Arts & Entertainment

Color Run Supplies A Dose of Happiness

2012-08-06T14:17:11Z

You can’t run with scissors in the happiest 5 kilometer race on earth, but you can run with chalk in neon colors.

Toddlers, teenagers and grown-ups in tiaras and tutus played in Sacramento's downtown streets on Saturday's Color Run braving pink, yellow, orange, purple, and green colored fairy dusts to paint Picassos on their white t-shirts.

“We dedicate this run to all the cool kids who inspire us to color our lives with creativity,” said Crystal Brooks, 32, a pastry chef from Midtown Sacramento waiving her hands in the air in excitement. She swivels her hips and skips with three of her girlfriends in glee. All four sports a matching white shirt cut in symmetry, knee high plaid patterned socks and Asics running shoes while waiting for the Color Run to start.

“We felt like paper dolls cutting these,” said Heather Wright, 36, a resident of West Sacramento and mother of two teens attending River City High School.

“This one has narrow cuts while Crystal’s has wide windows. We designed each of our shirts a little differently. It will fill in with chemistry in bright neon colors,” said Domina Stames, 36, a science teacher at River City High School.

“The dust is smooth to the touch. It is also edible,” shares a staff member in yellow at the first color station blazing high-energy techno music.

Tough mommies in tiaras, babies in strollers, ballerinas, and runaway brides were squirted with the grainy sand from plastic mustard and ketchup bottles. The color stations resemble food fights with colored cornstarch as ammunition. Volunteers covered their noses with handkerchiefs and nurse’s masks to avoid breathing in the non-toxic Crayola like soot.

Some of the kids tossed it at each other like snow. Others rolled around on it. They waved their arms and legs while laying on the bright stuff on the ground to make snow angels.

Each station carries a fluorescent color. 1k is yellow. 2K is orange. 3K is pink. 4k is blue. The finish line was green. Swarming like bees in the color stands are college and high school students like Kelsey Wong, 19, a sophomore attending St. Mary’s College who had so much fun at the Color Run in San Francisco in mid July that she had to volunteer in her hometown of Sacramento.

Color Run is heading east across the nation from California to Colorado, New Mexico, New Jersey and back to the west coast up to Portland.

“I wanted to be in the happiest run on earth. The videos looked so much fun on YouTube,” said Jessie Wong, 19, a sophomore attending the University of California, Berkeley who graduated from high school in Elk Grove.

“I found Color Run through Facebook and started inviting all my friends,” she said.

Her cousin Katherine Lei, 18 is a junior at Princeton University. The Color Run is scheduled to arrive in New Jersey on September 1st. Instead of waiting, she decided to come to Sacramento’s Color Run and reunite with family in California.

At the halfway point, 15,000 runners filled up with water. The station was set up next to a truck carrying a large aluminum cylinder like the ones that refill gas stations. Instead of gas for fuel, it pumps gallons of water into blue plastic tubs filled with blocks of ice.

“Yeah, that truck is a beauty. It carries a 60,000 gallon tank,” boasts Lee Richie, 72, the main water tender wearing a red emergency vest. He worked at El Dorado Water and Shower for twenty-eight years.

“We’ve used it in statewide emergencies to supply drinking water for fire fighting crews in major forest fires like the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado. We have also used it for concerts and other foot races, but we’ve never seen anything like this. ”

“We pumped out about 6,000 gallons of water for this crowd,” he adds.

“The rest… they will need to hose that bright paint off with a cool shower.”

Disclosure: Special Thanks for the pictures provided in this article by Chris Rylee, Leonard Row, and Tom Huynh. Please watch our video with more amazing pictures from the event on August 4, 2012.

Pacific Rim Festival Pride

2012-05-22T13:18:45Z

Old Sacramento welcomed more than 20,000 visitors bustling to the sound of ukuleles, taiko drums, and the aloha of the islands during the Pacific Rim Festival. The streets came alive with vivrant colors and the lure of barbeque, teriyake chicken, pulled pork, and the sweetness of hawaiian shave ice on Sunday, May 20. There were many cultures in attendance sharing the arts, food, and roots of an Asian heritage.

This is the 20th iteration of an annual event that has steadily gained popularity among families who live in the region. The Census Bureau shares that Sacramento County houses the country's 12th largest Asian American population.

Tango by the River dance studio seeks community support to stay open

2012-05-14T06:48:01Z

Tango by the River is facing some harch economic realities. The studio has been losing money every year since it opened in 2000.

"Visions of Eden can no longer subsidize the studio during these hard times," states owner Donna Tielsch in an email asking for the community's support in upcoming fundraising events to save the studio from closing.

A fundraiser is scheduled on Monday, May 14, a tango pizza party to be held at the studio from 7p.m. The guest of honor is Eduardo Saucedo. The suggested donation is $25.

There are special events being held at the Tango by the River studio weekly in Old Sacramento. To find out more details, please go to their site www.rivertango.com or call (916) 443-7008

Poetic voices educate immigrant choices

2012-04-24T06:42:41Z

More than 85 people attended a poetry benefit at the Guild Theater on April 21, 2012 to raise funds for the “Que Llueva Café” scholarship which aims to support the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of college bound undocumented students so they can earn their college degree and allow their hard work and sacrifice to persevere.

Thirty scholars were chosen holistically by a panel of community volunteers through CORE, Chicano Organizing and Research in Education earlier this month. Every year, the group aims to raise $15,000 to help undocumented scholars working towards higher education. Recipients live everywhere in the United States, not just in California.

“When we first put this scholarship together five years ago, there was a lot of hate,” Miguel Cordova, a state worker at Department of Education admits. He said some of the board members endured threats for moving the controversial scholarship forward.

“I think there is a great deal of fear. We have since come a long way towards bridging the gap for equality in education.”

He wishes that he could provide help to all 1,400 scholars who apply yearly. Their stories are enduring, but the group just does not have all the funds required to help them all. The applications go through at least five reviews until a decision is made.

The benefit is one of the many that the group organizes for the year which raised $13,000 so far. They are well on their way for their goal with one more fundraiser planned late in 2012.

Francisco Alarcon, Julia Connor, JoAnn Anglin, Nancy Aide Gonzalez were some of the educators who recited prose. Other poets include Betty Sanchez, Sean Penna, Rosalba Gabriela Ruvalcaba, and Paco Marquez. Musicians, Patrick Grizzell, Cynthia Llano Faulkner and Joaquin Clemente also gained spectators attention.

The evening is proof that poets come from all walks of life. From social workers, to lawyers, musicians, to visual artists, they paint the picture representing the meaning of the American dream.

"Poetry makes business sense,” said John Martinez. “In poetry the use of similes communicates the ideas that we are trying to set forth. I use similes daily when I'm closing," said John Martinez, an attorney who rededicated himself to writing rhyme at age fifty.

After four children and half a dozen grandchildren, he decided to pick up the passion he left behind at twenty. “It's never too late,” he adds. His wife Rosa America said that he used to write poems when they first met as a young couple starting out in life. When you follow ambition, work and family responsibilities have a way of taking over your life.

Here is Martinez in one of his rare public appearances.

And just like many influential older brothers, he was able to convince his younger sibling Ramiro Martinez, a visual artist to also share his take on literacy in the open mic later in the night.

Ramiro’s poem can be viewed here.

President's day weekend west coast swing

2012-02-18T08:27:21Z

More than 300 dancers let their walking do the talking at Capital Swing's west coast swing convention on President's Day weekend.

On it's 20th anniversary, the annual west coast swing convention in Sacramento attracts everyone from novices to champions dancers worldwide. Last year, the convention drew enthusiasts from as far as Brazil and France.

For those who are local, long distance travel isn't necessary to catch a piece of the action. All you have to do is drive through Exposition Boulevard to the Woodlake Hotel (formerly known as the Radisson)

"It's great exercise. The people here are all nice. Everyone dances with everyone else. It's just a great community to be a part of," said Christine Anderson, a professional development consultant for teachers from Fair Oaks.

Anderson won what is called the West Coast Swing 101 competition late Thursday night. It was tournament for beginners in which your dance partner is a fellow beginner picked at random. Later this weekend there will be similar dance tournaments for intermediate, advanced, and champion level dancers.

Before getting into west coast swing, Anderson have not tried other forms of partner dancing but the music of contemporary, rock, and country appealed to her while line dancing with her friends at Stoney Inn. West coast swing allowed her the freedom of solo line dancing to syncopate with a partner.

In contrast, her partner in the West Coast Swing 101 competition, Richie Selby, came from International Latin roots, which he said held very strict ballroom standards. To counter the regimen, he took up hip hop with a crew called Press P.L.A.Y. Press P.L.A.Y. stands for passion, love, art, dance, and youth.

A friend from Press P.L.A.Y invited him to a west coast swing social soon after at The Station in Roseville. The Station has been in and out of controversy last year, on a city ordinance ordering the owners to stop the dancing. Still, most people who start, know that they end up liking the west coast swing movement so much, they never could stop. There's just no looking back according to Selby.

"West coast swing has people who really love it. This is what's good about the community. We have people who really love it," Selby said.

Come, try it ! Free Beginner Lesson at Capital Swing with Theresa Mcgarry of Ballroom of Sacramento !

Friday, Feb 17 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb 18 - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

at Woodlake Hotel & Convention Center, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA 95815 (formerly the Radisson)

Also, Sunday Night Dance is $10 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Disclosure: Author is a west coast swing dancer.

Heart and Soul-idarity

2012-02-13T03:05:00Z

More than 300 people attended Thursday night's Art Mix at the Crocker Art Museum blending the celebration of Black History Month with Valentine's Day. Heart and Soul-idarity, was the theme of the evening bringing together the passion of singers, dancers, poets, painters, and art afficionados to an eclectic era in learning.

There was something to please everyone. The evening began with a Tour of the museum called Love Stories. At the same time, some event attendees crafted hands on momentos of the event with African-art-inspired accessories by Betty Davis and Yvonne Warren.

Sol Collective's Jazz'n Love Lounge featured spoken word, poetry, and music performance in the art of words tradition. The most memorable moment was Bonafide Rojas poem about his daily ritual on the "D train" in New York, which starts in Coney Island in Brooklyn then goes over to 205th Street in the Bronx by way of the western side of Manhattan.

He also shared "Love Letter from the Bronx" before dedicating his last reading to our nation's teachers, who influence youth to write. Watch his very inspiring speech here.

Sidomy took the audience further by describing Portland's landscape in her spoken word tribute. James Cavern originally from England sang, "Stand by Me" and "Just the Two of us" with guitar accompaniment as tribute to noteworthy African American music artists then featured his own original piece with hip hop artist Courtney Turner.

The contemporary open space of the Friedman Court bustled with energetic dancers who danced the wobble and other popular line dances as DJ Rock Bottom spun beats.

White linens lined the round tables. Food and refreshments was made available for guest through the Crocker Cafe. An open mic love song contest entertained attracting some tough competitors with Ayla Dozier, 19, a freshman from Folsom Lake College and James Cavern, 24 leading the American Idol generation. Dozier sang "Make you feel my Love" by Adele accapella. Cavern shared, "In my sleep" , a song he wrote about a relationship on the tip of a break up.

The night tapped into heart and soul-idarity with the takeaway being a connection with community. Learn how to live, to love, and to embrace your talents in a way that motivates the soul to be free.

†††’s Live 2012

2012-02-06T06:32:23Z

It’s Friday night at Ace of Spades with Chino Moreno, lead vocalist of the Deftones, and Shaun Lopez, guitarist of Far, crossing over to a new experimental era with †††.

A line of tattooed girls with skin tight jeans slink through the crowd as fans trickle in. Over 500 people paid homage filling the bar, to near capacity with a mix of high school students, collegiate couples, 80’s heavy-metal fans, punk rockers and adult film models.

There were two openers Secret Empire, a six man band from Los Angeles and Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross from Chicago. Both bands were the opposite of the other, balancing a yin that sided on the side of heavy metal and the yang on the side of experimental electronic fusion.

The first, Connor Ragan (24), wrote all the songs for Secret Empire including “Plastic Wrist” and “Alien Burial.” His bizarre mohawk, a deep blond, contrast with his black long-sleeved threads and jeans evoked a dark confidence in a young idealist wanting to be noticed in a conservative world.

The second, Dexter Tortoriello (25), of Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross was more understated. In a gray t-shirt and plastic-rimmed glasses, he tested the limits of a synchronized drum machine, a Mac, and a microphone hypnotizing the crowd with "White Sun" and “Blacks.” The entire set included a civil rights speech and the song Ave Maria layered with electronica sounds.

Connor Griffith, a senior from Mira Loma High who scored tickets through an online guitar site was in the audience impressed by the varied styles of music. He was excited to finally see Moreno, the former Deftones vocalist, who is not only a role model to teens everywhere but also his own fourteen year old son.

An altar of crosses await. The †††’s color change from hot pink to turquoise blue to a pure white light. The fine line of rock music and religion dilate. The audience is almost inclined to dunk their fingers in holy water. Then again, within these walls, there is plenty of sin.

“We’ll drink from the waves and feel our souls. We’ll fall asleep on the graves and seal our souls,” Moreno’s deep melodic tone shrills in “Holy Ghost.”

Dino Campanella and Chris Robyn then elevate with drums, facing each other to the lyrics of the song, “This is a Trick (Hello Hello I Know)."

On keyboard and guitar, Jono Evans and Chuck Doom summoned a calypso rhythm to “Bermuda Locket.” The lyrics ignite a light, "just come this way and I will bring you to life."

Lopez lures the audience deeper with the forbidden “Frontiers,” sailing off into the sun to rediscover the height of “Prurient.”

“Back in Sac, what's up?” Moreno yells at the top of his lungs. The crowd jumps at his beckon, the light of their phones waving in recognition, seizing the moment to welcome a hero. They wave their hands in empathy, accepting their star with “Telepathy.”

After all Moreno, originally came from Sacramento. A moved fan snuck on stage to pay respect, then hurled himself at the spectators. As long as you let me play, I’ll let you win.

The mood then changes as the synthesizer blaze to a somber, “1987.”

“A shoebox of ashes, a silver casket, a mother dressed for eternities, breathe in the waves.” His words reminise on identities, lost, and graves.

Shaking it off, Moreno says, “I want to dance. This is so much fun. I’m so glad that we are here. This song goes out to my pops and Uncle Chi (a tribute to Deftones bassist Chi Cheng who was left in a coma after a 2008 car accident),” as he transitioned to “Trophy.”

He then embraced fans, holding their hands to the call of “Option.” Moreno’s profound evolution, with Crosses, his fear surrendered to what is dear.

“Just open your heart and say, ‘I swear on the cross. Can you promise this to the grave?’”

Lights dim to the ringing of church bells. The music is his calling. A promise to give it all as Crosses return with an encore, the “Years” and another EP in the works for 2012.

Kwanzaa Love Train opens new year

2012-01-02T22:34:03Z

It's the beginning and the end. The alpha and the omega.

The final day of Kwanzaa welcomes the new year with the principle of Imani, faith in a play based on "One in the Spirit" written by Ione Murchison and adapted by Rebecca Davis, Rosanna Herber, and Michael Pollock.

The performance featured original hip hop soundtrack by sixteen year old Isiah White and dances by the Fenix Drum & Dance Company.

Afterwards, a feast was served for the annual diversity gathering at Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento.

On it's ninth year running, this is largest attended so far with over 170 people said organizer Rebecca Davis.

The church provides three turkeys, drinks, and bread for the potluck with the community pitching in with side dishes and dessert to share.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach after the Watts riot in Los Angeles. Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans together as a community.

The play unites all with the song love train moving into the new year as illustrated in this original1973 video.

Laughs Unlimited’s tickling therapy

2011-11-02T14:15:38Z

Aha! I’ve found Utopia and it is on a ten by ten pulpit with a steel sliding microphone stick. Instead of hate, oh the waves of laughter it creates.

Where the orators can offend and there’s nothing to defend just the hilarity of truth bared down to its presence, a roll in the dark with a spotlight and a red pulsing timer.

I know a place. Ain’t nobody crying. Ain’t nobody worrying, I’ll take you there.

Open mic, at Laughs Unlimited on Tuesday drew over 18 comedians and more than a hundred people in the audience for comic relief. At a time when letting go of everyday reality is almost impossible, the $5 cure of a healing drink and laughter is cheap therapy.

"This is a rare time, when there are more than a dozen or so new comics on stage.” said Shane Murphy, a veteran comedian and promoter of the open call sign-ups. “Want to be” professional comedians can use their time as a live audition with the owners held on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

Tonight, the torch for host was passed to a “she”, giving free reign to voluptuous, Hannah, whose sweet raunchiness kept your ass glued to the seat for the next performance.

The comics left no borders untouched from urban violence in Oakland, to sparing use of the “n” and the “f” word, to the joys of interracial sex and size matters, to a guide to hiring Mexicans in front of Home Depot, to being lost in a street called Man love, to poking fun at a church choir director’s need to date under-age girls, and not understanding what it means to give head to an Arab, there was no topic left un-slapped in the scope of two hours.

Come and spare some change, the tummy massage beats a vibrator, and the company is worth a nightcap.

Fil-Am history emerge through Hip Hop and Art

2011-10-29T18:36:57Z

Now is it Filipino with an F or a P? It must be an F because as most Fil-Ams would agree, it’s not Filipino without food and family. In Sacramento, hip hop artists, break dancers, designers, and other creatives came together at Sol Collective on 21st Street and Broadway to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

They came from as far as Vallejo, Stockton, and South San Francisco to share what it means to be Fil-Am.

The heat resonates from the thin sachets of lumpia simmering in the boiling bubbles of Crisco oil. Dominique Marquez, 26 with her long silky hair, tank top, tribal ink tattoo, and shorts helps her mom "Nanay" with her brow covered in sweat over the open fire of the gas grill. She stirs the tray full of lumpia sizzling in the iron pans next to the rice cooker.

Armies of people line up for a taste. lumpia, rice, adobo, and pancit appease the appetite. For some of the Gen Y dolls in skinny jeans and guys in baggy jeans with shirts printed in sarcastic humor and baseball caps, this is about as close to a Filipino home cooking as one can get.

Inside, heads bob to Jonathan aka DJ rated R spinning old school tunes with Stevie B. and Jocelyn Enriquez in the mix. The nostalgia brings up memories. Growing up in high school when these superstar icons were the rage and life was care free, the memories replay an era. Back to a time when the girls ran for homecoming queen and the boys tricked out cars with loud speakers, chose street racing as pastime, and tagged bridges with graffiti.

“Tagging is getting your name on something. Bombing is covering the entire wall with it.” explains Eric Nodora, 33, a graffiti artist turned painter and graphic designer.

“It was fun till we got caught, then my parents would hear about it. They weren’t happy when we got home escorted by police. Then again, it’s better than the alternative. Could have been high off something, but tagging was my high.”

Nodora, now lives in Oakland but grew up in South Sacramento graduating from Valley High.

Tonight he outlines a new painting, a single Jeepney on wood. Next to him leaning on the window sill is a piece he just completed, a scene straight out of Manila with more than a dozen colorful Jeepneys dancing on oil based canvas.

“Jeepneys are everywhere in the Philippines,” Nodora said as he recalls a trip back home, a "balikbayan" trip to the Philippines in 2009. Bright solid colors and exquisite detail are the trademarks of his work.

“They’re all a little different, kind of like Filipinos. We each have our own flavor”

In the back room stands a large 6-foot palette part of the "Igorot" series inspired by a second balikbayan visit in 2010 searching for his roots. An Igorot man holds an axe on blood red background with deep wrinkles on his face, the wisdom of an angry grandfather, "Lolo" with tribal design tattoos on his chest.

"I wanted to portray the fight of the native people who refused to be driven out of their land. The battle between the Mactan Island Chieftain Lapu Lapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan on April 27, 1521 stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.

“Every one of the distinct shapes on the aging headhunter’s body is a battle scar, kind of like how Fil-Ams earned stripes as part of the US military,” Nodora said.

Filipinos are spread out throughout the United States but most are centered in the West Coast. About 480,000 make their home in Southern California with Los Angeles County hosting the largest community in America with more than 262,600.

Nearly 121,000 Filipinos live in Daly City and the San Francisco, according to US Census. Many of these families immigrated here as engineers, nurses, doctors, or military veterans from World War II.

In the race to conform, many have let go of tradition, often trading in their “da” accent for the perfect “th”. Some parents have refused to teach their children, Tagalog. Taking in English as native tongue meant acceptance. In this way, Fil-Ams came to be known as the “invisible majority” especially in California.

As in Nodora’s case whose parents speak Ilocano and common among young Filipinos, most can understand but do not speak the language. Tagalog, Ilocano, Visayan or any of the more than 100 languages ~~80 native dialects~~ of the Philippines comes as a rare linguistic trait as the first generation of Fil-Ams die off without passing this knowledge on to their children.

Clamoring for answers, Gen Y Fil-Ams are finding voice in music like Hip Hop. Many are mixed, half Caucasian, Chinese, Mexican, Black, Irish, Italian, and so on. Filipinos have blended in so well there really is no true Filipino race instead an amalgamation of cultures within a race.

The Sol Collective party kept rolling with the raffle giveaway. Energetic rappers lyrics rage to occupy the room, break dancers levitate with uncanny floor skills, and artists paint pieces with Filipino inspiration. A three-year-old boy joins the break dancers with his own interpretation of the rhythm of the music. (You can see the video here.)

Nina Rebultan, 23, one of the organizers explains her reason for bridging together Beats and lumpia on its second year.

“Last year was fundraising. This year it’s fun. It means everything to me. It’s how I share the stories told by my grandmother. That’s why I do what I do.”

We got into a conversation about the tattoos on her wrists. “This is Baybayin, an ancient Filipino script, in its more formal form, also called Alibata, what is written here is Maganda at Malakas.”

A typical hard-working Filipina, Nina’s tattoo stands for beautiful and strong. On her right wrist, Nieves, her grandmother’s name tattooed on top of the sun found in the Pilipino flag, surrounded by plumeria flowers.

It shines bright like sunlight. Tattoos memorialize a culture for a generation unearthing what was repressed, searching for answers.

“It’s ashame we never got taught Filipino history in school,” Nodora adds. "If we never learned something, it can easily be dismissed. It's like saying it never exist."

*To learn more about Filipino American History, get involved with your community . National Federation of Fil-Am Association has events throughout Northern California where you can get in touch with other Filipinos. Also, this timeline is a good place to start.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated after publishing.

Disclosure: I'm a Fil-Am dedicated to helping my community learn about resources available for personal development and enrichment.

Blues for Life celebrates survivors

2011-10-06T14:34:52Z

A mother, a sister, a spouse, a best friend is diagnosed with breast cancer everyday. This life threatening illness claims over 40,000 lives annually.

In Sacramento, the love for survivors goes beyond the pink celebrating with Blues for Life, a fundraiser for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation held at the Torch Club last Sunday.

Every $100 pays for a mammogram that can save a woman's life. Over the past four years Blues for Life events raised over $125,000 to help those diagnosed with breast cancer in our community.

Considering that the average age of diagnosis is 37 years old, more than 70% of cases have no family history, and the leading cause of death among women between 40 & 55 is breast cancer, early detection is key to proper medical care.

Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation empowers people affected with breast cancer through awareness, education, and support.

Founder Doug Carson, thanks the many volunteers, sponsors, and musicians who kept the event going strong on its fifth year.

This year the back parking area was opened up to accomodate the thousands of attendees who make the annual pilgrimage to Sacramento for food, fun, and camaraderie.

Pasta was served up by Rio City Cafe, Plates Cafe, Lucca Restaurant, Evan's Kitchen, The Bread Store, Michelangelo's, Sergio's Steak and Seafood, House, Mama Susanna's, and Blue Print Restaurant.

Entertainers in the new outdoor space was Keri Carr Band, Walking Spanish, Kaye Bohler, Bone MacDonald Band, and Nibblers.

Musicians in the indoor bar space was Bryson & Jill Marie Van Cleve, Gino Matteo, Jimmy Pailer featuring Sista Monica, Jelly Bread, and Mercy Me!

"The best thing that happened today is that a woman who survived cancer last year, came up and gave me a hug, then shared tears of joy for her sister who was able to take the medical screening tests," said Carson.

They found the cancer she said. She is also getting the help she needs.

Blues for Life 2011

2011-09-30T09:04:07Z

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In Sacramento, the festivities kick off with Blues for Life at The Torch Club , a live music festival & pasta cook-off from 1pm to 7pm on October 2.

Ten bands, 10 restaurants, and a five-year Sac town tradition, this event is the primary fundraiser for Albie Aware, a foundation that brings preventive care, support, and education for those with breast cancer or seeking assistance for early detection and treatment.

“If treated early, cancer fatality can diminish with the proper care,” commented Doug Carson. In 2002, his wife Albie Carson, a 50 year resident of Sacramento, lost the battle with cancer because the tumor was caught too late.

This loss prompted him to build a legacy to help others stay alive.

Albie Aware as in I’ll be Aware provides the social, educational, and in many ways, financial support for those who otherwise would not be able to afford adequate health coverage essential for breast cancer survival like MRI, PET scan, medicines, or even a simple insurance co-pay.

Last year, more than 1,500 people in Northern California were recipients of some kind of care from the organization.

In 2010, according to the American Cancer Society, there will be 209,060 new cases of breast cancer in the United States. 40,230 of those discovered will result in death of which 4,230 will be in California.

So think of it. For only $20, you will not only be able to get your blues on, grub on, early Christmas shopping on, but you will a join a movement to help save thousands of lives of men and women affected by cancer.

Now, that is a great deal.

Bands include: The Nibblers, Mercy Me, Walking Spanish, Kaye Bohler, Ron Hacker, Gino Matteo, Bone MacDonald, Sista Monica, Trubaduo Pailer, and Adams & Joyce.

The Competing Pasta Cook-off Restaurants are Blue Prynt Restaurant & Bar, Clark’s Corner, Evan’s Kitchen, House Kitchen & Bar, Lucca Restaurant & Bar, Mama Susanna’s, Ristorante Italiano, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant, and Rio City Café.

There will also be a silent auction with over fifty raffle items complete with a Flat screen TV, signed art works, exotic trips, local restaurant entertainment, gift certificates, and so much more.

Buy your tickets early by clicking HERE or at Torch Club on Sunday.

100 Thousand Poets for Change

2011-09-27T07:27:15Z

Can poets unite and give voice to issues left unsaid?

100 Thousand Poets for Chang e, an international movement to promote serious social, environmental, and political change brought more than a dozen poets to two public parks: the Rose Garden at the State Capitol and Fremont Park.

Saturday’s event was an international day of poetry, celebrated with 700 events in 550 cities in 95 countries in every continent but Antarctica. The multi-national event mixed politics and poetry in some odd and surprising ways.

While a politicized poetry reading is not controversial in most countries, in some nation’s organizers risked harassment or arrest for expressing independent viewpoints with their words.

The Sacramento line-up included an array of perspectives covering modern societal ills such as universal healthcare, to the war in Afghanistan, to the development of public spaces, to economic disparity, to disappointment in our world leaders, to acknowledging those who still struggle to exercise the freedom of speech in their country, and the fading so called "American" dream.

Readings were recited by Mario Ellis Hill, Bob Stanley, Allegra Silberstein, Alexa Mergen, Sean King, Lawrence Dinkins, Susan Kelly-DeWitt, Emily Wright, Tim Kahl, Frances Kakugawa, Sandy Thomas, Bill Gainer, Abe Sass and a handful of open mic participants.

The highlights were Dinkins evocative poem about "America" and King’s forceful riff - "One Day" on healthcare – or the lack of it.

My favorite was Kahl’s clever, bluesy critique on the privatization of public spaces. Kahl melded his own spoken word with Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Sunshine When You’re Gone” to make a powerful statement about the environment, homelessness, and the economics of community destruction.

Editorial Note: A correction was made to the caption of image 6 after the story was published.

Interview with Eisley at Macy's Arden Fair Mall

2011-09-13T07:27:30Z

Back to school shopping just got better as Macy's Mstyle Lab in the Arden Fair Mall hosts an acoustic concert with the band Eisley on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas with four siblings – Stacy, Sherri, Chauntelle, and Weston Dupree. In 1997, Sherri and Chauntelle began playing music together after being inspired by bands like the Beatles, Jeremy Enigk, and Radiohead.

The band also performed live at Ace of Spades earlier last week with brother, Weston DuPree on drums and cousin, Garron Dupree on bass.

This time around only the girls were featured with a keyboard and acoustic guitars as accompaniment.

The mood was earthy and natural. This was the first time Eisley, named after Mos Eisley in Star Wars, has ever performed at a mall. Stacy Dupree’s transition from keyboards to acoustic guitar took a slight adjustment but her vocals shone through singing beautifully through her signature song "Ambulance" from “The Valley” EP.

The crowd was mellow. Past the department store’s fluorescent lighting, the sister’s voices created an intimate feel with the two hundred plus fans present.

Emi Clark, 20 and Kaylah Davis, 23 long-time fans of the band drove from Gilmore to catch the show. This was Kaylah's third time to see the band and Emi's sixth. They talked about the band's friendly demeanor and fondness for Starbucks.

A pair of twins, Amanda and Melissa Gruba, 17, seniors at Bradshaw Christian High School, who has grown with the band’s music, was so inspired they decided to draw a poster with the imagery from the band’s song lyrics.

The DuPree clan sang "Better Love", "Come Clean", "Please", "Kind", "Ambulance", "192 Days" and "I wish" at the Macy's concert.

Their latest release of the “The Valley” EP in March of 2011 met with positive reviews although it has been criticized for focus on love and broken relationships a contrast to their original whimsical style and fantastic imagery of their 2005 debut “Room Noises”.

It basically reflects changes felt by the Dupree clan, separating from the Warner Brother’s label and some heartache and angst from relationships that did not work out.

Growing up together, there are more changes in the pipeline. There is talk of a solo album for their youngest sister, Stacy Dupree. Also a new band EP will be released in November with five new songs under their new label, Equal Vision Records.

Here is the video to the interview with the band, after the concert.

Whirring in The Joy Formidable at Harlow's

2011-09-12T09:08:36Z

The band’s name says it all. Joy, an emotion evoked by well being, success, and good fortune or the prospect of having one’s desires. Formidable, a feeling of awe and admiration from grandeur and great strength combines the artistry of the trio formed in 2007 from North Wales -- Ritzy Bryan on guitar and vocals, Rhydian Dafydd on bass guitar, and Matt Thomas on drums.

This is a band that should be seen live. The recorded music, especially the new song “Whirring,” is good. But the trio thrives before live audiences.

Live, the band lives up to its name projecting a soul-filling joy. Whether you are a sweaty youth in the crowded mosh pit or a 40-something professional grooving to the band from the safety of the bar, Joy Formidable delivers. Ritzy Bryan’s guitar riffs, her voice even her facial expressions were all delivered with charismatic intensity. The concert, in the tight confines of Harlow’s, was one Mr. Toad’s wild ride.

This band is ideal for open air performances in front of thousands of people like Outside Lands Music Festival and Lollapalooza. Harlow’s was way too small of a venue to contain The Joy Formidable. To see the band in a more intimate venue is a lucky break for Sacramento. Kudos to Radio 94.7 for arranging the band’s appearance.

The trio has developed a buzz around the song “Whirring,” from the EP “The Big Roar,” with Foo Fighters’ front-man Dave Grohl tweeting that it could be the 2011 song of the year. I thought Grohl’s tweet was over the top until I saw the band. “Whirring” is best enjoyed live -- the band’s full intensity comes through.

The mix of mellow intellectuals chilling at the bar with hard rockers thumping up a storm showed the wide range of people who enjoy this loud, alt rock, shoegazing, band that combines edgy heavy metal with choral pop. The Joy Formidable is steadily developing a larger fan base by incorporating what's cool in other types of music to create their own.

Ritzy Bryan knows how to connect. In her black suede long sleeve frock, icy blond symmetrical coif, and tights with short boots, she jumped, trashed about, and broke through a highly optimistic, bubbly persona with manic depressive anger and rage. Her expressions changed erratically from innocence to jerky runaway robot pushing that velocity into a see-saw of pink clouds. High fives with fans and eye contact engaged concert goers, even those wedged in the crevices of the club.

They played “A Heavy Abacus”,” Greyhounds in the Slips”, “Austere”, “Ostrich”, “The Greatest Light is the greatest shade”, “Cradle”, “Buoy”, and “Whirring”. They also came back for an encore performance with “Magnify” and “I don’t want to see you like this”.

Just so you don’t feel left out, here’s a treat --front row seats to "Whirring" at Harlow’s, and you don’t even have to brave the mosh pit. Once you see this video, we’re convinced you’ll want to see The Joy Formidable live too.

Fans like the Mota family drove all the way from Reno, Nevada because they wanted to see the band again. The first time at Outside Lands, the second at Harlow’s on Saturday night. “I kind of wish I brought my fourteen year old son.” commented Debbie Mota, 47. “He would have rocked with that drummer,” she adds.

The Naked and Famous at Harlow's

2011-09-02T08:49:39Z

On the last day of August, Harlows was filled with a crowd of stadium-sized intensity. The New Zealand indie rock band defined The Naked and Famous philosophy. Naked in the way that Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers vocal combination brought the crowd to climax then mellowed down to rise again, in roller coaster action.

Auckland’s five-piece delivered exquisite dream pop, oscillating between the calculatedly energetic beat, glitzy rhythms, and airy synthesizers underneath.

Xayalith wearing all black, in a long sleeve top, mini skirt, tights, and short boots was definitely not naked but sexy nonetheless, confident in her barely five-foot tall frame. She was smoking! She faced the drummer in the back to regroup between songs, refresh, and wipe the sweat off her brow, or fall in exhaustion.

Fans waited over an hour to mesh with the electronica lifestyle offered by this up and coming band nominated for the BBC’s Sound of 2011 and topping the New Zealand chart at No.1 in 2010 – the first New Zealand artist in three years to do so.

The show was like air for the 20-somethings whose exchange with the band appeased their needs and vice versa. The “Passive Me Aggressive You” debut album released in September of 2010 definitely caters to the young, whose lyrical obsessions center around love, mistakes, sleep, and parties.

Hollywood has discovered the band and Wednesday’s set featured several songs used in TV shows. “Punching in a Dream” was featured in Vampire Diaries. With its care-free lyrics and upbeat electronic dance discord, that song set the mood for the night at Harlow’s. “The Sun” a tantalizing song, and “Young Blood” were both used in the tv show Gossip Girl.

Also in Wednesday’s set, “The Bells” enchanted. “Eyes” and “DADADA” saw and freed the spirit of youth. Calmed by Xayalith’s vibe was the pairing of an acoustic guitar in the beginning of “No Way” then picked up again into upbeat rhythm running with “Girls Like You.”

An edge of MGMT and Radiohead was present in the repertoire. Powers and Xayalith said they grew up listening to Massive Attack, Bjork, PJ Harvey and Tricky.

But their intensity, like their sound, is really all their own. After six months of constant touring, this band of four dudes in T-shirts and jeans with a hot Asian doll in the middle still had plenty of energy.

“It sure is full in here. We’re coming back.” Powers still trying to catch his breath from the performance.

They did with an encore and the crowd went home sweaty and satisfied.

The "Inspiracion" of Calexico

2011-08-24T09:16:20Z

How does Calexico, a relatively low key Americana/ Alternative country rock band keep the momentum going after two decades?

They never seize to experiment with rhythms & ballads reaching new heights in what the fans crave.

Calexico embraces Latin sounds of mariachi, conjunto, cumbia, and Tejano music and fuses it with Southwestern country, '50s-'60s jazz, and '90s post rock. Their signature sound is "desert noir" reminiscent of the border city of Calexico.

For many who have never experienced Calexico’s live performance, their poetic storytelling approach to music captures audiences then beams them up to beach surf cities, matador bull rings, outer space, tango milongas and flamenco cafes, western vistas, and undiscovered European and Asian empires.

A woman going through a cancer ordeal shared on Facebook, “Going to get lost in the music tonight. …Calexico take me away!”

“I have all their albums in my iPod,” Alex Lackner, a physical therapist/yoga instructor from Vienna, Austria admits. He is quite possibly one of the group’s most dedicated fans. Alex has been crisscrossing the country from Los Angeles, to Albuquerque, to Denver, to Sacramento in the last six months and managed to attend other venues on the band’s tour including one in Saratoga on his birthday.

Barely making the concert at Ace of Spades after an eight-hour train delay due to flooding along the Mississippi river. He was thrilled to make Calexico’s first song of the night, Roka (Danza de la Muerte), which was from their fifth studio album Garden Ruin.

“A couple of years ago, I saw them in Vienna. They opened for Amos Lee. Now Amos Lee is touring with them in the northwest,” Lackner shares one his many pieces of Calexico of trivia. He plans on making the August 26th show at Chateau St Michele in Washington as well before returning to Austria.

The opening band for Calexico in Sacramento was a group with local roots, Sea of Bees. Led by Julie Baenziger, a resonating soprano, and co-vocalist Amber Padgett (an alumnus of the Waldorf School of the Arts in Fair Oaks) the Sea of Bees set include fan favorite “Gnomes” and some new material.

Baenziger's unique voice was a perfect pairing to Calexico’s eclectic sound.

Calexico’s set included “Man Made Lake” and “Two Silver Trees” – both from the 2008 CD, "Carried to Dust," – with a haunting futuristic space age texture. They also played “Sunken Waltz” a contemplative mellow tune from the 2003 CD “Feast of Wire,” which some critics and fans regard as their best CD. One of the most memorable songs was Minas de Cobre (For Better Metal) an instrumental with deft interplay of Spanish style guitar and two trumpets.

"Inspiración" was the night’s capstone. Trumpet player Jacob Valenzuela showed off his vocal abilities, singing in Spanish on this 2008 song about his relationship with his brother. His performance was breathtaking, a serenade complete with solo jazz trumpet instrumental. It is cupid’s arrow of love,a romance inspiration for the crowd. You can view it here.

The audience applause signaled deep appreciation but they hungered for more, Calexico returned onstage for an encore performance of Alone Again, a lovely cover of the 1967 classic by the late Arthur Lee and his band Love.

The finale “Guero Canelo” is one crazy party mix. A novice will say that the lyrics describe the high life of drugs and rebellion in Tucson (“Guero Canelo” roughly translates as ‘cinnamon blond’ in Mexican Spanish and there is a famous Mexican restaurant in Tucson of the same name) but a more refined follower like Lackner can attest to another secret hidden in the third stanza of the lyrics -- the high is not from drugs but the music of an exotic Latin-inspired indie rock six-man band, Calexico, brought together by two fair gringos, Joey Burns and John Convertino who enlighten fans for more decades to come.

Summerfest 2011: Fashion & Film Frenzy

2011-08-20T02:56:51Z

Stop the Press. No, really do not throw that newspaper away! Recycle. It is the raw material for the fashion challenge!

Ten fashion design teams press, paste, and staple newspaper into a dress. Besides the dress, they need to deliver a complete look, so the teams adorned the models with accessories, hair, make up, and jewelry to match.

Paper dolls strike a pose and walk the runway at The Crest theater. The lively premier of The Sac Bee Fashion Challenge is a recent addition in this year’s festival. fashionista and film buffs alike, collide like origami samurai figures on Wednesday night.

With plenty of beautiful people in the audience, the applause in the spotlight signaled that the spectators were impressed with the designs.

Patience awaits the victor -- or better yet, a $1,000 prize in style products, equivalent to a wish come true, when a thousand paper cranes are “made” as in the Japanese tradition.

The designers who completed the Sac Bee newspaper fashion projects are Diana Santibanez, Edward John Radanovich III, Jennifer N. Nodora, Jesus Medrano, John Thao, Lacey Taylor, Melina Carrie, Natassja Price, Rachel Goldmark, and Samantha Rachele.

After the runway show, a documentary titled Non Alien by Jimmy T. Murakami, 78, a Japanese American animator from San Jose, CA enlightened us with his film on the plight of the Japanese Americans held in the Tule Lake internment camps during World War II.

Cecille Mouette Downs, co-founder and director of the Sacramento French Film Festival, and awardee of the SF&MF’s 2011 Film Arts Service Award was a judge in the fashion face off. Though we probed for a favorite, she was quiet on her preference. She did not want to spoil the surprise for the one fashion designer who will be crowned victorious prior to Saturday’s screening of Hollywood to Dollywood by twin brothers Gary and Larry Lane. Sunday's feature likewise, prior to the revealing of the winner of the 10 X 10 film challenge is Fordson: Faith, Fasting, and Football directed by Rashid Ghazi.

Mixing fashion, documentary feature films, and 10 X 10 film making challenge in a weekend is unconventional. It is indicative of the diversity of creative talent available to us in Sacramento! Organizers packed three entire days with a feast of the arts. The competition aspect is a twist in the game of creativity.

Really anyone who attempts an entry is a winner. As Jacob Schantz, 29, a 10 x 10 film challenge entrant and graduate of Art Institute of California put it, “As for winning, it doesn’t really concern me, though I am not above putting it in a resume or a poster. If I was only concerned about winning, my work would lose the edge I try to achieve. I would rather they laughed at my jokes.”

As such, the films and team leaders due to debut their 10 X 10 film on the big screen on Sunday are : Pull A Trigg A Team lead: Richard Ryan; Black Magic Team lead: Stephen Halpin; Dilly Dalling Around - Team lead: Amir Haeri; Bad Toy - Team lead: Dwight Taylor; 11:38 - Team lead: Jeffrey Vanacor; Daniel's Last Day on Earth - Team lead: John Blake; Two to Tango - Team lead: Lucinda Chrisman; Yeller - Team lead: Donovan Albright; Missing April - Team lead: Justin Buettner; The Sign Guy - Team lead: Tobin Halsey; Check - Team lead: Cathi Beekstrand; Hyper Blue - Team lead: Miles Matsuoka; Herstory - Team lead: K. D. Beebe; Watered Down - Team lead: Jacob Schantz; French Fried - Team lead: David Chernyavsky; The Last Supper -Team lead: Noah Damiani; Obstinate Orange - Team lead: David Hoyt Lawlor; Hostage - Team lead: Amresh Gosai; Jubilee - Team lead: Gina Lobosco; Envy - Team lead: Don Carlos Sanders; A Thousand Words - Team lead: Stephanie Hyden *; Transfer - Team lead: Josh Mihal *; and The Return of Blake - Team lead: Justin Crose.

As local artists wait and fret over their Picasso, the fluid transition of fashion to filmmaking, to frolicking between the mermaids at Dive Bar across the way from The Crest after the festivities lead to a philosophy – Pursue your passion and persevere, that is all there is to it.

Please support local artists and find out the winners of the competition nightly by heading over to The Crest this weekend.

Stop the press. Stop the press. The newspaper dresses caress.

Highlights from Buddhist Festival

2011-08-16T12:02:41Z

The Japanese Food & Culture Bazaar was larger than life.

There was so much to eat, pray, and love about the event hosted by the Sacramento Buddhist Church of Sacramento. If you were not there, here are some of the highlights. Highly recommended is to try a first, second, or third helping of the melt off the bone teriyake chicken and to come earlier in the day next year.

This way you have time to relax and watch the Sacramento Taiko Dan. Still, if you missed them at the festival, stay tuned for their upcoming 22nd year anniversary performance at The Crest Theatre on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

A Rockstar, A Reverend, and Redemption

2011-08-16T09:02:37Z

It’s a church. No, it’s a rock concert.

It’s a church. No, it’s a rock concert. Actually, for tonight, it’s a rock concert in a church. Grammy nominated Christian singer/songwriter Jennifer Knapp’s lyrics soared with spine tingling, melt your heart, open your soul to true, goddess-like quality of Aphrodite truth - giving the audience chills and a shot at their own authenticity.

What better place to test the acoustics than St. Marks United Methodist Church, though Knapp really didn’t need the microphone to amplify her strong powerhouse of a voice. In fact, the audience didn’t even notice until she alerted the sound booth that she had forgotten to turn on the acoustics on the guitar for the first couple of bars.

The people were mesmerized by her sound. You could feel the mellowness ripple through the pews on the diverse faces of the audience. Some of them sat with their eyes closed, holding their hearts. Others waved their hands in faith, feeling her lyrics, as she mixed known classics, from first hit single, "Undo Me," from her debut album “Kansas” (1998) to the song, "A Little More," from her Grammy award nominated album, “Lay It Down” (2000). In 2001, “The Way I Am,” was also nominated for a Grammy. In total, her three albums have sold over one million copies.

An artist truly is an artist defined when her loyal fans still seek shelter in her glow after a seven year hiatus of traveling, soul searching and validating her true self.

Fans drove from as far as Chico, California just to hear her fluid transition to coming out. She discussed her life trials and how creativity and music serve as an outlet for her feelings.

“We came because we love her music; didn't expect to be so validated in my belief,” shared excited 24 year old Teri Abshier. She and a friend drove the long miles north from Bakersfield.

Sprinkled between Knapp’s set is her speak easy humor poking fun of herself and the decision to come out as a “lesbian.” She is now a role model for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community, in contrast to her conservative Christian pop/folk singer past. This is one woman who has grown truly honest with her sexuality and assertion, as reflected in her new album, “Letting Go.”

She has come to the realization that she can’t please everyone, and the best she can do is “let go” and accept the person she has become.

After Knapp’s performance, Reverend Gene Robinson, an openly gay New Hampshire bishop who delivered a prayer for President Obama's inauguration in 2009 and is now an activist for LGBT issues, delivered his philosophy on the LGBT movement. He likened the movement to Martin Luther King's civil rights activism of the 1960’s against racism. The -isms he was referring to included racism, sexism and the 234 other isms that limit human understanding. He discussed why the movement was also about religion and what the bible really says about being gay is left to interpretation based on each of our experiences.

A same sex couple, Elizabeth and Sarah Kelly, were also at the concert. At the moment, they live in Roseville near the church because it was where they got the support they needed when they first moved to California.

Sarah aspires to become a youth pastor after graduation so she can support, encourage and advise young LGBT. LGBT teen suicide is a concern that Rev. Robinson pointed out in his talk. The kids feel left out and alone without a support group to have their voice heard. This lack of understanding is what plagues both adults and children.

“It’s preposterous," said Sarah Kelly, voicing her growing frustration over Prop 8.

"We live the same as married couple. We share the rent, expense for our household needs, join the military, act as domestic partners, access IVF and even adopt children legally, but because we are the same sex, we are still unrecognizable by the courts as legally married,”

Proposition 8 eliminates rights of same-sex couples to marry. The passing of Prop 8 in 2008 and the debate over same sex marriage has been a back and forth pendulum since the 1970’s. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

The next stage in California's Prop 8 court case is set for Sept 6 when the Supreme Court of California will hear arguments on whether Prop 8 supporters have legal standing under state law to overturn California's gay marriage ban.

It's Summertime - Break out with your shorts

2011-08-06T19:32:45Z

Not the daisy dukes kind, but the on-screen shorts. Although, we do like the visuals of short shorts on shorts.

Ten Minutes of Film. Ten days. Twenty eight film makers. This is Summerfest 2011 10X 10 Film Challenge at The Crest. If you see people running around in a hurry around the city, they could be part of the 28 teams who have taken the dare .

The rules are easy. Each team leader tore open an envelope containing a photograph and a list of paint colors. The pictures range from old school wedding photographs to a snapshot of Crater Lake. Their challenge is to incorporate the photo into their film. They also must feature a paint color that was chosen by order of lottery.

Teams have until 7pm on Sunday, Aug. 14 to complete the assignment. Their finished projects must be turned into the Crest Theater on deadline to have a coveted spot on the big screen premiere on Sunday, August 21.

On its twelfth year, the Sacramento Film and Music Festival continues to deliver crazy filmmaking programs. Previous year's 10X10 film challenge project winners are featured here.

The criteria for the winning film is based on best use of the image, paint color, and presentation.

"Essentially, the prize is the admiration of their peers and the right to refer to the win in their resume or profiles in the Internet Movie Database - there are no actual prizes," explained Tony Sheppard, a professor at California State University, Sacramento.

SF & MF's Summerfest runs from August 17th through August 21st. The 10X10 film challenge screening of shorts is the finale for weekend. It closes with the announcement of the award winners after party at Parlare Euro Lounge.

Attracting an international audience, the event also incorporates the Sacbee Fashion Challenge. This year, the theme is Catwalk: Outfits fit for a red carpet event - with a twist.

Tickets and Screening Passes are available at the Crest box office and through tickets.com.

More Festival information and the complete schedule can be found at www.sacfilm.com.

Wanderlust 2011: Could you be love – or be loved? Part 2

2011-08-05T02:35:58Z

“Yell Fire!” as in Franti's lyrics. We did. After the performance of the Phoenix Fire Dancers. It was quite a cleansing. Walking in calm after the Wanderlust revolution. The body now knows - a stretch has no limits. Healing happened. Hearts opened to each other. Love is found. Our confidence manifested. Open to more knowledge, we share the second half of wisdoms from the festival.

We burned a path of purpose with Phoenix Fire Dancers.

From the beginning of the first explosion, to the last pyrotechnic crescendo, Austria’s Phoenix Fire Dancer’s pulverized. Agile dancers balanced raw flames as if it was an extension of their own bodies.

The juggler explains as he lifts the ashes,” Allow your light to shine bright before the flame disappears. For, no matter how much we accomplish in our lives, we all return to nothing.”

We supported worldly causes.

Just outside the gates of Anusara Village. Many vendors sold clothing, shoes, and energy drinks. Just about everything you need to live in simplicity. This clothing store, Rksa soul donates a portion of its revenues to support children in rural India.

We kept our fifth chakra in check as we moved with Rolf Gates.

.It felt like the slow melt of ice. The open air studio was also symbolic in that it doubled as the ice skating rink in the winter, thus the term “melt” applies just as well to the frozen raw emotions freed by yoga fans in Rolf’s class. His calm demeanor transitioned yogis through mountain, eagle, tree, warrior, and pigeon pose as the echo of sniffles and tears massaged its way to our emotions.

Now, is it because the pain in our heart liquidated or is it because the stretches were so juicy? The enlightenment was enhanced by Girish singing through the fresh morning air winding through the mountain peaks and sunlight. We really were flying.

We practiced yoga with a view then rested on a bed supported by our peers at Yoga Tree.

Jason Nemer & Jenny Sauer-Klein’s class on meditation and thai massage, not only had breathtaking views, but a novel concept. They taught the students how a full body Thai massage can be done with your toes. So the hour was not only filled with insight, but belly aching laughs paired with tickling.

Here’s another great analogy. ”When the going gets rough, rely on your friends to give you support.” Literally, a posture-pedic massage bed made out of human bodies.

We levitated above the mountains -- with a little help from a gondola

A bird’s eye view above the pine trees and the mountains awaits. The clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe in the distance harness our gratitude. This view is available to us 365 days of the year.Though we are leaving now, the Squaw Valley gondola will be here when we decide to make the trek again, next year.

Wanderlust 2011: Could you be love – or be loved?

2011-08-03T11:05:33Z

We came. We lusted. We followed the sound wave of the ohm to Squaw Valley. We swam to freedom picking up the dreams we've forgotten and learned to love not just our lover, our children, and our neighbor, but ourselves. Boundaries were challenged. We twisted our squared lives through yoga, and turned it into a triangle, an oblong, a parallelogram, and finally the “star”. As in Franti’s song, Could you be love – or be loved? Here are ways the love was shared at the Wanderlust Festival.

We accepted that being a “Rockstar” has no age limit. Michael Franti & The Spearhead invited for his final song on stage, children of all ages. Mixed in with the group was a grandfather and a six year old kid. Franti quipped, “Now, when you grow up, wouldn’t you want to be the 69-year old dancing onstage at a rock concert?” The crowd cheered in agreement.

We danced for 90-minutes to a nonstop mash-up by Girl Talk: Girl Talk (aka Greg Gillis) gave a rocking, raucous hour and half musical tour that sampled at least 100 songs from the Beatles to Lady Gaga. A few thousand people danced without a break and, as he often does, Girl Talk, invited fans to dance on stage as he performed. Besides the high energy music, the crowd was throughly engaged as they rolled in toilet paper, bounced beach volleyball, showered in ballons, steamrolled in long air pillows, and was covered with confetti for the finale.

We felt like we were in an MTV spring break party in July: The pool at Squaw Valley was the hottest – and coolest – place at Wanderlust. Hundreds of healthy people showing off their yoga toned bodies at the pool and hot tub all at once; complete with hula hooping, go-go dancers, roller-skating dolls, buff guys playing tug of war as acrobats walked tightropes over the pool. More eye candy than an MTV spring break live special.

We released the energy of the rowdy and restless with Random Rab: Fusion fans like this San Francisco DJ so much, Random Rab played twice at Wanderlust anchoring late night shows on Friday and Saturday. His sets ranged from rowdy to chill. His musical background includes time as classical trumpeter and bass player in a country band. Perfect way to end a long day with dub step or start an even longer night.

We got real high with Portland’s MarchFourth Marching Band It’s rather funny actually! On the way up to hike the 2.2 miles up to Squaw Peak, we ran into the MarchFourth Marching Band’s go-go dancers. Hiking at high altitude on stilts, they were literally up 20 feet, as tall as the top of the ski lifts. MarchFourth’s eclectic brass marching band style, complete with visual theatrics of stiltwalkers, flag dancers, and sliding pole dancers spun Saturday night's party into a frenzy. Their one-of a-kind call and response technique prompted the crowd into action.

There was so much to go, see, and do, this barely touches the surface. We’ll need more time to give it all to you. So tomorrow, we will continue to share the love at Wanderlust ….

Planet of the Vampire Women returns to Crest Theatre

2011-05-27T20:28:20Z

It’s not too late to co me back for a second helping .

If you missed the April premiere of Planet of the Vampire Women, the film is coming back to The Crest. Featuring some of the galaxy’s sexiest space pirates reminiscent of the hunks of Hollywood film of the 60's and 70's, the action packed sci/fi adventure film, has three evening shows slated for Memorial weekend, May 27 through 29.

Stephanie Hyden, a Sacramento native plays a playful anime-like character named Astrid in “Planet of the Vampire Women,” which premiered at the Crest Theatre in April. In the movie, her superpowers allows her to change her outfit at the flip of her hip. She credits Amy Slockbower, one of the film producers and make-up artists, Jace Whitman and Vanessa Diaz in bringing her many looks together. Her many costume changes is definitely one of the selling points of the movie.

Acting has always been a part of her life, even as a toddler. Her mother used to dress her up for theater play dates growing up in what used to be the farmlands of Elk Grove. The skits were performed in front of neighbors. This early recollection motivated her to share improv with all levels of actors at an actor's clubhouse where she teaches.

“It is entirely possible to appear in a project in Sacramento even with limited experience,” she said. “You just have to be willing to try new things, take some risks and not be afraid to fail.”

In 2004, she auditioned for a part in “Monster of Bikini Beach” that led to her role in “Planet of the Vampire Women.” Trash Film Orgy Productions, spearheaded by Christy Savage, producer and Darin Wood, director were pivotal in getting her start. She has worked on projects with the TFO cast and crew since. Within the TFO network, they were able to bring together a set that is a cross between “Planet of the Apes,” “Star Trek” and a jazzy bar scene with a touch of “Kill Bill” influence. The set, enhanced by computer graphics, fake-looking monsters and scantily clad women who turn into vampires, brings a cheesy but fresh perspective to the big screen.

In a word, “Planet of the Vampire Women” is fun. Not a single cast person was paid, but they did get rewarded with improved acting and technical skills. The effort is really a labor of love.

Although she admits working pro bono on “Vampire,” has led to other gigs after the release. In the last year, she collaborated with Sean Kime, a local filmmaker from El Dorado Hills. Their combined efforts in writing and directing have earned outstanding 48 Hour film for "Hope" at the Sacramento International Film Festival in April of 2011. They also earned the People’s Choice Award for “5250” at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival in October 2010.

When asked what it takes to be cast as a vampire woman, she said you have to be “fierce, sexy and confident.” She laughed, “I sound like (America's) next top model, but that’s the truth.”

“Support the film because it is local,” she said. "In fact, most of the sets were filmed in a warehouse on 65th and Folsom. We had a lot of fun bringing it together. Hundreds of volunteers, mainly family and friends of the cast and crew collaborated to bring this project to the big screen. They donated food catering, time handing out fliers and doing what it takes to bring a film to the big screen.”

What are you waiting for? Go out and see it.

And, definitely worth a second helping.

West Coast Swing vogue in Brazil

2011-02-24T15:12:16Z

In it’s 19th year, Capital Swing Dancers, a nonprofit dance club, hosted its annual Presidents Day Weekend Convention. The event has grown steadily, bringing in competitors nationally and worldwide.

Bruno Silva, 24, is a visiting student from Fortaleza, Brazil. He participated in the West Coast Swing 101 Jack & Jill designed for newcomers.

He wanted to experience a World Swing Dance Council sanctioned event in the United States before going home from his university break. He was visiting Tennessee on work exchange with Hard Rock Cafe. Unlike the United States, Brazil’s winter break runs from December to the end of February.

Though he has only been dancing West Coast swing for one and a half years, his prior dance experience includes salsa, zouk, cha-cha, samba and forro. These disciplines helped him to pick up the second-place medal for his moves.

“There is not as much rules compared to other types of dance like salsa, which is symmetric,” he said. “The breaks are synchronized to the down-beat of contemporary music like Akon. We call it the freedom dance because dancers are not confined to a box, the dance (slot) keeps going.”

He credits learning about West Coast swing through a dance academy in Brazil informally called “Diego’s House.” Competition videos of dance students and Silva at the dance academy can be found at suncityswing.blogspot.com.

Many U.S. Open Swing Dance Champions regularly come to Sacramento to teach at local Cap Swing monthly events. These are the same instructors Silva credits for learning his basics from in Brazil. These traveling instructors include Michael Kielbasa, and U.S. Open Swing Dance Classic Champions, Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollman.

Besides the convention, Capitol Swing dancers hosts weekly dance and beginner lessons at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Station in Roseville. There is also a monthly dance at 7:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month at the Fair Oaks Clubhouse. The monthly dance offers free beginner lessons at 5:30 p.m. More details can be found at capitalswingdancers.org.

Kevin Wallace, 34, a local resident who placed first in the competition, added, “I’ve been dancing for more than six years. Though, (I’ve) never competed, (I’ve) taken more than a dozen private lessons and attended many conferences. This is the first time I competed (WCS 101), but maybe not the last,” he said, already missing the scene in Sacramento. “That is, until I move to Germany, who knows, I may end up teaching West Coast there.”

*Amabelle Ocampo is a "westie" who regularly dances at Capital Swing. She is also a writer with Sacramento Press.

Firehouse 5 heats up dance community

2011-02-01T17:54:20Z

One can feel the warmth, seeing the steam roll off the windows. Red mood lighting, the pulse of blues music playing in the background, comfy old couches, smooth but funky wood floors, and full length mirrors alongside an antique firefighter’s pole describes a typical scene at Firehouse 5. Their fuel is music, and the dancers in close embrace are the matchsticks.

The building on the edge of downtown that once housed one of Sacramento’s first motorized fire engines has evolved into one of the region’s most eclectic dance venues and hangouts. It’s a place where students come from UC Davis or even Chico so that couples can dance tango, blues or west coast swing, which combines lindy and swing moves from the 1950s with contemporary music such Lady Gaga or the Black Eyed Peas.

“It feels like a club but there is no pressure to have to buy a drink,” said co-owner Dan Printz. Firehouse 5 does not sell alcohol or food. It only offers a chance to dance and make friends. It’s where people who love to dance for hours can get their fix while those who are curious but clueless can practice without being embarrassed.

From the outside, it’s a nondescript gray building, with antique remnants of an old firehouse station that opened in 1913 located on 9th Street between U and V. One can be easily fooled by the subtle exterior, but a walk through the doors reveal this cool, casual, come-as–you-are haven for dancers of all ages to collaborate.

Printz was a jazz musician for many years. In 2006, he found the location when he was helping some of his friends establish a same-sex tango community project. Although that project never came into fruition, the idea for Firehouse 5 was born and refined to include a modern mix of dance forms.

“It started out with (co-owner) Chris Peake and dance partner, Kendra teaching tango classes and branched from there,” Printz said.

Currently, Firehouse 5 offers lessons in salsa, blues dance, west coast swing, traditional Argentine tango and Tango Alternativa, which combines tango moves with electronic music. Except for a salsa class for kids, the instruction is geared to adults. But the venue, which its scuffed wooden floor is popular among the college crowd and many high school students who want to try partner dancing in place that feel more hip than a ballroom.

Sunday is the most popular night. It starts at 7 p.m. with a beginner lesson in blues of West Coast Swing. Then there is a three-hour open dance where novices and veterans move from partner to partner without jealousy or pretense. The DJ alternates a blues numbers with pop hits. Couples dance close blues, west coast swing or whatever hybrid mix of discipline they brought with them. For example, Jay Prabhu was in a dance group in India and then learned west coast swing, then blues at Firehouse 5 to combine them into a unique style.

“I first took the beginner blues class but I didn’t dance afterward. I watched for about two or three lessons till I got the hang of it,” said Prabhu, an engineering student from California State University, Sacramento. “Now, I come here regularly, it’s a needed break especially when I have a Sunday night free.”

There is also a “welcome steal dance” where newcomers are partnered with more experienced dancers who take turns cutting in on each other to welcome the first-timers.

In addition, to regular classes, there are workshops by traveling, top-level dance instructors such as tango innovators Homer and Christina Ladas or Mihai Banulescu, who teaches blues. West Coast Swing, which holds competitions, has been taught by champions such as Ben McHenry, Chuck Brown, Nick Jay, Nick King, and Shane Gomez.

“Our goal is to create a non-profit to promote tango, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, salsa, and blues at this downtown location,” Printz said.

Besides Firehouse 5, Printz also promotes dance events at other venues. The market for tango, and blues dancers overlaps a little but can be very different. By promoting partner dance in general in Sacramento, Printz found a formula that is both good for the community and makes for a livelier dance scene.

Firehouse 5 currently doesn’t offer open salsa dancing. But salsa instructor Nicole Lazo has a devoted following of grownups on Monday nights and kids (ages 6 to 16) on Wednesday evenings. Nicole Lazo is unusual among dance teachers because she started learning to teach the dance just as she was learning it herself from Fahad four years ago.

“I knew from the beginning that I wanted to teach dan ce,” said Lazo, who perfectly looks the part of the long-legged, high-heeled hot salsera – until she carries her six-month old son in a sling while she teaches.

“I was dancing right up until I gave birth,” said Lazo, smiling at her baby. “His first dance was inside me.”

Lazo’s gentle manner makes it easy for newcomers trying to learn to travel on a dance floor at salsa speed. She helps kids get over their inhibitions about dance.

“I teach kids at their own level. They are a great group.”

Jenny McDonald-Fernandez also knows how to connect with kids through body movement – and that made her a fan of Lazo. McDonald-Fernandez, who only has one arm, teaches first grade at Elliott Ranch School in Elk Grove. She started as Lazo’s student and now helps her teach.

“Dance is great for your self-esteem. It helps you become more comfortable with your body and with moving around,” McDonald-Fernandez said. “I’ve taken classes with guys but Nicole taught me how to really move like a woman.”