The following is the May 28 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.
I’m starting this week in a mood of gratitude. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from a number of folks giving thanks for being in Cultural Capital and how it drove traffic to their events.
I always say my thanks goes to them. They are the ones doing the hard work of bringing wonderful arts, culture and fun to the Sacramento region. We are all better for it and it’s a joy to spotlight their creativity.
Now, let’s place that spotlight on this week. We’ve got a fundraiser for a multimedia project documenting local histories, the 20th anniversary of a rad local band, family fun in Orangevale, a tribute to disco superstarsand much more.
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.
Salsa the night away while supporting a heartfelt art project
The details:
- Casa de Español, 1101 R St., Sacramento
- 6 p.m., May 30 (Saturday)
- $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Since 2019, Janine Mapurunga’s camera has been focused on a community of Spanish-speaking elders in Sacramento known as Manitos. She was inspired by the close relationship she shared with a grandmother who raised her in Brazil and is driven to share the stories of these senior Sacramentans.
Through years of documenting their oral histories and capturing their portraits, Mapurunga is producing a bilingual photo book and short documentary film called “Bien Juntitos” (“Well Together”). Her goal is to have the book included in California’s school curriculum and the film screened internationally at festivals.
The process is nearly complete. All the photos are shot. The film is in the final stages of editing. Now, she just needs the financial support to cross that finish line. That includes an online fundraiser and plans to establish relationships with larger funders and sponsors.
“Fiesta Latina” on Saturday at Casa de Español is geared as a way to dance toward the goal. It’s a night of live music, salsa dancing and community celebration with funds going toward “Bien Juntitos.” Clips from the film will be shown on a loop and her portrait of Maria Lopez, a Manitos leader, will be on display.
“I struggle with the reality that elders, who were once the most valued members of society throughout human history, have become the most invisible and neglected,” Mapurunga wrote in an email. “(My goal) is to share these stories as widely as possible in order to bring people together, strengthen cultural understanding and inspire positive social change … We need to love and honor our elders while we can.”
Celebrate two milestones from a psychedelic local band
The details:
- Kicksville Vinyl & Vintage, 712 R St., Suite B, Sacramento
- 3 p.m., May 31 (Sunday)
- Free
For two decades, Sacramento’s San Kazakgascar have enchanted audiences with its droning indie-rock and tongue twister of a name. On Sunday at Kicksville Vinyl & Vintage, the band celebrates a double whammy with its 20th anniversary and a new album, “The Slog.” Not only is this a free show, but it includes a set by Art Lessing and the Flower Vato, a mainstay of Sacramento’s experimental music landscape. Come on down and trip out.
Orange you glad the festival weather’s good?
The details:
- Orangevale Community Park,7301 Filbert Ave., Orangevale
- 4-10 p.m., May 29-31 (Friday-Sunday)
- $4 general admission, $3 ages 6-17 and seniors, free for children 5 and under. Carnival rides are separate costs.
Now’s the ideal time to get outside for family fun before the summer weather turns into a furnace blast, so pack up the minivan and head to Orangevale Park for the Orangevale Summer Palooza. The three-day event kicks off Friday with live music, plenty of foods perfect for dieting cheat days and carnival rides. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Boogie down in the ‘burbs
The details:
- Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway, Folsom
- 7:30 p.m., May 30 (Saturday)
- $52-$82
If you need a cure for that “Night Fever,” head to the Harris Center for the Arts on Saturday. “You Should Be Dancing” is a Bee Gees tribute that captures all the group’s epic falsettos and dance moves that defined the disco era. Enjoy as this Bay Area tribute band transforms the theater into Folsom’s version of Studio 54.
More events you won’t want to miss
- Get blown away as the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera performs Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Downtown Sacramento on May 30 and 31.
- Break out the lederhosen for German Maifest 2026 at Turn Verein in East Sacramento on May 31.
- Yuk it up with comedian Mohanad Elshieky at the Mondavi Center in Davis on May 29 and 30.
Before I go,
Heads up if you’re planning to attend “Beer and Ballet” by the Sacramento Ballet. The popular event is once on the verge of selling out its run of shows from tonight through Sunday. So don’t sleep on securing those tickets. Operators are standing by.
Keep in touch at christo916@gmail.com.
See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.