The following is the Nov. 13 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.
Cultural Capital launched two months ago and I’m thankful for all your readership and enthusiasm. We’ve covered a lot of ground these past few weeks, from punk rock with wrestling rings to spooky cinema and skateboarding events, along with poetry, visual arts and so much Sacramento-area goodness. When I get feedback like, “I feel like one of the cool kids when I read your newsletter,” I know I’m on the right track.
I’m having a blast putting this all together … and we’re just getting started. This week we’ve got live music with sweet goods to sample, a signature art auction, a celebration of Black voices, a punk rock flea market and a great place to wind down with vinyl records and brews. Cheers, Sacto!
Get your groove on and sample honey at The HIVE
The details:
- The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, 1221 Harter Ave., Woodland
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15
- Free
Let’s say you’re looking for an outing this weekend that seeks some combo of family friendliness, live music, food tasting and shopping. In that case, the fourth anniversary of The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen on Saturday is the place “to bee.”
Tucked just outside of downtown Woodland, The HIVE specializes in varietal honeys, jellies, beeswax and related products under the Z Specialty Food brand. And yes, they like to party at The HIVE. Over its run, The HIVE has hosted music gigs from such regional favorites as Sol Peligro, The Nickel Slots and The Gold Souls.
Saturday’s live music soundtrack will be a funky one from Ideateam, ripping horns and all, which will play two sets during the afternoon. In between, attendees can participate in guided honey tastings, tour the pollinator garden and sip honey beers and craft meads. There’s even a spelling bee with prizes. Drop by and see what all the buzz is about.
Celebrate and bid on must-have Sacramento art
The details:
- Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S St., Sacramento
- 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15
- $100, $175 for two
One of Sacramento’s definitive art fundraisers is going down Saturday, and it’s going to be more like a party than a hushed night of art appreciation. The Verge Art Auction is an opportunity to bid on works from signature local artists like Skinner, Xico Gonzales from the Royal Chicano Air Force and Gale Hart. Whether you’re bidding or browsing, food, drink and a DJ will keep you fueled during live and silent auctions. The night also doubles as a farewell to Liv Moe, who is stepping down after 15 years as The Verge’s director. For the record: I’m jealous of whoever wins the bid on Gale Hart’s spray can piece.
Tap into your inner breath with poetry and live music
The details:
- West Sacramento Black Box Theater, 1075 W. Capitol Ave., West Sacramento
- 7 p.m. Nov. 15
- $33.85
Natachi Mez, who simply goes by Natachi, is a multifaceted artist known for lighting up the mic through slam poetry and other spoken word pursuits. On Saturday, the Nigerian-born artist and educator brings the latest edition of “Fire Breathing in the Wild,” a night of poetry, live music and audience participation that’s meant to stoke your breath of life. You’ll feel newly invigorated following a theatrical production that also includes elements of dance, improvisation and singing — all while backed by a band of all Black female musicians playing West African rhythms, hip-hop beats that are both joyful and healing.
Pull up to the Punk Rock Flea Market
The details:
- Flower Fist Art Market, 1819 E St., Sacramento
- 11 a.m., Nov. 16
- Free
A few weeks ago, Cultural Capital featured local plant shops as key “third spaces” for performing arts, gallery exhibitions and local makers. You’ll find more of this on Sunday as Flower Fist Art Market hosts the Punk Rock Flea Market. Check out a range of clothing, music, zines, jewelry and much more on the punk and DIY tip. Note that it’s going to be a busy weekend at Flower Fist as the shop is hosting a comedy show on Friday night that includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs.
Wind down the weekend with brews and British blues
The details:
- Mattie Groves Brewery, 1716 L St., Sacramento
- 2 p.m. Nov. 16
- Free
If your idea of a “Sunday Funday” includes vibing out with vinyl records and local beer, grab a copy of Jeff Beck’s “Truth” and drop by Mattie Groves Brewery. Previous editions of their “Vinyl Funday” series have focused on female solo artists, the 1980s and power pop. This time, the spotlight’s on British blues a la John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac. Bring a record that fits the bill, spin a side on the house stereo and clink pint glasses with fellow music heads.
Before I go,
Here’s a shoutout to Deftones, Sacramento’s homeboys-done-good who received a Best Rock Album nomination last week for the 2026 Grammy Awards. It’s not the first time the band’s gone down this road of golden gramophones. They earned a 2001 Grammy for Best Metal Performance and also received nominations in 2013 and 2022. Not bad for a band that sprung from South Sac’s backyard party circuit and the late-great Cattle Club.
No doubt, the next local band to blow up is out there, yet another chapter of Sacto success stories. On that note, next week in Cultural Capital you’ll meet an amazing local band with a long-standing Deftones relationship that’s set to debut. Stay tuned and keep the earplugs handy.
As always, 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.