The following is the Oct. 22 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.
Think of this Cultural Capital as the calm before the spooky storm. Halloween is on the horizon and I’m sorting through the arts and entertainment options. The ghouls will certainly have their time, but this week is all about local artistry and culture that’s warming up this October.
Read on and you’ll find a meeting of ballet and The Beatles, plus beatnik poetry and jazz in Downtown Davis. We’ll celebrate Diwali in Rancho Cordova and top it off with the final stretch of Sac Poetry Week. And as always, we have quick bonus picks to make Cultural Capital complete.
Here we go!
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A ballet homage to The Beatles and beyond
The details:
- The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
- 7:30 p.m., Oct. 23-24 (Friday-Saturday) and 2 p.m., Oct. 24-25 (Saturday-Sunday)
- $63-$114 plus fees; discounts for students and youths 18 and under
The Sacramento Ballet has enchanted local audiences for more than 70 years with programs that honor both classic works and choreographers on the cutting edge. Now, it’s turning to The Fab Four for inspiration.
The Sacramento Ballet’s 2026-2027 season kicks off this weekend with “Long and Winding Road.” Look for baroque musical interpretations of such classics from The Beatles as “Michelle,” “Paperback Writer” and “Here Comes the Sun” as the ballet dancers gracefully glide around The Sofia’s stage.
The program also includes “Hearts” by Julia Feldman, a 17-year company member with the Sacramento Ballet and “The Four Temperaments,” the beloved abstract classic by George Balanchine. Note that tickets are going fast for these opening performances, so don’t hesitate on nabbing those seats.
Bring out your inner beatnik
The details:
- John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St., Davis and Davis Commons, 500 1st St., Davis
- 5:30 p.m., Oct. 23 (Friday); 2 p.m., Oct. 24 (Saturday)
- Free
Downtown Davis is going to look and sound more like North Beach circa the 1950s this weekend. The Davis Jazz Beat Festival will bump with be-bop tunes, poetry and visual artistry at the John Natsoulas Gallery and across the street in Davis Commons.
Musical highlights include the Quiet Nacho combo backing poet Brad Buchanan and painter Lacee Hodge, along with groovy Hammond organ-based jazz from the Max Hart Duo. Come on down, daddy-o, and don’t miss the festival closing rooftop dance party with DJ MoogWax.
A celebration that lights up the community
The details:
- Stone Creek Community Park, 3625 Spoto Drive, Rancho Cordova
- 2-8 p.m, Oct. 25 (Sunday)
- Free
The fall season is the time for Diwali, the festival of lights observed by Hindus, Sikhs and other communities around the world. Though Diwali is typically observed over five days with a series of rituals, including prayers and feasts, you can get a wonderful taste of the holiday Sunday at Rancho Cordova’s Stone Creek Community Park. Bring the family for carnival games, folk art, music and of course, plenty of Indian foods. Finally, watch the sky illuminate with fireworks to cap off this festival of lights.
Celebrate a local poetry milestone and more
The details:
- Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th St., Sacramento
- 7 p.m., Oct. 26 (Monday)
- Free
Sac Poetry Week kicked off Oct. 19 with a run of events including open mics, workshops and community-minded literary adventures. It all culminates Monday at the Sacramento Poetry Center with 40th anniversary celebrations for Sacramento Poetry Day, which was proclaimed by former Mayor Anne Rudin to honor the works and talents of local wordsmiths. There’s still plenty to savor at Sac Poetry Week between now and Monday as well, so visit the website to get the full scoop of events.
Also, note that Abridged by PBS KVIE is teaming up with Sac Poetry Week for a poetry writing contest that includes categories for students and adults. Get the details here and good luck!
More events you won’t want to miss
- Lila Downs at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis on Oct. 23 (Friday)
- Todd Rundgren at Quarry Park Amphitheater in Rocklin on Oct. 24 (Saturday)
- Punk Rock Flea Market at Flower Fist Art Market in Midtown Sacramento on Oct. 25 (Sunday)
- Learn about competitive birdwatching during a screening of “Listers” at Two Rivers Cider in Sacramento on Oct. 26 (Monday)
Before I go,
Sending apologies to the folks behind River City Marketplace, as Cultural Capital listed the incorrect time for last weekend’s Sangria Sunday at Lucid Winery. I’m glad to hear the event was a success all the same.
On that note, mark your calendar for Nov. 15 and River City Marketplace’s holiday-themed “A Very Merry Sangria Sunday.” Hosted again by Lucid Winery, it’ll feature tunes from Damon Wyckoff and Josh Lacey of Forever Goldrush.
Stay in touch at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
