Recently I learned that a well known park in Sacramento called Goethe Park changed its name to River Bend Park. When I asked several different people who know the area what happened I was given several answers. After I did my own research I found a more shocking answer than anything anyone had told me. But the good news is that the name change resolved the issue to the degree that local parks should not be named after people, no matter how wealthy, who were associated with genocide. When you Google search "Charles Goethe" the first link that comes up is Wikipedia, with a listing that begins "Charles Goethe (1875-1966) was an American eugenicist." Eugenics was once a growing science in th

Sacramento has a deep concert history that spawns many memories. But when I decided to Google search local concert history, I was frustrated that I didn't find the information I was looking for. While it's easy to check upcoming shows, it's difficult to look up shows from the past, unless they happened to be uploaded to YouTube. There is a sense that shows come and go then are forgotten, at least from an internet research perspective. I decided to preserve the history of Sacramento concerts, so I created a special section for listing Northern California shows of the past for my websites SacTV.com and PlaylistResearch.com.  The reason I am suddenly fascinated with concert history is that t

photographs by Barry Wisdom /   Late-comers to the Baby Boomer party, the ones who first embraced American punk/New Wave frontrunners Blondie and Devo more than 30 years ago, proved it was not too late to whip it – whip it good – as they came together Friday night to celebrate the still-rockin' rapture of Debbie Harry's voice, and the industrial performance art of Devo founding sibs Mark and Bob Motersbaugh and Gerald and Bob Casale. But the atypical teaming of Blondie and Devo, who have been co-headlining their "Whip It To Shreds" tour since Sept. 7 (it's set to end Sept. 26 in Chicago), was only the second oddest pairing of the night, with the very venue hosting the three-hour show

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 pattern

As the month of July comes to a close, so does the 21st season of the Friday Night Concerts in the Park. The city’s longest-running, outdoor music festival will come to a close on July 27th. The final concert will be headlined by local favorites The Brodys, who will bring their retro-pop sound to Cesar Chavez Plaza in their 15th Concerts in the Park appearance. Opening for The Brodys are local bands WRING and Hero's Last Mission. The free, all-ages concerts will take place 5 pm to 9 pm this Friday night. “It’s been an amazing Concerts in the Park season,” said Annie Stuckert, DSP Senior Manager of Event Operations and Development, “We entered our 21st year with record attendance, hugely p

On Saturday evening, Old Ironsides hosted a lineup that included Lauren Wakefield, who also plays with The Solicitors, and multi-SAMMIE award winner Crazy Ballhead, but it was The Tipsy Hustlers’ debut that I had come to see and, even though this was their first public performance since forming less than four months ago, they rocked the house with their unique blend of rock, soul, funk and a little bit of rap. They shook out any nerves they may have had with their first number, “Remember The Good Times,” lead singer and songwriter Ken Rudulph’s look back at his first big band, Mama’s Gravy, and the times they had in local places like Old Ironsides. The song had a sweet rockin’ rhythm and

It’s been eight long years. Eight long years to find the right people and pursue one's dreams again. You see, when Mama’s Gravy, long-time Sacramento funk-rock-soul-rap band broke up eight long years ago, everybody scattered. The boys in the band went their separate ways. For two of the original guys in the band, a second chance, eight long years in the making, is right around the corner. On Saturday, June 23 at Old Ironsides in Downtown Sacramento, those two former bandmates will hook up again on stage. Ken Rudulph (lead singer) and John Mullick IV (bass) will be joined this time by guitarist Xavier Altimiras Lupon and drummer John Linn to form a new band called The Tipsy Hustlers. T

On Memorial Day, KVIE/PBS will launch Front Row Center, a new concert series produced to give the live music fan an incredible, “like I'm there” experience. Front Row Center comes from the producers of the critically acclaimed PBS music series Soundstage. Filmed in front of a live audience at venues including, New York’s historic St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn and the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, this concert series delivers top-notch performances from some of the biggest names in music including, The Beach Boys, who reunite to celebrate their 50th anniversary; Train; Phil Collins; The Secret Sisters featuring T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello and Jakob Dylan; Colbie Caillat; Moby; Cheap

When Lily Colby turned 18, she had nowhere else to go. Her foster parents gave her fair warning that she will be on her own. If she did not find a way to survive, she would be homeless. The same fate would have faced her brother, David Colby at 18, but his saving grace was new state legislation AB12, California’s Fostering connections to Success Act, a promise to extend support services to foster youth until the age of 19 in 2012, then to age 20 in 2013. But, a last minute amendment to the original proposal changed the logistics. In an effort to save money when AB12 was passed, legislators phased in the extension of care. With realignment shifting the power from state to counties, 2,16

Sacramento dusted off its cowboy boots and daisy dukes again last night for Lady Antebellum’s “Own the Night” tour. It was a country trifecta at Power Balance with country scene newbies Thompson Square and seasoned star Darius Rucker opening for the award-winning country pop trio. Clad in his signature t-shirt and baseball hat (later tossed to a lucky fan), the Hootie and the Blowfish lead vocalist riled up the crowd with a mix of his current solo sensations and throwback jams from his Hootie days. Rucker took fans back in time with Hootie Classics “I Only Wanna Be With You” and “Hold My Hand" and even further with a nod to Hank Williams Jr., covering his drinking (and smoking) anthem “

A group of college friends conceived of an idea based on a passion: produce concerts that give back to the community. Formed in 1999, Concerts 4 Charity (C4C) obtained official 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2002, and has since expanded from its humble beginnings in Worcester, Massachusetts to several locations across the country, following the initial founders as they dispersed after graduating. Along with Worcester, chapters are now present in Portland, Maine; Ashland, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Chapter, run by founding member Clay Nutting, focuses on causes he is devoted to: music, arts education, and supporting the local music community.

Country crooners Blake Shelton and opening act Justin Moore charmed Sacramento during Shelton’s “Well Lit & Amplified Tour” Thursday night at Power Balance Pavilion. Referencing the sea of cowboy hats and daisy dukes, Moore riled up the female fans in the audience by noticing, “there are more country girls here than anywhere in the world!” Red Solo cup in hand, he called Sacramento “the best keep secret ever” and went on to perform a 10-song set chock full of cheeky lyrics. The raucous audience raised their beers in appreciation of Moore’s saucy hits like, “If You Don’t Like My Twang,” “Bait a Hook” and “I Could Kick Your Ass,” which he dedicated to all the “rednecks” in California. Mo

Sacramento's ever popular dance band HIP SERVICE returns to Harlows for a night of dancing and soulful surprises. Nationally recognized as "Best Dance Band in America," the 14 piece HIP SERVICE collective promises to deliver a memorable night of funky dance grooves. "There ain't no party like a Hip Service party!" We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Guest host for the evening is the beloved Sacramento radio personality Lee Perkins, hosting a benefit show for Soles 4 Souls. Bring an extra pair of shoes for donation, wear your most comfortable dancing pair and we'll see you on the dance floor. Usually a sell out, so buy yours in advance. Saturday, March 31 10 pm Ages 21+ Harlow's

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 elec

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

The Rock Allegiance Tour will blow out Power Balance Pavilion this Sunday at 5 p.m. The early kickoff time is necessary to accommodate the packed lineup. Papa Roach and Buckcherry headline the lucky list of seven bands that includes Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade and Drive A. I talked with singer/songwriter, Jacoby Shaddix, the founder, and only remaining original member of Papa Roach about the tour, and what’s happening with the band. Jacoby Shaddix, the founder and only remaining original member of Papa Roach, grew up in Vacaville, where the band graduated high school together before relocating to Sacramento. He says the Rock Allegiance appearance will be the last opportunity f

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

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

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 caf

The Incredible Machine Tour, featuring Sugarland paired with one of several other artists, has already been tried and tested. Earlier this month, the band witnessed a tragic accident at the Indiana State Fair when high winds knocked down portions of the stage, killing six and injuring many others. After almost a week off, Sugarland members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush turned back to their music for comfort. According to the Associated Press, their show in Albuquerque, the first since the accident, was a somber affair. The group devoted a minute of silence to those lost and injured. At present, the Raley Field pairing with Sara Bareilles is scheduled to go on, though saddened fans a