The following is the Jan. 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.
This January is anything but dry in terms of local arts and entertainment. The first month of the year tends to be lighter, with touring acts still hibernating after the holidays. But there’s plenty of action at local clubs, theaters and galleries with homegrown talent and artists on the rise. The days of Sacramento being a cultural dead zone during the winter are long gone.
This week, we have the first anniversary of a popular storytelling series, live music that crosses genres, nostalgic theater, a 916-centric art exhibition and more.
Let’s get it!
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Laugh and ponder with mind-altering storytelling
The details:
- The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
- 7 p.m. Jan. 23
- $35
The “In a Nutshell” storytelling series celebrates a successful first anniversary on Friday at The Sofia. Along with its monthly curated showcase, the crew hosts a monthly open mic called Wildcard, and The Nutshell Story Hour podcast. It’s left audiences in laughter and tears as personal stories unspool with deliveries that range from the vulnerable to uproarious stand-up comedy styles.
“In a Nutshell” was founded by Keith Lowell Jensen, a familiar name on Sacramento’s comedy scene, with local writers/editors Amy Bee and Aaron Carnes curating the shows. Their arrival boosted a storytelling scene in Sacramento that includes Sacramento Storytellers Guild and Capital Storytelling, known for its annual “Immigrant Stories” event.
Friday’s show will be a trip down memory lane, albeit one with more psychedelic overtones. “Stories of Substance” delves into the epiphanies and life-changing moments that occurred while under the influence. These aren’t stories in the vein of, “Bro, I got so hammered that night,” but emotional and hilariously insightful tales.
“What we see at all of our shows is that people laugh, they cry, they are surprised, they feel more human,” said Carnes, via e–mail. “There’s something so magical about listening to people tell stories in a room. It humanizes us all.”
Storytellers Beau Ryder Davis, Kiry Shabazz and JP Frary perform at In a Nutshell at the Sofia theater. (Courtesy Hyperpixel)
Dig into a deep bag of songs from beloved local musicians
The details:
- Morgan’s Mill, 1059 Court St. #105, Woodland
- 7 p.m. Jan. 23
- Free
Mike Blanchard and Vincent Montoya are celebrating 40 years of playing together through such bands as Tattooed Love Dogs, Slant Six and Californios. Over that time, they’ve developed a deep musical kinship full of luscious high harmonies and shimmering guitar interplay in their alt-country sound. The intimate backdrop of Morgan’s Mill on Friday is the perfect spot to hear these compadres play tunes from over the decades, all with deep roots in the Sacramento area.
Catch a youthful take on classical music
The details:
- Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, 523 Mrak Hall Dr., Davis,
- 7 p.m. Jan. 24
Come see how the Romantic era of classical music is in good youthful hands. The UC Davis Symphony Orchestra takes over Jackson Hall on Saturday for “An Evening with the Mendelssohns,” with works from both Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. The program includes Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto in G Minor” featuring Ava Pakiam, a prodigious teenage violinist.
Rewind to simpler times with time-honored theater
The details:
- Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway, Folsom
- 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 25; Jan. 29 – 30 7 p.m.; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 31
- $32 – $60
“Bye Bye Birdie” has endured as a Broadway hit since just about the time The Beatles debuted on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Six decades later, its time capsule of 1950s teen culture still resonates with its spotlight on celebrity obsession and up-tempo songbook that oozes with nostalgia. Harken back to these more innocent times of Elvis-mania with the El Dorado Musical Theatre’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at Harris Center for the Arts through Jan. 31.
Explore an early 2026 highlight of multi-media art
- Prism Art Space, 2120 K St., Sacramento
- 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Jan. 22 – 23. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Jan. 24
- Free
One of the most buzzed about events at this month’s Second Saturday art crawl was the opening of “Art City” at Midtown’s Prism Art Space. If you couldn’t make it opening night, or just want to go back for round two or three, “Art City” will be up through Saturday.
The multi-media show bursts with verve and vision through such artists as Amber Rankin, Liz Awesome, Michael LaHood and others who call the Sacramento area home. Angela Dee Alforque’s interactive “Fast Girls In Parked Cars” is not to be missed. Fun fact: Angela lives in this bedroom-themed installation during gallery hours.
More events you won’t want to miss
Let’s keep it going with bonus picks for this week and beyond:
- Face to Face: Portraits and Sketches by Esteban Villa and Juan Carrillo at SMUD Art Gallery in Sacramento through April 1.
- Psychedelic night with Wet Wreckless at Parkside Sports Bar and Grill in Davis on Jan. 23
- Heart Strings Cabaret at Powerhouse in Folsom on Jan. 24
- Harajuku Sacramento! marketplace at North Natomas Regional Park on Jan. 24
Before I go,
Thanks again for your support of Cultural Capital and all things Abridged. The Sacramento area is moving and grooving and the pace isn’t slowing down, especially with Valentine’s Day and spring on the horizon. (Bye fog!)
As always, send tips about upcoming events to christo916@gmail.com.
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.