Remember when TV dinners were the norm and Swanson’s became a household name? Time travel back to the mid-century with Verge Center for the Arts' TV Dinner event this Thursday, November 8, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., where these pre-packaged meals are revitalized and transformed. The event—a brainchild of Mike Thiemann, executive chef at Ella Dining Room and Bar; Liv Moe, Executive Director of Verge; Becky Grunewald, Food Editor for Sacramento News & Review; and Ryan Donahue, editor of Edible Sacramento—will feature a three-course, sit-down meal plus dessert and art galore. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in period attire. Arrive at the start for a no-host cocktail hour before the meal, whic

Think the Halloween fun ended when the weekend did? Think again. Halloween on a Wednesday doesn’t deter the spooky fun in Sacramento. From nightlife to theatre, kids and family events to haunted houses, there’s plenty of Halloween events on the 31st. Take a look at our picks below, and see even more in Sacramento365.com’s Holiday Event section. Happy haunting! Fright-free Family Fun: Wee Halloween: Crocker Art Museum; Wed 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Celebrate the "wee" in Halloween with this fright-free alternative to trick-or-treating. Families will start by decorating treat bags before being guided in small groups through the galleries. Boo at the Zoo: Sacramento Zoo; Tues & Wed 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday will be one of the last chances to party at Townhouse Lounge, as the business is set to close around the end of the year, and The Haunted Forest event organizers are planning live DJs Shaun Slaughter and Adam J, adult trick-or-treating and a midnight costume contest. Townhouse Lounge is located at 1517 21st St. Doors open at 9 p.m., and there is a $5 cover charge.

Alt-rock godfathers and Lollapalooza festival founders Jane's Addiction brought  their "Theatre of the Escapists" Tour to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis Saturday night. Thenewno2 ("the new number two") opened. The band played a mix of songs ranging from three off of their most recent album, 2011's The Great Escape Artist, to their classic back catalog that prompted many full-throated audience sing-alongs. Their first studio album, 1988's Nothing's Shocking, was well-represented with "Mountain Song, "Ted, Just Admit It...," "Ocean Size," "Up The Beach," and with "Jane Says" played with Dave Navarro (on acoustic guitar) and bassist Chris Chaney sitting in comforta

Although Halloween may still be a bit away, Sacramento is already in the holiday spirit. This weekend spooky events abound for the young and the young-at-heart. See our selection here, and tune into Sacramento365.com’s Holiday event section for even more possibilities. Family haunts: Monster Bash: 6 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Sacramento Children’s Museum Get those costumes ready for Halloween with a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and museum play at the Sacramento Children’s Museum’s Monster Bash. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: 7 p.m. Fridays, 12 p.m., 2 p.m, and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 only, through Oct. 27 at Free Fall Stage at Victory Life Church

Swedish singer and songwriter Sofia Talvik will be spending the week in the Sacramento area. Talvik’s string of live performances began Tuesday night with a performance at the Coffee Garden in Curtis Park and will continue Friday with a stop at KDVS radio in Davis and another at ZuhG Life Store for a concert Friday night. "What defines you as an artist is that you never give up." This piece of advice was given to Talvik by her father, and she has clearly taken it fully to heart. Achieving success as an artist signifies a life of constantly working to be seen, heard and hopefully remembered. For many, this is a lifelong effort. It takes energy and courage to step out of your shell and in

Saturday night Power Balance Pavilion hosted country superstar Carrie Underwood and “The Blown Away Tour,” complete with singer and songwriter, Hunter Hayes. The tour is based around Underwood’s fourth album, “Blown Away,” released earlier this year. The mostly-female crowd was dressed and ready for a country night out in Nashville - cowboy hats and boots and all. “Is that the line to the women’s!?” I overheard one woman exclaim, “Mother of pearl!” The merrymaking and revelry was pure entertainment for all involved. Underwood won the hearts of many, waving and chatting throughout the show despite her slightly hoarse-sounding voice. She gave a shout out to “American Idol,” saying that s

Sacramento's music scene has gotten its fair share of criticism lately, but every year, when The Sacramento News & Review's Sacramento Area Music Awards (SAMMIES) rolls around, there seems to be an endless supply of local talent to showcase. This year marks the 21st year the News & Review has hosted the SAMMIES awards, which are given out to local bands and artists after a public voting period. There are 38 SAMMIES categories, ranging from Best Indie to Best Latin to Best Emcee. Artists who have received three awards are retired into the SAMMIES Hall of Fame (among the Hall of Famers this year are DJ  emcee Random Abiladeze, reggae/punk band Arden Park Roots, and jazz musician Ross Hammon

Does Midtown have an overconcentration of bars? It’s an issue that has divided readers on The Sacramento Press since we launched four years ago. Sacramento Bee Associate Editor Foon Rhee wrote about the issue on Sunday, and we’ll have him and Midtown resident George Raya on Sac Press Live Wednesday to discuss it. The video chat window will be live streamed here on Wednesday at noon:   Some longtime residents say the Midtown area is overrun with drinking establishments, and it’s destroying their quality of life. Others cite the walkability of the district – and the amount of bars and restaurants – as reasons to live nearby. When new restaurants apply for alcohol licenses, they ofte

Looking for love in all the wrong places? Might we suggest a little more browsing around your own backyard. Last Wednesday Yahoo Travel listed Sacramento among its top ten list of "unexpectedly romantic" cities across the U.S., sharing the honor with places such as MInneapolis, Little Rock, and Salt Lake City. Our town "packs a gentler romantic wallop" than say, San Francisco, it says, but we possess our own charming ways to woo, such as romance on the river aboard the Delta King. Keep up the good work, Sacramento.

Saturday, September 15, 2012 was declared Sammy Hagar Day in Roseville, California. Roseville, trying to bolster it's downtown business district and nightlife reputation took the opening of Sammy's Rockin' Island Bar & Grill and turned it into a full weekend of festivities with Sammy being presented with the key to the city and a charity concert by the Red Rocker himself. Five placer county non-profit organizations benefited from the proceeds of the events; as Sammy said "We haven't even opened the doors yet and we've already raised $40,000 for local charities." It is hoped the restaurant will be the catalyst for change in downtown Roseville, where businesses along Vernon Street seem to

As an event partner for The Sacramento Press, Sacramento365.com provides information on activities happening in the Sacramento community. This week focuses on Theatre. Even though we're into September, it's not quite fall and the weather is still warm. Consider cooling off by heading indoors to see a play! Catch them before they're gone: Red: B Street Theatre; through Sept 23 Tues & Wed 7pm; Thurs 2pm & 7pm; Fri 7pm; Sat 8pm; Sun 1pm Red is a raw and provocative portrait of Mark Rothko, master abstract expressionist, whose artistic ambition and vulnerability clash as he tries to create a definitive work for a historical mural commission in the extraordinary setting of the Four Seasons in

Whether you’ll admit it or not, you’ve probably caught yourself belting a few lines of Bohemian Rhapsody while you’re in the shower. Or, perhaps, you’re a firm believer in blasting the radio and singing along to Adele (or Gotye) in the car instead. So, why not take all that hidden talent to the many stages of Sacramento’s karaoke scene? Here are some of your options: The Distillery 7 days a week, 9 p.m. 2107 L St. This local dive is known for its affordable, strong drinks as well as its dedication to making every night a sing-along night. On its website, the Distillery said that as of January of last year, management decided to cancel booking live bands in exchange for karaoke — good ne

Everyone loves a good three-day weekend, and what better way to celebrate than in Sacramento! Enjoy a fun-filled and relaxing Labor Day weekend by checking out some of the activities and events listed below, which are sure to keep you happily busy all weekend long. Food, Music, & Art Galore! Chalk It Up! to Sacramento Festival: Fremont Park, Sat-Mon 10am-6pm Enjoy three full days of fun, family friendly outdoor activities. This event will feature live musical performances, art, and great food. 4th Annual One Love, One Heart Reggae Music Festival: Rio Ramaza Marina & Event Park, Sat-Sun 11am-Midnight; Mon 10am-2pm Experience a multicultural collection of world music, dance, and cuisine.

Friday evening over 1,200 people flooded Central Park in downtown Davis for Clips of Faith, a bike-in beer and short film festival brought to the area by New Belgium Brewing. The event was a fundraiser for Davis Bicycles! and was supported by dozens of volunteers from around the area. Patrons were able to taste over a dozen kinds of beer, including Prickly Passion Saison, featuring prickly pear and passion fruit juices; Belgo, a Belgian IPA; and Cocoa Mole, a chocolate beer with more than a hint of chili pepper. Of course, they also served their classics. Fat Tire and Shift, for instance, are generally quite popular, and were available, though many chose to try out the newbies rather tha

The Greens Hotel on Del Paso Boulevard hosted the first event of a summer series that will hopefully become a requisite Thursday evening activity for Sacramentans in-the-know. The REEL Bike-In Theater hosts an outdoor movie on the big screen every first and third Thursday through the end of October. The purpose of the event is two-fold: to give the creative minds of the city something fun to do on Thursday night and to work towards changing the stigma that has been placed upon the area of Del Paso Boulevard for so long. Indian Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was up first. The hotel complex was the perfect place to start the cool down after an ultra-hot Sacramento day, and neighborhood

For many, Memorial Day weekend evokes the start of the summer season—warm days, cool nights, and lots of outdoor fun. On the other hand, Memorial Day itself serves as a day of remembrance for those that have given their lives for our country. Sacramento events this weekend take on both those meanings, with ways to honor those that have fallen, plus plenty of outdoor festivities and summery fun. Be sure to check Sacramento365.com's Holiday Event section for even more options. Take advantage of your extra day with these weekend-long events: Festivals: 76th Annual Sacramento County Fair: Cal Expo; Thurs-Sun 10am-10pm; Mon 10am-7pm The 2012 Sacramento County Fair celebrates 76 years of fair

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

Although she’s traversed across the United States before, this Friday marks singer-songwriter Katie Herzig’s first trip to Sacramento. And, she’s looking forward to discovering a good restaurant while she’s here (we’re sure she’ll be able to do that!). Abstract Entertainment is bringing her to the Blue Lamp Lounge along with special guest, fellow singer-songwriter, Andrew Belle. Sacramento365.com was able to squeeze in a few quick questions with Katie in between her touring schedule. Check them out below, and be sure to take a listen to her music here. 1. Describe your music in 6 words or less. Dynamic, rhythmic, cinematic, intimate, honest, mysterious. 2. Who was the first artist to ge

Sacramento’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations branch out this year with Mexican music, tequila tastings, full-on fiestas, of course the requisite drinking & dancing events, and even a few options for the non-drinking crowd. In addition to the events included in this article, discover even more options in the round up below, and don’t forget to head over to Sacramento365.com's Holiday Event section to check out the whole shebang. Ay-yi-yi! Foodie focus: 5th Annual Tequila Festival: Zocalo, Thurs 6pm-9pm This year features six different tequila distilleries: Siete Leguas, Herencia Mexicana, Fortaleza, Avion, Seleccion, and Tres Agaves. Hosted by Joe Anthony, Jimmy, and Ernesto. And, for aficiona