The following is the June 25 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.
Sign Up for the Cultural Capital
In your inbox every Thursday, Abridged's entertainment newsletter from Chris Macias highlights things to do in the Sacramento region.
Welcome to another action-packed edition of Cultural Capital. And there’s an extra emphasis on the action this time, as X Games Sacramento 2026 takes over Cal Expo from June 26-28.
But it’s not all kickflips and massive airs this week. Looking ahead, you’ll find a fun sketching event that’s open to all abilities, a much-anticipated screening of a short film, plus festivals of art and literature, and more.
Drop in and let’s go!
Get sketchy and make friends in Old Sacramento
The details:
- The Paperworks, 1115 Front St., Sacramento
- 10 a.m., June 27 (Saturday)
- Free
One of the best surprises from the recent Rituals of Mine show at Amatoria Fine Art Books was a spontaneous piece of art that sprung from the audience. As the band roared through its highly emotive blend of electronic music and jazz fusion, Priya Ramchandran captured the scene on a small sketch book. By the end, she produced a vibrant color sketch that captured the energy and fine details of the show, wowing those who saw it.
On Saturday, you can learn the finer points of sketching and join with others who enjoy the craft with Ramchandran and Urban Sketchers Sacramento. The event is free and open to all, whether you’re a beginner or an emerging Picasso. The crew meets at various spots around the area, this time posting up in Old Sacramento to sketch the surroundings.
Ramchandran runs Urban Sketchers Sacramento with Rebecca Huval, a social worker and former editor for the Sacramento News & Review, and Tatiana Jimenez, a local artist and graphic designer.
“Sketching on location can feel intimidating when you’re doing it solo, and there’s something energizing about a group of people all sitting in the same spot capturing it in their own way,” Ramchandran wrote in an email. “The group is free to join and free to attend, and people show up with all kinds of experience levels, from folks who’ve never drawn before to longtime architects and artists. That mix is part of what makes it fun.”
Minimal supplies are needed for a sketching session. Ramchandran says a pen or pencil and a small sketchbook will suffice, but watercolor and markers are welcome as well. More than anything, bring an open mind and a love of art.
“When you sit down to sketch a building or a street corner, you start noticing details you’d walk right past otherwise,” Ramchandran said. “It’s also meditative for me. It helps me calm down and stay in the present moment.”
A much-anticipated short film makes its debut
The details:
- Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City
- 5 p.m., June 27 (Saturday)
- $9-$11 individual tickets; $79 for festival package
Back in May, we shared the story of “Bien Juntitos,” a multimedia project by Sacramento photographer Janine Mapurunga. It documents the Manitos, a group of local Spanish-speaking elders, through photo portraits and a short documentary film.
The 28-minute “Bien Juntitos” film debuts June 27 as part of the Nevada City Film Festival. This lovingly-shot documentary that explores the histories and personalities of the Manitos will be shown as part of the festival’s “Shorts Program 2” section.
Note that the festival runs through June 28. If you’re an independent movie buff, head for the hills of Nevada County.
Celebrate art and culture with the family
The details:
- Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento
- 12-4 p.m., June 28 (Sunday)
- Free
“Rebels With La Causa,” a stunning retrospective of Sacramento’s Royal Chicano Air Force, concludes on June 28 at the Crocker Art Museum. And it’s going out with a party as the museum hosts “Mercado de las Flores,” a family-friendly festival that includes poetry, live music and plenty of art. Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy both the “mercado” and the expansive “Rebels With La Causa.” It’s one of the most powerful art shows I’ve seen all year.
Get lit (as in literary) in Winters
The details:
- Winters Opera House, 13 Main St., Winters
- 6 p.m., June 28 (Sunday)
- Free ($10 donation suggested)
Now in its seventh year, Lit Fest at the Winters Opera House brings a dramatic touch to unpublished works. This year’s edition is set for June 28, where local actors perform original stories and works of poetry that were selected for the event. These are short pieces that range from four to six minutes in length. But they cover a lot of literary ground, including monologues, short stories, fiction and more.
More events you won’t want to miss
- In a Nutshell presents “NSFW” storytelling at The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre in Midtown Sacramento on June 26.
- Live music and solidarity at Punks ‘n Pronouns at the Winters Community Library on June 26.
- Get your indie-rock kicks with Slattern V and Arts & Leisure at The Melon Ball inside Watermelon Music in Davis on June 27.
- Learn about the history of Southside Park with author William Burg at Beers Books in the Sacramento neighborhood on June 27.
- Flamenco in Concert at The Center at District 56 in Elk Grove on June 28.
Before I go,
I wanted to give a quick shoutout to the folks behind the Davis Music Fest for a Father’s Day weekend that was full of wonderful tunes and good vibes. Already looking forward to its 15th edition next year.
Keep in touch at christo916@gmail.com. See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.