The following is the Oct. 15 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.
If you’re a music fan on social media these days, no doubt you’ve come across the “my nine albums” trend. You create a collage based on your favorite nine albums and download a digital poster to show how cool your musical tastes are.
I was going to craft this week’s Cultural Capital based on nine local events, but just couldn’t make it happen. There’s too much good stuff happening this week, so instead you’ll find 12 options to experience the region’s culture. They include a dive into local history, music and a makers market on R Street, a powwow in Auburn, an epic gathering of handcrafted goods and a proper Pink Floyd tribute band. Also, look for quick picks related to live music, storytelling and film, plus theater fun in the “Before I go” section.
And in case you missed it: the Sacramento region’s biggest country music festival, GoldenSky, will return in October 2027 after two years off. The lineup dropped this morning, and is headlined by Zach Bryan and Megan Moroney.
Count ’em up 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.
Take a deep dive through the region’s past
The details:
- California State Archives, 1020 O St., Sacramento; other Downtown Sacramento locations as well
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 17 (Saturday)
- Free
Whether you’re a local history buff or want to dive into regional and state lore for the first time, the Sacramento Archive Crawl is the perfect way to spend your Saturday. It’s a time when the California State Archives, California State Library, Center for Sacramento History and Sacramento Room at the Sacramento Public Library open their doors wide. Stroll around and you’ll find photos of Johnny Cash’s concert at Folsom State Prison, films of Sacramento daily life in the mid-1900s and a history of canning in the region.
That’s just a tiny sample of the archival materials exhibited by 20 regional archival institutions. Note that a free shuttle will be running between the four sites. Overall, it’s a great opportunity to bask in the region’s uniqueness and appreciate those who shaped its stories.
All hands on deck at this market
The details:
- Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St., Sacramento
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 16-18 (Friday-Sunday)
- $8 in advance, $10 at door
Artazan Sacramento is the place to post up this weekend for those who appreciate handcrafted goods. East Sacramento’s Scottish Rite Masonic Center will be packed Friday through Sunday with jewelry, fine art, textiles and much more from more than 200 vendors. You can also hone your own handcrafting skills through workshops and demonstrations, all while fueling up with live music and food vendors.
Get ‘Comfortably Numb’ with this impeccable tribute band
The details:
- Hard Rock Live, 3317 Forty Mile Road, Wheatland
- 8 p.m., Oct. 16 (Friday)
- $54.50-$124.20
I generally prefer original music over tribute bands, but this one caught me off guard while couch surfing. I came across a presentation of Brit Floyd’s “The Moon, The Wall and Beyond” on PBS KVIE and quickly put the remote down. I was struck at how closely Brit Floyd mirrored those classic Pink Floyd tracks and how it took me down a rabbit hole of memories, including seeing the band’s 1988 concert at Sacramento City College’s Hughes Stadium.
Roger Waters and David Gilmour aren’t going to reunite any time soon — if ever — so Brit Floyd is about the next best thing. Check them out Friday at the Hard Rock Live in Wheatland and dig into “The Moon, The Wall and Beyond” once again.
Celebrate the region’s Native American artistry
The details:
- Gold Country Fairgrounds, 209 Fairgate Road, Auburn
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 17 (Saturday)
- Free
Native American Heritage Month will be observed in November, but here’s a great way to get a head start and honor the region’s Indigenous cultures. On Saturday, the Gold Country Fairgrounds brings together dancers, artists and musicians at the 19th annual Auburn Big Time Pow Wow. Learn more about the region’s Native American people while savoring fry bread and the deep sense of enduring community.
A double whammy of music and shopping on R Street
The details:
- Fox & Goose Public House, 1001 R St., Sacramento
- 3 p.m., Oct. 18 (Sunday)
- Free
Back in May, we featured Vinyl Sundays at Mattie Groves Brewery and the rise in regional “bring your own vinyl” events. The team behind Vinyl Sundays has a new base of operations at Downtown Sacramento’s Fox & Goose Public House, now known as “Vinyl Sundays at the Pub.” This monthly event kicks off Sunday with an indie rock theme that’ll have you digging for your Sebadoh and Velocity Girl records.
Next door at Lucid Winery, the Sangria Sunday makers market runs from 12-4 p.m. with local vendors focusing on spooky goods. Mike Blanchard & The Californios will keep the place buzzing with Americana tunes and haunting harmonies. Now that’s a Sunday funday.
More events you won’t want to miss
- A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival at the Crest Theatre in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 16 (Friday).
- In a Nutshell Storytelling presents “Dark Hearts” at The SOFIA in Midtown Sacramento on Oct. 16 (Friday).
- Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg on Oct. 16 (Friday).
- The Wallflowers at Quarry Park Amphitheater in Rocklin on Oct. 17 (Saturday).
- Jazz guitarist Julian Lage at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis on Oct. 18 (Sunday).
Before I go,
My teenage daughter’s love of musical theater has led to many family outings to see regional productions. One recent favorite is a hammy and hilarious version of “Rock of Ages” at the Woodland Opera House, complete with a live band playing 1980s hair metal classics.
Note that the material sometimes veers into the PG-13 side of things, but we especially loved the father-son dynamic between actors Erik Dahl and Nathan Uebelhoer. Raise your lighter (in a metaphorical sense) and catch this rockin’ run through Oct. 24.
Keep in touch at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
Correction: This article was updated at 2:32 p.m. on Oct. 15 to correct Sangria Sunday’s start time.
