Imagine yourself on a cold wintry night being transported back in time to a cozy, candle-lit parlor. Gentlemen play whist, ladies sip tea, and lute and flute musicians perform beloved Christmas carols. Such was the mood evoked by the Sacramento Baroque Soloists in their “Winter’s Eve” program. Over 100 patrons attended the concert held in the intimate sanctuary of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Sacramento. The Sacramento Baroque Soloists, now in its 10th year, was founded by Lisa Marie and Michael Lawson. While the group’s focus is on music from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the “Winter’s Eve” program spanned over 500 years, including works from the Middle Ages, rearranged in

Would a group called Stew and the Negro Problem be at home playing a venue like the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis? Absolutely. The intimate, lounge-like 250-person Vanderhoef Studio Theatre was the perfect setting for musician Stew and his provocatively-titled band, The Negro Problem, on Tuesday evening. The name is meant to challenge perceptions be in-your-face and humorous, which also describes the band’s music quite accurately. Announcing that his band was probably mad at him because he had no setlist, Stew guided the seated older crowd on a musical journey that was insightful, comical and just plain sounded great. The lyrically driven songs were the stars, with ea

 Heart and Sammy Hagar. Between them they have sold nearly 100 million albums, not one of which was sold to me.    I knew Heart was from Seattle, and was famous for such hits as "Barracuda," and "that one song" and "you know that other song, the one, with the singer."   Hagar, "The Red Rocker," I knew from Van Halen, of course, but I have always been more of a Metallica guy. I can honestly say that I liked the Hagar incarnation of VH more than the David Lee Roth incarnation, but that isn't really saying much.    Sammy seems like he'd be a lot of fun to hang out with. Diamond Dave seems like he'd do all your drugs then leave with your girlfriend.    Heart and Sammy "co-headlined" a