The following is the Sept. 3 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.
Here we go into the waning days of summer. Labor Day weekend is on deck, a symbolic end of the season before fall officially kicks in Sept. 22. The weather forecast looks especially good, which is perfect for those partaking in two key outdoor events: Behind the Barre and the Chalk It Up! Chalk Art and Music Festival.
Either way, it’s a great week to dig into our thriving local culture. Along with cutting-edge dance and chalk festivities, look for a local appearance from an alternative rock supergroup, a weekly Wu-Tang Clan party and much more.
Grab a hoodie for that Delta breeze 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.
Ballet and beyond
The details:
- CLARA, 2420 N St., Sacramento
- 6:30 p.m., Sept. 3-4 (Thursday-Friday)
- $30-$60
Even if you don’t know a plié from a chassé, Behind the Barre is bound to inspire you in myriad ways. It’s one of the Sacramento area’s most multifaceted festivals, one that combines contemporary dance with visual art, music and a maker’s market.
Behind the Barre is a signature program from Capital Dance Project, a collective of local dancers and choreographers who specialize in collaborating with artists in a variety of media. Works from such noted local visual artists as Melissa Uroff, Jason Silva and Raul Mejia will provide a backdrop for the dancers’ flowing movements. These works were produced in the weeks leading up to the event as a collaboration between the choreographers and artists.
Overall, Behind the Barre presents a wide slice of Sacramento’s creative community in a cross-disciplinary approach. More artistry can be found among the vendors at a maker’s market, which will be held before the show and during intermission at CLARA in Midtown.
Chalk, chalk ’til you drop
The details:
- John C. Fremont Park, 16th and Q streets, Sacramento
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 5-7 (Saturday-Monday)
- Free entry
Of course, Labor Day weekend in Sacramento wouldn’t be complete without a chalky good time. The 36th annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art and Music Festival will once again transform Fremont Park in Midtown into a vast landscape of creativity and community.
Stroll around the park to see nearly 200 local artists create their chalk art masterpieces from Saturday through Monday, all while local bands like The Brodys, Sol Peligro and young musicians from G.I.R.L.S Rock Sacramento crank away in the background. Also not to be missed is Sacto Storytellers’ tribute to Ground Chuck, the beloved Midtown musician and chalk artist who died last September.
No matter how long you’ve lived in the area, chances are you’ll run into friends and neighbors at this classic slice of Sacramento fun.
An alt-rock supergroup lands in Grass Valley
The details:
- The Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley
- 8 p.m., Sept. 3 (Thursday)
- $50-$60
The band name “Drink the Sea” might not ring any bells at first glance. But at least one of its members might turn your head. How about Peter Buck of R.E.M. fame?
This alternative-rock supergroup, which performs Thursday night at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, also features members of Queens of the Stone Age (Alain Johannes) and Screaming Trees (Barrett Martin). While the band’s name sounds like a nod to R.E.M.’s “7 Chinese Brothers” and its lyrics about “swallowing the ocean,” Drink the Sea specializes in deep alt-rock atmospherics with musical touches from India and Indonesia. Mike Mills of R.E.M. has made surprise appearances with the group as well, so keep your fingers crossed, Grass Valley.
Wednesdays are for the Wu-Tang Clan
The details:
- Husick’s By Forester, 36510 Riverview Drive, Clarksburg
- 5 p.m., Sept. 9 (Wednesday)
- Free entry
To paraphrase the classic Wu-Tang Clan song, “C.R.E.A.M” — Clarksburg Rules Everything Around Me. With support from the crew at Twelves Wax record shop in Oak Park, Husick’s By Forester recently launched the hip-hop weekly Wu-Sick’s Wednesdays.
Chow down on eats from chef Matt Brown while throwing your hands in the air to choice cuts from the Wu-Tang Clan. Kung-fu flicks on the restaurant’s TVs help complete the vibe. Watch ya step, kid!
More events you won’t want to miss
- Hot Jazz Jubilee at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sacramento from Sept. 4-7 (Friday-Monday)
- The Addams Family at Davis Musical Theatre Company kicks off its opening weekend from Sept. 4-6 (Friday-Sunday)
- Pass the Peas record swap with hip-hop memorabilia and toys at Legend Has It in Downtown Sacramento on Sept. 6 (Sunday)
- Our Street Night Market on R St. between 11th and 14th streets in Downtown Sacramento on Sept. 5 (Saturday)
- Folk on the Farm with Tyce Delk at Delfino Farms in Camino on Sept. 5 (Saturday)
Before I go,
The LabRats are keeping busy these days, with this top-flight Sacto jazz crew performing an interpretation of Nas’ groundbreaking hip-hop album “Illmatic” at Harlow’s on Sept. 4 (Friday). Plus, they hold it down every Sunday at The Torch Club.
LabRats are on deck again Sept. 9 (Wednesday) to back the Sacto rapper C-Plus at Amatoria Fine Art Books. It’s the latest edition of “The Stacks,” the concert series from Abridged by PBS KVIE with the good folks at Amatoria. Tickets are limited, so jump on them now.
Feel free to drop me a line at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
