The following is the Dec. 11 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.
Hope your holiday season is shaping with good cheer and a minimum of parking lot gridlock. These can certainly be hectic times, but the good news is you have a number of ways to unwind and get inspired through our local creative culture.
Read on for suggestions, including a concert from by a beloved promoter following a trying year, plus an album release from a longtime indie-folk band. You’ll also find an event for those who like to nerd out on political and pop culture memorabilia, along with a family-friendly display of holiday lights that could be a new tradition.
Pack up the car like the Griswolds in “Christmas Vacation” and let’s go!
A year of healing and live music from a legendary promoter
The details:
- The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
- 8 p.m. Dec. 13
- $40
Just about a year ago to the day that Jonathan Richman plays on Saturday at The Sofia, its show promoter, Brian McKenna, was hospitalized with an incarcerated hernia and risk of sepsis. The local music scene stepped up quickly, raising more than $20,000 for McKenna’s medical bills in just 24 hours. An epic benefit show at Harlow’s followed with a who’s-who of local musicians raising more funds for the beloved promoter.
Over the last 30 years, McKenna has booked more than 4,000 local shows. He’s known for giving future Sacto stars like Deftones and CAKE an early stage, and bringing Nirvana, No Doubt and Tool to the former Cattle Club on Folsom Boulevard before they broke into the mainstream.
Cultural Capital did a quick catch-up with McKenna to see how the past year has gone. Here’s what he said just a few days before the Jonathan Richman gig.
Chris Macias (Cultural Capital): How are you feeling these days? Have you bounced back 100% since your surgery?
Brian McKenna: I don’t know about 100%, but, you know, somewhere in the 90s. I’m healed up, thanks to the advance of the modern medicine.
CM: Your benefit show had so many amazing moments. Do you have any favorites from that night?
BM: I really enjoyed the whole show. I remember at one point, when Will Haven came on, it sort of changed the vibe with that wall of sound. I was in the emergency room 24 hours before and went against friends’ advice and maybe doctors’ advice. But, I think a party like this is a much better enjoyed on this side of the soil.
CM: How would you describe the state of Sacramento’s live music scene? Would you say it’s thriving?
BM: Musically, there’s a lot of good bands out there, as there always have been in our town. (But we) don’t have all the smaller rooms to foster the scene as we had years past. I don’t know that it’s thriving as anything in this economy is sort of can be tough. But as it is right now, there’s enough places where I could typically find home for those shows that I that I want to do.
An album release show that’s “Worth It”
The details:
- Torch Club, 904 15th St. Sacramento
- 9 p.m. Dec. 12
- $12
If you’re down for folksy indie-rock a la They Might Be Giants, then the Torch Club on Friday is the place to be. Be Brave Bold Robot is celebrating the release of its new album, “Worth It.” The cover price of this show is certainly worth it, as this long-running local band is eager to share its quirky new tunes. Hopefully they’ll play their ditty for the city, “Sacramento,” as an encore.
Add to your collection of political and pop culture memorabilia
The details:
- Sierra 2 Center, Curtis Hall, 2791 24th St., Sacramento
- 10 a.m. Dec. 13
- $5, free for children and students
Remember when political campaigns didn’t feel so much like a cage fight in an octagon ring? Go back to the times of “I Like Ike” on Saturday at the Political and Pop Culture Collectibles Show & Sale. Hosted by the Northern California chapter of the American Political Items Collectors, people from both sides of the aisle will enjoy hundreds of political buttons, posters and other pop culture items that show democracy in action over the decades. Bring your own memorabilia to be appraised on the spot and connect with other collectors as well.
Stay warm and catch holiday lights in the other City of Trees
The details:
- Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 E Gum Ave., Woodland
- 5 p.m. through Dec. 14
- $20 per car
Baby, it’s cold outside — so cold that watching festive holiday displays sounds better from the heated comfort of a car than hoofing through the Fab 40s in East Sacramento. Pack up the family and head to the Yolo County Fairgrounds through Sunday for the Woodland Wonderland of Lights. It’s a two-mile cruise through a winter wonderland of merry scenes and seasonal cheer. Hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls will also be for sale. Have fun and don’t forget to crank your car’s defroster.
More events you don’t want to miss
The Sacramento region is a happening place. If you’re craving more entertainment, these festive events are also on the calendar this weekend:
- Holiday house tour in Marshall Gold Discover Park Dec. 13-14
- Sacramento Ballet Nutcracker in Sacramento Dec. 12-21
- Country Christmas in Old Town Auburn Dec. 13
- Bummertown art show at Third Space Art Collective in Davis Dec. 12
Before I go,
I’m thrilled to learn that Cultural Capital recently crossed the 2,000 subscribers mark, all in less than two months! I’m blown away by your support and hope you enjoy reading Cultural Capital as much as I do writing it. In the words of the eternal Fred Rogers, “It’s You I Like.”
As always, if there’s a Sacramento-area event or artist that you recommend for Cultural Capital, drop me a line at christo916@gmail.com.
Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.