The following is the May 14 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.
Aren’t the weeks just flying by? It feels like yesterday that Cultural Capital was listing holiday and New Year’s Eve picks. Now, we’re on the cusp of summer and the number of events is really heating up.
This week we’re dipping into the trend of “Bring Your Own Vinyl” events, spotlighting a night of stellar storytelling, sharing a must-see art exhibition, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and going out on a Tuesday for veteran punkers in a troubadour setting.
Grab your Cake and Deftones albums and let’s go!
Want to discover more events across the Sacramento region? Check out Abridged by PBS KVIE’s new searchable events calendar.
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In your inbox every Thursday, Abridged's entertainment newsletter from Chris Macias highlights things to do in the Sacramento region.
Quench your thirst with turntables
The details:
- Mattie Groves Brewery, 1716 L St., Sacramento
- 2 p.m., May 17 (Sunday)
- Free entry
For those who enjoy beer and vinyl records, “BYOV” is the definition of a good time. “Bring Your Own Vinyl” events have become an increasingly popular facet of the local brewery and bar landscape. They’re spaces where record collectors and hopheads share favorite albums over a community stereo, waxing nostalgic about favorite tracks between sips.
Over at Mattie Groves Brewery in Midtown, “Vinyl Funday” has been a monthly fixture for nearly two years. Each session has a theme, such as indie rock, glam rock, alt-country and 1980s albums. This Sunday, participants are invited to spin a side of vinyl by local bands.
“Vinyl Funday brings together record enthusiasts of all ages in an environment that’s very much a community space,” event co-founder Brian Guido wrote in an email. “Some of our regulars are long-standing musicians and music enthusiasts. The event is a great way to celebrate music, have a few beers and give people a chance to share records from their collection.”
Feeling thirsty to participate in a BYOV event? Here are some options around the region at local bars and beer spots:
- Nancie’s Records Vinyl Night at The Hillmont (Mondays; Auburn)
- Turntable Tuesday at The Bootleg craft beer bar inside Armadillo Music (Tuesdays; Davis)
- Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Father Paddy’s Pub (third Thursday of the month; Woodland)
- Sip and Spin at Capitol Beer and Tap Room (Saturdays; Downtown Sacramento)
- Vinyl Sundays at Midtown Lounge (Sundays; Midtown Sacramento)
A night of scintillating (and kinda spooky) storytelling
The details:
- The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
- 7 p.m., May 15 (Friday)
- $34
March’s food-themed edition of the In a Nutshell live storytelling series hit on so many levels, from LOL food memories to serious onion cutting moments. I can only imagine the range of stories and emotions that will go down Friday with “Cults, Crackpots and Swindlers.”
Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment fame leads the lineup of storytellers with tales from his upbringing in an apocalyptic religious cult. But it’s not all doom and gloom in the range of stories, where reality twists in unexpected ways.
Impeccable artistry that drops knowledge
The details:
- Blue Line Arts, 405 Vernon St., Suite 100, Roseville
- 4 p.m., May 16 (Saturday)
- Free entry
Lorraine Garcia-Nakata’s work is represented on one of Sacramento’s definitive murals, and soon you can see more of her artistry up close. She’s among the two living members of the Royal Chicano Air Force who created the 14-feet-by-100-feet mural in Southside Park and known for large-scale works like the stunning “Precious Knowledge” on pastel and paper.
Head to Blue Line Arts in Roseville on Saturday for the opening of her “Knowledge We Carry” solo show. Hear from Lorraine during a 4 p.m. lecture before viewing her work on a variety of media, including a sculpture from 1974. The show runs through June 20. Highly recommended.
Feast and dance your way through AAPI Heritage Month
The details:
- The Center at District 56, 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., May 17 (Sunday)
- Free entry
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and this weekend offers a double whammy to celebrate. On the south side of the region, the 2026 AsianPacific CultureFest is going down Sunday at The Center at District 56 in Elk Grove. Plan on a festive day of food, music, art and family fun from across the AAPI diaspora.
Meanwhile, it’s about to get lit Friday on the Capitol Mall at the 5th annual AAPI Night Market. This one is packed with DJ-driven tunes by DJ Umami and singer-songwriter styles from Basi Vibe, along with a fantastic assortment of food options including Hawaiian style chicken, lumpia, sushi, shave ice and so much more. Bonus: Chefs Billy Ngo of Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine and Craig Takehara of Binchoyaki are going head-to-head in a culinary battle with a mystery ingredient (my guess is cherries).
An acoustic affair in Fair Oaks with punk legends
The details:
- Shangri-la Fair Oaks, 7960 Winding Way, Fair Oaks
- 6 p.m., May 19 (Tuesday)
- $16 advance, $18 door
Here’s a show that’s worth getting to on a school night, especially if punk rock’s in your blood. But don’t expect any stage diving on Tuesday at Shangri-la Fair Oaks.
Instead, you’ll find Kevin Seconds, the hardcore punk icon and longtime Sacramentan, in acoustic singer-songwriter mode. He’ll be joined by Chad Price and Scott Reynolds from All, the band that sprung from The Descendents. Together, look forward to a troubadour-style outing that’ll have you home well before the 10 p.m. news.
More events you won’t want to miss
Let’s keep this arts and entertainment party going with more picks:
- Pregame the Luke Bryan concert at Mahon Ranch via Boots & Brews at Dust Bowl Brewing in Elk Grove on May 16.
- View works and visit spaces from more than 40 artists at the Davis Art Studio Tour on May 16-17.
- Fly the flippers at the Golden State Pinball Festival at Lodi Grape Festival Grounds on May 15-17.
Before I go,
Two weeks ago, we spotlighted a series of musical theater dance classes for seniors. If you’re in need of a feel-good moment, check out this clip from the first class to see these wonderful folks in action, jazz hands and all.
As always, feel free to drop me a line at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.