The following is the Jan. 8 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.
Happy new year! Hope your 2026 is off to a rocking start.
Let’s check the upcoming week, including the opening reception for a definitive Sacramento arts collective, a David Bowie tribute, a hilariously edgy comedy show, an exhibition of cat-themed tattoo art and more creative goodness.
Before we dive in, if you’re at the Davis Farmers Market on Saturday, look for Savannah Kuchar, the ace education reporter for Abridged, at the PBS KVIE booth. Grab a Fat Face breakfast sandwich, some pomegranates and let’s go!
A Sacramento art force soars in its 50th year
The details:
- Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S St., Sacramento
- 5 p.m. Jan. 10 (opening reception); on display through March 22
- Free
The Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF) stands as one of Sacramento’s signature art collectives — as it has for more than a half-century. Its work is embedded in the city’s cultural fabric, one that fuses beauty, energy and an activist spirit to some of Sacramento’s most well-traveled spots. Those include murals at Golden 1 Center, Southside Park and “Laserium” in the K Street underpass that connects Old Sacramento with the Downtown Commons.
Through screen-printed posters that supported the plight of farm workers and public art that envisioned social justice for our communities, the RCAF’s influence still flies high in Sacramento. That enduring influence will be celebrated Saturday at Verge Center for the Arts with the opening of “R.C.A.F. Mid-Flight: The Artwork and Influence of the Royal Chicano Air Force.”
The exhibit spans many generations of the RCAF with works from Stan Padilla, Lorraine García-Nakata, Jose Montoya, Esteban Villa, Xico González and many more. This must-see show runs from Saturday through March 22.
Recognition of the RCAF’s contributions to our cultural landscape are also on display through April 5 at the Sacramento History Museum. “RCAF in Mictlán: 50th Anniversary of Dia de los Muertos” is a multimedia exhibit that recognizes the RCAF’s role with Sacramento’s first Día de los Muertos observance in 1975.
Many more RCAF celebrations are on deck. These events and others are part of a regional initiative called “InFormation: A Celebration of the Royal Chicano Air Force.” It’s organized by members of La Raza Galeria Posada, a Sacramento bookstore and gallery that was an epicenter of local Chicano/Latino and Native artistry for more than 40 years. For a full list of events, including RCAF shows at the SMUD Art Gallery and Crocker Art Museum, visit LRGP.org.
Let’s dance (to local bands playing David Bowie)
The details:
- Torch Club, 904 15th St., Sacramento
- 9 p.m. Jan. 8 (Tonight)
- $15
Today would’ve marked the 78th birthday for David Bowie, one of rock music’s ultimate chameleon-like artists and style icons. Tonight at Torch Club, local bands will pay homage by freaking out in a moonage daydream and tapping into their inner Thin White Duke. This Bowie tribute show includes Peter Petty, Leaping Blennies, Bellygunner, MAU and others playing Bowie covers that span his deep catalog and many personas. In between, DJ Roger from Record Club will spin Bowie classics. Come out, put on your red shoes and dance the blues.
LOL at a disturbingly funny night of comedy
The details:
- Punch Line, 2100 Arden Way #225, Sacramento
- 10 p.m. Jan. 9
- $25.65 – $35.25
The only thing that could make this comedy event darker on Friday is a power outage at the Punch Line. The show is titled “Darker and Darker Presents: The Lords of Darkness,” with a slew of comedians who aim to make you laugh about death and other uncomfortable matters. The night features such stand-up folks as Marcus Peverill, Cookie Williams and headliner Robert Berry of Sacramento, who’s known for his “too soon” celebrity jokes on social media and Don Rickles-like approach to hecklers. You’ll howl with laughter while questioning your moral compass.
“Some people think dark comedy is a free pass to be lazy and offensive,” Berry wrote, along with some hilarious jokes that could never run here. “But it’s really the hardest comedy to pull off because you have to be even funnier.”
Sink your claws into a tattoo art show
The details:
- Timeless Thrills Gallery, 3714 J St., Sacramento
- 6 p.m. Jan. 10 (opening reception)
- Free entry
Looking at the walls of Timeless Thrills Gallery you’d think 2026 was the Year of the Cat. In this case, felines of all types are the focus of “Whiskers,” a group exhibition from tattoo artists hailing from Sacramento and far beyond. The opening reception on Saturday will showcase cat-themed tattoo art in a variety of media that burst with color and vibrancy, including oil paintings, acrylics and watercolor. Artists from Sacramento’s Forever Tattoo Shop are well represented, including Eiland Hogan, Timpac and Ian Carder. Ink masters from Southern California, New York and even Greece are also in the mix. If you can’t make tonight’s opening reception, “Whiskers” will be on display through Feb. 21.
More events you won’t want to miss
The Sacramento region is popping with so many events we can barely contain them all. If you’re craving more, check these bonus picks for this weekend and beyond:
— “Wayfinder” snowboard movie and Q&A at Auburn State Theater in Auburn tonight.
— “Legally Blonde The Musical” at the Davis Musical Theatre Company in Davis Jan. 9 – Feb. 1
— “Old Tyme Radio Show” at Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom Jan. 10
— Alex Skolnick Trio at Harlow’s in Sacramento Jan. 14
Before I go,
If you’re a musician who made a resolution to play in front of more people this year, check this opportunity. The city of West Sacramento is seeking bands to play at the West Sac Rhythm on the River summer concert series at Drake’s The Barn. Submissions will be accepted through Jan. 16, and you can click here more info and guidelines. Good luck!
Feel free to pass along any of your favorite local artistic moments from 2025 and tips about upcoming events to christo916@gmail.com.
See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.