Archive for October, 2010

Spooky Saturday at the Midtown Bazaar

Less tricks, more treats. Saturday’s Midtown Bazaar is quickly getting settled in it’s new all-weather digs on I Street. There was a steady flow of people shopping the Bazaar for a sundry of goods from crafty recycled bottle cap earrings, scrabble bracelets, knitted scarves and hats, pottery & pillows and home-made cookies. Sac Team Etsy was there in full force with their own area, and a wide array of hand-made items. Trick or Treaters were everywhere, seeking out the vendors offering free candy. People came in costumes, and even brought their pooches for a Dog Costume Contest and Fashion Parade.

The Midtown Bazaar happens every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, email: info@midtownbazaar.com

Midtown Bazaar
I Street, between 16th & 17th

Every Saturday, year-round: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Second Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Wild & Wonderful

Wild & Wonderful at the historic Crest Theatre

Old Man Foster introduces Director Nitzberg for some Q & A

Last Thursday, we enjoyed a special showing at the Crest Theatre of The Wild & Wonderful Whites of West Virginia with the director Julien Nitzberg in attendance. This witty and compelling documentary captures a year in the life of West Virginia’s Boone County bad-boys, and bad-women, of the White family. A cinema darling on the film festival circuit, The Wild & Wonderful Whites of West Virginia caught the eye of Robert DeNiro at his Tribeca film festival, and he arranged for the movie’s distribution.

At the end of the showing, Mr. Nitzberg got up for a little Q&A. Like the tone in the film, Nitzberg came off as smart, witty, and respectful towards his subjects. He is still in touch with the family and shared a few updates, the news mixed with both melancholy and humor.

In case you didn’t have a chance to enjoy it on the big screen, you can still see it on the little one. The film is now available on DVD, and it’s available via Netflix, your choice: DVD or live-streaming.

Capital Stage does it again!

I give a big thumbs up to Cap Stage’s production of Mauritius, by Theresa Rebeck. It runs at their theater on the Delta King, Wed-Sunday, until November 7th.

There are some top-notch performances in this one, notably from two B Street players, Kurt Johnson (so natural), and John Lamb (so schlubby, I think he may have even shaved a bald spot in!), and from the female lead Kristine David. It’s a pretty Mamet-y play, and the only performance that didn’t really work for me was the most Mamet of all, that of Jonathan Rhys Williams. He completely physically transformed himself for this tough guy role (I usually enjoy his performances, especially his sexy turn in Sam Shephard’s Fool for Love), but I think he plays it kind of schticky, which is distracting. It’s a tough role, and he goes balls out, but ultimately overplays it.

The first half is very strong, and overall, the play is extremely enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Bows and Arrows HALF OFF Sale – Saturday Oct 30

Bows and Arrows, everyone’s fave Midtown vintage boutique, is having a GIANT sale on Saturday, October 30: HALF OFF! Hard to beat that, especially when Halloween is the next day….

Bows and Arrows
1712 L Street

SN&R’s Third Saturday on hiatus

Third Saturday,  the “creative block party” sponsored by the Sacramento News & Review is now on hiatus.  Since July of this year, SN &R has been coordinating this event in the hopes attracting 1000’s to support local arts, crafts and fashion vendors. It was announced today by Marita Villegas, the event coordinator that the SN &R and the Westfield’s Downtown Plaza have mutually agreed to suspend Third Saturdays until further notice, in their wishes to “re-format the event to better suit the vendors and attendees.”

The Neo-Crocker Party: The New Wing Flies High

Here’s an understatement: the Crocker knows how to throw a party. Some random pictures taken on a specific night, October 16th, 2010.

Wild Whites: THIS WEEK at the Crest

Twenty years ago filmmaker Julien Nitzberg met the members of the White family of Boone County, West Virginia.  In the area to film a documentary on outsider musician Hasil Adkins, Nitzberg was bowled over by the Whites and was soon filming Dancing Outlaw, a documentary about Jesco White, the clan’s tap dancing, Elvis-impersonating, gas-huffing son.  Here’s a clip from the 1991 Dancing Outlaw:
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia documents the family two decades later. Benefiting from a higher budget and longer shooting schedule, W&WWoWV is a rowdy, yet compelling film that captures the Whites in all their glory.
Don’t miss the One Night Only screening at the Crest Thursday Oct 28 at 8PM. Director Nitzberg will be in attendance and will discuss the film and West Virginia’s most notorious family.

The Doors’ Ray Manzarek plus blues king Roy Rogers: Friday!

Rock legend and co-founder/keyboardist of The Doors, Ray Manzarek will appear at the 24th Street Theatre this Friday, October 22!  Manzarek will offer new takes on Doors classics like “The Crystal Ship” and “Riders On The Storm”, as well as other blues/jazz/rock classics.  Manzarek will be accompanied by critically acclaimed slide blues guitarist Roy Rogers. Roy is one of the genre’s premier slide guitarists, a two time Grammy Award nominee, and is well known for his exciting live performances with John Lee Hooker, Norton Buffalo, and The Delta Rhythm Kings.

What was Jim Morrison really like? The charismatic story-telling Manzarek will share his personal insights and rock n’ roll tales as a unique part of this concert.  A very special evening of music and spoken word. Plus special guest, Electropoetic Coffee, featuring Ross Hammond and NSAA.

Showtime: 7:30 PM, General Admission/All Ages
24th Street Theatre/Sierra 2 Center for the Arts & Community
2791 24th St (@ 3rd Ave in Curtis Park)

Tickets at Phono Select Records, The Beat and all Dimple locations, plus
online at
www.inticketing.com

THE THING AT THE VERGE

Tonight’s the night for the first MidMo Movie Night (MidMoMoNi). To kick things off we’re gonna scaaaaaaare you(!) with John Carpenter’s The Thing. A $3 donation to Verge gets you in the door and we’ll have brew and popcorn.

Rumor has it a Charles and Ray Eames short may have just been added to the line up.

Come have fun with your buddies!

Verge Center for the Arts
625 S Street, Sacto 916.448.2985

Band Member Shoots Assailant on K Street!

Saturday night, Sacramento.  Two large, drunk guys started the evening out causing trouble at Ella, fussing with the valet parking attendant and mooning the crowd.  They soon moved over the Broiler where they soon got in an altercation with a waiter, a homeless man, and then the jazz band that was playing at the restaurant.  When one of the two men punched a band member and continued to threaten him, the musician hauled out his pistol and aerated his assailant!

Man, I don’t know all the details, but it sure sounds like this guy got exactly what he asked for.   One thing for sure, Sidney Bechet would have been proud

The Sac Bee has the story.