians yet faces an uncertain future heading into its annual benefit show. You’ll also find a robust week of arts and entertainment including cinema, literary arts, live music and more.
Hit the “play” button and let’s go!
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In your inbox every Thursday, Abridged's entertainment newsletter from Chris Macias highlights things to do in the Sacramento region.
G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento plays Harlow’s — and eyes its future
The details:
- Harlow’s, 2708 J St., Sacramento
- 5 p.m., Aug. 22 (Saturday)
- $31.65
As G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento’s final teen camp of the year wrapped in late July, executive director Larisa Bryski gathered the young musicians in a circle and said “hopefully” the camp would be back next year. Some of the campers gasped, asking what she meant.
“I don’t think I’d ever said ‘hopefully’ like that before in the final camper circle,” said Bryski. “It was something real that was bubbling up.”
G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento was launched in 2016 to support young female musicians. Bryski heard it all before as a longtime rock singer — that she was good for a girl, or questioning if she was at a gig because a boyfriend was playing.
Now, GRS faces a hiatus next summer due to financial challenges, the need for a larger rehearsal space and Bryski burning out from organizing its programs primarily by herself. Those programs include a series of minicamps for ages 8 to 11, teen camps and a “Liberation Rock Camp” for adults.
This crossroads stands before GRS as the program’s annual benefit show, “Don’t You Forget About Me,” takes over Harlow’s on Saturday. It features a “who’s who” of local musicians playing songs from the ’80s, from pop and rock classics to deep cuts. The house band, Wisteria, spotlights GRS alumni playing tunes from 1986.
Bryski isn’t considering pulling the plug entirely on GRS. But taking a break to re-assess GRS’ needs and recharge could provide a more stable future, she said.
“I just feel like the work that we do is really important, especially in today’s social and musical climate,” she said. “… I want to try to figure it out. It’s more important to me than anything.”
Explore cinema with soul
The details:
- California Railroad Museum, 125 I St., Sacramento
- 7 p.m. Aug. 21 (Friday), then 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 22-23 (Saturday-Sunday)
- $31.60 single-day pass, $50 weekend pass
Could the next Spike Lee or Ryan Coogler be in our midst? The California Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento plays host this weekend to Cine Soul, also known as the Sacramento International Black Film Festival. Along with screenings of documentaries and short films, the festival includes networking opportunities and an awards program. Look for an appearance from Ericka Nicole Malone, the writer and producer of “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story.”
Perfect your prose in Elk Grove
The details:
- A Seat at the Table Books, 9257 Laguna Springs Drive, Suite 130, Elk Grove
- 6 p.m., Aug. 20 (Thursday)
- $10
So, you’ve got the Great American Novel swimming around your head but stuck on creating a world that will immerse the reader. Take your storytelling skills to the next level in “Prose Craft Study: Setting and World Building” on Thursday (tonight) at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove. Local wordsmith and editor Elizabeth Kaetzel is your guide to breaking through those writer’s blocks and boosting that word count with craftsmanship.
Limbo at a Woodland luau
The details:
- Blue Note Brewing, 750 Dead Cat Alley, Woodland
- 12-10 p.m., Aug. 22 (Saturday)
- Free entry
Break out that lei and visions of Waikiki Beach as Blue Note Brewing transforms into a tropical paradise for its annual Summer Luau Party on Saturday. Sport your best Hawaiian shirt and shimmy to the surf rockin’ sounds of Jimmy and The Deadlies and Dangerforce 5. Complete the beach party vibes with a limbo contest. How low can you go?
More events you won’t want to miss
- Silent disco like no one’s watching at The Center at District 56 in Elk Grove on Aug. 21 (Friday).
- Desario celebrates the release of two indie rockin’ albums, “Hinterland” and “Long Lost,” at The Press Club in Midtown Sacramento on Aug. 21 (Friday).
- Take the family to Race for the Arts in Land Park for exercise and festivities on Aug. 22 (Saturday).
- Shop and stroll around the Bicycle Thief Pop Up Art Market in Grass Valley on Aug. 22 (Saturday).
- Get knotty with a macrame class at Verge Center for the Arts in Sacramento on Aug. 23 (Sunday).
Before I go,
Speaking of music teachers, this week’s Cultural Capital goes out to Brad North, my former band director at John F. Kennedy High School in Greenhaven. Thanks for putting up with me as a young trumpeter and exposing us all to wonderful music from the ages.
As always, keep the tips coming at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
