Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly
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Volume 26, iSSue 50
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thurSday, aPril 2, 2015
HARRIS CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL FRI 4/10
NATALIE MACMASTER AND DONNELL LEAHY – VISIONS FROM CAPE BRETON AND BEYOND MON 5/4 & TUE 5/5
GREAT SHOWS. UP CLOSE. IN FOLSOM. ALASDAIR FRASER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SCOTTISH FIDDLERS FRI 4/24
NATIONAL TOUR!
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® W/JEFFREY SIEGEL THU 4/16
REMEMBER WHEN ROCK WAS YOUNG -THE ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE MON 5/11 & TUE 5/12 2
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JONI MORRIS - A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF PATSY CLINE FRI 5/30 – SUN 6/1
INSPIRED BY THE FAMED RECORDING SESSION BY ICONS ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JERRY LEE LEWIS, AND CARL PERKINS
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April 2, 2015 | vol. 26, issue 50
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No rap music In sixth grade, our teacher let us to bring music to school, which we’d play loudly on the speakers during P.E. class. But no rap music. Around that time, I was at Target with my mom and wanted to buy the new LL Cool J cassette. But Mom wouldn’t have it. No rap music. And let’s not forget those radio billboards here in Sacramento, for Now 100.5 FM: The station’s slogan reads “Today’s best hits, without the rap.” So, when there was a shooting after a local rap show earlier this year, it didn’t surprise me that businesses and residents pressured venue owners and promoters to cut back on rap shows. Rap and hip-hop are the easy blame. Always have been. Is it racism? That certainly comes into play. What else explains the knee-jerk response to a shooting that occurred outside a venue and after a show, and despite a robust law-enforcement presence. The shooting had nothing to do with the music. Yet, no rap music. Of course, hip-hop and rap don’t really do themselves any favors. When Lil Wayne raps on Drake’s new album that he will always pack a gat, despite how famous he becomes, some teenaged fan is going to say, “Hey, I want to carry a gun, too.” Right? Or, to put the spotlight on gender relations: When a popular Big Sean song begins with the lyrics “You lil’ stupid ass bitch, I ain’t fuckin’ with you”—well, we’re going to have young kids out there with scant respect for women. But there’s violence and misogyny in other musical genres. What gives? Anyway, Raheem F. Hosseini’s cover story this week explores the history of Sacto’s bad rap. Give it a read on page 14.
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STREETALK OPINION SCOREKEEPER + bites NEWS FEATuRE STORy ARTS&CuLTuRE NIgHT&DAy DISH COOLHuNTINg STAgE FILM MuSIC + sound Advice ASK JOEy THE 420 15 MINuTES COVER dEsign BY BRian BREnEman
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Meg Masterson, Garrett McCord, Kel Munger, Kate Paloy, Patti Roberts, Ann Martin Rolke, Shoka Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Junior Art Director Brian Breneman Ad Design Manager Serene Lusano Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designers Melissa Bernard, Brad Coates, Kyle Shine Contributing Photographers Lisa Baetz, Steven Chea, Evan Duran, Wes Davis, Luke Fitz, Taras Garcia, Michael Miller, Bobby Mull, Shoka, Darin Smith, Lauran Worthy
Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Co-editors Rachel Leibrock, Nick Miller Staff Writers Janelle Bitker, Raheem F. Hosseini Assistant Editor Anthony Siino Entertainment Editor Jonathan Mendick Editorial Coordinator Becca Costello Contributing Editor Cosmo Garvin Editor-at-large Melinda Welsh Contributors Ngaio Bealum, Daniel Barnes, Rob Brezsny, Jim Carnes, Cody Drabble, Deena Drewis, Joey Garcia, Blake Gillespie, Becky Grunewald, Lovelle Harris, Jeff Hudson, Jim Lane,
—Nick Miller
nic kam@ ne ws r ev i ew . com
Chief Marketing Officer Rick Brown Advertising Manager Corey Gerhard Senior Advertising Consultants Rosemarie Messina, Joy Webber, Kelsi White Advertising Consultants Joseph Barcelon, Meghan Bingen, Lee Craft, Teri Gorman, Dusty Hamilton, Dave Nettles, Matt Richter, Lee Roberts, Julie Sherry Senior Inside Sales Consultant Olla Ubay Sales Assistant Matt Kjar Director of Et Cetera Will Niespodzinski Custom Publications Editor Michelle Carl
Custom Publications Managing Editor Shannon Springmeyer Custom Publications Writer/Copy Editor Mike Blount Custom Publications Writer Brittany Wesely Executive Coordinator Jessica Takehara Director of First Impressions David Lindsay Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Services Assistant Larry Schubert Distribution Drivers Mansour Aghdam, Daniel Bowen, Russell Brown, Nina Castro, Jack Clifford, Lydia Comer, John Cunningham, Lob Dunnica, Chris Fong, Ron Forsberg, Joanna Gonzalez-Brown, Aaron Harvey, Wayne Hopkins, Brenda Hundley, Greg Meyers, Kenneth Powell, Wendell Powell, Lloyd Rongley, Lolu Sholotan President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resources Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Grant Rosenquist Accounting Specialist Nicole Jackson Accounts Receivable Specialist Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Lead Technology Synthesist Jonathan Schultz Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek
Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone (916) 498-1234 Sales Fax (916) 498-7910 Editorial Fax (916) 498-7920 Website www.newsreview.com SN&R is printed by The Paradise Post using recycled newsprint whenever available. Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in SN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. SN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel. Advertising Policies All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes full responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.
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“If they get too stale, you can stick them in the microwave for just a little while.”
Asked at Firehouse Alley and K Street in Old Sacramento:
What is the best Easter candy?
Gabriel Garcia
Cynthia Billings
Sam Collier
construction worker
retail worker
Those Starburst Jellybeans are the best. Because I really, really like jelly beans and I really, really like Starburst. And, at Easter, you get to put them together. My favorite part? The flavors, definitely.
Andrea Billings
nanny
Cadbury eggs. Either the creme or the caramel. But I’m, like, addicted to caramel. I like chocolate. I like caramel. What more could you ask for? But I’m not sure if I can have chocolate anymore because of a medical condition. So, I’m getting ready to start loving jelly beans.
Jeanette Juniel
student
I love Reese’s eggs. I love chocolate-and-peanut-butter anything. Chocolate-andpeanut-butter everything. And Reese’s eggs were the first chocolate-and-peanutbutter Easter candies I could think of. I love them.
Joe Brazil
retired
My favorite Easter candies are definitely Starburst Jellybeans. I love gummy candies, and those Starburst Jellybeans—they’re delicious. They’re so flavorful and fruity, and I love fruity candy. They’re just great.
investor
Peeps. Definitely. I like them just because, and especially after they’re stale. They’re better that way—chewier. And if they get too stale, you can stick them in the microwave for just a little while and it kind of revives them.
My favorite’s probably those little, speckled, malted eggs, because they’re very nostalgic for me. I remember having them as a kid and putting them in those little twig nest things at Easter.
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Sen. Ted Cruz, the hardline Texan who was first to announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination last month, is also the first punchline of the 2016 presidential campaign. Sort of. People are laughing because Cruz hung his hat in Congress on repealing the Affordable Care Act, Ted Cruz won’t a.k.a. Obamacare. He’s perhaps be president. best known for his nearly daylong filibuster in 2013, when he read His campaign is Dr. Suess while kicking the innocuous. But Obamacare can down the road in front of Congress. his ideas are still The green egg was in Cruz’s dangerous. face last week, however, when he announced that he and his family were signing up for Obamacare. Anyway, it’s clearly very easy to laugh at Cruz. He’s an extreme Republican candidate who will never get establishment blessing for the presidency (knock on wood). But liberals and progressives shouldn’t dismiss the senator. Cruz won’t be president. His campaign is fairly innocuous. But his ideas are still dangerous. This is because having Cruz in the debates moves the needle even farther to the right. It homogenizes ideas that—perhaps ironically—would have been considered extreme-right thinking decades ago during the Reagan era. Cruz’s bombast is exacerbated by the fact that there’s not a progressive voice among the Democratic Party scrum who can be a yin to the senator’s yang. So, basically, Cruz gets the headlines, his rightist ideas become legit fodder at American dinner tables—and there’s no Dennis Kucinich type to tug hard for the left. Cruz is a laugh. We’re laughing, too. But he’s moving the national debate further right. And that’s no joke. Ί
Campaign-finance rules As Cosmo Garvin reported in last week’s Bites column (see “The Money Story,â€? SN&R Bites, March 26), Sacramento County finally—finally!—has an online system to disclose and track campaign donations. Sacramento was the “only one among California’s 10 most populous counties not to provide this kind of campaign-finance disclosure on the Web,â€? Garvin wrote. Transparency, public access, disclosure—these are all tenets of good government. Congrats to the county for stepping up its sunshine game. But ‌ there’s still a problem: “Candidates aren’t required to use the new system,â€? Garvin reported. The Board of Supervisors needs to make online filing for candidates mandatory. The public needs to fundamental access to this information, and the county should require as much. SN&R will also think twice about endorsing a candidate that opts out of using the county’s new online filing system. It’s 2016. Let’s not keep campaign-finance documents stowed away in a cabinet in south Sacramento. It’s time to put this information online for free and ready public access. Ί
Read Cosmo Garvin’s “The Money Story� at http://tinyurl.com/ SacCountyCampaign.
SN&R really bad at softball, apparently
Presenting the best in music, dance and speakers
Re “Parks and wreck” (SN&R Scorekeeper, March 26): Um, have any of you self-entitled neckbeards ever letter of played any level of organized baseball or softball? The the week home team (or in this case, league) always maintains the field—even little leaguers! It’s like, tradition, or something. So get off your lazy asses and grab some rakes! Jason Holt
TONIGHT!
via email
S.F. > Sac, again Re “Taken for a ride” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Feature Story, March 26): The only time I ever rode a bus in Sacramento was when I had to ride a bus in Sacramento. I do, however, ride public transit all over San Francisco. This attempt to lure choice riders just isn’t going to happen unless our transit system is as convenient as the one in San Francisco. There’s a bus to anywhere in the city, usually every 20 minutes. When it becomes easier to take a bus than to drive, and cheaper to do so than to park a car, then their dream of choice riders will come true. Julie Oliver Sacramento
‘Pissing on the poor’ Re “Taken for a ride” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Feature Story, March 26): Choice riders aren’t going to choose to take an RT bus that takes forever. When will the city stop thinking that economic development means pissing on the poor, like when Greyhound got exiled to an extremely inconvenient location on Richards Boulevard with a terminal in permanent lockdown and no parking? And in San Francisco, you don’t have to pay again for a transfer, which is a really good idea. Instead, one fare is good for 90 minutes. Although in Sacramento, one fare should be good for three to four hours, given the headways and distances. Muriel Strand Sacramento
RT responds Re “Taken for a ride” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Feature Story, March 26): As the Sacramento Regional Transit District slowly and steadily recovers from the Great Recession and major bus and light rail service reductions in 2010, the RT board of directors remains focused on improving quality, strategically restoring service and building ridership BEFORE
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throughout the system. A thriving RT is critical for the long-term success of the region’s economy and environment. An improving economy and the construction of the much-anticipated Entertainment and Sports Center in the downtown core create a huge opportunity for RT to accomplish these goals. In just over a year, many in the Sacramento region will be looking to RT to provide convenient, reliable and safe transit service to and from events in downtown Sacramento. Our goal is to make this option convenient, safe and attractive. More riders will generate more revenue, which in turn creates resources to add more service throughout the entire system for people to get to work, school, services, shopping and entertainment. The business community understands this correlation and has stepped up to ensure RT’s success. RT welcomes the support and insight of these business and community leaders and, in response, has focused on four specific areas for improvement: safety and security; facilities, including light-rail stations, bus stops and bus shelters; vehicles; and customer communications. Planned systemwide improvements include more frequent cleaning of light rail stations, a significant increase in the security operations budget, new buses and more communication tools to receive real-time feedback from customers. The spotlight is now on RT to deliver. By working together with our community partners to streamline processes and set new policies, we can significantly improve the overall customer experience. This comprehensive effort will greatly benefit both current and a new generation of riders. Throughout this collaborative process, there will be many opportunities for current riders, potential riders and the general public to weigh in. The purpose is not to sacrifice the needs of one group over another, but to improve the overall system and provide high-quality service for all. Councilman Jay Schenirer and Supervisor Phil Serna board of directors, Sacramento Regional Transit District |
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“Vibrant, versatile, exquisitely balanced, and tight as a bow tie.” —The Boston Globe
Max Raabe and Palast Orchester A Night in Berlin THU, APR 2 • 8PM More Fred Astaire than Joel Grey, the burnished baritone from Berlin with a “martini-dry wit” and his 12-piece orchestra bring 1920s and ‘30s Weimar-era cabaret to life with masterful showmanship and polished performances of German and American standards.
Buddy Guy
WED, APR 8 • 8PM
Buddy Guy is a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and a living link to that city’s halcyon days of electric blues.
“Mesmerizing.”—The Atlantic
Quixotic
SUN, APR 12 • 3PM
Lush strings and primal drums mix with digital symphonies and aerial acrobatics in this ensemble’s inventive “electronic dance music meets Cirque.”
Email your letters to sactoletters@ newsreview.com.
Bill Frisell and Joshua Light Show Guitar in the Space Age! FRI, APR 24 • 8PM
@SacNewsReview
Frisell mines the catalog of guitar-based music from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Facebook.com/ SacNewsReview
@SacNewsReview
N=<8J6 A==JV For tickets: mondaviarts.org |
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Let the competition begin Public-speaking contest at Twin Rivers is reminder why we need all sorts of extracurricular activities Right away, you knew they were nervous. While they sat perfectly still in chairs, their legs, which often did not reach the floor, seemed to be in constant motion. I too would be nervous if I was speaking in front of 50 parents and school officials. But, fortunately, I was only a judge at the Public Speaking Contest District Finals for fifth- to eighth-graders. It was quite a challenge. Starting with 1,200 students from 23 public schools, our 12 finalists first had to win the competition in their classroom, then their school, then the semifinals and now the finals, which were being held at the Twin Rivers district office. l by Jeff VonKaene They chose their own topic. Their speech had to be between two and five minutes in length. They were j e ffv @n e wsr e v ie w.c o m judged on content and delivery. Let the competition begin. There were three students competing at each grade level. The master of ceremonies, Anne Zeman, had the contestants draw straws to determine the speaking order. The fifth graders went first. Hailey Blagg, from Allison We all learned a Elementary, spoke in praise of This was a tough lesson about getting homework. topic. But I have to admit, back up. It was quite Hailey’s enthusiasm for homework was contagious. If only she a moment. was a little older, I’d be trying to hire her onto our sales team. Back to the contest. In the sixth-grade competition, there was another Hailey, Hailey Briggs, from Creative Connections Arts Academy. She towered over her two male competitors. Ah, the joys of sixth grade. This Hailey spoke on cyberbullying, but after a minute or so she stopped. She went silent. And then she went back to her seat. We had no rules for this. The master of ceremonies talked to Hailey. And then everyone agreed to let Hailey try once more. Hailey went back to the podium and began again. She nailed it! She won the sixth-grade competition. More importantly, we all learned a lesson about getting back up. It was quite a moment. Bullying and perfectionism were the seventh-grade topics. The presentations were getting stronger. Our winner was Jaziel Maugaotega from Westside Preparatory Charter School, Eastside Campus, who unlike other students did not dress up Jeff vonKaenel for the event. But did she come alive when it was her turn to is the president, speak about bullying. Her message needs a bigger stage. CEO and The eighth-grade star, Sidrah Sharif, was also from majority owner of the News & Review Eastside Campus. Sidrah was wearing a beautiful hijab and newspapers in she explained to the audience that Muslims are not terrorists. Sacramento, She was a force on stage. After the event, I asked Sidrah if Chico and Reno. she’d been bullied at school. She said no. Her friends, many of whom have been picked on for other things, stood up for her. She is the only person in her grade who wears a hijab. I left the competition energized. I was reminded how important activities like speech contests, sports, dances and field trips were to me growing up. Our children need these types of events. And we need to pony up the funds to restore these valuable programs. Ω
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Break away for a weekend, or a Day!
Sebastopol's 69th Annual Apple Blossom Festival
Saturday April 18th Parade Along Main Street Festival with Wine, Food & Entertainment KRSH Blues Festival
Curtis Salgado
Lady Bianca
David Luning
SCORE KEEPER Sacramento’s winners and losers—with arbitrary points
Zzz worst
Bike thieves fail
A friendly reminder to not drink and drive—or fall asleep while drinking and driving. This past Friday morning, officers encountered a driver passed out behind the wheel and parked—in the middle of the street near Capitol Avenue and 16th Street. The driver was arrested for DUI suspicion and possession of drugs.
Scorkeeper wants to take a moment to give major props to the Sacramento Police Department and Detective Sheila Bergquist, who recovered the bicycle of SN&R Junior Art Director Brian Breneman this past week. Breneman’s bike was stolen out of a locker near his apartment complex, but PD not only recovered his jacked twowheeler, but delivered it to him at SN&R’s headquarters. (Oh, and the thieves washed it for him, too.)
- 16
+ 9,999
Moves that Matter The Sacramento Bee’s top Capitol watchdog, reporter Laurel Rosenhall, announced her departure from the paper this past week—to go work for new startup and competitor CalMatters. This move shows that CalMatters is in fact legit and serious about statehouse coverage—and that the Bee needs to reload.
+ 21 It goes on
SN&R
Sunday April 19th
w w w. n e w s r e v i e w.c o m
Gift certificates to local merchants for up to 50% off
đĚĊĘ Ćēĉ ĔėĊ Ďē ĔēĔĒĆ ĔĚēęĞ
by SN&R staff
Death Grips confirmed what most people already knew: They’re not broken up. The surprise, however, was that the local trio will be embarking on a world tour this spring, and playing an as-yet-unannounced local gig, too. Yuh!
+ 916 Next Bee food critic? Comedian Hannibal Buress gigged Sacramento last month, but announced this past week plans to enter the food-critic fray. Let us explain: Buress is popular online for food reviews, hilarious ones, and it appears that he will be reviewing touch-and-go downtown spot Blue Prynt soon. He announced his big return to comedic food criticism with a YouTube video on Monday. Hey, we hear the Bee is looking for a fare scribe, too ...
McKenna Faith
͖ Ǩ For information on times & tickets:
+ 100
www.appleblossomfest.com Presented by: Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, 265 S Main St, Sebastopol, CA, (707) 823-3032
Less than 2 hrs from Downtown Sacramento 10 | SN&R | 04.02.15
photo ILLUStRAtIoN by hAyLey doShAy
Modern Spirituality
Diversity debate
Heart-Centered, Light-Filled, Spirit-Led
Can ethnic studies at high schools curb violence? One of Sacramento’s best assets is its diversity. The metro area is consistently recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse in the nation. Last year, the UCLA Civil Rights Project praised Sacramento for having the most integrated school districts in the state. It’s a point of civic pride. It can be a source of friction, too, says Saraith Aspiro, a senior at Luther Burbank Arvin High School. She says there’s too much by COSmO G race-based violence on campus. “It’s has cosmog@ newsrev iew.c om been a problem at my school for years,” Aspiro says. Which is why Aspiro and other student representatives in the Sacramento City Unified School District are asking for ethnic studies to be taught in Sac City high schools, and eventually made into a graduation requirement. Sacramento teachers, academics and community groups are joining the effort. Supporters argue the classes promote greater understanding among student groups, boost academic achievement and even help reduce campus violence. This month and next, they will be asking the Sac City school board for its support. If the idea moves forward, Sacramento would join Los Angeles and San Francisco, other big, urban school districts that require the classes. The trick is figuring out where this new curriculum would fit into Sac City high-schoolers’ packed schedules, and the already long list of state and district requirements. Aspiro represents Luther Burbank High School on the districtwide Student Advisory Council. Late last year, the SAC surveyed fellow students, asking what problems they thought needed fixing. About a thousand students responded, with a long list of concerns, including drugs and alcohol, dress codes that don’t apply equally to boys and girls and unequal access to technology among schools. One of the biggest issues was gangs and violence on campus. “We had already seen some research showing that ethnic studies classes reduced gang violence,” explained Aspiro. At the same time, the SAC held focus groups and learned that many students see a “lack of culturally relevant content” in their classes. So the SAC hit upon ethnic studies as a possible solution. In the last couple of years, there has been growing interest in ethnic studies in California and elsewhere. A recent review of education research by the National Education Association found there are academic and social benefits to both white students and students of color from ethnic-studies classes. “Marginalized students tend to do well in these courses, and it increases their grades and test scores in other courses,” says Dr. Dale Allender, a professor at Sacramento State’s college of education. Allender is part of the Sacramento chapter of a group calling itself Ethnic Studies Now
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Coalition, which has been pushing for these classes in school districts around the state. In Los Angeles all high schools will be required to offer ethnic studies by the 2017-18 school year, and ethnic studies will be a graduation requirement in the year after that. In San Francisco, school officials say an ethnic studies pilot program boosted grades for participating students and cut absences. Next year, all S.F. high schools will offer ethnic studies courses and it is expected to be a graduation requirement within five years. Meanwhile, legislation requiring ethnic studies classes is also moving forward in the California state Legislature. Assembly Bill 101 would require California’s superintendent of public instruction to develop a model ethnic studies curriculum and require all school districts to offer ethnic studies as an elective. The bill passed the Assembly education committee last week.
Unity Spiritual Community
Citrus Heights
in
Sunday Services 10am at the Sylvan Community Center For more information visit UnityCitrusHeights.org . (916) 827-0225
Sacramento Vedanta Reading Group Every Friday 7:00 - 8:30 pm · Free admission Sacramento Yoga Center @ Sierra 2 Community Center, Room 6 2791 24th Street, Sacramento The whole world is your own. — Sri Sarada Devi Parking in back
“We had already seen some research showing that ethnic studies classes reduced gang violence.”
For more information please see www.SacVRG.org
Saraith Asprio senior, Luther Burbank High School According to Sac City school district officials, American Legion High School currently offers ethnic studies as an elective. C.K. McClatchy High School also offers ethnic studies. But teachers there say the class has struggled to attract students. That may be because it isn’t required and it isn’t part of the curriculum for any of McClatchy’s many specialized academic programs. Ethnic studies courses may not satisfy the A-G requirements set forth by University of California and California State University. Then there’s the tight schedule of classes imposed by many of the district’s small learning communities and special programs. Aspiro says she probably couldn’t take ethnic studies and satisfy the other requirements of the International Baccalaureate program she does at Burbank. And adding ethnic studies may increase costs for the district, to the extent that it requires hiring new teachers with training in the subject. “The other consideration is that adding anything to graduation requirements is the possibility of reducing opportunities for elective offerings for kids,” says district spokesman Gabe Ross. “It’s a great idea, but where are we going to put it,” concedes Mark Carnero, district adviser to the Student Advisory Council. But Carnero says that students see too much “turmoil and dysfunction” based on race and ethnic friction. If ethnic studies can help, “I definitely think it’s worth trying to figure it out.” Ω
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No end in sight West Sacramento project proves that finding housing for homeless people remains daunting A program to move homeless people from the river in West Sacramento and into long-term housing officially ended last month. But by for many participants, the journey to permanent housing is Brooke Purves far from over. Despite the best efforts of the West Sacramento Bridge to Housing pilot project, as of March 20, only 20 of the original 65 enrolled in the program had a place to live. Evelyn Lamb is one of those still looking for housing. The pilot project wasn’t perfect. Lamb said she felt “dehumanized” on moving day. Later, when she and others arrived at West Sac’s Old Town Inn, where the group stayed while they received services and searched for permanent housing, the bugs came out. Literally. And it wasn’t just a few cockroaches or bedbugs, but lots of them. Lamb said they were in the carpets, dropping from the lights and nesting behind the electrical sockets. Program directors say they called in an exterminator, who ripped up carpet and sprayed to get the infestation under control. The inn was the only motel available in the entire city on such short notice, according to Ryan Collins, a homeless services coordinator for West Sacramento. Lamb stayed on her best behavior—11 participants were kicked out for causing problems or for arrests—and finally got a housing voucher. But by the time she had the paper in hand, the available rentals in the area had been snatched up. Of the 48 who got vouchers, 15 are wait-listed and 21 are still looking. Completing the paperwork to obtain a voucher—ordering birth certificates and getting government identification cards—was challenging for some, especially when nearly 75 percent of participants had mental-health or substanceabuse issues. Or both. Collins said some residents couldn’t stay sober, ditched appointments or were anxious about balancing the costs of meds and independent living. The problems associated with chronic homelessness couldn’t be solved in just a few months, even with the best professionals available. “I’m still honestly pretty impressed with what we came up with,” Collins said. “It exceeded expectations.” Especially on such a tight time frame, he added. “Someone was lighting a fire under us,” Collins said. “It wasn’t a planned transition.” That someone was Ethan Conrad Properties, who purchased the area along the Sacramento River where a homeless encampment was located for years. Rather than having campers arrested and their belongings forcibly removed, Ryan McGinnis from ECP worked with the West Sacramento Police Department to find a more humane way to reclaim the property. The North Levee encampment area was declared unfit for human habitation, and campers got a bump up in housing priority. Some formerly homeless are again on the streets. But this group now has better access to mental health or addiction treatment, plus CalFresh food stamps and health insurance. And everyone should still be in touch with a caseworker. They haven’t been abandoned. “We definitely didn’t just say, ‘OK, your four months are up,’” said Collins. Ω 12
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Left vs. right, all right Lion liberal Ralph Nader goes up against conservative Daniel McCarthy on the issues. Will they surprisingly see eye-to-eye? Can the left and right unite? Why do so many policies popular with Americans languish in Washington, D.C.? by Why, for example, is there no action on a Sarah van federal minimum wage boost, a breakup of Gelder too-big-to-fail banks or a tax on carbon—all policies favored by a majority of the electorate? Sarah van Gelder Ralph Nader argues that both Republican conducted this and Democratic leaders are too cozy with interview for large corporations to allow such measures. “Together, With Earth,” the spring Each election year, hot-button social issues 2015 issue of YES! dominate, and in between, talk show hosts magazine. She is maintain a drumbeat of fear and anger that co-founder and keeps Americans divided. editor-in-chief of In his book, Unstoppable: The Emerging YES! magazine. A longer version Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate of this interview State, Nader lays out a plan for challenging appears online at this stranglehold: Noncorporatist conservatives www.newsreview. com/sacramento. and liberals could join forces to win battles on issues where they agree—especially those focused on economic justice and strengthening democratic rights.
Who would benefit from such an alliance and who would be left out? And could it work? To find out if conservatives are on board, we invited Daniel McCarthy, editor of The American Conservative magazine, to join a three-way conversation with Ralph Nader, erstwhile presidential candidate, and YES! Magazine’s Sarah van Gelder. McCarthy— a maverick on the right just as Nader is on the left—worked for Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign and has written for The Spectator, Reason and Modern Age. Sarah van Gelder: Ralph, in your book, Unstoppable, you discuss at length cherished conservative values and some key conservative thinkers. So are you actually a closet conservative? Ralph Nader: Well, liberalism and conservatism, in various ways, have been hijacked by corporatism.
BEATS illustration by hayley doshay
government bureaucracy, it has to be held accountable. Nader: And it’s completely out of control! The budget is $800 billion, and often they don’t know where to find the spare parts for the Air Force, or what happened to billions in Iraq. That’s what happens when it’s not audited. van Gelder: What about linking the minimum wage to inflation? That’s another item that Ralph Nader proposed. McCarthy: I think you’d find a lot of conservatives are skeptical of that. They’re afraid that the minimum wage causes unemployment, and they’re very concerned about the idea of the federal government setting the pace for wages in the country. Nader: Yes, and a new argument, by conservatives like businessman Ron Unz, is that the more the minimum wage catches up with inflation—which, adjusted from 1968 would put it at $11/ hour federal minimum, it’s now $7.25/ hour—the less the burden on public assistance paid by a taxpayer—like food stamps, housing assistance, Medicaid and so forth. That argument has begun to attract more and more thinkers in the conservative arena who believe we should not have taxpayers subsidize Wal-Mart’s low wages with a slew of government subsidies.
Liberalism in the 18th and 19th centuries was the classic philosophy aimed at restraining arbitrary government power—then often exercised by kings and emperors. Civil liberties were the foundation of freedom of speech and due process of law, which became part of our Constitution. Fast forward, you now have corporate liberals—like the Clintons—and you have the corporatists who call themselves conservatives throughout Congress. They’re all pushing corporate welfare and bailouts for banks. What we’re trying to do here is go back to fundamental principles and un-hijack conservatism and liberalism. When we do that, we see that there’s a convergence of support on a lot of major issues.
van Gelder: What about the notion of breaking up the too-big-to-fail banks? Nader: That comes in about 90 percent, doesn’t it, Dan? McCarthy: (Laughs.) It enjoys a surprisingly large amount of support, at least at the level of a thought experiment. We haven’t seen much progress on that front, but even the American Enterprise Institute—which is a pretty unadventurous conservative think tank—has been very open to the idea of breaking up the large banks. van Gelder: Another item from Ralph’s list: rethinking the war on drugs, and I would add to that the very high rate of incarceration we have in the United States.
van Gelder: I’d like to go through a few of the 25 proposals from Unstoppable, and ask you, Daniel, whether you agree with Ralph that these are proposals conservatives support. The first one is audit the Department of Defense. Daniel McCarthy: Oh yes, very much so! (Laughs.) The Department of Defense is a government bureaucracy, and just like any
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McCarthy: I think this is a really big growth area for conservatives. It brings together Christian conservatives, who see that what we’re doing in our prisons has no restorative element—it’s at times a sadistic approach, just sweeping people under the rug. And also, of course,
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libertarians have been very critical both of the war on drugs and of the prison system for a very long time. It should be pointed out, too, that it’s not just conservatives who have been slow coming around to this. Under President Clinton, for example, in the 1990s, we had a great increase in incarceration and in war-on-drugs activity. Nader: Conservatives are working with progressives and liberals in state legislatures to reduce the horrendous, long jail sentences for juveniles possessing marijuana or heroin. And we have Grover Norquist, Newt Gingrich and others forming Right on Crime, which is designed to reduce the number of nonviolent convicted inmates in prisons by hundreds of thousands in order to save taxpayer money. But it’s interesting that the more they talk with liberals and progressives who have been at this a little longer, the more you even begin to hear from people like Newt Gingrich that there’s a human rights element to this, too, not just an efficiency element. Once people start talking with one another, they educate and inspire one another, and move to even higher levels of convergence. van Gelder: So another topic Ralph listed in his book is the protection of the environment. Daniel, is that something that conservatives are concerned about? McCarthy: It certainly is. I know there’s an example that Ralph relates in Unstoppable about a debate he had with conservative economist Milton Friedman where Friedman admitted, yes, you do need to have government regulation of pollution; this is not something that takes care of itself. Conservatives do acknowledge that, but at the same time they also worry about the propensity of any federal bureaucracy to be inefficient and misplace its priorities, and the possibility of regulation being captured by politically influential industries and used to fight small industries. Nader: But Sarah, a more intriguing thing is climate change. This is where you have conservatives constantly saying it’s a hoax, or it hasn’t been proven, or it’s not man-made. And the question I ask them is, at what point will you be persuaded? I mean, you have the vast majority of scientists who say it is heavily based on activities of human beings, and there’s still a huge portion of the population that refuses to believe that. So is that ideology? I don’t know. Ω
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Vax debate at Capitol California parents are gearing up for a fight. Senate Bill 277, which would eliminate the personal-beliefs exemption from mandatory childhood vaccinations for school enrollment, heads to a committee hearing at the Capitol on April 8. As written, the bill would require vaccinations for any child entering any public or private school, which could include the charter and home-based private schools many homeschooling Californians utilize. The fear is that those who don’t enroll in a school to avoid vaccinations could be considered truant and subject to legal action. Even more so, many believe the bill throws informed parental consent out the window, and that parents have the right to refuse medical procedures carrying a risk of harm. Karen Kain’s 6-week-old daughter suffered brain damage in 1994, one of several children throughout the country to sustain adverse effects from a “hot” lot of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccinations. Kain will speak at a rally in opposition to the bill 9 a.m. on the Capitol steps, before the 1:30 p.m. hearing. “We want people to educate [themselves] and we want people to have a choice,” Kain said. (Brooke Purves)
County care changes Sacramento County is finally getting serious about fixing its mental-health-care system. This past January, SN&R reported that the county was projected to spend more than three times its budget for hospital care for the seriously mentally ill (see “Bed ridden” by Raheem F. Hosseini, SN&R Beats, January 15). But on March 24, county supervisors directed staff to come up with a plan that spends less on hospitalizations and more on community treatment. The goal is to assist those in need before they end up in the hospital—which might provide better outcomes and hopefully save the county millions of dollars. Speakers and commenters told supervisors at this past week’s meeting that those with mental-health issues had little recourse except to get help at emergency rooms and hospitals. This is costing the county 47 percent of its $83 million yearly budget—even though a majority of those acquiring help do so with outpatient services. Staff will return to the board of supervisors within 90 days with a new mental-health-care proposal. (Nick Miller)
Dark in Tahoe Park Tahoe Park’s Public House Theater has been a neighborhood spot showing second-run movies in a cozy room with beer and wine for almost a year. Think recliners, a stout and The Breakfast Club on a 12-foot screen. In fact, the theater intended to celebrate its one-year anniversary last weekend with live music and a food truck. But last week, someone anonymously tipped the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation that Public House was operating illegally, according to co-owner Norma Ward. Ward said she had been trying to get the appropriate licenses for the past year, but “it’s been a process.” Now, those efforts will be in full force with some enlisted help, and Ward hopes to open the theater back up soon. For now, the pub part of the venue is still open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 5440 14th Avenue. (Janelle Bitker)
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BY RAHEEM F. HOSSEINI • RAHEEMH@NEWSREVIEW.COM • PHOTOS BY LISA BAETZ
The city still views local hip-hop through a lens of violence and crime. History affirms this stereotype—but young artists say it’s time for change. Cars crunch to a halt in the gravel parking lot of a closed automotive repair shop. It’s nearing 8 p.m. on a Friday as the occupants dare roadkill status by crossing the darkened boulevard, past swelling headlights, to their true destination: The Boardwalk. From the outside, the venue doesn’t look like much. It’s a pale blue shack lit by street-lamp fluorescence, posted on the outskirts of eastern Sacramento County. But on this mild March night, the aging roadhouse in suburban Orangevale has drawn dozens of pilgrims to one of the few local stages brandishing hip-hop music. It’s not quite the middle of nowhere, but it’s close enough. Sacramento rap music and its practitioners are under a microscope because of an unfortunate series of events on February 20. That night, Los Angelesbased rapper Nipsey Hussle performed to a capacity crowd at Ace of Spades, downtown Sacramento’s flagship concert venue. As the show emptied out
“We’re definitely getting pressure from neighboring businesses. If we can’t do hip-hop, we’re losing a [significant] revenue source.” Bret Bair co-owner, Ace of Spades
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into R Street, gunfire erupted, injuring four. It marked the second time in four months that a local Nipsey concert ended in chaos. “We’re embarrassed about it and feel terrible about it,” Bret Bair, who co-owns Ace of Spades, told SN&R days after the shooting. While police have yet to identify a shooter or motive, blame quickly hopscotched from the venue to the Crips-associated Nipsey to rap music itself. Pressured by neighboring businesses along R Street’s gentrifying corridor, Ace canceled several rap shows by bigname artists and nostalgia acts alike. Despite assurances to the contrary, a broad brush has again painted a bull’s-eye around Sacramento’s diverse hip-hop community, the latest flashpoint in a weary culture war tinged by race, age and money. “This incident has given the old guard an excuse [to crack down on rap],” observed Black Market Records co-founder Cedric Singleton, one of the architects of Sacramento’s hardcore rap boom in the 1990s. He says he doesn’t get it. “There have been so many [rap] shows here, and the only one we talk about is the one where someone got shot.”
Then again, rap music has always been on trial in Sacramento. The tone was set early, by X-Raided, who dropped albums from behind bars after getting implicated in a murder. Decades later, authorities are using videos, uploaded by aspiring rappers to YouTube, to build gangland prosecutions. And the local artists who do want to make it big have learned one truth: Get the hell out of Sacramento. Meanwhile, even a new generation of hip-hop kids pushing rap in positive directions can’t escape Sacramento’s black-sheep reputation. This bias could drive the expressive art form back underground, just as it was starting to ascend. One of Sacramento’s premier rappers, Task1ne, says he’s concerned. “I’m kind of nervous about what happened at the Nipsey Hussle show,” he said, “because I remember when it was borderline impossible to perform hip-hop in Sacramento.”
A history of violence Three decades ago, Sacramento icons the Triple Threat Three and the Royal Mixxers & Rappin’ Crew heralded the arrival of an emerging musical genre that passed its mic to society’s overlooked. “When rap started, it was about uplifting a people,” said Michael Colen, better known as First Degree The D.E., a ’90s artist who now runs The Fahrenheit Record, a hip-hop blog and news site. “That’s what rap is.”
The music was also a way for people from troubled communities to reflect truths that society at large ignores. Poverty, violence, drugs—these quickly became the themes of Sacramento’s rap music scene. But the line between exposing these realities and glorifying them quickly faded. In 1992, Anerae Veshaughn Brown, a.k.a. X-Raided, bronzed the 916’s hardcore image with his debut album, Psycho Active. He received a morbid publicity boost from his real-world involvement in the home-invasion killing of a Meadowview woman. Singleton’s label continued to release X-Raided albums even after Brown was incarcerated. In those early days, Sacramento differentiated itself from other rap scenes thanks to an ultraviolent and sometimes surrealistic bent in the music. “It was definitely a unique form of rap,” Singleton said. “It separated us from what was going on in the Bay Area.” At the center of the hardcore era was the profoundly weird (or weirdly profound) Brotha Lynch Hung, a.k.a. Kevin Mann. Like many of his peers, he sharpened his skills at John F. Kennedy High School, a proving ground for aspiring talent during the mid- and late-1980s, according to Colen. But it wasn’t until people from outside of Sacramento took an interest that the budding scene left high school. One of those non-native pioneers was Singleton, who relocated from Ohio
Cedric Singleton was around during the pioneering days of local rap and hip-hop. He says the establishment is always quick to finger rap music when there is violence in the community.
in the early 1980s to attend Sacramento State. After college, he co-founded Black Market, the town’s first official rap label. His most successful partnership was with Brotha Lynch. The rapper painted a bloody collage of life in Sacramento, spitting his delirious rhymes like a shotgun scatters buckshot, and attaining a touch of the mainstream chart success that his contemporaries lacked with 1992’s 24 Deep and 1995’s Season of Da Siccness. Black Market’s instant notoriety as a label helped spark a productive era for local artists, who guested on each other’s albums, no matter what upstart label was putting it out. “That’s why it worked,” said Colen, who published a three-part retrospective on Sacramento’s hip-hop history on his blog. “It crumbled when we thought we could do it on our own.” The scene eventually tripped over Behind the Music-style beefs about money and egos. Violence played a role, too, and minted a reputation that looms over today’s artists. In addition to X-Raided, local Crips-repping rapper Mr. Doctor got time for a retaliatory shooting. Death Trap Records founder Dalvin Pipkins was busted for ramming a cop car while high. Triple Sicx was convicted of child molestation. And Black Market star Big Lurch went away for killing his roommate—and eating parts of her body during a PCP-related freakout. Yeah, that happened. Today, 23-year-old Citrus Heights rapper Dylan Phillip professes much love for his forbears, but worries Sacto’s hardcore-rap roots and anti-industry message might still be scaring off influential tastemakers. “If that’s the kind of
energy you’re putting out, I feel like it’s returned to you,” he said. Singleton says he outgrew the drama. “If you want to be in the music business, you have to be off the streets,” he explained. Today, his label dabbles in blues and gospel recordings. “You really can’t have both. You either have to choose the music or you have to choose the streets.” Some Sacramento rappers are still learning that lesson.
Today’s gangs of Sacramento In a 2005 blog post written while in prison, X-Raided reflected on what attracted him to Sacramento’s nascent rap scene. It was a few bars in an otherwise forgettable song the then-15year-old had heard while in juvenile hall for gang-related activities. Local product Homicide rapped about participating in drive-by shootings, going to jail and, ultimately, dying young. “Homicide spoke of my world,” X-Raided wrote. “He touched me.” A quarter-century later, history is repeating itself in the local rap world. Today, Singleton says he thought underground local rappers Lavish D and Mozzy were capable of bringing back the hardcore gangster rap scenes of the ’90s. “They were really good. They were probably the best at it,” he said of Mozzy in particular. But the two rappers are also rivals. “Problem is, they keep going to jail.” The latest act in this drama is playing out in a Sacramento County courtroom. During an October 24 preliminary hearing, Judge Patrick Marlette ordered Donald Oliver, a.k.a. Lavish D, and three
other defendants to answer for numerous felony charges that have been packaged into one gangland prosecution. The four men are associated with the Starz Up gang of south Sacramento, which has beefed with main rivals the Oak Park Bloods for years. The latest skirmish sparked in early 2014 with several shootings. Authorities traced the bad blood to online rap videos produced by both sides. The YouTube videos are now acting as witnesses for the prosecution. “A lot of what was being done that was causing problems was rap videos on YouTube, and they had been going back and forth,” Detective Joseph Ellis of the Sacramento Police Department’s gang unit said during pretrial testimony. In one particular video, “I’m Just Being Honest,” Bay Area rapper Philthy Rich and the Oak Park Bloods’ house band, Mozzy, insinuate that his gang is responsible for the recent deaths of two Starz members. The group’s Timothy Patterson, or Lil Tim, gets personal from the opening lines: “Lav never got a body. I’m just being honest. They say Jakie died and we popped him. I’m just being honest.”
It’s not a particularly catchy hook, but it did the trick. On March 15, 2014, Sacramento police say a group of about 10 men, all associated with Starz Up, arrived at Arden Fair Mall. The purpose of the visit was so Lavish D could shop for his son’s birthday. By chance, the main group spotted Billydee Smith, a validated Oak Park Bloods gang member, and followed him into the Footaction shoe store. According to Ellis, who reviewed mall security video of the incident, the Starz members crowded Smith into a corner. Several members then allegedly lunged at Smith, bringing him to the ground and throwing punches and kicks. According to the Ellis’ arrest warrant, two mall security guards intervened “within seconds” and everyone— perpetrators and victim—scattered. But a cellphone video of the stomping, allegedly filmed by Lavish D, was uploaded to his YouTube accounts under the title “30 Boiz responds to Philthy Rich im jus being honest.” (30 Boiz is an alternate name that Starz members sometimes use, Ellis wrote in his warrant.)
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“I’m kind of nervous … because I remember when it was borderline impossible to perform hip-hop in Sacramento.” rapper Task1ne
“Sac’S bad rap”
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Despite having an uncooperative victim in Smith, prosecutors successfully consolidated the assault case with other cases against the young men, including gun possession charges for Lavish D, who is being portrayed as the Starz’s leader. With the gang-enhancement allegations that prosecutors are levying, any sustained counts could bring serious prison time for all involved. A trial date was tentatively set for April 1. This is all déjà vu for Singleton, who was there for X-Raided’s murder case and knows the particulars in this simmering beef. “I know both sides of those cliques. … I’ve known these guys for years. I knew their dads,” he said. “No one profits from it.” He said he’s tried to play peacemaker, telling both sides that they’re good enough to make it on their music alone. But the aspiring rappers keep getting pulled back into the life. “There is a pressure that living in a [certain] neighborhood provides,” he said. “These young men, at an early age, are trying to fend for themselves.” After the mall attack went viral, gang detectives responded to two homicides and multiple shootings, with at least one of those homicides connected to the dispute. The violence has calmed, but
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there’s a lingering fear that it’s simply waiting on the next provocation. In July, for instance, Philthy Rich canceled performances at Ace of Spades and Blue Lamp when online threats of possible gang violence reached authorities.
Leaving the 916 Tyler Maciel-Todd is growing tired of the gangster-rapper cliché. “There’s this really fucked-up misconception that the only good rappers” are forged in violent, urban neighborhoods, that “this is their expression,” he said. The 22-year-old belongs to a loose community of hip-hop artists coming up in today’s Sacramento—rappers who can definitely flow, experiment with soundscapes and production, hustle their brand tirelessly on social media, but don’t front that banger lifestyle that rap critics too often conflate with the genre. Maciel-Todd performs as TIP Vicious and recently hooked up with Sparks Across Darkness to form the hip-hop collective Precipice. His onetime Rosemont High School classmates include east-area rappers Andre Elix and Dre-T, who runs a monthly open mic night for spoken word artists at Sol
Collective, which just launched a record label at Austin’s South by Southwest music festival. What unites these artists is their fiery ambition and social conscience. “There is a generation of young, hungry dudes who are filling our shoes,” said Mic Jordan, a veteran local rapper who could teach a course on making it in the hip-hop game. A decade ago, when Jordan first started out, the music industry was in serious flux. Today, the national market for hip-hop is contracting and leaning toward pop-oriented acts, like Nicki Minaj, Macklemore and Drake. “Hip-hop is going the way of jazz,” Jordan said. While Sacramento has no dearth of aspiring creators, Jordan says the city does lack a rap-music infrastructure to carry their creations into other markets. Managers, marketers, entertainment lawyers and others in a support capacity. “That’s what Sacramento is missing,” he said. “That’s why we don’t have an entertainment market and we have a scene.” The homegrown hip-hop and rap artists who have made careers out of their art did so by leaving the 916. The most famous example is Blackalicious. Producer Lee Bannon went on a world tour and never came back, Jordan said. Task1ne and Gatlin
have both found rewards on the road. Chuuwee is currently on a national tour. And, of course, there’s Death Grips. “If I could go back and do anything different, I would’ve spent more time out of the city. Not out of a lack of love,” Jordan explained. “The market is too small.” Others have left for different reasons. To find the Sacramento he once knew, Colen has been traveling 600 miles north of town and a quartercentury back in time. That’s what the Tacoma, Wa., area fees like to Colen, who “spent years trying to revitalize” the scene here in the 916, without success. But up north, Colen said he’s found emerging hip-hop artists to mentor in an environment that doesn’t yet know what it has. “Tacoma is like Sacramento was back in the ’80s,” he said. “And, you know, there’s nothing like that first time.”
Music venues as scapegoat A modest audience fleshes out the basement décor of Blue Lamp, with its charcoal walls of plaster and brick. An atmospheric lamp squirts maraschinocherry hues above the solo bartender.
The 40 or so people who paid $5 online or $10 at the door have assembled for one reason above all others: live rap music. An astonishing 11 acts crowd the Wednesday night show, billed as the Can’t Stop Me Now tour. The first act, a trio of youngsters, performs only one song, marrying their lyrics to the music and chorus of RZA’s insidiously catchy “You Can’t Stop Me Now.” As the group’s third member, a heavyset dude in baggy pastel shorts, moves center stage, he halts the track. “Hold on!” he yells. “I want to thank you all for supporting lyricists in this motherfucker. I know some of you all got work tomorrow.” The crowd—mostly young and black—whoops knowingly. Blue Lamp was one of the few venues that didn’t turn its back on hip-hop when a freak shooting at a Rancho Cordova spot scuttled the scene in 2009, said Task1ne, and it doesn’t seem to be backing away now. But the music needs its anchor venue, artists say. And right now, Ace of Spades is skittish. “We’re definitely getting pressure from neighboring businesses,” co-owner Bair said. “If we can’t do hip-hop, we’re losing a [significant] revenue source.” Consider the acts the venue has already shelved, like The Game’s March 25 appearance and a hip-hop throwback tour that appeals to khaki-fitted Gen Xers. More recently, a March 20 makeup date for Spice 1 and Richie Rich was scrubbed from the schedule. Hip-hop artist Mike Stud’s Ace of Spades gig was booted to Harlow’s. Mod Sun’s March 24 Look Up Tour date—with openers Dillon Cooper, Blackbear, KR, Karizma and DJ Gnash—was exiled to The Boardwalk, also owned by Bair and partner Eric Rushing. Other hip-hop shows at other venues have also been scuppered. There’s no reason to apply such a broad stroke, say Phillip and others. Ben Dewey, who books talent at The Press Club, is one of several people who said trouble can be avoided simply by paying attention to the music. “When I booked hip-hop shows in the past, I made sure to listen to all the acts,” he said. “If you book an openly whitepower band, white-power people are going to show up.” Which raises the question about whether this whole thing could have been avoided in the first place. Four months before his Ace of Spades performance, on October 17, Nipsey Hussle appeared at the Assembly Music Hall on K Street. A brawl broke out and a cop got punched. Two cars swapped gunfire a block away. Bair said he and his partners would scrutinize future artists more closely,
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possibly excluding anyone with a questionable gang past. (Heads up, Snoop.) That would certainly have a domino effect. “We kind of inherit any issues that any venue is facing,” said Fornati Kumeh of ENT Legends, a local talent booker that helped facilitate the Nipsey show. Rapper Torrey Tee considers Ace of Spades his favorite venue at which to perform, saying it gained him fans he never expected. He has no doubt what Ace’s retraction means for local artists like him, “trying to push positive” in his career. “It does make it harder for me to do something in the future,” he said. If Ace of Spades pulls back, he added, “that cuts off an outlet for us to shine.” Phillip agreed. “It hurts, because it was the only venue that can hold 1,000 people-plus that we can perform at,” he said. “When was the last time that you heard a Sacramento artist perform at Sleep Train?” He thinks this shift in policy could also steer A-list talent away from Sacramento, which had been experiencing a surge in top-tier acts like E-40 and SchoolBoy Q.
Live music
saturdays 3-6pm
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771 Ikea Court, West Sac • (916) 905-1111 3160 Jefferson Blvd, West Sac • (916) 572-0572
Earth Day A special supplement to SN&R
on stands 4.16.15
Sacramento differentiated itself from other rap scenes thanks to an ultraviolent and sometimes surrealistic bent in the music.
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It would be more than just inconvenient. “The more major-league artists [that play locally], the better chances that we have of a major-league artist actually emerging from here,” Phillip said. Back inside Blue Lamp’s dank hull, Andre Elix doffs the black ski mask he wore as a goof and polishes off his set with an a capella verse that draws an enthusiastic high-five from Mr. G, a verbally dexterous rapper in his own right. With a break in the action, the emcee tries out “you know you’re from Sac” jokes. Apparently, having a buddy who pees in the Adalberto’s drive-thru while you’re waiting on latenight nachos is a tell. Then, the emcee introduces the next act. A mic is passed. A beat gets dropped. Sharp cheers nearly overtake the words to the first song. Ω
April 3rd
Good Friday Service Noon to 3pm
April 4th
Easter Vigil 8:30pm an Independent CommunIty In the CatholIC tradItIon 920 Drever St. West Sacramento Mass every Sunday at 5pm (916) 538–4774 www.GoodShepherdCommunity.org
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Eddie Underwood of Lite Brite
Blake Abbey of Musical Charis
Estrella Hood of World Hood
Century Got Bars
The top musical moments— and all the voters’ choice picks—from SN&R’s 23rd annual Sacramento Area Music Awards PHOTOS BY ALAN SHECKTER
Cutey Honey of Shoujo Kitten
Jimi Morris of Mercy Me!
Peter Petty
18 | SN&R | 04.02.15
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Somebunny loves you see nigHt&daY
Oak Park’s new brews and bites see disH
24
35
It’s almost festival season see sound advice
m
ore than a dozen performers and 30 awards later, the 23rd annual Sammies concluded out in the streets with the 13-piece Element Brass Band—a fitting end to a marathon show. Organized and hosted by local music promoter Jerry Perry, the event showcased a huge variety of Sacramento talent to a packed Ace of Spades. The big winner of the night was Joseph in the Well, taking home Artist of the Year as well as outstanding New Artist. Anyone in the audience who hadn’t heard of Joe Kye before will certainly remember him now: his solo set’s lush violin loops left everyone in awe.
James Cavern
see 15 minutes
We also saw fantastic performances from Lite Brite and Kyle Rowland Band, whose old-school sound got the crowd seriously grooving. And we loved seeing so many collaborations onstage: Kye and Soosh*E performing with James Cavern, then Cavern performing with Century Got Bars, then DJ Epik with Century, and later, DLRN with Stevie Nader. But Cavern said it best when he accepted his R&B/Soul award for the second year in a row. “Sacramento is on the upswing,” he said. “Make sure you’re riding that wave because this town is going to be the shit.” Without further ado, we present your 2015 Sammies winners.
—janelle Bitker
Joe Kye
Hall of fame 2015
jazz
Mercy Me! www.mercymeband.com
Element Brass Band www.facebook.com/elementbrassband
Musical Charis www.musicalcharis.com
live performer
The Nickel Slots www.thenickelslotsmusic.com
Walking Spanish www.walkingspanish.com
metal
artist of tHe Year
Zeroclient www.zeroclientmusic.com
Joe Kye www.joekye.com
new artist
americana/alt-countrY
Joseph in the Well www.joekye.com
The Nickel Slots www.thenickelslotsmusic.com
pop/rock
Blues
Humble Wolf www.humblewolf.com
Dippin’ Sauce www.dippinsaucemusic.com
punk/post-punk
cover Band
Dog Party www.facebook.com/dogpartylive
Apple Z http://applezband.com
Stevie Nader
producer
deejaY
Ira Skinner www.facebook.com/AlleyAvenue
DJ Zephyr www.facebook.com/zephyreos
electronica/experimental Color the Sound www.colorthesound.com
Stefan Sorgea of The Westwards
emcee
Brutha Smith www.bruthasmith.com
folk rock
Salt Wizard www.saltwizardmusic.com
funk
Big Sticky Mess http://bigstickymess.com
Dylan Crawford of Massive Delicious
Hard rock
Some Fear None www.somefearnone.com
Hardcore/industrial/ post-Hardcore White Minorities www.facebook.com/ whiteminoritiesband
Hip-Hop/rap
Iconoclast Robot http://iconoclastrobot.com
indie
Life in 24 Frames www.lifein24frames.com
Gina Salatino of Some Fear None
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Sac’s Mad man
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r&B/soul
James Cavern www.jamescavern.com
reggae/jam
Element of Soul www.elementofsoul.com
release of tHe Year Stevie Nader and Boywolf: Grit www.facebook.com/stevienader
rock
The Three Way http://thethreewaymusic.com
rockaBillY
The Infamous Swanks www.facebook.com/ theinfamousswanks
singer-songwriter
Stevie Nader www.facebook.com/stevienader
teen artist
Dog Party www.facebook.com/dogpartylive
triBute Band
Steelin’ Dan www.steelindan.com
world
Bomba Fried Rice http://bombafriedrice.org
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PAID ADVERTISING
“The vapor products industry is mostly comprised of small businesses that have no—and never had any—ties to big tobacco companies.”
THE
GREAT VAPE DEBATE
STEFAN DIDAK
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES
As legislators target e-cigs, industry advocates urge regulatory caution
T
he popularity of vaping continues to rise, but along with the trend is emerging a vigorous debate. Some look to vapor products like e-cigarettes as a potentially better alternative to traditional cigarettes, but others call for increased regulation of the products. While existing law already prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors, some California lawmakers have introduced a series of bills that seek to impose greater restrictions. Senate Bill 24 would extend some provisions of the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act to e-cigarettes. Senate Bill 140 would change the STAKE Act’s definition of tobacco products to include electronic devices. And Senate Bill 151 would raise the legal smoking age in California from 18 to 21. All three bills will be heard before the Senate Committee on Health on April 8. We reached out to Stefan Didak, co-president of the Northern California chapter of the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA), for the vaping industry’s response to the proposed legislation.
Who does SFATA represent and what are the organization’s goals?
SFATA is a national organization that represents a wide cross-section of the “smoke-free” or vapor products industry, including distributors, manufacturers and retailers. One of our goals is to see this viable and responsible vapor products industry survive continue to thrive. What’s SFATA’s position on SB 24, SB 140 and SB 151?
We believe the current bills are attempting to actively undermine the
How are members of the vaping industry responding to the proposed legislation?
opportunity to move adult smokers from combusted cigarettes to vapor products. How do you think these bills would affect people who vape and businesses in the vapor products industry?
The current bills would not only cause catastrophic damage to most small businesses, but also harm and unduly pressure satisfied vapor customers and set the stage for future taxation of vapor products as if they were tobacco products.
On April 8, we will voice our strong opposition to SB 140 and SB 24 during the Senate Committee on Health hearing at the Capitol in Sacramento. We will also be explaining that, contrary to what ongoing media campaigns are trying to convey, the vapor products industry is mostly comprised of small businesses that have no—and never had any—ties to big tobacco companies.
THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE VAPING EDUCATION COUNCIL: The purpose of the VEC is to share information about vaping and electronic cigarette products with the general public, fortify advocacy throughout the industry and share stories directly from our consumers.
1910 Q St., Sacramento (916) 396-8052 • vapourhousesac.com
1001 E. Bidwell St. Ste. 102, Folsom (916) 800-7616 • smokelesssmoking.com
2700 J St., Sacramento, CA (916) 321-9590 • thevaporspot.com
6840 65th St., Sacramento • (916) 399-5555 7330 Fair Oaks Blvd. Ste. 5, Carmichael • (916) 333-3794 2504 J St., Sacramento • (916) 476-5817 10271 Fairway Dr., Roseville • (916) 788-0188 planetofthevapes.biz
1631 E. Monte Vista Ave. Bldg. K, Ste. 104, Vacaville (707) 724-8189 • facebook.com/vacavillevaporium
4108 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento • (916) 469-5588 2101 Natomas Crossing Dr. Ste. 300, Sacramento • (916) 531-2012 305 Iron Point Rd., Folsom • (916) 822-9398 vapor-parlor.com
The companies represented in the directory are privately owned and operated. No funding for this marketing campaign has been gathered from resources outside of the companies listed at right. Please contact our members with any questions or comments, or visit any of the local shops listed at right: NOTE: Must be 18 and older and present valid identification to test any products.
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For the week of April 2
Noma,
Slow Food Councilor representing the Nordic region. Her panel interlocutor is Ken Albala, a professor of food history at the University of the Pacific and himself author or coauthor of 23 food history books. He and Klinken met years ago at an Oxford food symposium, but this is their first time working together. Klinken will prepare for the audience “modern Danish food from ingredients in season” including the aforementioned smørrebrød, salty æbleskiver (traditional Danish apple pancakes) and smorkage, a Danish butter pastry that Klinken said she is trying to bring back: “A lot of people have never tasted it and think it’s too heavy, but I think it’s lovely once in a while.” Her biography notes that she doesn’t like “frivolous” food, but in her opinion, the sometimes fanciful food at Noma doesn’t fall in the category. “I think that Noma is very sophisticated and they still cook in a way where you can recognize the food and ingredients … it is so raw and natural that it’s in another category.”
wEEkLy PICkS
PHOTO BY JEPPE CARLSEN
a Copenhagen restaurant run by chef René Redzepi, is one of the most influential restaurants in the world. Redzepi and his acolytes, many of whom have gone on to open restaurants of their own, have led to an explosion in interest in modern Scandinavian food. Slow Food Sacramento is hosting an event —6 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Danish Consulate, 1 Capitol Mall, Suite 670—bringing together a Danish cookbook author and chef and a University of the Pacific food historian to speak on the past, present and future of Danish food. Tickets are $20 and more info is at http://slowfood sacramento.com. Katrine Klinken (pictured), a Copenhagen native, has authored several cookbooks, many of which are for children. Only one, on smørrebrød (a traditional open-faced sandwich) has been translated into English. She’s cooked in restaurants for more than 25 years, including in a restaurant serving both traditional and modern Danish food that she owned with her thenhusband. She became involved with the Slow Food movement 13 years ago and now serves as a
Laurelin Gilmore Friday, april 3, through Wednesday, april 29 Local artist Laurelin Gilmore paints characters that seem trapped in between our world and someplace ART far away and fantastic. She captures genuine human forms and expression, but always with some fantasy element (horns, scaly skin, wings, etc.). Her work is striking and beautiful, and each painting seems to capture a scene telling a greater story. Free, various hours at Little Relics Boutique, 908 21st Street; www.laurelingilmore.com.
—Aaron Carnes
Spring Eggstravaganza saturday, april 4, through sunday, april 5 Fairytale Town promises happy faces for kids (ages 0 to 12), egg hunts, prizes and seasonal crafts. Every half-hour, the Magical Moonshine Theater will perform Tales of Br’er Rabbit and Peter Cottontail will EASTER be on hand for the festivities. Free with park admission, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at Fairytale town, 2901 Land Park Drive; www.fairytaletown.org.
—Alan Sheckter
Easter bunny photos saturday, april 4
—Becky Grunewald
Why have your picture taken with the shopping mall Easter Bunny when you could take it with the only Harley-riding Easter Bunny in town? Children from zero to 99 can sit with the big, furry, long-eared guy on one those powerful bikes in the midst of models. EASTER Remember to gather those baskets and bonnets and don your coolest threads. Free, noon to 3 p.m. at Harley Davidson of Sacramento, 1000 Arden Way; www.hdsac.com.
—Trina L. Drotar
Willy Wonka saturday, april 4 Now that Willy Wonka is in its last week of production, it might be a good time to head over to see it live. The movie, which featured Gene Wilder and captured THEATER the hearts of children and adults alike, was released in 1971 and has remained a classic story about love and perseverance. $6-$8, noon and 2 p.m. at the 24th Street Theater, 2791 24th Street; www.runawaystage.com/ storybook.html.
—Eddie Jorgensen
Disney’s The Aristocats Kids through May 3 As children edge closer toward the end of the school year, parents must constantly look for new ways to entertain. Thankfully, Sutter Street Theatre’s adept cast is perfectly suited to do just that with its newest offering, Disney’s The Aristocats Kids. CHILDREN’S THEATER The thoughtful tale of Madame Adelaide and Edgar Balthazar is not to be missed. 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, $13-$17. Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter Street in Folsom; www.sutterstreettheatre.com.
—Eddie Jorgensen BEFORE
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BLUE Hippo Only at DonUt
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latin cuisine & tapas bar
IllustratIons by PrIscIlla GarcIa
Burning sensation Hellfire SriracHa, PreServation and co. A badass hot sauce is the mark of a passionate kitchen. But the hottest heat is often off-menu—so just ask. Locally, the leaders of the pack are the legendary “Ass Fire” habanero zinger (whose origins go back to Mulvaney’s B&L and Robb Venditti, now at Pangaea), and the “Swayze,” an abusive ghostpepper-based beezy at Mother you’ll remember days later (you know). It’s time to add Preservation and Co.’s “Hellfire Sriracha” ($8) to the 916 mantle of heat. This puppy tricks you with its cider-y nose and sweet initial bite. But, like a pill that at first won’t kick in, Hellfire delivers. It also plays nice with food, such as pizza, chicken satay or an omelet. 1717 19th Street, www.preservationandco.com.
—nick Miller
Fizzy delight SHrubS It’s rare that you can quote Monty Python to order a drink, but if you go to Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. or Ella Dining Room & Bar, try this one: “Bring me … a shrubbery!” Both places have shrubs on their drink menus—and they aren’t the landscape versions. Shrubs date back to the Colonial era; they’re combinations of fruits, sugar and vinegar that preserve the fruit and yield a tart-sweet drink. Try shrubs mixed with alcohol, often on Ella’s menu, or the refreshingly fizzy nonalcoholic version at Hook. It’s like a grown-up soda and comes in fun flavors such as strawberry or blood orange. Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co., 1630 S Street, http://hookandladder916.com; Ella Dining Room & Bar, 1131 K Street, www.elladiningroomandbar.com.
IllustratIon by Mark stIvers
Midtown, jolted by Janelle bitker
Caffeine, San Francisco style: Famed Bay Area coffeehouse Blue Bottle can now be experienced in Midtown. Kind of. The Trade Coffee & Coworking, a coworking office-space-slash-cafe, opened last week at 2220 K Street. And the cafe portion carries Blue Bottle Coffee beans, with Blue Bottle-trained baristas ready to serve you even if you don’t buy into the coworking part of the business. The menu is sparse, but holds the requisite New Orleans-style iced coffee ($4) and Gibraltar ($3.50), which is akin to a doubleshot macchiato. Though they’re not available yet, you should BEFORE
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In terms of the Midtown caffeine landscape, let’s keep in mind that Temple Coffee’s next location is going in a couple of doors down at the corner of K and 22nd Streets. And there’s already Old Soul Co., Old Soul at the Weatherstone and The Mill just blocks away.
Janelleb@newSreview.coM
be able to pick up bags of Blue Bottle’s whole beans in the future there, too. Still, it’s definitely no Blue Bottle proper. The cafe is tiny, with no space to sit except a couple of outdoor tables. And the baristas don’t—at least not yet—have the same level of skill you’d expect at any Blue Bottle outpost. The coffee is tasty, just don’t hope for any pretty designs in your foam. The other big draw is the cafe’s pastries, sourced from Freeport Bakery. Enough said. The cafe will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a grand opening celebration with live music and food is planned for April 18. |
F E AT U R E
STORY
—ann Martin rolke
New brew: Fair Oaks just nabbed a brewpub, serving up some housemade ales as well as higher-end pub food. Yes, it is indeed called Fair Oaks Brew Pub, and it officially opened last week. Located at 7988 California Avenue, the pub is warm and inviting with brick walls and wooden tables. Most exciting is a large outdoor patio—just in time now that the weather is heating up. Four house beers are on tap at a time plus a few guest taps, including some locals like Knee Deep. There are also about a dozen wines available by the glass or bottle, mostly from neighboring regions such as Napa Valley, Amador County, Lake County and Lodi. For food, think trendy Neapolitan pizzas, sandwiches with sweet potato Tater Tots, salads, cured meats and cheeses. Ω
Save room for pie rHubarb Even though rhubarb is a vegetable stalk, it’s almost exclusively eaten in sweets. Once promoted to Alaskan trappers to fight scurvy (it’s high in vitamin C), rhubarb is most commonly found paired with strawberries in a crimson pie filling. It looks like dark red celery—choose deep red stalks that aren’t too thick, otherwise they may be too fibrous. Those fibers cook down with plenty of sugar to make sweet-tart sauces and chutneys, though. Never eat the leaves, which are poisonous. And if you find yourself heading for the loo after ruminating on rhubarb, don’t be alarmed; it has laxative properties.
—ann Martin rolke |
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New saturday & suNday
Brunch
Chicken & waffles
plus
Bottomless Mimosas 10:00am-2pm
kitchen | beer | wine
Visit newsreView.com/sacramento/dining/more to search sn&r’s dining directory to find local restaurants by name or by type of food.
Wanted: A beer education
2107 P st • 916.440.9611 www.adamosKitchen.com by Ann MArtin rolkE
HAPPY HOUR
Oak Park Brewing Co.
MONDAY - FRIDAY 3:00 - 6:00 P.M.
HHH
Join us in our bar for specials on cheese and chocolate fondues, $3 featured beers, $4 featured wines by the glass and $5 featured cocktails.
814 15TH ST., SACRAMENTO (916) 443-2347 MELTINGPOT.COM/SACRAMENTO
LIVE OLD SAC MUSIC IN
4.02 Melissa Corona (Lead singer of Midnight Players) + Ashwut 6-9pm • No Cover 4.03 Feva In Da Funkhouse 10-1am • $10 4.10 Dj Ed Rio’s & Georgeous Deejay Divas 4.11 Latin Touch $10 • 10pm-1am THURSDAYS EVERY MONTH 1st/3rd Flamingo & Salsa w/ Dinorah & her Band 2nd/4th Paul MacFarland on the Sax + MONDAYS, NO COVER
SUNDAY EVERY MONTH Reggie Graham Jazz Session
24 | SN&R | 04.02.15
seeds. A brie vinaigrette is an unexpected but perfect complement to the greens. Every eatery seemingly has to offer mac ’n’ cheese on its menu, and Yarbrough’s is a great 3514 broadway, (916) 660-2723, one. Twisty gemelli pasta grab onto shreds of www.opbrewco.com sweet caramelized onion and a rich blue-cheese Dinner for one: $10 - $15 sauce. It’s not too heavy, though, and a great foil Good for: outdoor eating, award-winning beer, upscale pub food for one of the hoppy beers. Notable dishes: broadway beetdown salad, bacon bleu mac Which one, though? Since they’re new on & cheese, hunter’s stew the scene and intend to connect the food and beer, it would be great to include pairing ideas with each menu item. Recommendations from the servers would also be helpful. The Irish Fries make for another interesting It used to be that you’d go out for a bite and dish. They’re described on the menu as “chips,” a beer and have lots of bites to choose from, which are thick-cut fries topped, surprisingly, but not much variety in the beer. In the last 10 with a rabbit gravy and provolone cheese. It years, we’ve gotten a slew of new breweries in turns out they’re delicious. You don’t see rabbit Sacramento, seriously upping the suds quality. much on menus, but it can be sourced locally Finding good beer and food produced at the and sustainably, and makes a savory sauce that same location, though, still proves to be a bit doesn’t overwhelm the fries. challenging. The Hunter’s Stew boasts beef, Oak Park Brewing Co. on pork and wild game with root Broadway opened last November The vegetables. If the intent is to after a long crowd-funding beers are use lesser-known meats, the campaign. Owners Tom servers should point out daily the rightful Karvonen and Dave Estis additions to highlight this come from a homebrewing stars here, and unusual take on pub food. background and spent The stew is flavorful, but a the location—in the years testing beer recipes bit scanty on the meat, and before deciding to open a rapidly gentrifying the sauce is too thin. brewery. Oak Park One of the weak links So the beers are the here seems to be server rightful stars here, and neighborhood—is education. Except for one the location—in the rapidly a great one. waitress, who we recognized gentrifying Oak Park neighborfrom lots of Midtown restaurants, hood—is a great one. Situated in a the servers seem a little untrained and 1925 building that once housed a grocery vague on ingredients. When we ordered the store, Estis’ influence shows in the industrial Sausage Board, the waitress couldn’t tell us steampunk style of the expertly renovated intewhat the sausages were, and then returned with rior. A huge patio extends along Broadway for a the news that they were “Italian and brat.” Any nice urban feel to the space. details on meat or spices were unavailable. Since the list of breweries with food onsite is The sausages themselves were snappy and limited, their decision to include a kitchen makes well cooked, but seem a bit too lean. They them stand out. Unfortunately, there have been don’t have much juiciness to them. Served with some hiccups in the process. sides of caramelized onions and lightly pickled The original chef left unceremoniously peppers, they make a nice appetizer or light shortly before the brewery opened, but chef meal, smeared with a grainy mustard. (Beer Steve Yarbrough has taken over. Formerly of incorporated? Who knows?) Tuli Bistro and Magpie, Yarbrough aims to use With the warm spring we’re having, Oak the beer and spent grains in his take on farm-toPark Brewing’s patio will surely be packed with fork cuisine. drinkers and their dogs. Whether they stay for There are some great dishes already on the a meal or not depends on whether the kitchen menu, most notably the Broadway Beetdown can find its footing with consistent cooking and salad. This is no rabbit food. Mounds of baby enough enticing details that customers order arugula mingle with roasted golden beets, more than beer. Ω crumbled goat cheese and toasted pumpkin
CALL FOR INFO • 916.321.9480 Go to events @ Gracianos.com
I’M A PIZZA GUY!
FS
Yeah, you can pickle that Pickles aren’t just for Portlandia-esque pretentious hipsters anymore. Once spring veggies like green beans and cabbage start blooming, they sometimes come too fast and all at once. It’s merely the practical thing for home veggie growers to pickle them. If you’re in that boat, learn some of the best ways to turn your extra spring produce into kraut, kimchi and chutney in a special Sacramento Foods Co-Op class scheduled to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the Soil Born Farms American River Ranch (2140 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova). The class is called “Preserving the Spring Harvest,” and it’ll be led by instructor Janet McDonald, whose handmade preserves can be purchased at the Midtown Farmers Market under the label The Good Stuff. Tickets for the class cost $35, or $30 if you’re a Sacramento Foods Co-Op owner. Register and find more info at http://bit.ly/1xzCDSd.
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IllustratIon by hayley doshay
E-mail newsandreview@pizzaguys.com or make a post with hashtag #imapizzaguy and tell us...
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A LOCAL SACRAMENTO BUSINES EST. 1986
Gluten Free Available (Medium Size Only)
Mix Mix‘N‘NMatch Match Medium Medium 2 Topping 2 Topping Pizza Pizza AndAnd PickPick 1 of1our of our anyany sides sides
Flex those glutamates by Shoka
The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook (Cook’s Illustrated, $29.95) and plant-based ingredients that have it. Of the 709 recipes, 250 are vegan, and ATK, which is usually a meat-happy entity, cites glutamate-rich tomatoes, soy sauce and mushrooms as sources. But don’t forget about vinegar: Splashing vinegar in with some vegetables, whether roasted, sautéed or raw, creates a fulfilling and satisfying taste. Too bad more restaurants don’t use their glutes when they hold the cheese.
When a high-end restaurant advertises a vegetarian menu with a “vegan option” which turns out to be simply not putting cheese on top of otherwise blandly prepared vegetables, well, that’s using the term “option” too liberally—not to mention giving vegan cuisine a bad name. The missing link here is an umami component, and a lot of vegetarian dishes rely on dairy products for that. That’s why it’s great that America’s Test Kitchen emphasizes the importance of umami in its just-released
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e e F t n e m l l o r n h t E n o o M r Ze For 6 itment! Comm
916.442.3927
I www.capitalac.com
Conveniently located at the corner of 8th & P 26
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’s Irish
Photo courtesy of Wel sed
L I A T K C O C E G N E L L A CH
C o ngratulatio n s 36 Handles for the
36 Sour
FIND OF THE WEEK
Jameson Irish Whiskey Egg White Lemon Honeydew simple syrup Lime zest
The penis and the pen The LAsT WoRd
ReTReAT
Hanif Kureishi, best known for his 1985 screenplay My Beautiful Laundrette and 1990 novel The Buddha of Suburbia, takes on men behaving quite badly in The Last Word (Scribner: $25), which may or may not BOOK be a roman à clef about Patrick French’s 2008 V.S. Naipaul biography. In The Last Word, a young-ish writer, Harry Johnson, is sent to ingratiate himself to well-known Indian-born author Mamoon Azam, in hopes of getting the dirt for a tell-all biography. But Harry’s not quite the lost lamb he seems, and Mamoon knows a trick or two as well. Their ego battle royale gets progressively more satirical as the stakes get higher. There’s nasty (and deliberately badly written) sex galore, which impresses with how closely the penis and the pen are in some literary circles, and more than a few jabs at the rarefied air at the top of the literary pile.
When you’re out for a night on the town, it’s not often that you’re doing anything to help homeless people. Maybe a donated buck when you’re stopped on the way, but not much more substantive than that. That was the past. Now you can dance all night with local deejays EVENT and then check out and buy pieces from up-and-coming artists while you’re taking a breather—all while helping raise money for an area nonprofit. ReTREAT is a recently started monthly event at Blue Lamp engineered to give a platform to artists who generally don’t get fancy gallery showings. Authenticity and dedication to their medium was a primary factor in selecting the participants. Between that focus and a part of the proceeds going to Loaves & Fishes after the party ends, the organizers behind ReTREAT are making a strong attempt at uplifting the community without being dour or guilt-trippy about it. This month, on Wednesday, April 8, ReTREAT will have two live painting demonstrations, from Wel Sed and Rose P. Griffith, along with showings from Kylie Jackson, Matt Zlaket Photography and Reggie Sanders. As for the music, the talent is booked by Intelligent Dance Parties and features REASON, DJ Mike Colossal and DJ R$HARP. Plus, it’s dirt cheap to get in—$3 if you show before 10 p.m. and $5 after that. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. (Don’t bring the kids, as it’s only 21-and-up.) Learn more at www.facebook.com/ events/1050409251641666.
—Kel Munger
Talent abounds sAcRAmenTo hAs TALenT Twelve performers compete in front of a panel of local celebrity judges (Alexandra Cunningham of the Sacramento Ballet, Shelly Willis of the SacraEVENT mento Metropolitan Arts Commission and TBD Fest organizer Michael Hargis) for cash prizes in the final round of this local talent competition run by Access Sacramento. Highlights include comedian/ musician JR De Guzman, and 2015 Sammies winners Joe Kye and Element Brass Band. HGTV’s Ahmed Hassan (formerly of the show Yard Crashers) hosts for the night. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, $25. Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street; www.crestsacramento.com. —Jonathan Mendick
Jokes, jams and Jane see JAne sing Pretty much everyone in America knows who Jane Lynch is now thanks to Glee. But before she made it to prime time, the actress worked COMEDY her way up the comedy ladder in The Second City improv theater and a whole bunch of small spots in TV and films. (Her character in The 40-YearOld Virgin is hilarious.) In other words, her comedy chops are strong. In her new theatrical production, See Jane Sing, Lynch goes the route of musical comedy and pokes fun at the all-American Broadway musical. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, $25-$58. Mondavi Center, 9399 Old Davis Road; www.mondaviarts.org.
THINK FREE.
Art for the community
—Anthony Siino
—Aaron Carnes
BEFORE
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FRONTLINES
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F E AT U R E S T O RY
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Creator of The 36 Sour:
Nathan Jackson
This fresh take on a classic drink offers delicious flavor by putting a twist on the familiar.
36 Handles 1010 Whiterock Rd. El Dorado Hills 916.941.3606 36handles.com
Volunteer at Any Age With the Peace Corps Information Session
Tuesday, April 14 5 to 7 p.m. Sierra 2 Center, Curtis Hall 2791 24th Street Sacramento, California
A panel of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who served after the age of 50 will share inspirational stories of service and discuss how you can make a genuine difference in communities overseas.
Life is calling. How far will you go?
855.855.1961 | www.peacecorps.gov |
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Civil War and Seder 5
33 Variations
The Whipping Man Through an excellent play, impressive performances, and creative production choices, Sacramento Theatre Company’s current show The Whipping Man by Patti Roberts instantly and powerfully transports the audience to the South at the close of the Civil War. This isn’t just any moment or any place in the South; this is Richmond, Va., April 13, 14 and 15, 1865, during Passover—all very relevant to playwright Matthew Lopez’s award-winning story about two freed slaves and their former owner.
5
PHoTo by barry WiSdoM
The Whipping Man; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; $34-$38. Pollock Stage at Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street; (916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org. Through May 3.
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The story begins with Caleb, a young wounded Confederate soldier returning from the battlefield to find his home destroyed and two of his newly freed slaves trying to cobble a life together amidst the ruins of the house, a community and a society that has instantly shifted. The historic dates are pertinent—during those three particular days, the war is ending, an assassination takes place and Passover is being observed in the relatively large Jewish population who lived in Richmond. And STC’s timing of this staging is perfect: This year is the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War and this month is Passover—both woven into the story in significant and powerful ways, especially the references to slavery and freedom from bondage during a Seder observance. Director Buddy Butler, who also directed STC’s 2013 production of Master Harold and the Boys, flawlessly meshes three distinct, powerful and nuanced performances: Sean Patrick Nill as an explosive, physically and psychologically wounded Confederate soldier;
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Stage to streaming For the past few years, Sacramento’s The Alternative Arts Collective has been producing stage productions—some of which (including last year’s two-part production of Tony Kushner’s ambitious Angels in America) SN&R’s theater reviewers gave a whole lot of love and five-star reviews. Now, the self-described “arts hub” is creating some pretty compelling drama via a web series posted to YouTube. The first episode of TAAC’s new 12-part series Midtown Blue debuted on YouTube and in front of a private audience of cast and crew on Tuesday, March 24. Written and directed by TAAC artistic director David Blue Garrison, the pilot episode of the series, “Bad Night,” introduces us to three Sacramento artists (Ben, Jack and Sam) who all are fired on the same day. Also, according to a press release, each character has personal problems—“Ben has panic attacks, Jack is an alcoholic and Sam is clinically depressed”—which viewers can start to see signs of in the first episode. The debut episode also has some seriously beautiful cinematography, showing outdoor shots of the city and a few cool places in town. The leads—Kyle Burrow (Ben), Brian Bohlender (Jack) and Victoria Timoteo (Sam)—do a convincing job at conveying their characters’ emotions, and the pacing definitely makes you want to see what happens next. The episode features music from local rock group Humble Wolf, which seems to fit well with mood of the story so far. Garrison told SN&R via email that the next episode will come out sometime in the next two to three weeks, and they’ll pick up pace after that. In addition to being released online, Garrison plans to hold episode screenings in different Sacramento locations for the rest of the series. The following 11 episodes should all be done in July, but have no determined release date—and the dozen episodes will be followed with a feature-length film in August to end the Midtown Blue story. Head to http://bit.ly/ midtownblue to watch the series, and find out more at www.facebook.com/midtownbluefilm. —Jonathan Mendick
j o na t h a nm @ne w s re v i e w . c o m
3
Oblivion
The tension in this comedy/drama lies between a “tolerant,” secular, 40-something couple and their teenage daughter, who secretly goes on a church retreat (to Mom’s great distress). But the story’s core is actually the parents. Their marriage, and respective careers, have stalled out; they’re almost rudderless, especially when facing an inquisitive girl exploring something they’ve always avoided discussing—religion. Along the way, the show transitions from comedy into something resembling drama (with mixed
results). The show’s reach exceeds its grasp but contains several telling and effective scenes. Tu 6:30pm; W 2pm & 6pm;
1
Th, F 8pm; Sa 5pm & 9pm. Through 4/19. $23-$35. B Street Theatre,
FoUL
2711 B St.; (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org. J.H.
2
5
Rapture, Blister, Burn
In playwright Gina Gionfriddo’s Rapture, Blister, Burn, the subject matter of life choices is offered up in a thought-provoking and hilarious dark comedy that includes three generations’ takes on women’s issues. Capital Stage’s Shannon Mahoney, in her directorial debut, expertly guides her gifted cast through this Pulitzer Prize-finalist play that includes fascinating examinations of gender politics as well as drink-infused conversations and escapades. Be prepared to have great discussions and debates afterward.
Fair
3 Good
4 WELL-doNE
5
W 7pm; Th, F 8pm; Sa 2pm & 8pm; Su 2pm. Through 4/12. $22-$38.
SUbLiME–doN’T MiSS
Capital Stage, 2215 J St.; (916) 995-5464; www.cap stage.org. P.R.
Short reviews by Jeff Hudson, Kel Munger and Patti roberts.
PHoTo coUrTESy oF THE SacraMENTo PUbLic Library
This one gets five stars and a “l’chiam.”
Michael J. Asberry as the still-loyal house servant Simon, who is looking forward to freedom and family life with his freed wife and daughter; and Anthony Simone as the brash, bitter, newly freed slave anxious to throw off his shackles and previous groveling to white society. Presented on STC’s small, intimate Pollack Stage, the imaginative set, costumes, lighting and sound effects of The Whipping Man all work seamlessly together to capture a time, place and people haunted by their past, present and imagined future. Ω
Moises Kaufman’s play about a musicologist looking for the source of Beethoven’s obsession with a minor waltz receives an outstanding production at Big Idea Theatre. Directed by Benjamin T. Ismail, Ruby Sketchley plays the professor and Scott Divine is the maestro himself. Fantastic production values and excellent performances make this a show that ought not be missed. Th, F, Sa 8pm. Through 4/11. $10-$18. Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd.; (916) 960-3036; www.bigidea theatre.org. K.M.
Sister Spit Founded in the ’90s in San Francisco, Sister Spit (www.sisterspit.com) is a spoken-word event that was established as an answer to the oft maledominated culture of open-mic nights (because even sensitive poet-bros can be tools of the patriarchy). Dedicated to a tradition of “feminism, queerness, humor and provocation,” Sister Spit is now open to performers of all genders and brings a punk-rock vibe to events that are traditionally associated with berets, black turtlenecks and snapping. This year, the annual touring spoken-word event features “Sister Spit: The Next Generation” performers, including Tom Cho, Myriam Gurba, Mica Sigourney and Virgie Tovar (pictured). Hosted by author and co-founder Michelle Tea, the event will roll through the Sacramento Public Library’s Central Branch (828 I Street) in celebration of National Poetry Month on Sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. —Deena Drewis
Virgie Tovar is an author and activist who writes about fat discrimination and body image.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT BJ Davis struggled with drug addiction for more than a decade. He has been clean and sober for nearly 17 years. PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE ANTHONY
Taking Back What Addiction Stole
R E C O V E R I N G L I V E S W O R T H S TAY I N G S O B E R F O R
F
or more than a decade, BJ Davis escaped reality by smoking crack cocaine. His life revolved around it — being high, coming down from being high and figuring out a way to get high again. At one point he even sold his $8,000 car to his crack dealer for four $20 rocks of cocaine. “I looked in the mirror and could see that my life was pretty miserable and I had a problem, but I couldn’t see an avenue to improve myself,” Davis says. It wasn’t until he was incarcerated for the second time that Davis thought he had a problem that mattered. Sitting alone in his prison cell, Davis received a letter saying that his
77-year-old mother had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital in critical condition. “I felt this tremendous amount of guilt when I got that letter,” Davis says. “I thought, ‘She’s in a hospital room all by herself and possibly going to be leaving this mortal plane, and I’m locked up because of my selfish need to use cocaine.”
“I believe that recovery is regaining the quality of life that your addiction took from you.” BJ Davis Co-director of Strategies for Change
In that moment, in that prison cell, Davis decided to make a change. He was transferred to the California State Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran. There he met people who struggled with addiction and saw there is hope for addicts to transform their lives to happy, healthy ones. After being released from Corcoran, Davis filled up his schedule with activities that would keep him moving in the right direction and away from drugs. He voluntarily enrolled in an outpatient treatment program and went back to school, eventually obtaining two master’s degrees in psychology and community counseling and a
CCAPP’s
doctorate in clinical psychology. He is now co-director of the recovery agency Strategies for Change, where he helps individuals regain lives that are worth staying clean and sober for. “What addiction steals from people is their quality of life,” Davis says. “I believe that recovery is regaining the quality of life that your addiction took from you.” Davis experienced firsthand the struggles of addiction, but his story is proof that recovery is possible. He’s been sober for nearly 17 years. “Our past does not define us,” Davis says. “Our past can refine us.” BY BRITTANY WESELY
Sacramento News & Review and California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) have partnered to tell sponsored stories that share the joys of recovery, break down the barriers of stigma, and employ individuals, families and the community to form a united front against the disease of addiction. To find more about recovery and resources offered in the community, visit www. newsreview.com/sacramento/ ccapp.
Mexican American Addiction Program
Directory Some of Sacramento’s Drug & Alcohol Programs, Organizations, Recovery Centers, and Transitional Homes: MAAP Inc.
Clean & Sober Transitional Living Inc
4241 Florin Road Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 394-3489 www.maap.org
NCADD Sacramento
8938 Madison Ave Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 961-8934 www.clean-and-sober-living.com
1446 Ethan Way Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 922-5121 www.ncaddsac.org
Priorities Clinic
Strategies for Change
Gateway House
3647 40th Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 397-2434
4343 Williamsbourgh Dr. Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 395-3552 4441 Auburn Blvd Ste E Sacramento, CA 95841 (916) 473-5764 www.strategies4change.org
River City Recovery Center Inc. 500 22nd Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 442-3979 www.rivercityrecovery.org
4049 Miller Way Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 451-9312 www.gffw.org
Sacramento Recovery House
Med Aid
3100 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 736-3188
Harm Reduction Services 2800 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 456-4849 www.harmreduction.org
Sacramento County Dept of Health & Human Services Alcohol & Drug Services 3321 Power Inn Rd Ste120 Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 874-9754 www.DHHS.saccounty.net
1914 22nd Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 455-6258 www.sacramentorecoveryhouse.org
Mission:
Treatment:
Improve the health and well being of the community of Sacramento through services aimed at alleviating the effects of substance abuse, lack of health services and other social needs that impact the community.
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NEWS
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F E AT U R E
STORY
• Medi-Cal • Sacramento County • Alta Regional • Private Pay • Private Insurance
3 Locations Florin Road South Sacramento Madison Ave. North Highland Industrial Drive Galt
4241 Florid Road , Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95823 Office: (916) 394.3489 • Fax: (916) 394.2480
For more information about these companies please look on our website: www.newsreview.com/sacramento/CCAPP.us BEFORE
• Adult and Youth Substance Use Disorder Treatment (English & Spanish) • Co-Occurring Mental Health Treatment • Drug Diversion PC-1000 (English & Spanish) • Family & Individual Counseling • Peer Mentoring for Developmentally Delayed
Payment Options:
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2OOLH DQG 9HUQLH LQVSLUH XV Ollie and Vernie’s bond has endured through 60 years of marriage and military service in two wars. They still never go to bed angry. So when Ollie was diagnosed with memory problems that can progress to Alzheimer’s disease, they resolved to meet the challenge together. Doctors recommended physical and mental activity to support brain health – so 81-year-old Ollie now plays on three softball teams. The couple fill their social calendar with friends and charity fundraisers. They also fight back by helping others at risk of dementia. Participating in a multiyear study at the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Center, the couple is helping leading researchers investigate the aging brain to
To learn more about Ollie and Vernie’s determination and the region’s only Alzheimer’s research center designated by the National Institute on Aging, visit alzheimer.ucdavis.edu One team. One choice. One UC Davis.
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SN&R | 04.02.15
NIA-DESIGNATED ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH CENTER
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Welcome Home! Call & schedule a tour today! Cats & large dogs welcome! No breed restrictions! Riverview Ranch | 2763 River Plaza Dr | Sacramento | (916) 923-6300
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2505 5th St. Davis, CA 95618 (530) 758-2200
2950 Portage Bay W Davis, CA 95616 (530) 756-2950
Eastlake
1420 Lake Blvd Davis, CA 95616 (530) 758-5253
Lakeshore
1175 Lake Blvd Davis, CA 95616 (530) 757-7926
ENTER SN&R’S
College Essay Contest! THE PRIZES: First place will
receive a $2,015 award, plus $750 for second place and $500 for third place.
THE RULES: High-school seniors graduating in 2015 are eligible. Only one entry allowed per student, and you must live in the Sacramento region to apply. No SN&R employees or their relatives may enter.
FIRST PLACE PRIZE SPONSORED BY
BEFORE
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NEWS
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F E AT U R E
STORY
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A RT S & C U LT U R E
THE DETAILS: Essays can be no longer than 650 words. Email essays as a Word document or PDF attachment to collegeessay@ newsreview.com, with the subject line “College Essay Contest.” Deadline is Friday, May 1, at 5 p.m.
THIRD PLACE SPONSORED BY
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®
Two-time ACADEMY AWARD Nominee
®
Two-time ACADEMY AWARD WINNER
E M M A THOMPSON
d a k o ta fanning
J U L I E WALTERS
STRIKINGLY ’’ CONTEMPORARY! “
- M A R K K E R M O D E , T H E O B S E RV E R
VISUALLY SUMPTUOUS! “
Written by, co-starring and conceived with uncommon female sensibility by esteemed actress Emma Thompson (Emma Thompson, you rock!).’’ - P R A I R I E M I L L E R , W BA I R A D I O
A FEMINIST FAIRYTALE!
“
Dakota Fanning excels as a sleeping beauty slowly awakening.’’ -GRAHAM FULLER, FILM COMMENT
Plunder undone Woman in Gold Woman in Gold plows similar ground to last year’s The Monuments Men, dealing as it does with the theft of European art by the Nazis before and during by Jim Lane World War II. But unlike Monuments Men, Woman in Gold follows the facts with reasonable fidelity. And it tells its story from the other end of history, beginning in 1998. But first, there’s a prologue. The hands of an artist carefully prepare a small sheet of gold leaf, then apply it to the surface of a portrait he’s painting. We know going in that the artist is the Viennese master Gustav Klimt, and the painting is “Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I,” or “Woman in Gold.”
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Time for some Orphan Gold.
An Ovation Stage Production
THE CLEARING by Helen Edmundson
APRIL 4 - 26 • FRI & SAT @ 8PM, SUN @ 7PM
A dark page is torn out of history to mirror the horrors that continue in the name of ethnic cleansing.
WILKERSON THEATRE
1723 25th Street (25th & R), Sacramento 95816 FOR TICKETS and more INFO, visit OvationStage.com info@ovationstage.com • 916 606-5050
1 Poor
2 Fair
3 Good
4 Very Good
5 OVATION STAGE 32 | SN&R | 04.02.15
excellent
There’s a brief exchange in subtitled German. “Adele,” the artist says, “you seem upset. What’s worrying you?” “The future,” the woman sighs. Ahem. Klimt’s masterpiece was painted in 1907, in the glory days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; the cataclysm of the Great War—to say nothing of Adolf Hitler—was still years in the future. Putting these words into Adele’s mouth gives the impression that the storm clouds of the Anschluss are gathering right outside the window. But that’s the last false note. From this point on, Alexi Kaye Campbell’s script rings entirely true, with only minor changes well within the bounds of dramatic license. The story is inspiring: In 1999, one Maria Altmann—a Vienna-born Jewish woman who fled Austria with her husband just before the outbreak of World War II, later becoming an American citizen and settling in Los Angeles— sought restitution from the Austrian government for five Klimt paintings (including two portraits of her aunt Adele) that had been stolen from her family by Hitler’s thugs. Austria stonewalled, claiming that Adele, who died in 1925 well before Hitler’s rise, had willed the paintings to Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. With the help of her lawyer, Randol Schoenberg (whose grandfather, the composer Arnold Schoenberg, had also fled the Nazis in the 1930s), and Austrian journalist Hubertus Czernin, she eventually
prevailed in a lawsuit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, then back to Austria for binding arbitration. In Woman in Gold, Maria Altmann is played by Helen Mirren, Schoenberg by Ryan Reynolds and Czernin by Daniel Brühl. In an apparent bow to Anglo-American star power, Czernin takes a back seat (in real life, his journalism prompted Altmann’s lawsuit rather than simply assisting it). It’s an easy change to forgive when the stars are as strong as these. Dame Helen, of course, is always a formidable presence; God have mercy on anyone who tries to thwart a character she plays. Equally formidable in his understated way is Reynolds, the Rodney Dangerfield of American actors—he don’t get no respect. (Just before the press screening I attended, a colleague and I were discussing a certain major star—who shall here remain nameless —who takes occasional breaks from the nitwit comedies that have made him rich and famous in a futile attempt to prove he can really act. At the end of Woman in Gold I turned to my friend and said, “Ryan Reynolds, on the other hand, has proven time and time again that he can act—and no one ever seems to notice.”) With Campbell’s intelligent script and Simon Curtis’ smooth direction (My Week with Marilyn) tastefully pushing all the right buttons, Woman in Gold makes an immensely satisfying David-and-Goliath story, spiced ever so subtly with just a dash of once-aNazi-always-a-Nazi schadenfreude. This, in fact, is where Daniel Brühl’s Hubertus Czernin comes in—his earnest dedication to justice for Mrs. Altmann offers a balm to Austrian sensibilities and a counterbalance to the smugly infuriating parade of Teutonic bureaucrats, culture ministers and museum officials coldly throwing obstacles in her path.
Dame Helen, of course, is always a formidable presence; God have mercy on anyone who tries to thwart a character she plays. With the well-matched Nellie Schilling and Tatiana Maslany playing Maria Altmann as a child and young woman, Woman in Gold movingly dramatizes the old lady’s haunting past as well as her present determination to get what’s rightfully hers. At the end, it makes us want to cheer, seeing that sometimes the good guys really do win—even if it takes 70 years and the gumption of a Helen Mirren to get the job done. Ω
by daniel barnes & JiM lane
4
’71
•
2508 LAND PARK DRIVE LAND PARK & BROADWAY FREE PARKING ADJACENT TO THEATRE
TV and music-video director Yann Demange makes an extremely promising debut with the harrowing thriller ’71. The film takes place over the course of one hellish night in Belfast during “The Troubles,” when the city was split into Catholic/IRA and Protestant factions warring even within themselves. Demange’s film follows a British soldier (Jack O’Connell, more magnetic here than in his supposed breakthrough role in Unbroken) trapped behind “enemy lines” after a riot separates him from his platoon. The Bloody Sunday meets Escape from New York set-up provides the film with a gutseizing, action-thriller hook, but Demange makes it clear that everyone is trapped in the crossfire. The violence in ’71 is sudden and devastating and immediate—you feel it—and although the characters are often a little light, Demange navigates this 1970s urban war zone with the intensity and clarity of a born filmmaker. D.B.
3
“GRIPPING.” - Manohla Dargis, NEW YORK TIMES
GETT
THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM STARTS FRI., 4/3 FRI-TUES: 2:25, 4:45, 7:10PM NO TUES 7:10PM
Chappie
5
tional process film fused with a potent legal drama, as well as a fascinating look inside a religious bureaucracy where male supremacy is written into law. D.B.
2
An investment banker (Will Ferrell), framed for embezzlement and headed to prison, hires a casual acquaintance (Kevin Hart) to prepare him for life in the joint—after all, if the guy’s black, he’s obviously been in prison, right? Hart’s character, needing the money for his daughter’s private school, plays along. The premise is dumb, the writing slapdash, leaning heavily on voice-over narration at the ending, a tell-tale sign of sloppiness by writers Jay Martel, Ian Roberts and director Etan Cohen. Cohen’s direction, meanwhile, matches his writing. Still, there are some good laughs here and there. Ferrell gets top billing, and his remaining fans will be satisfied, but his shtick is getting pretty stale; Hart carries him much of the way here, including a hilarious three-way riff on prison stereotypes. J.L.
2
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When an alien race, the Boov, invade Earth, one misfit among them (voiced by Jim Parsons) is forced to befriend a fugitive Earthling child (Rihanna) and help her find her mother (Jennifer Lopez), deported to Australia with the rest of humanity. A promo for this lifeless glob of eye-candy played last year with Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and comparing the two goes to show that what might be mildly amusing for one minute doesn’t become 94 times funnier just because you pad it out to 94 minutes. Besides, the most interesting thing about the short was the voice performance of Steve Martin as the pompous Boov leader, and he’s shoved into the background here while Rihanna and Parsons go all cutesy-pie on us. Directed by Tim Johnson and written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember from a book by Adam Rex, if you care. J.L.
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Gett: The Trial of Viviane Ansalem
Israeli brother and sister writer-directors Shlomi and Ronit Elkabetz deliver this riveting movie about the torturous, borderline Kafkaesque procedure that one woman takes to obtain a religious divorce in Israel. Ronit also stars as Viviane, a beautiful and independent middle-aged woman who seeks to legally end a loveless marriage to her estranged and emotionally distant husband. As depicted in Gett, the legal system entirely favors the whims and rights of the male—Viviane is mostly a silent spectator at her own divorce proceedings—and so the husband is allowed to endlessly waffle and delay, outrageously dragging the case out for years. The film is minimalist but moving, A Separation meets Anatomy of a Murder, a methodical and emo-
NEWS
A Girl Like Her
Amy S. Weber wrote and directed this earnest but self-righteous look at highschool bullying, a sluggish life lesson that keeps tripping over its own good intentions. On the same day that her high school gets celebrated as one of the best in the nation, tormented teenager Jessica swallows a bottle of pills, ending up in the hospital on life support while her fellow students struggle to make sense of the suicide attempt. Meanwhile, a documentary crew hired to profile the school is given free rein to roam the halls playing gotcha journalism with troubled minors for some reason, and they discover that Jessica had a tormentor (Hunter King, a potential force of nature) with a complicated personal life of her own. A Girl Like Her goes for an ill-conceived blend of found footage and faux documentary that never works, while the script is rarely subtle and often shameless. D.B.
Get Hard
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Wild Tales
WED-TUES: 12:05, 2:30, 4:55, 7:25, 9:40PM
“WICKEDLY DELIGHTFUL.” - Jay Weissberg, VARIETY
“CREEPS YOU OUT BIG-TIME.”
WED-THUR: 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30PM FRI-TUES: 12:00, 9:30PM
WED-TUES: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45PM NO TUES 5:10PM
- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE
4
The Hunting Ground
This highly upsetting Kirby Dick documentary examines the extreme prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, and the disgusting ways that school administrators silence victims and shield sexual predators in order to protect their reputations. Rape survivors from august Ivy League universities such as Harvard and Stanford courageously tell horror story after horror story about institutional indifference and malicious coverups perpetrated by the
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F E AT U R E
STORY
, REX REED
AHELEN TRIUMPH ! MIRREN
Argentinian writer-director Damián Szifron’s black comedy anthology, which played festivals throughout 2014 and was nominated for a Best Foreign Film award at last month’s Oscars, is the pinnacle of contemporary revenge films, the granddaddy, the godfather, the boss, the Great Pumpkin. Wild Tales is the revenge film to end all revenge films, a glorious and bonkers blast of visual creativity and storytelling energy, and one of the most purely entertaining films of the year. If the naughty-boy, early-1990s oeuvres of Pedro Almodovar (who also produced) and Quentin Tarantino were somehow able to copulate, then Wild Tales would be their grossly beautiful sextuplet offspring. Wild Tales shuffles juvenile amorality and hand-of-God sermonizing into the same deck, but it’s perfectly pitched, as though the funniest kid in your high school became Scheherazade for two hours. Like a vicious predator, Wild Tales sinks its claws into your neck before you even see it coming. D.B.
Cinderella
BEFORE
GOLD
FOR ADVANCE TICKETS PLEASE VISIT FANDANGO.COM
Walt Disney’s definitive 1950 animated classic gets a live-action, nonmusical remake, elegantly directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Chris Weitz with wit and graceful fairy-tale simplicity. This new version can’t improve on perfection, but it can stand beside Uncle Walt’s original and complement it—a gloriously sumptuous confection, played miraculously straight without irony, revisionism or cynicism, telling its familiar story as if for the first time. The casting is spot-on, headed by Cate Blanchett as an icy, imperiously cruel stepmother. In the title role, Lily James is a revelation: sweet without being sugary, simple without being simple-minded and beaming with what must be the most radiant smile in movie history. Dante Ferretti’s breathtaking production design adds to the general wonder. J.L.
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WOMAN IN
WILD TALES IT FOLLOWS
Pretty, angry princess.
Given the tendency of technological advances to accelerate over time, the visual effects of Neill Blomkamp (District 9; Elysium) will someday look old-fashioned and ridiculous. Until then, I can’t help but be a little dazzled by his films, and a little charmed by his pompous ineptitude—he’s a Michael Bay who really, really believes he’s a Stanley Kubrick. Blomkamp muse Sharlto Copley provides the motion-capture performance and voice of the titular robot, a South African police android installed with artificial intelligence. Reborn as the childlike Chappie, he is forced to choose between the moral teachings of his creator and the questionable influence of his “parents,” a couple of slimy criminals. Think Short Circuit meets Robocop meets American History X meets 58 other things. It’s a scrap heap of undeveloped ideas and conflicting tones and Hugh Jackman mini-mullets, but I was never bored. Insulted, confused, embarrassed, sure … but not bored. D.B.
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“TRIUMPHANT AND HOPEFUL.” - Jan Wahl, KCBS RADIO
“
IS BRILLIANT.
RYAN REYNOLDS IS OUTSTANDING.”
colleges where they trusted their futures. A litany of offenders is indicted, from the fraternity industry to student-athlete overindulgence to administrative greed, and the film could have toppled from ambition, but Dick is an old hand at this sort of outrage caffeine (he also made the 2012 documentary The Invisible War, about rape coverups in the military). The Hunting Ground is smart and fluid and well-constructed, although not particularly cinematic—the emotions are raw, even when the filmmaking feels too cozy and safe. D.B.
5
It Follows
4
What We Do in the Shadows
After a drifting suburban Detroit teen sleeps with her new boyfriend, she learns that he has “passed on” to her a malevolent presence, one that will never stop its slow but deadly pursuit. In just his second feature, writer-director David Cameron Mitchell (The Myth of the American Sleepover) produces one of the best horror films of the millennium. The story touches on themes of venereal disease, rape, contagion fears, PTSD and more, while combining cinematic influences from zombies, ghosts, slashers, J-horror, conspiracy thrillers, exorcisms, Robert Altman, teen sex comedies, apocalypses, John Carpenter, chase films and the first five minutes of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening into something deeply unsettling and nightmarishly lucid. Imagine if Texas Chainsaw Massacre-era Tobe Hooper directed a Richard Linklater rewrite of Under the Skin. A few clunky special effects and easy jump scares aside, It Follows is intelligent and terrifying, an instant genre classic. D.B.
Written, directed by and starring Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the uneven but uproarious mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows mines a vein of deadpan, observational goofiness that recalls previous Clement-Waititi collaborations like Eagle vs. Shark and the TV show Flight of the Conchords. Along with Jonathan Brugh and Ben Fransham, Clement and Waititi play vampire roommates trying to have fun in urban New Zealand while dealing with the realities of modern undead life (they can’t get into most nightclubs because they need to be formally invited to enter) and the difficulties of shared living situations (the chore wheel hasn’t moved in five years). The film excels at finding comedy in those mundane details, and although it never recaptures the comedic momentum of its opening minutes, and the mockumentary format mostly becomes a narrative crutch, there are enough big laughs to forgive a few shortcomings. D.B.
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Back from the garage Sonic Love Affair returns to dust off its instruments and crank up the volume There was a time in the ’90s and early 2000s when being in a garage or surf band most likely meant you wore wacky, themed outfits and played an by Aaron Carnes amped-up tongue-in-cheek homage to the slew of ’60s lo-fi, teenage psych-rock bands. Locals Sonic Love Affair jumped into this scene in 2002 and played nearly every weekend in either San Francisco or Sacramento for about five years; still, they always felt like odd ducks.
pHoTo CourTeSy oF SoniC Love AFFAir
Records, is a four-band 7-inch compilation that also features the San Diego band Wild Honey, who will open the Hideaway show. The SLA song for this comp was taken from a 2007 recording session that got shelved when the band took a break. The hiatus was logistical: singer Dylan Rogers had moved to San Diego and Rudge moved to Seattle. The band members’ far-flung addresses proved challenging when it came to playing shows, much less practicing. SLA was, after all, used to rehearsing a couple of times a week. A little sloppiness may be part of the shtick for many garage bands, but the musicians in Sonic Love Affair say they always wanted to sound their best. “We covered a lot of the same songs [as the other garage bands],” Fiore says. “If we did a song … that traditionally had a one-guitar-string solo, our [version would] have much more layers.” It wasn’t just ’60s garage that influenced them. The band’s always been open to various groups: the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bo Diddley and the Flamin’ Groovies. If Sonic Love Affair follows a single creed, it’s just to play it loud. “I just think of the MC5, just how loud they were and how it just sounded good. I think if we played it at a lower volume it wouldn’t have that same impact,” says guitarist Curtis Franklin.
Garage rock’s odd ducks are still in.
Catch Sonic Love Affair at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Hideaway, 2565 Franklin Boulevard. Tickets are $7. For more information, visit http://soniclove affair.bandcamp.com.
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“We didn’t wear matching pants or boots. It was more like T-shirts-and-jeans-rock,” says drummer Jerry Fiore. Other area garage-punkers admired the band’s explosive, high voltage, punk-tinged sound, including Rob Alper, who joined Sonic Love Affair in 2004 as its lead guitarist. “SLA shows were unhinged, in-your-face, straight up fuzz ’n’ roll,” says Alper. The band reigned as local headliners, and in San Francisco often opened for bigger garage acts—old and new. In 2007, however, the band took an extended hiatus, playing only the occasional reunion show—including a 10-year anniversary show in 2012 that drew a packed house to Luigi’s Fun Garden, a feat that surprised even the band. “We had no idea if anyone still even cared,” says the SLA bassist Rudge of the commemorative gig. “We didn’t promote it, but people came out.” Now SLA’s got another show, this one scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at the Hideaway, which marks another special event. This time it’s for the release of a new compilation the band is featured on: Sweet Times—Volume 3. The collection, released via the German label Who Can You Trust?
If Sonic Love Affair follows a single creed, it’s just to play it loud. The group approaches its upcoming show with excitement, but also with a little bit of nervousness. Rudge has since moved back to Sacramento but with Rogers still living in San Diego, it hasn’t been easy to get in a fair amount of rehearsal. All the same, they’ve played so much over the years, the songs remain ingrained in their minds. “SLA is pretty much the same band that it always was: a group of friends who love to play loud rock ’n’ roll together,” Alper says. “We’re like a family; a family that drinks beer, screams about love and pain at top volume.” Ω
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NEWS
Gift certificates to local merchants for up to 50% off
Get outside, hear a band (or a dozen): We’ve gotten a fat taste of summer in the past couple of weeks. Let’s start with Concerts in the Park, with a free show in Cesar Chavez Plaza every Friday in May through July. This year’s lineup holds a solid mix of touring and local acts, and unlike last year, a solid hip-hop day on May 29 with Blackalicious and DLRN. The series finale on July 24 also has Task1ne and Century Got Bars supporting Arden Park Roots—that’s right, no Brodys this year. A couple of other sure-to-bemassive shows will happen June 26 with former Dance Gavin Dance frontman Jonny Craig’s new rock band Slaves and A Lot Like Birds, and July 17 with Yosemite’s experimental indie rock band From Indian Lakes. Then there’s the Sacramento Music Festival lineup. Traditionally a jazz and Dixieland affair, the four-day festival, scheduled to take place over Memorial Day Weekend in Old Sacramento, continues to play with its identity. The 2015 headliners include old school R&B band Tower of Power, country singer Gloriana and two ’90s rock bands, Everclear and Eve 6. More than 300 sets will be performed in various venues May 22-25. The continued prevalence of ’90s alt-rock bands still feels a little weird. But just because there’s no jazz headliner doesn’t mean the festival has abandoned its roots entirely. There’s local vocal jazz trio Sister Swing, for example, and local hot swing band Crescent Katz. More artists will be added to the lineup in weeks to come, so we’ll see if the festival spends any real money bringing a big jazz or swing act. Early bird festival passes go for $110 or $39-$45 per day. Finally, there’s Outside Lands taking place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park August 7-9. Headlining are Elton John, Mumford & Sons and the Black Keys, plus Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Wilco, D’Angelo and St. Vincent. Sadly, three-day passes sold out in 40 minutes, but some single-day tickets might become available later. Watch out for that, plus more artist announcements—plus food, beverages and comedians—at www.sfoutsidelands.com.
SN&R
BEFORE
more Tiaras plays in Sacramento, the less often we’ll need to remind ourselves of its past, which I’m sure its members are sick of talking about. Hint hint.
w w w. n e w s r e v i e w. c o m
New formations: Despite basically being a brand new band, Male Gaze’s buzz has been spreading for quite some time. That’s because of its members, vocalist-guitarist Matt Jones and guitarist Adam Finken (both of Blasted Canyons), bassist Mark Kaiser (Mayyors) and drummer Adam Cimino (The Mall)—four seasoned musicians from three pretty notorious, underground garage-rock bands. The new mix doesn’t resemble any previous project, but it’s also not a wild departure: noise rock meets postpunk meets San Francisco psychedelia, but dark. Male Gaze swung through the Hideaway Bar & Grill last Sunday for an early 5 p.m. show with local indie rockers Vasas and San Francisco power-pop troupe Tiaras. It was the last show of a mini-West Coast tour for the touring bands, and Male Gaze even snagged an in-studio performance on Seattle’s tastemaking public radio station KEXP. In Sacramento, about 75 people filled the Hideaway—impressive for the day and time—but the layout wasn’t conducive to any thrashing around. Large, four-person tables formed a bulky horseshoe around the bands, creating an odd cabaret-in-adive-bar vibe. The members of Male Gaze did not seem to care, speeding through a quick set with precision and booming, Modern English-esque vocals. The band’s debut album Gale Maze dropped on Castle Face Records earlier this week. Earlier in the afternoon, Vasas played some of its excellent songs off its self-titled debut. The four-piece’s quirky, psychedelic pop unfortunately didn’t translate well live, but I think it’s safe to stack a lot of that blame on the room’s acoustics and sound system. For example, it was damn near impossible to appreciate Ryan Grubb’s vocals during headliner Tiara’s set. But Kyle Hoover’s guitar shined, and overall, the band proved its bright and sunny, ’80s-tinged rock is completely addicting. By now, Tiaras has gotten mad local media love from the likes of, ahem, us, as well as Capital Public Radio and Submerge Magazine. Soon enough we will stop saying, “Tiaras is made up of members from Ganglians, Blasted Canyons and Fine Steps,” because while true and relevant and all, Tiaras is its own standalone thing. A really awesome standalone thing. And the
Gift certificates to local merchants for up to 50% off
Standalone pop and warm weather shows
—Janelle Bitker
jan el l eb @ne w s re v i e w . c o m
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02THURS
03FRI
03FRI
04SAT
The Lower 48
City of Trees Brass Band
Mojo Green
Slow Magic
The Hideaway Bar & Grill, 8 p.m., $5
Starlite Lounge, 9 p.m., $10
While many Sacramentans might be familiar with the Hideaway as a dive bar with good food, pool tables and a dope old-school jukebox, it’s now time to start thinking of it also as a live music venue. For the past year, it’s hosted an event called Trash Rock Thursdays, which features deejays spinning “garage, psychedelic, surf, psycho, rockabilly, punk, metal, glam” and “ass-shakin’ rock ’n’ roll,” according to its Facebook ROCK page. For the event’s one-year anniversary party, it’ll bring Portland’s the Lower 48 to town. The group has somewhat of a ’60s garage rock sound. DJ Dalibaba and DJ Melissa Uroff will kick off the evening. 2565 Franklin Boulevard, www.facebook.com/TheLower48.
Powerhouse Pub, 10 p.m., $10-$15
Sacramento isn’t the town known for its brass bands—that would be New Orleans. Though Sac’s City of Trees Brass Band is clearly nodding a hat to the New Orleans second-line-style jazz, it does things differSECOND LINE ently. Just look at the name—it screams Sacramento right there! It takes an eclectic approach to jazz, mixing in funk, hip-hop, rock and even some dance beats. More importantly, the group has a sense of humor, plays some off-the-wall covers and engages the crowd in all sorts of lively ways. The members love the freedom and spontaneity of playing on the streets, but this Friday, they bring the party to an actual venue. 1517 21st Street, www.facebook.com/CoTBB.
—Jonathan Mendick
L PM AL L O C A R N A T I O N M - F 3 -7 IN T E PY HOUR HAP
One of the hottest bands on the flourishing West Coast funk circuit, Mojo Green stops in Folsom for a show. With Jenes Carter’s soothing vocals atop layers of horns, guitars and rhythm, Mojo Green’s sexy, funky brand makes for a danceable, frolicking good time. FUNK Building their pedigree step by step over the past six years, Mojo Green has hit plenty of key festivals, and shared the stage with the likes of Trombone Shorty, Orgone, the Monophonics, the Funky Meters, Tea Leaf Green and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. 614 Sutter Street in Folsom, www.mojogreenmusic.com.
$
LIVE EntErtaInmEnt
4 .9 E X P.
5
LIVE MUSIC April 3
YER MOM ROCKS
April 4
FABULOUS FUNKY BAND
April 10
IN THE NO
April 11
VAGABOND BROTHERS
April 12
RICH KRIEGER*
April 18
HUMBLEWOLF
April 19
DENVER SAUNDERS*
April 24
D.A.P
April 25
BILLY MANZIK
*SUNDAY ACOUSTIC SESSIONS FROM 2-5PM
27 BEERS ON DRAFT
2019 O ST | 916.442.2682 36 | SN&R |
04.02.15
If you thought cerebral, visceral and thoughtful electronic music was dead, take one listen to “Girls” by Slow Magic and be ELECTRONIC transported to places you’ve never though imaginable. The DJ calls his all-encompassing style “music by your imaginary friend” which could not be more apropos. He ‘s successfully shielded his identity and can be found wearing a strange, tribal mask, working wonders with the infusion of live floor toms and open-ended tunes that meander and roam about. This show will be hosted by UC Davis’ Entertainment Council and will be an all-ages outdoor event. In the interim, get the wonderful How To Run Away, out now via Downtown Records. 1 Shields Avenue in Davis, www.slowmagicmusic.com.
—Eddie Jorgensen
OS NACH S T A C OG E R S BUR
I TA S N R A 3 C & BEER S TA C O
M-F 3PM-2 AM SAT 11: 30AM - 2 AM SUN 11AM - 2 AM
—Alan Sheckter
—Aaron Carnes
S P A T 82 UB R G ME O S & BRE WS BRE WS
UC Davis West Quad, 7 p.m., no cover
TRIVIA MONDAYS @ 6:30PM OPEN MIC WEDNESDAYS SIGN-UPS @ 7:30PM KARAOKE THURSDAYS @ 7:30PM
101 MAIN STREET, ROSEVILLE 916-774-0505 · LUNCH/DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK FRI & SAT 9:30PM - CLOSE 21+ FACEBOOK.COM/BAR101ROSEVILLE
EVErY FrI & Sat 9Pm
FrI aPrIL 3
roguE Rock/$5
Sat aPrIL 4
PartY rumor
Dance hits fRom the 70's, 80's, anD 90's/ $5
FrI aPrIL 10
tHE tonE monKEYS coveR BanD /$5
Sat aPrIL 11
tHE macH 5 Rock coveR BanD / $5
mLb
oPEnIng daY monDay, apRil 6 happy houR pRicing $3 BuD light pints BuDweiseR give-aways
HaLFtImE bar & grILL InSIdE StrIKES unLImItEd 5681 Lonetree blvd • rocklin 916.626.3600 HaLFtImEr ocKLIn.com
04SAT
05SUN
06MON
08WED
SambaDá
D.R.I.
Action Bronson
Buddy Guy
Blue Lamp, 8 p.m., $10
The Boardwalk, 6:30 p.m., $15
SambaDá hails from nearby Santa Cruz, but some of its seven members are Brazil natives. Now, and for the past decade, the band is known for transporting audiences BRAZILIAN to South America with colorful dance parties. SambaDá mixes reggae, funk, salsa and Afro-Brazilian beats, plus soulful vocals, rich grooves and jazz-inflected horns. But it’s not just a concert, it’s a stage show with dancing, samba and capoeira—an AfroBrazilian form of acrobatic martial arts—as well. On this particular evening, SambaDá is celebrating the release of its new album Ritual. It’s meant to reflect the band’s feelings about creating music, a sacred honor and ritual itself. 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, www.sambada.com.
It’s hard to believe that original members Kurt Brecht and Spike Cassidy have kept D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) together for 33 years. What originally started as a sloppy, ultra-fast-paced punk group with songs clocking near the minute mark, D.R.I. has grown and become a tour de force with many memorable anthems including “Five Year Plan,” “I Don’t Need Society” and “Beneath The Wheel.” While some may argue that the PUNK band’s best material was written during its humble beginnings in Houston, Texas, all will be pleased to know D.R.I. plays songs from all eras. Also on the bill are Solanum, Yankee Brutal, Conceived In Chaos, Petty Education and Hacked To Smithereens. 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale, www.dirtyrottenimbeciles.com.
—Janelle Bitker
BEFORE
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NEWS
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F E AT U R E
Ace of Spades, 7 p.m., $25
Mondavi Center, 8 p.m., $18.50-$65
Not every rapper can boast that he’s also a gourmet chef. Before being known as a “foodie rapper,” Action Bronson hosted his own online cooking show called Action in the Kitchen. After breaking his leg in an acciHIP-HOP dent, the chef, who had been dabbling in hip-hop, became a full-time rapper. His easy, self-deprecating style and humorous, well-produced videos and overall likability have made him a rapper on the rise. Now he has a new online cooking show called Fuck, That’s Delicious, which is a humorous, well-produced show. However, he’s deadly serious when it comes to exploring regional cuisine. What’s next— a rapper with a cookbook? 1417 R Street, www.actionbronson.com.
There’s nothing cooler than the sound of blues guitar. At nearly 80, Buddy Guy still rocks the stage. He’s one of the top guitarists in the world and works that electric guitar for all its worth—from slow, sultry and quieter than a whisper in “Five Long Years,” to a faster paced, more frenetic, yet always controlled, sort of howl. From the 1972 jam “Messin’ with the Kid” to the 2008 song “Skin Deep,” he’s kept churning out blues classics. BLUES Rooted in the urban sound of Chicago blues, he’s influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Thorogood and many others, yet he calls himself a student. 9399 Old Davis Road in Davis, www.buddyguy.net.
—Trina L. Drotar
—Paul Piazza
—Eddie Jorgensen
STORY
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NIGHTBEAT
THURSDAY 4/2
FRIDAY 4/3
2003 K St., (916) 448-8790
Tipsy Thursdays, Top 40 deejay dancing, 9pm, call for cover
Fabulous and Gay Fridays, 9pm, call for cover
Saturday Boom, 9pm, call for cover
BAR 101
Karaoke Night, 7:30pm, no cover
YER MOM ROCKS, 9:30pm, no cover
FABULOUS FUNKY BAND, 9:30pm, no cover
Trivia Night, 6:30pm M, no cover; Open-mic night, 7:30pm W, no cover
LIGHT IT UP BLUE, THE HIPSIES, SPACEWALKER, DELANEY RENE; 8pm, $5
JACKSON BOONE, LE KELTON, CALLING TEMPO; 6pm, call for cover
SAMBADÁ, 8pm, $10
Acoustic open-mic, 8pm M; MASKED INTRUDER, SUCCESS; 8pm Tu
9426 Greenback Ln., Orangevale; (916) 988-9247
DANCE GAVIN DANCE, HAIL THE SUN, THINK AGAIN; 6:30pm, call for cover
DANCE GAVIN DANCE, HAIL THE SUN, D.R.I., SOLANUM, YANKEE BRUTAL, LONELY AVENUE, MADISON AVE; 6:30pm CONCEIVED IN CHAOS; 6:30pm, $15
36 CRAZYFISTS, DAMAGE OVER TIME, OUR ENDLESS OBSESSION; 6:30pm Tu
COUNTRY CLUB SALOON
COLLEEN HEAUSER, 9pm-1am, no cover
MADISON HUDSON, 9pm-1am, no cover
BADLANDS List your event!
Post your free online listing (up to 15 months early), and our editors will consider your submission for the printed calendar as well. Print listings are also free, but subject to space limitations. Online, you can include a full description of your event, a photo, and a link to your website. Go to www.newsreview.com/calendar and start posting events. Deadline for print listings is 10 days prior to the issue in which you wish the listing to appear.
101 Main St., Roseville; (916) 774-0505
BLUE LAMP
1400 Alhambra, (916) 455-3400
THE BOARDWALK
4007 Taylor Rd., Loomis; (916) 652-4007 Open-mic, 7:30pm, no cover
DIVE BAR
Deuling Pianos, 9pm, no cover
FACES
Kamikaze Karaoke, 9pm-2am, no cover
Hip-hop and Top 40 Deejay dancing, 9pm, $5-$10
Hip-hop and Top 40 Deejay dancing, 9pm, $5-$10
1001 R St., (916) 443-8825
MARTY COHEN & THE SIDEKICKS, 8pm, no cover
SLY PARK, DELTA CITY RAMBLERS, JEREMY DAWSON; 9pm, $5
WANTED EXOTIC, 9pm, $5
THE GOLDEN BEAR
DJ Shaun Slaughter, 10pm, no cover
DJ Crook One, 10pm, no cover
DJ El Conductor, 10pm, no cover
TOREE MCGEE, RODEO HOUSE; 9pm, no cover
THE GOLDEN CADILLACS, 9pm, no cover
594 Main St., Placerville; (530) 642-8481 1022 K St., (916) 737-5999
FOX & GOOSE
2326 K St., (916) 441-2252
Hey local bands!
GOLDFIELD TRADING POST 1603 J St., (916) 476-5076
WONDERBREAD 5, 10pm, $12
THE HIDEAWAY BAR & GRILL
THE LOWER 48, DJ Dalibaba, DJ Melissa Uroff; 8pm, $5
LUNA’S CAFÉ & JUICE BAR
Joe Montoya’s Poetry Unplugged, 8pm, $2
2565 Franklin Blvd., (916) 455-1331
NAKED LOUNGE DOWNTOWN OLD IRONSIDES
Karaoke, 9pm, no cover
ON THE Y
Karaoke, 9pm, no cover
670 Fulton Ave., (916) 487-3731
PUDDLE STOMPER, BACK ALLEY BUZZARDS, AUDREY EDDE; 8pm, $5
TELL THE WOLVES, CLOCK WORK HEROES, ONCE AN EMPIRE; 9pm, $6
FLEETWOOD MASK 4/2 7PM $20ADV
JOHNNY A 4/10 10PM $10ADV
CREAM OF CLAPTON
THE PRESSURE LOUNGE THEOTOKOS, QUINN HEDGES
4/11 8PM $15ADV
SIZZLING SIRENS BURLESQUE EXPERIENCE: SEA OF GREEN
4/4 9:30PM $15
SAVED BY THE 90S
4/12 8PM $15ADV
BLACK MILK WITH NAT TURNER
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CREAM OF CLAPTON, 6:30pm, $12-$15; SAVED BY THE 90S, 10pm, $15
COMING SOON 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/29 5/01 5/01 5/02 5/02 5/03 5/05 5/09 5/09 5/13 5/14
Mark Hummel Tubaluba Global Guitar Greats Rita Coolidge Dwele Tainted Love Agent Orange The Dead Milkmen Flat Busted The J Band Nora Jane Struthers Sir Michael Rocks Big Eyed Fish Curren$y Big Data Life in the Fastlane John Nemeth Andy McKee Killer Queens The Beatles 1965 Helmet Joseph in the Well Solsa Howard Jones Dru Hill
Roger Carpio, Tim Matranga, 9pm M; Cactus Pete, 8pm Tu; Trivia, 8pm W Nebraska Mondays, 7:30pm M; Comedy, 8pm Tu; Irish and Celtic music, 7pm W
John Ross, 8pm and 10pm, $12
Jazz session, 8pm M, no cover HEATH WILLIAMSON, 5pm M; Karaoke, 9pm Tu; Open-mic, 9pm W, no cover
Lipstick, 9pm, $5 Karaoke, 9pm, no cover
4/10 5:30PM $15ADV
WONDERBREAD 5
Open-mic, 7:30pm M; Pub Quiz, 7pm Tu; Northern Soul and Cornhole, 8pm W
Metal Mass Brunch,noon, no cover; Sunday Sinema, 8pm, no cover
2708 J Street Sacramento, CA 916.441.4693 www.harlows.com
4/3 9:30PM $12
Karaoke, 9pm-2am M; Latin night, 9pm Tu, $5; DJ Alazzawi, 9pm W, $3
Dragalicious, 9pm, $5
MISTY BOYCE, 9:30pm, call for cover
1111 H St., (916) 443-1927
1901 10th St., (916) 442-3504
Social And Environmental Movie Night, 6:30pm W, $3
PARTY RUMOR, 9pm-midnight, $5 JOHNNY A, 8pm, $20-$25
2708 J St., (916) 441-4693
Mad Mondays, 9pm M, call for cover
BILLY MANZIK, 9pm Tu; CLOUDS ROLL BY, HARLEY WHITE; 9pm W, no cover
5681 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin; (916) 626-6366
HARLOW’S
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 4/6-4/8
Sin Sunday, 8pm, call for cover
JONNY MOJO, 8pm, $8
HALFTIME BAR & GRILL
1414 16th St., (916) 441-3931
4/4 5:30PM $12ADV KEVIN RUSSELL’S
SUNDAY 4/5
THE COZMIC CAFÉ
2000 K St., (916) 448-7798
Want to be a hot show? Mail photos to Calendar Editor, SN&R, 1124 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815 or email it to sactocalendar@ newsreview.com. Be sure to include date, time, location and cost of upcoming shows.
SATURDAY 4/4
Open-mic comedy, 9pm, no cover
Karaoke, 9pm Tu, no cover
RESTAURANT •• BAR BAR CLUB •• RESTAURANT COMEDY COMEDY CLUB
VOTED BEST COMEDY CLUB BY THE SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW!
THURSDAY 4/2 - SATURDAY 4/4
KABIR SINGH, KEVIN CAMIA & FRIENDS
DASH KWIATKOWSKI, DJ SANDHU, KRISTEE ONO WEDNESDAY 4/8
SARAH COLONNA: “HAS ANYONE SEEN MY PANTS?” BOOK TOUR
THURSDAY 4/9 - SUNDAY 4/12 FROM MULANEY AND LARRY WILMORE’S NIGHTLY SHOW!
SEATON SMITH SEAN KEANE, NICOLE CALASICH
FRIDAY 4/17 - SUNDAY 4/19 FROM MADTV!
BOBBY LEE JOSEF ANOLIN
THURSDAY 4/23 - SATURDAY 4/25 FROM MADTV AND THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE!
BRYAN CALLEN LEO FLOWERS
THURSDAY 4/30 - SATURDAY 5/2 WARNING: X-RATED SHOW!
COLIN KANE RACHEL MCDOWELL
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
WEDNESDAYS KNCI 18 & OVER COLLEGE NIGHT THURSDAYS
NO COVER BANDS IN THE BACK OPEN MIC UP FRONT FRIDAYS
COUNTRY DJ IN THE BACK BAND UP FRONT SATURDAYS
COUNTRY DJ IN THE BACK KARAOKE UP FRONT SUNDAYS
18 & OVER COLLEGE NIGHT
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CALL CLUB FOR SHOWTIMES: (916) 925-5500
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2100 ARDEN WAY • IN THE HOWE ‘BOUT ARDEN SHOPPING CENTER
2 DRINK MINIMUM. 18 & OVER. I.D. REQUIRED.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE CLUB BOX OFFICE WITH NO SERVICE CHARGE.
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THURSDAY 4/2
FRIDAY 4/3
SATURDAY 4/4
THE PALMS PLAYHOUSE
SUNDAY 4/5
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 4/6-4/8
JIMMY THACKERY & THE DRIVERS, 8:30pm, $20
13 Main St., Winters; (530) 795-1825
THE PARK ULTRA LOUNGE 1116 15th St., (916) 442-7222
PARLARE EURO LOUNGE
Top 40, 9pm, no cover
PISTOL PETE’S
Karaoke, 9pm, no cover
1009 10th St., (916) 448-8960
140 Harrison Ave., Auburn; (530) 885-5093
DJ Eddie Edul, DJ Five; 9pm-2am, $15
DJ Peeti V, 9pm-2am, $15
Top 40, Mashups, 9pm, no cover
DJ Club mixes, 10pm, no cover KOREAN FIRE DRILL, PUSHING THE SUN, ON OFF; 9:30pm, $5
PJ’S ROADHOUSE
Karaoke, 9pm Tu, W, no cover
TZOLKEEN, 9pm, $5
5461 Mother Lode, Placerville; (530) 626-0336
POWERHOUSE PUB
TWO STEPS DOWN, 10pm, call for cover
MOJO GREEN, 10pm, call for cover
SPAZMATICS, 10pm, call for cover
THE PRESS CLUB
Ignorant!, 9pm, no cover
Top 40 w/ DJ Rue, 9pm, $5
Top 40 w/ DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9pm, $5
Sunday Night Soul Party, 9pm, $5
SHADY LADY SALOON
TESSIE MARIE, 9pm, no cover
CRESCENT KATZ, 9pm, no cover
ZORELLI, 9pm, no cover
ALEX JENKINS, 9pm, no cover
614 Sutter St., Folsom; (916) 355-8586 2030 P St., (916) 444-7914 1409 R St., (916) 231-9121
BRANDY ROBINSON, 8pm W, call for cover
SOL COLLECTIVE
SAPIENT, E-TAGG, J ROSS PARRELLI, BRADY HAZE; 8pm, $10
STARLITE LOUNGE
BILL MYLAR, 5:30pm; GATOR NATION, CITY OF TREES BRASS BAND; 9pm, $10
ELEMENT BRASS BAND, THE COSMOPOLITAN PIRATES; 8pm, call for cover
Country dancing, 7:30pm, no cover; $5 after 8pm
Country dancing, 7:30pm, no cover; $5 after 8pm
Country dance party, 8pm, no cover
MIND X, MR. DECEMBER; 3pm, call for cover
TWO BARRELS SHY, 2pm, no cover
IDEATEAM, THE DIP; 9pm, $8
Blues jam, 4pm; FRANCISCO THE MAN, FAILURE MACHINE; 8pm, no cover
2574 21st St., (916) 832-0916 1517 21st St., (916) 704-0711
STONEY INN/ROCKIN’ RODEO
BUCK FORD PURE COUNTRY BAND, 8pm, no cover
1320 Del Paso Blvd., (916) 927-6023
SWABBIES
5871 Garden Hwy, (916) 920-8088
TORCH CLUB
X TRIO, 5pm, no cover; PARLOR TRICKS, 9pm, $6
904 15th St., (916) 443-2797
PAILER AND FRATIS, 5:30-7:30pm, no cover; BLACK MARKET III, 9pm, $8
HEAVY GLOW, 8pm M; Youth Cult dance party, 9pm Tu; WITCH MOUNTAIN, 8pm W
Brandy Robinson 8pm Wednesday, call for cover. PowerHouse Pub Funk and soul
Comedy open-mic, 8pm M; Bluebird Lounge open-mic, 5pm Tu, no cover
MICHAEL RAY, 8pm Tu, $5; Open-mic, 5:30pm W; KERI CARR BAND, 9pm W, $5
All ages, all the time ACE OF SPADES
IAMSU, ROME FORTUNE, DAVE STEEZY, SHOW BANGA; 7pm, $26
1417 R St., (916) 448-3300
CAFÉ COLONIAL
ACTION BRONSON, THE ALCHEMIST; 7pm M, $25 THE HARBOR, COYOTE BRED, THE ENLOWS; 8pm, $5
3520 Stockton Blvd., (916) 718-7055
THE COLONY
LOST IN LIGHTS, ROSEDALE, END THE FIGHT, SUPPORT THE RABID; 7pm, $6
3512 Stockton Blvd., (916) 718-7055
SHINE
Retrogen916 game night, 6-10pm Tu, no cover DEAD WEIGHT, OUTLINED, THE INSTITUTION, SWIM, THE REMOVED; 7pm, $5
HANS & THE HOT MESS, TONY GLASER, NO WHERE BUT UP, BASKET HOUSE, CANDY LEE; 8pm, call for cover BRIANNA CARMEL; 8pm, call for cover
1400 E St., (916) 551-1400
ACE OF SPADES MONDAY, APRIL 6
ACTION BRONSON THE ALCHEMIST
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
APOCOLYPTICA ZEROCLIENT - GRAVESHADOW
ANUHEA FINN - LUISA LAVULO
THE MAINE
REAL FRIENDS - KNUCKLE PUCK THE TECHNICOLORS
GEORGE EZRA
ALL AGES WELCOME!
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
ANTEMASQUE
FEATURING OMAR & CEDRIC FROM AT THE DRIVE IN AND THE MARS VOLTA
REVEREND HORTON HEAT
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
LIGHTS SAINT MOTEL
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
1417 R Street, Sacramento, 95814 www.aceofspadessac.com
BLUE OCTOBER
KOFFIN KATS - IGOR & THE RED ELVISES
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Open jazz jam, 8pm Tu; Poetry with Bill Gainer, 7pm W, call for cover
MONDAY, APRIL 13
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
THE LEFT HAND, SNUFF REDUX, 10 POLE DRUNK; 8pm W, $7
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY UNBLACKENED
Sapient with E-Tagg, J Ross Parrelli and Brady Haze 8pm Friday, $10. Sol Collective Hip-Hop
COMING
SOON
04/20 04/21 04/22 04/25 04/29 04/30 05/02 05/08 05/09 05/12 05/13 05/14 05/16 05/17 05/20 05/29 05/30 06/05 06/12 07/07 07/09 07/24
TechN9ne Enter Shikari Sebastian Bach Parmalee Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def Cole Swindell Saul Hernandez Mickey Avalon & Dirt Nasty Less Than Jake / Reel Big Fish Sepultura Twizted Earl Sweatshirt FallRise The Waterboys Glass Animals IM5 Dokken Nico & Vinz The Story So Far Shovels & Rope John Mayall Between The Buried And Me
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ALL DIMPLE RECORDS LOCATIONS AND ARMADILLO RECORDS, OR PURCHASE BY PHONE @ 916.443.9202 SN&R BEFORE | NEWS | FEATURE STORY | A RT S & C U LT U R E | AFTER | 04.02.15 | |
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FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
SPORTS ACTION ON OUR GIANT SCREEN TV
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Print ads start at $6/wk. www.newsreview.com or (916) 498-1234 ext. 5
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*Nominal fee for adult entertainment. All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. Further, the News & Review specifically reserves the right to edit, decline or properly classify any ad. Errors will be rectified by re-publication upon notification. The N&R is not responsible for error after the first publication. The N&R assumes no financial liability for errors or omission of copy. In any event, liability shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by such an error or omission. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes full responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.
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Get CALBE TV, INTERNET & PHONE with FREE HD Equipment and install for under $3 a day! Call Now! 866-353-6916 Notice of caution to our
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CHECK SCAMS $1,000are WEEKLY!! All advertisers required to provide News & Review Readers! a current valid Do you need a heavenly Fake massage check scams are MAILING BROCHURES Whenever doing business touch? With prayer, and clever ploys designed to From Home. Helping home by telephone or email pro- business license or somatic establishmentguidance permittake issued a leapby of either the city or steal your money. workers since 2001. ceed with caution when faith. Appt. 9-9, M-F, IO You can avoid becoming Genuine Opportunity. No cash or credit is required in county in which they Experience are operating in in order a victim by recognizing calls. to $25run p/h. a printed advertisement. required. Start advance of services.
how the scam works and understanding your responsiblity for the checks that you deposit in your account. If someone you don’t know wants to pay you by check but wants you to wire some of the money back, beware! It is a scam that could cost you thousands of dollars. For more information, go to www.fraud.org/scams. This reminder is a public service of the N&R
Immediately www.mailingmembers.com (AAN CAN)
(916) 372-7334 (916) 559-9588
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Buy Harris Roach Tablets. No Oriental Mess, Odorless, Long Lasting. Available at ACE Hardware, Magic Hands Start your humanitarian The WITH Home Depot Jason Shimomura CMT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING US, (AAN CAN) career! 601-1292 (9am-9pm daily) Change the lives of others while PLEASE CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS AT 916-498-1234 EXT. 1338. VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS creating a sustainable future. 20mg. 40 Pills + 4 FREE The Cabin 1, 6, 9, 18 month programs for only $99. #1 Male available. Apply today! www.OneWorldCenter.org 269-591-0518 info@oneworldcenter.org
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MASSAGE THERAPISTS All massage advertisers are required to provide News & Review a current valid business license or somatic establishment permit issued by either the city or county in which they are operating in in order to run a printed advertisement.
BEFORE
GRAND OPENING
BODY Therapeutic
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Massage at Land Park
Lulu
3401 FREEPORT BLVD #5 SACRAMENTO CA 95818 916-326-5600
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NEWS
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ANTELOPE SPA
NEW STAFF!
Full body massage • Deep tissue • Swedish • Hot stone • Hot oil • Back walking 9am-10pm 7 days a week
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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US, PLEASE CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS AT 916-498-1234 EXT. 1338.
NEW MASSEUSES!
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All massage advertisers are required to provide News & Review a current valid Fashithe oncity GOOD DAY SPA Mass business license or somatic establishment permit issued by either or age county 11275 Folsom Blvd. #201 • Rancho Cordova 916.395.7712 7271 55th St. #D in which they are operating in order toCards run a printed advertisement. 916-851-1118 Sacramentoin 95823 All Credit Accepted |
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Massage Therapy
ANNA
MASSAGE
Combination Massage Open Daily 10am - 10:30pm Walk-Ins & Couples Welcome
• Thai • Swedish • Showers Available • Walk-ins Welcome
New Massage Therapist $ OFF w/ ad 5
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Violet Massage 3260 J St #A Sacramento 95816 (916) 442-1888
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1355 Florin Rd, Ste.13 Sacramento, CA 95822
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Full Gym Sauna Pool Lounge Area Locker Room
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MANAGEMENT
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Got a problem?
Write, email or leave a message for Joey at the News & Review. Give your name, telephone number (for verification purposes only) and question—all correspondence will be kept strictly confidential. Write Joey, 1124 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815; call (916) 498-1234, ext. 3206; or email askjoey@ newsreview.com.
O N LY $ 1 5
FOLSOM PARK SAUNA 9261 Folsom Blvd. Ste 401 Sac, CA 95826 - Behind Togo’s
You must also accept that rejection is a human experience. Being rejected hurts, yes, but it’s also an avenue of growth.
❤
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MEN’S SPA
I was one of those fat, lonely computer geeks until I got sick of how I felt about myself. I started paying attention to what I ate and started going to the gym. I lost 150 pounds. I feel really good, except when it comes to meeting women. In my head, I’m still that fat geek. When I see a woman I automatically assume she doesn’t want to talk to me or go out with me. I can’t by Joey ga seem to get past my old ideas rcia of myself. How can I relate to women as the man I am now? a s k j o e y @ne w s re v i e w . c o m What is it about the man you once were that you never want to forget? The sweetness Joey of his heart? His gentleness and savors every second intelligence? His careful attention of freedom. to work? Trust that you will bring forward all of the best qualities of yourself as you continue to evolve into who you desire to become.
TanTric Massage
Massage
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Go on a mental diet
NEW
As you practice relaxing into reality (and it is a practice), direct your conscious mind into embodying who you are now. In time, this will become habit, and then, eventually, your true nature. You must also accept that rejection is a human experience. Being rejected hurts, yes, but it’s also an avenue of growth. Here’s how: If you approach a woman and she is not interested in a conversation, or a date, appreciate that the interaction polished your social skills. Every rejection means you are closer to meeting the woman who is right for you. So put yourself on a mental diet of self-appreciation while avoiding unkind self-judgment. Doing so will help you shed the thoughts that are still weighing you down. Every year, I tell my mother not to buy my children more than one present each for holidays or their birthdays. Every year, she ignores me and shows up with a SUV-load of toys and expensive clothing. I want my children to have respect for material things. I don’t want them
to be spoiled. My mother acts like I’m annoying and she disregards my requests. She says she’s the grandmother and it’s her right to give one gift or 20. My daughter’s birthday is coming up and the idea of another argument with my mother is giving me anxiety. How can I get her to stop overloading my kids with things they don’t need or want? The tension between you and your mamasita is not about toys. It’s not about a cultural expectation that grandparents should spoil grandchildren, either. The problem is that your mother does not respect you as an equal. But how can she? You don’t view yourself as her equal or act accordingly. To step fully into the role of parent, you must manage the problem with your mother as you would a challenge with any friend. Try saying this: Mom, (your child’s name here) has a birthday soon and I’m holding firm to the one-gift-perperson rule. Your relationship with my children is important to me. So is my relationship with you. I love you dearly. Our relationship is built on time spent together, guidance you provided and understanding you generously offered. I don’t want my children to think that material things equal love. My decision is not open for discussion; we’ve talked about it enough. If you can’t abide my rules, you can’t visit during holidays or birthdays. Any gifts beyond the one permitted will be donated to charity unopened. If your mother launches into an argument, end the conversation. Don’t allow her to intimidate you. She may pout until she finds another outlet for her shoppingaddiction-disguised-as-generosity. You can help by directing her to nonprofit organizations that welcome volunteers who can shop for items that would benefit disadvantaged clients. Ω
Meditation of the Week “People wish to be poets more than they wish to write poetry, and that’s a mistake. One should wish to celebrate more than one wishes to be celebrated,” said the poet Lucille Clifton. How much of your life is a celebration of joy?
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What’s inside: The 420 45 Capital Cannabis Map 54 Quick Hits 55
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Bring in any competitor’s coupon* and we’ll beat it by $5 *That is CA Medical Board Standards Compliant. Must present competitor’s ad. Some restrictions apply.
I thoroughly enjoy your column. It’s the first page I read. You are a well of information. I like the sativas. Could you suggest some strains that have the highest percentage of this and what dispensaries have them? Thanks. —CM Thank you! I must confess that I am a little confused by your question. If you are asking which strains have the highest amount of THC (THC is the chemical that gets you “high”), the answer is: It depends. BEALUM The best way to find out is to ask your budtender. by NGAIO Most dispensaries these days have their cannabis tested for potency. Most strains contain between 15 to 20 percent THC, but I have seen some up to 27 a sk420 @ n ewsreview.c om percent. If you are asking which strains are the most “sativa-esque,” i.e. containing the characteristics of the cannabis sativa plant, I like Trainwreck, Durban Poison and Haze. As always, Leafly and weedmaps.com can tell you where to find good cannabis. Have a good one. I hear Willie Nelson is coming out with his own brand of cannabis. Is this true? —The Dread Headed Stranger Yes. Yes it is. And why not? Everyone wants to get in on the marijuana branding game these days. Willie Nelson’s brand is supposed to debut in 2016. Rapper Kurupt already has his own brand of marijuana concentrates on the market. The Marley family is introducRemember when ing its own brand. Snoop all kinds of weed and Tommy Chong went to sells weed-related items. Hell, prison for lending his even I am introducing a brand. Look for the name and likeness to @Ngaio420 line of fine and cannabis flowers at a line of bongs? rare your favorite dispensary this summer. It makes sense. During prohibition, word about who the best growers were and who had the best weed traveled by word of mouth, mostly because marijuana was hella illegal and getting busted for either growing or selling would get you major jail time. Remember when Tommy Chong went to prison for lending his name and likeness to a line of bongs? He went to federal prison for selling bongs! I had some friends in the early ’90s that tried to do the branding and marketing thing with their cannabis strains. They got busted. Hella busted. Like, a clandestine visit from the DEA busted. Ngaio Bealum However, times have changed and the risk of getting is a Sacramento popped by the feds for selling cannabis in states that comedian, activist allow recreational use is very, very low, at least until and marijuana expert. 2017 when we will have a new president and attorney Email him questions at ask420@ general. And since everyone and their mama is trying to newsreview.com. get in on the weed game, one of the best ways to stand out in a sea of green is to have a recognizable brand. I bet that other celebrities and pot users will also get in the game. Who would you buy your weed from? Seth Rogen? Doug Benson? Redman and Method Man? I would probably try something from all of those dudes. As long as Charlie Sheen stays out of the business. Ω
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CAPITAL CANNABIS MAP 10
18 12 5
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3
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DOCTORS 1 420 Med Evaluations 2 CannMedical 3 420 MD 4 MED/RX’C
Quick Hits
Hydroponics 101
If
you’ve ever read about growing cannabis, you’ve inevitably seen the word “hydroponics.” But what exactly does it mean? In Latin, the word “hydroponics” literally means “water working,” so, hydroponics is basically the art of growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. The main advantage to growing cannabis using hydroponics is fastergrowing plants. Compared to growing plants in soil, hydroponics provides plants with extra nutrients, which stimulates root growth. You can also control the growing environment, keeping the plants safe from pests. Hydroponic kits are available to buy through online retailers, but some growers choose to make their own using water pumps, PVC pipe and an enclosed container. In Sacramento, it is illegal to cultivate cannabis outdoors for any purpose. However, in city limits, residents can grow cannabis for medicinal use inside alternative structures –– like a greenhouse. These structures must also meet some other guidelines, including having
secured doors. Residents in unincorporated parts of the county can grow up to nine plants indoors for medicinal use. While hydroponics is an ideal way to grow indoors, there are a few other nonsoil alternatives that also produce good results. Here are a few examples:
Aeroponics Like hydroponics, aeroponics avoids the use of a traditional soil setup in favor of a nutrient- and oxygen-rich air or mist environment. Plants are grown in a closed or semi-closed environment. Due to the extra oxygen provided during the plant’s growth phase, they grow much faster. Growers also have the ability to keep the plants free from pests.
Aquaponics Aquaponics is a food production system that combines hydroponics with raising small aquatic creatures, such as fish, snails, crayfish or prawns. Plants are grown in a symbiotic water environment where the excrement of aquatic life is broken down by bacteria into nutrients, which are then utilized by the plant.
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936 Enterprise Drive | Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 484–1200 OPEN MON–SAT 11–6 BEFORE
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*Doctor’s recommendation & CA I.D. required
by Rachel leibROck by ROb
For the week of April 2, 2015
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
“Choconiverous” is an English slang word that’s defined as having the tendency, when eating a chocolate Easter bunny, to bite the head off first. I recommend that you adopt this direct approach in everything you do in the coming weeks. Don’t get bogged down with preliminaries. Don’t get sidetracked by minor details, trivial distractions or peripheral concerns. It’s your duty to swoop straight into the center of the action. Be clear about what you want and unapologetic about getting it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Marketing
experts say consumers need persistent prodding before they will open their minds to possibilities that are outside their entrenched habits. The average person has to be exposed to a new product at least eight times before it fully registers on his or her awareness. Remember this rule of thumb as you seek attention and support for your brainstorms. Make use of the art of repetition. Not just any old boring, tedious kind of repetition, though. You’ve got to be as sincere and fresh about presenting your goodies the eighth time as you were the first.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The
American snack cake known as a Twinkie is 68 percent air. Among its 37 other mostly worthless ingredients are sugar, water, cornstarch, the emulsifier polysorbate 60, the filler sodium stearoyl lactylate and food coloring. You can’t get a lot of nutritious value by eating it. Now let’s consider the fruit known as the watermelon. It’s 91 percent water and 6 percent sugar. And yet it also contains a good amount of Vitamin C, lycopene and antioxidants, all of which are healthy for you. So if you are going to eat a whole lot of nothing, watermelon is a far better nothing than a Twinkie. Let that serve as an apt metaphor for you in the coming week.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In Cole
Porter’s song “I Get a Kick Out of You,” he testifies that he gets no kick from champagne. In fact, “Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all,” he sings. The same is true about cocaine. “I’m sure that if I took even one sniff that would bore me terrifically, too,” Porter declares. With this as your nudge, Scorpio, and in accordance with the astrological omens, I encourage you to identify the titillations that no longer provide you with the pleasurable jolt they once did. Acknowledge the joys that have grown stale and the adventures whose rewards have waned. It’s time for you to go in search of a new array of provocative fun and games.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You may be
as close as you have ever gotten to finding the long-lost Holy Grail—or Captain Kidd’s pirate treasure, for that matter, or Marie Antoinette’s jewels, or Tinkerbell’s magical fairy dust or the smoking-gun evidence that Shakespeare’s plays were written by Francis Bacon. At the very least, I suspect you are ever-so-near to your personal equivalent of those precious goods. Is there anything you can do to increase your chances of actually getting it? Here’s one tip: Visualize in detail how acquiring the prize would inspire you to become even more generous and magnanimous than you already are.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
The English writer William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote hundreds of poems. Among his most famous was “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” which is also known as “Daffodils.” The poem sprung from him after a walk he took with his sister around Lake Ullswater in the English Lake District. There they were delighted to find a long, thick belt of daffodils growing close to the water. In his poem, Wordsworth praises the “ten thousand” flowers that were “Continuous as the stars that shine / And twinkle on the milky way.” If you are ever going to have your own version of a daffodil explosion that inspires a burst of creativity, Sagittarius, it will come in the coming weeks.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): People
are paying attention to you in new ways. That’s what you wanted, right? You’ve been emanating subliminal signals that convey messages like “Gaze into my eternal eyes” and “Bask in the cozy glow of my crafty empathy.” So now what? Here’s one possibility: Go to the next level. Show the even-more-interesting beauty that you’re hiding below the surface. You may not think you’re ready to offer the gifts you have been “saving for later.” But you always think that. I dare you to reveal more of your deep, secret power.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your
subconscious desires and your conscious desires seem to be at odds. What you say you want is not in precise alignment with what your deep self wants. That’s why I’m worried that “Don’t! Stop!” might be close to morphing into “Don’t stop!”—or vice versa. It’s all pretty confusing. Who’s in charge here? Your false self or your true self? Your wounded, conditioned, habitbound personality or your wise, eternal, ever-growing soul? I’d say it’s a good time to retreat into your sanctuary and get back in touch with your primal purpose.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Some people
believe unquestioningly in the truth and power of astrology. They imagine it’s an exact science that can unfailingly discern character and predict the future. Other people believe all astrology is nonsense. They think that everyone who uses it is deluded or stupid. I say that both of these groups are wrong. Both have a simplistic, uninformed perspective. The more correct view is that some astrology is nonsense and some is a potent psychological tool. Some of it’s based on superstition and some is rooted in a robust, mythopoetic understanding of archetypes. I encourage you to employ a similar appreciation for paradox as you evaluate a certain influence that is currently making a big splash in your life. In one sense, this influence is like snake oil, and you should be skeptical about it. But in another sense, it’s good medicine that can truly heal.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Sometimes you’re cool, but other times you’re hot. You veer from acting aloof and distracted to being friendly and attentive. You careen from bouts of laziness to bursts of disciplined efficiency. It seems that you’re always either building bridges or burning them, and on occasion you are building and burning them at the same time. In short, Aquarius, you are a master of vacillation and a slippery lover of the in-between. When you’re not completely off-target and out of touch, you’ve got a knack for wild-guessing the future and seeing through the false appearances that everyone else regards as the gospel truth. I, for one, am thoroughly entertained!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): How can
you ripen the initiatives you have set in motion in recent weeks? Of the good new trends you have launched, which can you now install as permanent enhancements in your daily rhythm? Is there anything you might do to cash in on the quantum leaps that have occurred, maybe even figure out a way to make money from them? It’s time for you to shift from being lyrically dreamy to fiercely practical. You’re ready to convert lucky breaks into enduring opportunities.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According
to the Biblical stories, Peter was Christ’s closest disciple, but acted like a traitor when trouble came. After Christ was arrested, in the hours before the trial, Peter denied knowing his cherished teacher three different times. His fear trumped his love, leading him to violate his sacred commitment. Is there anything remotely comparable to that scenario developing in your own sphere, Virgo? If you recognize any tendencies in yourself to shrink from your devotion or violate your highest principles, I urge you to root them out. Be brave. Stay strong and true in your duty to a person or place or cause that you love.
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NEWS
bRezsny
You can call Rob Brezsny for your Expanded Weekly Horoscope: (900) 950-7700. $1.99 per minute. Must be 18+. Touchtone phone required. Customer service (612) 373-9785. And don’t forget to check out Rob’s website at www.realastrology.com. |
F E AT U R E
STORY
Better off Ted When Kevin Rahm auditioned for the role of Mad Men’s Ted Chaough, the part was only supposed to last three episodes. As it turns out, Rahm’s compellingly ballsy take on Don Draper’s advertising rival has now spanned several seasons and chronicled a heartbreaking affair with Peggy Olson. In 2014, Rahm, who also currently appears in Bates Motel and Madam Secretary, moved to Sacramento to be with his infant daughter and wife—the latter a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at the UC Davis Medical Center. Mad Men’s final season premieres at 10 p.m., Sunday, April 5, and Rahm took a few minutes to chat with SN&R about Sharon Tate’s T-shirt and Sacramento’s manners.
Mad Men finished shooting last year— have you had time to heal emotionally? It was really weird to stop filming, to not see everyone all the time. We hung out the Emmys and I’m looking forward to this last week of press … and the big, final blowout party.
It’s kind of been like senior year for you. It really was like senior year, that last month, that last couple of weeks we were shooting. It was always someone’s last day on the set; everyone would come in and be there for the last scene and [Mad Men creator] Matt [Weiner] would give a speech and everyone would clap. For four seasons it was a very much like being in one group in high school.
Only better ... Only with a smaller group of just your good friends and a lot less drama.
Does it drive you crazy to hear all the theories about how the show will end and not be able to weigh in? It was harder before when we would finish shooting closer to the time it would air; it was fresh in my memory, and I would immediately think of the correct answer. It’s been easier this time since it’s been so long since we shot it. I honestly don’t remember what happened and I’m excited to watch it as a fan. I enjoyed the crazy theories—the whole “Don Draper is an alien” thing or the Sharon Tate T-shirt conspiracy, I loved that the fans were that engaged and spent the time.
Matthew Weiner is notoriously strict about what cast members can share ... I have a lot of photos that I’ve taken on set that I can’t wait to share. I’m doing the show Bates Motel and we’re tweeting from the set and taking photos all the time but [on Mad Men] we weren’t allowed to say who we were working with in a scene or what |
A RT S & C U LT U R E
year it was much less tweet or take a photo. Not that we necessarily wanted to; we didn’t want to break the illusion. No one wanted to see a picture of me and Jay [Ferguson, who plays Stan Rizzo] hanging out, half-dressed in costume, eating lunch and talking on our cellphones.
What drew you to Ted? That he was really the first character to stand up to Don and challenge him in a way that no one ever had before. I’ve loved watching all the characters develop … I love that [the writers] would leave things open. Ted goes to California and you don’t see him for a while and then you find out how unhappy he is, but you’re not back in the house, watching him argue [with his wife].
Your character is involved with Peggy Olson. Thoughts on what Mad Men has to say about women from that era? Peggy Olson—I have to say I think she is the show’s secret weapon; Elisabeth [Moss] as the actress and Peggy as the character. What we learn from watching her … and watching Christina [Hendricks] as Joan is that women were always strong and powerful—they just didn’t have the say. I love watching Peggy fight for what she deserves and needs, and watching Joan do the things she has to do to get any sort of status and the cost of that. When Joan sleeps with that guy to get that account—not too long before that you have Roger and Don and Pete going to a brothel. They slap each other on the back and it’s accepted.
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Favorite Ted moment? I loved the scene when I meet Don in the bar and we decide to do [the] Chevy [campaign] together. It’s such a rare thing to have that much time and that big of a scene, and to do it with Jon [Hamm] was amazing. I also love the scene when he goes to Peggy and says, “You’re going to be grateful I did that, you’re going to thank me.” I loved what Lizzy did in that scene. It was probably one of the hardest scenes to shoot, even off-camera, it broke my heart.
You moved to Sacramento—has it been a culture shock? It’s kind of funny, people keep asking me, “How do you like it?” and I have to say I don’t know yet. Before I’d just come up for the long weekend; I haven’t had a chance to take advantage of what’s around here. I do like the whole farm-to-fork thing; I think the restaurants are great. We live in a small neighborhood and I really enjoy it. We had a new baby in September—she’ll be 6 months old so I just haven’t had a chance to do much. I know the Save Mart on Folsom [Boulevard] very well.
You’re originally from Louisiana. What would you like to import here from there? I would bring manners.
Wow, OK. Really? It’s not just Sacramento! I’m not harshing on Sacramento! I get in trouble for saying “yes ma’am” to women, but if I didn’t say that my mom would smack me on the back of my head. I’d also bring more Cajun food here. Ω
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