As my good friends in Dr. Dog would say, “Where’d All the Time Go?” Like most concert junkies out there, it’s easy to look back on 2010 and think about the concerts that I should have gone to but didn’t, for whatever reason popped up that kept me on the couch with my blankie and watching “Friends” reruns. Tight budget? Hangover? General lameness? They all showed up at one point or another. But New Year’s is always a time for reflection on the year past, for looking ahead at what’s to come, and making stupid “go to the gym more” promises that will fizzle out in a cloud of whiskey and Häagen-Dazs by mid-January. With that in mind, let’s take a look back at some of the best concerts of 201

 The world’s most popular reggae singer came to Sacramento Sunday and played a show in front of 4,000 ecstatic fans.   This, in and of itself, doesn't seem like it would be all that noteworthy.  Big stars play shows in Sacramento, if not all the time, at least semi-frequently.  I mean, John Mayer is coming to the Sleep Train Amphitheater in August, right?  And Carrie Underwood is coming to Arco in a couple of weeks.   But Matisyahu, the Jewish reggae artist whose album, "Bright Side of Life," has been at the top of Billboard’s reggae charts for six weeks, didn't play at Arco for $45 a seat, or Raley Field for 35 bucks a pop, or even Harlow's for 18 a ducat.  He played for free, on the

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than on the steps of the State Capitol.  On Sunday, May 2d, the Jewish Heritage Festival drew large crowds to experience the food, culture, and arts.  The headliner, internationally known musical performer Matisyahu, shared his blend of reggae, urban beats, and flavorful world music with the crowd that not only embraced him, but also each other, thus demonstrating how, on this day at the Capitol, music was indeed the best policy.  A variety of cultural dance performers, speakers, and even the Sacramento Kings' mascot, Slamson, were on hand.

Sure, there was a rabbi or two, kosher food and people passing out the newspaper Kabbalah Today. But Sunday's Jewish Heritage Festival seemed more like a Matisyahu concert than a festival celebrating Jewish culture. The American, Hasidic Jewish reggae artist is known for his top-40 hit "King Without a Crown," and "One Day," an official 2010 Winter Olympics Anthem. He's also known as a great live performer. It was a much larger audience than last year's festival, several thousand people lining in front of the west steps of the Capitol, with hundreds more sitting on and behind the steps. The line for a falafel sandwich was a wait of more than 30 minutes at one point. Vendors - including e

Saturday, May 1 8 a.m.-noon The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting its annual Great Strides fund-raiser. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the 3.2 mile walk starts at 9. Preregistration is encouraged, but not required. There also will be live music and a raffle. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which funds research on the disease. About 400 people are expected to attend. 4-9 p.m. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is hosting the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis walk. Registration starts at 4 p.m. and the two or three mile walk starts at 5 p.m on the west steps of the Capitol. Walkers can preregister at the walk's website. There will be a festival following the wa

(Sacramento, CA)--The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region will commemorate May as National Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting the 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival. The Festival will celebrate the centennial founding of the Kibbutz movement and Israel's 62nd anniversary. It will include an expanded kid’s zone, an eco-friendly fashion show, and an acclaimed Israeli dance troupe from Los Angeles. This event is the largest Jewish celebration in Sacramento, is open to the public and is free. "It is wonderful that so many people throughout our region attend this event and demonstrate their support for Israel,” says Skip Rosenbloom, President of the Jewish Federation, "you won't want

Why should you see The Crystal Method on a week night at Harlow's? Band member Scott Kirkland gives a modest reply: "I know the economy's bad, and it's on a Tuesday night, but it's a real big show." What speaks more than an intimate show at Harlow's is the band's longevity. According to Kirkland, "longevity," is still the band's greatest achievement. Over the last 15 years, the band has cut four albums, three remix albums and scored two No. 1 records. A platinum record and a Grammy nomination have also been bestowed on the band. Now on tour to support its latest album Divided By Night, the electronic music duo got an unexpected start in a grocery store. Ken Jordan and Kirkland met in t