The following is the July 16 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.
For a minute, I almost didn’t make it out last Saturday evening. My tweaked back from skateboarding suggested I should stay home with a hot pack. But I pushed through and I’m so glad I did.
First stop was Midtown for the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen’s 20th anniversary party, where I caught a surf rockin’ set from The Me Gustas and chatted up many good folks in the local creative community. I also picked up “A Season at the Kitchen,” a cool photo zine from John Barnard documenting his time as a Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen volunteer.
Then, I headed near the Sacramento River for the Latino Center of Art & Culture’s “Blue Night Market.” I dug into Stan Padilla’s “Caminos Mundiales” solo exhibit and purchased a couple prints from the maestro himself. Outside, the Delta breeze was perfect while chilling with a blue lemonade and Los Lobos on the sound system.
Back be darned, it’ll be tough to stay home again. Arts and entertainment opportunities abound this week, including a wonderful community-based art show, a Brazilian celebration, the reunion of two promising young actors and live music in Apple Hill.
Pass the ibuprofen and let’s go!
Want to discover more events across the Sacramento region? Check out Abridged by PBS KVIE’s new searchable events calendar.
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In your inbox every Thursday, Abridged's entertainment newsletter from Chris Macias highlights things to do in the Sacramento region.
An art project that buzzes with community
The details:
- Mills Station Arts & Culture Center, 10191 Mills Station Road, Rancho Cordova
- 5:30-7:30 p.m., June 17 (Friday, reception and artist talk)
- Free entry
This dazzling work of art takes shape piece by piece — or more like cell by cell. “The Honeycomb Project” is comprised of 900 hexagon panels from 500 artists, an irresistible expression of community and connection. This traveling exhibition has its roots in Nevada, but its next stop will be the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center from Friday through Aug. 1.
“The Honeycomb Project” is the brainchild of Candace Garlock, a multimedia artist who also teaches fine art at Truckee Meadows Community College. She found the honeycomb as a perfect metaphor for its sense of working in harmony to create unified whole.
“Each cell is complete on its own, but its real strength comes from being part of the whole,” Garlock wrote in an email. “This project is my way of giving people a way to see and feel that connection in a very concrete way … It’s colorful, it’s a little chaotic and it’s also very intentional in how it shows interconnectedness and mutual support.”
Friday’s reception for “The Honeycomb Project” includes an artist talk with Garlock. Along with getting immersed in the artistry, with its imagery ranging from ornate to whimsical, you’ll also get more insight into the project’s enduring inspiration.
“Witnessing a collective work emerge from chance and trust still resonates with me,” she said. “It was exciting watching those unpredictable pieces resolve into a coherent, powerful whole.”
A taste of Rio de Janeiro in Sacramento
The details:
- The Auditorium at CLARA, 1425 24th St., Sacramento
- 4 p.m., July 18 (Saturday)
- $20 advance, $30 at door
Samba da Terra is about to celebrate 25 years of showcasing Brazilian dance and drumming, so you know this Sacramento-based group is ready to throw one epic party. Bring the family and get ready to move at the Brazilian Carnaval & Festival, which takes place Saturday at CLARA in Midtown Sacramento. Community joy will be in abundance through all the dancing and drumming, along with capoeira demonstrations, food vendors and more.
Setting the stage for a reunion of rising stars
The details:
- 24th Street Theatre at Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th St., Sacramento
- 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., July 18 (Saturday); 2 p.m., July 19 (Sunday)
- $25
Ana Riley Portal and Peter Sunseriare products of Sacramento’s Young Actors Stage and living the dream. Portal graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 2019 and performing in both off Broadway shows and national touring productions. Sunseri, who graduated from McClatchy High School in 2021, is headed this fall to study musical theatre at The Royal Academy of Music in London.
This weekend, these stars-in-the-making are reuniting for a production of “The Last Five Years” at the 24th Street Theatre. The show is presented by The Actors Stage, theadult theater division of Young Actors Stage.
They described it as a full circle moment.
“At that time, we were both two kids dreaming of being the professional actors that we have become,” Portal wrote in an email. “It has been so rewarding getting to see Peter blossom into the incredible performer that he is today.”
As they join forces again, both credited Young Actors Stage artistic director Liorah Singerman for instilling their confidence and emotional intelligence.
“Being a part of nearly 30 shows with the company has proven to be the most formative creative experience I could have had throughout my childhood,” Sunseri wrote in an email. “(Liorah’s) direction and generous mentorship have always been extremely influential and ignited in me a passion for theatre that has only grown.”
Head to Apple Hill for live music
The details:
- Starfield Vineyards, 2750 Jacquier Road, Placerville
- 6:30 p.m., July 17 (Friday)
- $25, $15 for winery club members
Most folks associate Apple Hill with fall, when orchards are bursting with ripe fruit and overflowing parking lots. While the harvest is months away, live music and wine await at the Apple Hill concert series. On Friday, head to Starfield Vineyards for the picturesque views and live music from rock, blues and jazz band Jax Hammer.
More events you won’t want to miss
- Enchi Wang solo exhibition at Timeless Thrills in East Sacramento through Aug. 22.
- R&Be Vegan festival with LabRats at Esther’s Park in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood on July 18 (Saturday).
- Natalie Cortez Band at Rotary Park Gazebo in Winters on July 16 (Thursday).
Before I go,
The next collaborative concert between Amatoria Fine Arts Books and Abridged by PBS, slated for July 24 at the Midtown bookstore, features some local hip-hop flavor. Jakhari Smith will perform a set, then sit down for a Q&A with Abridged community reporter Natachi Mez. This is bound to be good with those boom-bap beats in the midst of Amatoria’s books. Click here for tickets.
See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged by PBS KVIE.