The following is the Aug. 27 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.
Before we dig in, I have to say I’ve been especially eager for today. The latest episode of “The Stacks” is on YouTube now, featuring a hootenanny of a concert from Mike Blanchard & The Californios at Amatoria Fine Art Books.
During the show, I had the honor of leading a Q&A with Blanchard, the Americana band’s frontman and co-founder. We covered a lot of ground, from authors that inspire his songwriting to his photography and longtime connections to Sacramento’s music and skateboard scenes.
Meanwhile, it’s another great week to explore the arts, especially if you want to tap into a sense of community. Look for celebrations of hip-hop and local Filipino culture, multimedia art that explores bodies of water and the finale show of a West Sacramento summer music series.
Grab your shell toe Adidas with fat laces 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.
A weekend of beats, rhymes and Sacramento life
The details:
- Oak Park Brewing, 3514 Broadway, Sacramento (Friday); Midtown Live, 1630 J St., Sacramento (Saturday morning); Musiclandria, 808 O St., Sacramento (Saturday night); Southside Park, 2115 6th St., Sacramento (Sunday)
- 2-5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Friday); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 29 and 30 (Saturday and Sunday)
- Free registration
For nearly two decades, the Auburn Hip Hop Congress has focused on empowering youth and building community through culture. That includes music and writing workshops for youths, tuition-free summer programs and family-friendly events.
This weekend, the crew’s efforts hit a new level with the Hip Hop Congress Conference. It features the four core elements of hip-hop — rapping, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti — as a means toward “building community through culture.” The bulk of the events are all-ages, open to the public and expected to draw leadership from Hip Hop Congress chapters around Northern California. Register for free here.
The agenda starts with Friday’s opening ceremony at Oak Park Brewing Co. that includes a youth panel on harm reduction. Later that night, Scarub of Living Legends rocks the mic at Midtown Live. Saturday’s events at Downtown Sacramento’s MusicLandria tackle weighty topics including media literacy, youth identity and depictions of women in hip-hop.
Sunday will have the feeling of a classic hip-hop park jam with a keen sense of community purpose. “Get Back, Give Back” is the theme for the conference’s conclusion at Southside Park. Look for community organizations such as Sol Collective and a merger of graffiti and martial arts via AlphabetEX to be in the mix with live performances.
“Sac has a ridiculously dope hip(-)hop scene and community,” wrote Rocky Zapata, Auburn Hip-Hop Congress co-founder and business manager, in an email. “This conference aims to shine a light on the Sacramento hip(-)hop scene and pay homage to our roots, (along with) the team members who helped pave the way for our organization and work in our community.”
Where Filipino culture meets arts and wine
The details:
- Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 29 (Saturday)
- Free
In Tagalog, the term “mabuhay” is often used as a toast for longevity and prosperity. That celebratory tone will flow through the Old Sugar Mill on Saturday with Filipino arts and flavors.
Mabuhay Market is not only a shopping experience that highlights local vendors, but an opportunity to explore the region’s Filipino culture through its arts and entertainment. Culinary tip: Pair your pancit or lumpia with a sparkling wine or sauvignon blanc from one of the Old Sugar Mill’s featured wineries.
A waterworld of local artistry in the foothills
The details:
- Artists’ Studio in the Foothills (ASiF) Art Center, 940 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley
- 5-7 p.m., Aug. 28 (Friday opening reception)
- Free
Water is a key element of Sacramento-area summer recreation, whether it’s kicking back near one of the rivers or seeking a pool in the scorching summer weather. Now, you can explore water in more artistic terrain from the “Embodied” exhibition at the Artists’ Studio in the Foothills (ASiF) Art Center.
Fourteen regional artists express their connections to water through a variety of media, including paintings, photography, sculpture and poetry. Hear directly from the artists at Friday’s opening reception and be among the first to experience “Embodied.” The exhibit is up through Sept. 26.
Bid farewell to a summer music mainstay
The details:
- Drake’s: The Barn, 985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento
- 5:30-9 p.m., Aug. 27 (Thursday)
- Free
Tonight it’s a wrap for the 2026 edition of West Sac Rhythm on the River. So far, this summer concert series at Drake’s: The Barn has featured classic pop tunes, samba and Americana just down the road from Sutter Health Park.
This final event closes out with a mix of throwback sounds including breezy 1970s radio hits from Yacht Rockers, The Seedy Burners’ grunge covers and The Gen Xers reliving the days when MTV played music videos.
More events you won’t want to miss
- Flamenco Mojo at Downtown Center Square in Auburn on Aug. 28 (Friday)
- South Sacramento Festival at Valley Hi Park on Aug. 29 (Saturday)
- Lowrider Sacramento Super Show at Cal Expo in Sacramento on Aug. 29 (Saturday)
- Open mic and music trivia at The Melon Ball in Davis on Aug. 30 (Sunday)
Before I go,
Speaking of “The Stacks,” the next show is set for Sept. 9 at Amatoria Fine Art Books with C Plus featuring LabRats. If you’re down for local hip-hop, especially with a live twist, this show is not to be missed. This crew will rock the house — in this case a bookstore. Click here for tickets and more info.
Keep sending those tips and feedback to christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
