The following is the Sept. 17 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.
Happy first birthday to Abridged by PBS KVIE! I couldn’t be more thrilled to contribute and share the goodness of local arts and entertainment through Cultural Capital. Thank you for all the readership, support and tips. This party is just getting started and I can’t wait to bring you more.
It’s a full circle kind of week. The debut of Cultural Capital spotlighted CrockerCon, a free celebration of comic book art at the Crocker Art Museum. The 2026 version of CrockerCon returns Sunday with dozens of exhibitors, a community LEGO build, animated films and much more inspired fun for the family.
The good times continue this week, including outdoor ballet, a suburban celebration of chickens, a literary salon in Woodland, skateboarding in Grass Valley, an appearance by an iconic Sacramento alt-rock musician and much more.
Grab a smash cake for this first b-day 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.
Where pirouettes meet picnic baskets
The details:
- William Land Park, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento
- 5-8 p.m., Sept. 19 (Saturday)
- Free
Framed by Fairytale Town and William Land Park’s duck pond, the ballet dancers will glide and leap elegantly across the stage. Since launching in 2022, Ballet in the Park has become a favorite way to enjoy dancing arts in a family-friendly setting.
There will be no stuffiness on Saturday at William Carroll Amphitheatre, just a celebration of dance from members of the School of Sacramento Ballet and Sacramento Ballet Second Company. Through its performances and demonstrations of ballet methodologies, it’s the perfect opportunity to inspire your future Anna Pavlova or Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Turn up with Jonah Matranga
The details:
- The Starlet Room, 2708 J St., Sacramento
- 8 p.m., Sept. 17 (Thursday)
- $25
Back in April, Jonah Matranga returned to his Sacramento stomping grounds to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Tin Cans With Strings to You,” the major label debut from his former band, Far. Thursday night at the Starlet Room, Matranga revisits the album once again with guitar amps blazing under the band moniker oneLOUDdrawing. Close your eyes and it just might feel like the Cattle Club all over again.
Pleasantries and inspirations at a writer’s salon
The details:
- The Pleasant Pheasant Bookstore, 606 Main St., Woodland
- 5:30-7 p.m., Sept. 17 (Thursday)
- Free
Trying to write the Great American Novel, but coming up with endless pages of “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?” Before you turn into a scene from “The Shining,” work out your writer’s block and meet with fellow wordsmiths at The Pleasant Writer’s Salon.
The event will be held Saturday at The Pleasant Pheasant Bookstore, which moved in July to its new Downtown Woodland digs. Discuss the finer points of character development and narrative structure while making friends with fellow local authors.
Rock at ‘Chickenstock’ in Fair Oaks
The details:
- Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks
- 12-6 p.m., Sept. 19 (Saturday)
- Free
Wander through Fair Oaks and you’re bound to cross paths with free-range chickens. They’ve roamed around the city over the past century and are now embodied in a Fair Oaks mascot known as Rocky the Rooster.
On Saturday, it’s time to celebrate all things chicken at Fair Oaks Park. The 21st annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival will be underway with a live music program dubbed “Chickenstock,” an egg drop contest, a petting zoo and plenty of finger-licking foods.
Cheer for radical skateboarders in Gold Country
The details:
- Condon Park Skatepark, 660 Minnie St., Grass Valley
- 11 a.m., Sept. 19 (Saturday)
- Free; $20-$25 to compete
The greater Sacramento region is rolling into a golden age of new skateparks, with new or renovated ones recently opening in West Sacramento, Colfax and Davis, the last of which will have its grand opening on Sept. 18 (Friday).
Grass Valley’s Condon Park Skatepark debuted in March with a major upgrade. Local skaters in six divisions will continue to break in the spot during Grass Valley’s 23rd annual skate contest on Saturday. It’s presented by GoodTimes board store, a mainstay of the Sierra Nevada foothills skate scene for nearly 30 years.
Emile Janicot, a.k.a. MC Salmon, will provide the blow-by-blow. You’ll recognize his signature stoked voice if you were at X Games Sacramento, where he served as an announcer.
More events you won’t want to miss
- Colfax Art Walks and Colfax Lions Cruise Nights mixes art and classic cars in Downtown Colfax on Sept. 18 (Friday).
- Live music returns to The HIVE in Woodland with Bomba Fried Rice on Sept. 18 (Friday).
- Brazilian Day Sacramento Street Festival celebrates samba and much more in Oak Park on Sept. 19 (Saturday).
- Asian Fest + Music Fest at Power Inn Light Rail Station in southeastern Sacramento on Sept. 19 (Saturday).
- Ghostbusters in Concert at Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis on Sept. 23 (Wednesday).
My back-of-the-napkin math shows Cultural Capital shared well over 300 events this past year. From quick tips to more extended spotlights, it’s an honor to help plan your week and share in the adventure of local arts and entertainment. I trust you’re enjoying the ride as much as I am.
Keep the tips and feedback coming to christo916@gmail.com. Year two, let’s bring it!
