Sacramento-area events in full-swing for fall: Sangria, art and spookiness

The following is the Oct. 23 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.

Thanks for tuning in again to Cultural Capital, and I hope you’re digging the mix of events. Sacramento’s live music scene is rocking with homegrown talent, family-friendly makers markets are in full effect, and the local literary world is popping with zine fests and writing classes from a signature Sacramento author. 

You’ll find all this below and more. Note the forecast calls for rain this weekend, so double check the status of outdoor events before you head out. It’s definitely fall, y’all. 

Plant yourself for opera and a spooky market 

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Green thumb or not, give it up for plant stores as the new “third spaces” for performing arts, local vendors and more. Such local plant shops as Propagate Plants and Gatherings and Flower Fist Art Market have emerged as hubs for live music, markets and gallery exhibitions that keep Sacramento’s creative heartbeat ticking. That includes an evening of opera at Signa near Southside Park on Friday. The performance features singer Olivia Genevieve, pianist Farzaneh Yaghmaei and flutist Brennan Milton in Signa’s Garden Room. 

Signa is named after co-owner David Bramblett’s grandmother. The shop is deeply rooted in the horticultural history of nearby Southside Park. 

“Beauty speaks for itself,” said Michael Malloy, Signa’s events curator, in an email. “We showcase any and all forms of art from our neighborhood at Signa, and we don’t discriminate against different forms of expressions. If an individual is passionate about their craft, interested in experimentation, or emerging in their art, we want to give them a space to showcase their work.” 

Meanwhile, the parking lot behind Succulent Sirens in Colonial Heights transforms Saturday to a Wonderfully Weird Night Market. You’ll find creepy jewelry, soaps, candles and curiosities from local vendors. Don’t miss the booth from local historian William Burg, who will have a table of books dedicated to the stranger side of Sacramento lore. 

“Our main goal through the events we host is to help local artists and makers,” said Skye Bergen, co-owner of Succulent Sirens in an email. “They can sell their work, get to know each other and can network, get advice, find out about resources. None of us could do this without each other because this is not easy.” 

Sip, shop and rock at Sangria Sunday 

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Back in 2022, Sangria Sunday started as an intimate makers market in a Midtown living room. Now, with the support of River City Marketplace, Sangria Sunday has expanded into a full-blown event on Sunday with more than 30 local vendors. Even better, the beloved Americana band Forever Goldrush will provide live tunes while you get a head start on holiday shopping — or, if just want to treat yourself to some shopping self-care. 

For those who haven’t seen Forever Goldrush lately, this band from Amador County is playing at peak powers after 30 years in the game. Its latest album is expected to drop soon, so stay tuned to Capital Culture for more on that. 

Scour zines and sip pints at Hallow-Zine Fest 3 

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The punk movement of the 1980s launched the modern era of zines, those self-published booklets that cover underground bands, photography, literary explorations and so much more. That zine culture continues to thrive, especially in Sacramento, as an alternative to mainstream media and a platform for those who might otherwise go voiceless. On Saturday, check out some of the key zines from the Sacramento area and beyond at Hallow-Zine Fest 3, which is presented by the folks from Geraldine Zines. Head to Oak Park Brewing Co. where prizes will be given at this all-ages event for everyone who attends in costume. 

Celebrate the opening of Cheyenne Randall’s powerful new exhibit 

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Cheyenne Randall defines the cutting edge of Native American art, with a visual language that includes tattoo culture, the reimagining of pop culture iconography and reflections of identity. The Sacramento-based artist, who is also a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, debuts a mind-blowing exhibition of new work Saturday at Timeless Thrills with “Western Language.”As Cheyenne says in his artist’s statement: “My wish is for viewers and collectors to walk away with a new sense of what contemporary Native Art is.” If you can’t make it on Saturday, the exhibition will be on display through Dec. 20. Highly recommended. 

Take a free writing class that taps your rebellious spirit 

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Longtime Sacramentans know Josh Fernandez as one of the city’s great literary instigators, with initial work in the likes of the Sacramento News & Review and Spin magazine. He’s also released a book of poetry, “Spare Parts and Dismemberment,” and a 2024 memoir that’s both incendiary and impeccably crafted titled “The Hands That Crafted the Bomb: The Making of a Lifelong Antifacist.” On Tuesday and Nov. 11, Fernandez is offering a free writing class that covers tips on navigating the book publishing industry and developing writing projects that speak truth to power. No registration is required; just show up. 

Before I go, 

These are tough days for fans of classic rock and R&B, given the recent passings of Ace Frehley from KISS (my original guitar hero) and D’Angelo, who had one of my favorite albums in 2000 with “Voodoo.” Did you know D’Angelo had ties to the River City? Some of his 1995 album “Brown Sugar,” including “Lady,” was recorded in Sacramento at the home studio of Raphael Saadiq, co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné! 

Who knows what future superstars are holed up now in a local recording booth, or what Sacramento bands are next to blow? Keep supporting our creative culture, all the way from the underground to the mainstream and all places between. 

If there’s a Sacramento-area event or artist that you recommend, drop me a line at christo916@gmail.com. 

Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.