The following is the April 23 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.
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In your inbox every Thursday, Abridged's entertainment newsletter from Chris Macias highlights things to do in the Sacramento region.
More. More. More things to do!
I’m always blown away by the sheer variety of events happening on a given week. Whether its genre-spanning live music, art shows, stage productions, festivals or literary events, Sacramento’s cultural life is shining bright.
And it’s another busy week ahead. We’ve got an independent bookstore crawl, arts and family fun in Elk Grove, a compelling photo show from a Sacramento County Supervisor, a timely bike swap and a vibrant celebration of Islamic art.
But first: I’ve got some great news to start this week! Abridged by PBS KVIE has a new community calendar to help you find and keep track of all the events around our region. And like with all-things here, it’s free and geared for readers just like you.
The calendar soft-launched today and you can expect more from it in the coming weeks. You’re the first group to see it and we’d love your feedback. Please give it a test run and let us know what you think — just email events@abridged.org.
Let’s go!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Take a literary journey through the region’s best bookstores
The details:
- Read the Region, various locations
- April 24-26 (Friday to Sunday)
- Buy a book to get stamped
National Independent Bookstore Day is traditionally held on the last Saturday of April. This year, the Sacramento area is leveling up these festivities for a full weekend of fun. Read the Region is a bookstore crawl that includes more than a dozen mom-and-pop shops, all the way from Elk Grove, Granite Bay and Woodland, to the heart of Sacramento and beyond.
Look for opportunities to win prizes and special events hosted at some shops. These include a spring carnival on Sunday with storytelling and face painting at The Pleasant Pheasant Bookstore in Woodland.
HAPPENING AROUND TOWN
Enjoy arts in the heart of Elk Grove
The details:
- Old Town Plaza, 9615 Railroad St., Elk Grove
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., April 25 (Saturday)
- Free entry
Get out to the ‘Grove on Saturday and bring the kiddos for a day of fun and creativity. The Elk Grove Festival of the Arts returns with music, exhibitions from more than 30 local artists and hands-on activities for all ages. Vendors include Locke Art Studio, Resin Serenity and student artists from Laguna Creek High School. The Cousins Main Lobster food truck will also be ready when you’ve worked up an appetite from all that art appreciation.
Hit the bike trail with a new ride, or donate one to charity
The details:
- North Natomas Aquatic Complex, 2631 New Market Dr., Sacramento
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 26 (Sunday bike swap)
- Free entry
Spring has sprung and not only is it the prime season for bike riding but cleaning out the garage as well. So, if you’ve got a cruiser or BMX bike gathering cobwebs in the corner, or you’re looking for a low-cost ride, drop by the Jibe Bike Swap this weekend. Bikes for donating and/or selling can be dropped off Friday at the North Natomas Aquatic Complex, and the bike swap itself goes Sunday. Proceeds benefit Joey’s Food Locker, a food bank located at Natomas High School.
See the Sacramento County Board Chambers turn into a photo gallery
The details:
- Sacramento County Board Chamber Gallery, 700 H St., Ste. 1450, Sacramento
- 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., April 29 (Wednesday)
- Free
If you run into Phil Serna outside of his duties as a Sacramento County Supervisor, there’s a good chance he’s lugging a Hasselblad X2D or Leica SL2 camera. Serna’s spent the last three decades as an avid photographer, from documenting the slam dancing masses and bands at Aftershock, to capturing Death Valley’s landscape and Mexico City’s urban life.
Head to the Sacramento County Board Chamber Gallery on Wednesday for an opening reception of his “Learning to See” photo exhibition. It’s held in conjunction with Photography Month Sacramento and includes 24 of his photos. If you can’t make the reception, the display runs through Jan. 1, 2027 and is accessible when Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meetings are in session.
“My photography isn’t just an artistic outlet for me,” said Serna in a text message. “It is essential to who I am, how I achieve balance and calm relative to the chaotic world around me.”
Immerse yourself in Islamic Art
The details:
- Tarbiya House Roseville, 10031 Foothills Blvd., Roseville
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., April 25-26 (Saturday and Sunday)
- Free entry
Take an opportunity to explore Islamic art with its dazzling geometric patterns, calligraphy and arabesque vegetal patterns. “Light upon Light: An Islamic Arts Exhibition” will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Tarbiya House Roseville with displays of classic Islamic artwork, panel discussions and interactive displays. You can also learn the finer points of Islamic calligraphy and other mediums through workshops, including some geared for kids, at an additional cost.
MORE EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
Let’s keep it going with bonus picks for this weekend:
- Día de los Niños children and book festival at Ferns Park in Woodland on April 24.
- Sacramento Swing Collective’s 100 Years of Jazz at the Guild Theater in Sacramento on April 25.
- Yoomén: A Celebration of Spring at the Maidu Museum & Historic Site in Roseville on April 25.
- Rock and wrestling at the Press Club in Sacramento on April 25.
- Into the Canon: Sacramento Poetry Week Showcase at Canon restaurant in Sacramento on April 26.
BONUS READS
Owner of Sacramento’s Torch Club says city rules threaten to stop the music
Live music fans and other supporters rushed to defend the popular nightclub.
BY DARYL V. ROWLAND | Contributor
In short: Torch Club owner Marina Teixeira has publicly criticized the city of Sacramento for regulations she says “make it difficult” to operate downtown. Under Sacramento city code, businesses offering live entertainment are subject to specific permitting requirements. Teixeira claimed on social media that frequent visits and fines from the city’s code enforcement department test the ability to stay open. Her post was met with an outpouring of community support.
A bit more: A meeting this Friday, coordinated by Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum, will bring together code enforcement and Torch Club operators to discuss compliance issues and challenges for the business.
Something is changing in the bookstore world — and Sacramento shops are ready for it
“I think book culture is poised to really catch fire,” one owner said.
BY JORDAN MATA | jmata@kvie.org
In short: While every day brings challenges for Sacramento’s independent bookstores, a regrowing love for physical books has offered some hope.
Many local shops are leaning into events to compete with online retailers like Amazon.
A bit more: Owners tend to root for each other, rather than try to compete with other indie shops. To strengthen their bonds, independent bookshops in the area formed an alliance.
Originally published in November 2025.
BEFORE I GO,
Once again, don’t forget to test drive our new community calendar and send your feedback. We’re looking forward to making your arts and entertainment planning easier than ever.
As always, stay in touch with Cultural Capital at christo916@gmail.com.
See you next week!
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.