Record stores have been on the decline in recent years, thanks to online downloading and piracy, but don’t tell Phono Select Records owners Dal Basi and Nich Lujan that. Loyal customers to the store would be the first to tell you otherwise, as well. Phono Select is here for the long haul. On a sunny, green spring afternoon, a customer locks his bike up outside the midtown shop and walks inside, where a few others already browse the aisles of vinyl and CDs, the shelves of cassettes and ’zines, and racks of T-shirts and other accessories. Paintings by local artists and photographs of rock ’n’ roll icons line the walls. Behind the counter, co-owners Basi and Lujan go about their work, the fo

Second Saturday on May 12 saw an increase in the number of people attending art galleries, vendor bazaars, restaurants and various other events in Sacramento. Warmer weather brought more people outdoors to experience art, music and community. One event in particular used the whole day to celebrate the addition of 2,000 square feet of studio space to the Nicholas Wray Photography Studio. Wray is a Sacramento photographer who took the opportunity to thank family and friends for their Kickstarter contributions that helped with the expansion project. An already existing 1,500 square foot studio was also converted to an artist and small business work space called Sacramento Space. The st

The April 1 concert by Celtic music group Colcannon closed the 59th season of shows presented by Sacramento Community Concert Association. Many thought the season would never take place -- some in the organization had even urged a hiatus the year before -- but not only did Season 59 come off, it was so successful that Season 60 was announced at that concert. SCCA president Elaine Myer, a former board member who assumed the presidency two years ago, was proved right when she said the organization could survive -- and thrive again -- if it faced the new economic reality of arts presentation. For all of its first half-century, SCCA was a full-season-subscription-only concert promoter. The sho

A Pop Up Boutique drew several hundred visitors to their event during May’s Second Saturday. Luxe Hair Lounge + Day Spa gathered several designers to a showcase celebration at its Midtown location. POP Boutique celebrated a grand opening for Sacramento’s first Pop Up Boutique. Invited designers included Tiana Vega Collection, Love by Janelle Cardenas, Samuel Parkinson, Nelli Rosh, Maisha Bahati and Haute Baubles. Musical guests drew many passer-bys to the event with live DJ music by Soul Puncherz. Once visitors were drawn in by the music they stayed to enjoy the designs of local talent. Luxe Salon & Spa also offered complementary consultations and provided delicious refreshments. The

The second Concerts in the Park show of this year was held amidst another record breaking attendance crowd at Cesar Chavez Plaza. Three bands performed on stage while DJ Whores was featured. Once Horseneck took the stage they gave a preview of what music would be like for the evening. Raw, energetic rock was delivered and the audience loved it. Their Facebook page states their influence as being “alcohol and other awesome sh*t” and if that was the case on Friday they showcased some amazing influence. One of my favorite Sacramento bands is Lite Brite and they were at Cesar Chavez Park once again to deliver some basic hard core rock Lite Brite are like transformers on stage. The def

It's that time of year again!                                  The time has come again!!!!! The Active 20-30 Club of Sacramento #1 is proud to announce its 44th annual Spring Party, Sactopalooza 2012. This years party is being held at a Sacramento landmark, The Sacramento Zoo, on June 16 from 5pm - 10pm. With a capacity of 2,500 party goers (21+ years old), Sactopalooza is promising to entertain with TWO top tribute bands to No Doubt and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, six bars, terrific food, mechanical bull riding, jousting, and DJ Rigatony performing on a separate dance area. - This is a Rain or Shine event and all attendee's must be 21 and over ( MUST have valid ID ) - Check in @ WILL CAL

Internet radio has been brewing since the dawn of the internet itself, but it hasn't been practical for most people until recent years. Pandora is the most popular internet radio service at the moment. What's monumental about Pandora is the Bay Area-based company now earns more revenue than any radio company. Radio still has strength during commute traffic, but the car is about to be invaded by multiple channels of internet radio. Although radio industry statistics point to 88 to 92 percent of the 12 and older population still consuming terrestrial radio (traditional AM or FM stations) on a regular basis, the amount of time people devote to the 20th century medium has dwindled the past de

The Eugene Peebles Benefit Concert supporting the Lincoln High School Music Department took place Thursday evening at the campus auditorium. Sharing the emcee duties for the evening were co-hosts Lisa Gonzales and Laura Skirde of the CBS 13 Sacramento Early News. The development of young musicians in an era of budget cuts that have curtailed the flexibility of high school music departments everywhere inspired Peebles to volunteer his time, energy and efforts to take the idea of holding a benefit concert from dream to reality. “What can I do to help?”  Peebles asked himself before coming up with the idea to host the benefit concert and donate 100% of the proceeds to the Lincoln High Scho

Habibi Hookah Lounge off Fair Oaks Boulevard brought live music and entertainment to Sacramento Thursday. Although smaller in size, the lounge offers customers a more intimate feel for entertainment as well as a great hookah selection. Though it opened five years ago, Habibi has recently taken to hosting "College Thursdays," presented by P-Crew Events. P-Crew Entertainment, a local events group who also works with nightclub The Park, were responsible for booking Starting Six. Coming out of the East Bay, these six guys write music based on what they love doing: partying and having fun. With a sound similar to The Cataracs and Tyga, their music gets everyone of out of their seats and dan

Davis residents were invited to participate in a flashmob-style dance with “Dance Dance Davis” on Wednesday evening. The event site was kept secret until the actual event took place at Davis’ Central Park. The flashmob dance was held during the Davis Farmers Market. Central Park in Davis hosts the weekly Farmers Market and Picnic in the Park every Wednesday in the spring and summer, this year from March 21 to Oct. 24. Jenny Lynn & Her Real Gone Daddies performed Wednesday for the all-ages crowd. With their brand of rockabilly and bluegrass music, they had several people dancing near the stage. “Dance Dance Davis,” is a community project presented by the UC Davis Institute for Explorati

Too often, Sacramento’s faith community has joined together only in the wake of tragic events. From the fire bombings of 1999 to hate crimes perpetrated against Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and others, we have joined hands in standing up against hatred and bigotry. This spring, however, we have an opportunity to join hands in peace and share in the wealth of cultures and communities. On May 20, the Premier Orchestra of the Sacramento Youth Symphony conducted by Maestro Michael Neumann will present two performances of a concert entitled “Shalom-Salaam-Peace: Standing on Common Ground.” The concert will include music from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, “Fiddler on the Roof” by Jerry

“We Love To Sing!” That’s the tagline and the underlying motivation of the Sacramento Women’s Chorus. This diverse group of enthusiastic women is gearing up for their spring concert, “Sing Out, Sisters!” which will be presented this Saturday, May 12—just in time for Mothers’ Day. At a recent rehearsal, the thirty women on the risers were relaxed and focused as artistic director Robin Richie ran through the concert selections, offering an occasional comment, correction, or joke. Various members of the chorus stepped forward for a solo, or to take up a drum or violin to add depth to Jane Stave-Viemeister’s piano accompaniment. One lighthearted comedy number dissolved into laughter.

You know Mom deserves a day off, so why not take her out on the town this weekend in celebration of Mother’s Day? Below are a few choices, but be sure to check out this previous article on the Sacramento Press and visit Sacramento365.com's Holiday Event section for even more options. Museum hop: Mother’s Day at the Auto Museum: California Automobile Museum, Sun 10am-6pm Take a step back in time with classic cars at the California Auto Museum. Mother's receive free admission on this day. Mother Nature Stroll: Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sun 1:30pm-3pm Celebrate the beauty of spring with a delightful guided walk through the Nature Preserve on Mother’s Day. You may want to bring your binocul

The Friday night summer concerts series returned to Cesar Chavez Plaza. Concerts in the Park returned for the first time without promoter Jerry Perry hosting the event. The music played on Friday, May 4 continues to be as entertaining as ever. Just like Fiesta en la Calle did last year this year’s CIP includes a DJ on site. DJ Shaun Slaughter supplied great music for those in attendance. Slaughter, writes and produces music under D.A.M.B., and also performed at the Sacramento Electronic Music Festival Saturday night. Concerts in the Park began on May 4 and runs every Friday until July 27. Many of last year’s bands return to the venue. Another noticeable difference this year is that

The third annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival swarmed into Harlow’s and the Momo Lounge this weekend. From Thursday to Saturday, tremendous pulsating music attracted an overwhelming crowd to Midtown. Three nights of great music brought over three dozen premier entertainers to the stages. The festival had been in the works for months, and the promoters worked feverishly to bring a great lineup of electronic artists for each evening. Co-creators Adam Saake and Clay Nutting brought together great talent to perform this year. Although Thursday night’s crowd started off small, it grew quite rapidly as the evening progressed. Doors to the venue opened at 7 p.m. and performers took

Indie music is commonly thought of as edgy hard rock off-limits to the mainstream. That's the exact stereotype that has kept its culture under the radar for so long. it's perfectly hip to go along with that notion if that's what your small circle of friends are telling you and you happen to like music that is built on aggressive electric energy. The problem is, most people don't really like hard rock. Let me say that again. Most people do not like hard rock, even though some of the top selling bands of the past two decades fit that category. But as album sales have diminished over that same timeline, the overall indie scene has grown, but not because of punk or anything hardcore. The top

Excitement is building in South Placer County in anticipation of the Eugene Peebles Benefit Concert to support the Lincoln High School Music Department this Thursday evening, May 10. Eugene “The Talking Sax” Peebles is making his mark in the Sacramento region after having relocated to Lincoln with his wife and family in 2006. Peebles is an accomplished musician who has played with some of the biggest names in Gospel music in his 30 plus years of performing music. He has traveled from coast to coast, internationally delighting audiences with his talents on the Hammond B3 Organ and with his “Talking Sax.” Peebles was raised by two hard working parents in Kinloch, Missouri, just outside o

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus delighted their audience with “Glitter”, their 27th annual spring show on Friday evening. The men delivered a generous helping of glitz and glamour from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond in their surprising new performance venue at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. Artistic Director Paul Jones, in his final season on the podium, led the men through a solid repertoire featuring the music of gay composers, and the selection meandered from the tender to the raucous to the hilariously campy. Jones will rejoin his chorus on the risers for the coming season. Opening with a medley of show tunes, from “Let Me Entertain You” to the “Broadway Ladies

photographs by Barry Wisdom / The volume wasn't the only thing turned to "11" the evening of May 4, as an off-the-dial number of revel-hungry music lovers descended on Cesar Chavez Park for the 2012 Concerts in the Park season opener. Some 6,300 men, women and children – a record for the 21-year-old free, all-ages concert series – filled the downtown Sacramento venue to celebrate the River City's unofficial summer kick-off. Local musician and erstwhile emcee Danny Secretion hosted the Downtown Sacramento Partnership-sponsored event, offering loving introductions to The Storytellers, Island of Black and White, and Arden Park Roots. The Storytellers, described on the DSP website as a

The Colonial Theatre has been home to many fun and interactive events put on by the Sacramento Horror Film Festival including shadowcast performances, film festivals and even concerts. On Friday, May 11, the Sacramento Horror Film Festival will sponsor, “The Devil’s Carnival,” a traveling musical horror film that will be playing at the Colonial Theatre. “The Devil’s Carnival” is the next project from the minds of Darren Lynn Bousman, director of several of the “Saw” films and “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” and Terrance Zdunich, co-writer of “Repo! The Genetic Opera.” “The Devil’s Carnival,” which began its tour of the U.S. on April 5, tells the tale of three types of people as they tour a c