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 of our picks, but be sure to 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’s Day Excursion Train Rides: CA State Railroad Museum, Sun 10:30am-5pm

Moms are treated extra special on Mother’s Day with complimentary decadent double fudge dipped cake pops given to all mothers who take a train ride, while supplies last.

Enjoy Sacramento outdoor activities:

Mother's Day Celebration with the River Cats: Raley Field, Sun 1:05pm

Treat Mom to a day of baseball as the River Cats continue their tradition of Mother’s Day at the ballpark. It's also Sunday Funday with a pregame autograph session and kids running the bases postgame. Also available is the Macy's Mother's Day Brunch Ticket Package which includes a senate ticket, pre-game brunch (11:30am-1:30pm), and $10 Macy’s Gift Card.

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 binoculars (or borrow some from the Center).

Feed Mom well:

C.L.A.S.S.Y. Mother Daughter Brunch: Holiday Inn Express – Elk Grove, Sat 10am-1pm

C.L.A.S.S.Y. (Captivating Ladies Acquiring Successful Standards Yearly) will be hosting their annual Mother, Daughter, Big Girl, Little Girl Brunch, offering a buffet style brunch, Mother Daughter photo, gift bag, music, dancing, and so much more!

Mother’s Day Brunch at the Hyatt: Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sun 9am-3pm

Treat your mother like a queen with made-to-order omelets, a seafood bar, a carving station, and a fantastic assortment of desserts, plus live music and, of course, a special treat for mom!

Shop ‘til you drop:

The Hen’s in the Vineyard: McConnell Estates Winery, Sat 11am-5pm

This is a fabulous event featuring local artisans and their one-of-a-kind handmade designed goods. You will find the perfect Mother's Day gift, plus be able to shop with a glass of wine in hand.

MoM’s Day Bake Sale: Sacramento Zoo, Sun 10am-3pm

Buy some delicious baked goods donated by local Sacramento bakeries and enter a raffle to win fun zoo prizes. All proceeds go to support Missing Orangutan Mothers (MOM), an organization that aids orphaned Orangutans in the wild.

Music for Mommys:

Sac’s A-List Poetry & Music Event: The Show: Florin Business Arts Complex,

Sat 7pm-9pm

This is a special Mother's Day Dedication Poetry & Music event featuring M.E. Miller, T.D. Trice, Malik Saunders, Jamie Jackson, Terry Moore, and the band LSB.

Jazz Sunday: Clint Baker: Dante Club, Sun 11:30am-5pm *Music begins at Noon

Since this Jazz Sunday takes place on Mother's Day, all moms in attendance will receive a free carnation! Socialize, dance, or just hang out and listen to some great live music at the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society’s monthly 2nd Sunday celebration. This month’s guest artist is multi-instrumentalist Clint Baker.

A Jazzy Mom’s Affair: Red Lion Hotel, Sun 5pm-8pm

This Mother's Day Jazz Celebration features Virginia Ayers-Dawson (vocals) & AyerPlay (Eric Tillman/piano, Bob Bell/bass, Jeff Minnieweather/drums, & Otis Mourning/reeds).

Sunday Circus: Mother's Day MILF Edition: MiX Downtown, Sun 8:30pm-2am

Celebrate all the beautiful mothers of the world with the Sacramento nightlife scene. DJ Gabe Xavier will be playing hip hop & dance remixes. Enjoy amazing drink specials: $3 you-call-it cocktails (up to a $10 value), $4 vodka-Redbulls, & $4 jack & cokes all night! $125 Kettle One Bottles available for VIP booths.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to get day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

This Week: Sacramento Goes Wild
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Sports & Rec: May is Bike Month Various Sacramento locations May 1-May 31 Daily, times vary All across the Sacramento region, people are bicycling! Join in on activities to promote cycling in the Sacramento region. Also, beginning May 1 you can log your bicycling miles, challenge a friend to bicycle the most, or challenge yourself to bicycle more.
		Local Marketplace: Downtown Certified Farmers' Markets May 1-Oct 31 Tues-Thurs 10am-2pm Sacramento outdoor activities pick up with this week marking the opening of seasonal Farmers' Markets at five Downtown spots: Tuesdays: Fremont Park, Roosevelt Park; Wednesdays: Cesar Chavez Park; Thursdays: Capitol Park, Capitol Mall.
		Theatre: Rx B Street Theatre Tues 6:30pm; Wed 2pm & 6:30pm; Thurs & Fri 8pm; Sat 5pm & 9pm; Sun 2pm Love, drugs, and corporate America have wild side effects in this new romantic comedy on B Street Theatre's Main Stage.
		Music: Sacramento Electronic Music Festival Harlow's & Momo Lounge May 3-May 5 Thurs-Sat 8pm-2am This is three nights of SEMF insanity that will go down in the books as the best festival yet! SEMF will be taking over both Harlow's and Momo Lounge with two floors and an outdoor area curated with live music, DJs, huge projections, mind-blowing visuals, and more. What better way to get out into Sacramento nightlife?
		Music: Friday Night Concerts in the Park Cesar Chavez Park May 4-July 27 Fridays 5pm-9pm The 21st birthday season of this free, all ages outdoor concert series is bigger & better than ever--featuring brand new genres, legacy bands, and Sactown's hottest DJs!
		Special Events: de Vere's Irish Pub Derby Day de Vere's Irish Pub May 5 Sat 9am-3pm Join in the morning for brunch and drink specials while you get ready for the best two minutes in sports! Enjoy Kentucky Classic cocktails and beer specials, a big hat contest, prizes and give aways, plus Sacramento's best and largest Bourbon collection.
		Kids & Fam: Where the Wild Kids Are Sacramento Zoo May 5 Sat 9am-4pm Come to the Sacramento Zoo for a day of art, music, and dance. Kids will be kids with interactive crafts, performances, and much more great family fun--all included with regular Zoo admission. Activities include hands-on artifacts in the Discovery Room, face painting, zoo crafts, interactive wildlife wagons, etc.
		Festivals: Sacramento Multicultural Festival William Land Park May 5-May 6 Sat & Sun 10am This event brings unity to the community with diverse fun, rides, and excitement for all the family, plus artwork, vendors, and multiple music performances.
		Special Events: Jane's Walk Various Sacramento locations May 5-May 6 Sat & Sun, times vary Jane's Walk is a series of free neighborhood walking tours that put people in touch with their environment and with each other.
		Sports & Rec: Seersucker Ride Marshall Park May 6 Sun Noon *Pre-ride breakfast 10:30am Sacramento's "Tweed Ride" is putting on its summer clothes, known as the "Seersucker Ride," a Victorian-era themed event that encourages period dress and a more relaxed style of riding.

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Sacramento is celebrating Cinco de Mayo in style, as always!

Take a look at our Holiday Events section and find out what's happening.

Sign up for our Special Features e-Newsletter

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the full scoop on holiday events, 2nd Saturday listings, and other special notices.

May's Featured Local Artist of the Month: Terry Moore

Learn about poet and spoken word artist Terry Moore in his Featured Artist Profile.

 Make It A Night!

Let Sacramento365.com make any event a whole night out with nearby eats, drinks, and sleeps. 

Learn more>

 Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

This Week: Add a Little Adventure to Your Life
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors Sacramento Theatre Company April 25-May 20 Wed 6:30pm; Thurs 12:30pm & 6:30pm; Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm Little Shop of Horrors is the hit musical by Alan Menken (composer of Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act). Watch out for the downtown florist's very unusual plant!
		Music: Celtic Woman: Believe World Tour Memorial Auditorium April 25 Wed 7:30pm Celtic Woman's brand new show, Believe, features vocalists Susan McFadden, Chloe Agnew, and Lisa Lambe alongside Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt performing a mix of classic Irish tunes, pop anthems, and inspirational songs.
		Film: Wild & Scenic Film Festival Crest Theatre April 27 Fri 5pm-10pm *Films begin 6:30pm North America's largest environmental film festival comes to Sacramento! Come see beautiful films from around the world, learn about local conservation efforts, and have the chance to win some great prizes from sponsors.
		Sacramento Nightlife: Tainted Love Harlow's April 27 Fri 10pm Tainted Love is back for the one night only! Get dressed up in your '80s best & get ready to spazz out!
		Special Events: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Capitol Mall Greens April 28 Sat 8am-1pm *Race begins 10:30am Capitol Mall will be over taken by 500 men completing a one-mile walk course wearing high heels--yes, high heels! These men join together to run, walk, & limp their way to bringing an end to violence against women & raising funds for WEAVE. Also enjoy a festival with vendors, wine & beer tent, awards ceremony, & live entertainment.
		Special Events: Curtis Park Home & Garden Tour Curtis Park April 28 Sat 10am-4pm Tour the southeastern part of the city--which boasts exquisitely preserved residences--plus enjoy a plant sale, food vendors, music, & lectures on Curtis Park's history.
		Kids & Fam: Family Fun Fest: Carnivale Fairytale Town April 28 Sat 5:30pm-8:30pm Enjoy a magical evening of live entertainment, children's crafts, carnival games, food, beer and wine, a marketplace, & much more!
		Festivals: Festival de la Familia Cal Expo April 29 Sun 10am-6pm The 21st annual multi-ethnic Festival de la Familia celebrates more than 20 Latino cultures and offers a wide range of family friendly, safe events. Experience music, dance, food, art, shopping at the open-air Mercado, and many other activities.
		Sports & Rec: Urban Bike Adventure Hot Italian April 29 Sun Noon This part bike race, part obstacle course, and part road race is a blast! The Urban Bike Adventure is a funky bike race made up of two to three-person teams that perform a series of obstacle-dodging, scavenger-hunting, and road-racing challenges.
		Local Marketplace: Indie Craft Fair Yoga Seed Collective April 29 Sun 2pm-6:30pm Local artists, crafters, and creatives are getting together for a day of selling everything from vintage clothes, vegan cupcakes, reconstructed vintage, handmade leather and cards to bath and body, hair barrettes, jewelery, purses, coin purses--the list goes on and on. Come out and support the local artist community!

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

We're launching a Special Features e-Newsletter!

Email us to sign-up for our Special Features e-Newsletter, launching in May.

Get the full scoop on holiday events, 2nd Saturday listings, and other special notices.

Streamline events with a Sac365 Calendar Widget

A Calendar Widget is a customizable, plug-in calendar of Sac365.com content for your website.

All the usefulness of a calendar without all the hassle of managing it!

For more info, email support@sacramento365.com.

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Daniel Mendoza

See Daniel's art this weekend at the Festival de la Familia!

Learn more about this talented painter & poet by reading his Featured Artist Profile.

 Make It A Night with Sacramento365.com

Learn how you can!

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Amtrak, where have you been all my life?  Seriously. 

If you have kids, you are well aware of how stressful car travel can be.  Even if you are only driving a couple of hours away, you've got to think about meals and snacks, bathroom breaks, and bringing along fun things to keep the kids occupied. And heaven forbid you get stuck in traffic, or have a flat tire.  So many issues to think about and prepare for.  Any one of these issues can make traveling with kids a nightmare.

Well, believe it or not, you can dial down travel-related stress by taking the train.  Yep, I'm talking about Amtrak.  For the first time ever, my family recently hopped on Amtrak in Sacramento for a day trip into San Francisco.  I can't believe we waited this long to do this!  It was comfortable, convenient, surprisingly easy and definitely stress-free. 

We boarded the Capitol Corridor right downtown at the Sacramento Amtrak Station next to Old Sacramento. We enjoyed a comfortable ride into Emeryville, at which point we made a quick and smooth transition to a clean and comfortable Amtrak bus, which then took us the rest of the way into the city.  Twenty minutes later the bus dropped us off right in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf.  No dodging pedestrians, circling the parking lot waiting for someone else to leave, and no parking fees. 

We spent the day learning about sharks at the Aquarium of the Bay, watching the famous Pier 39 sea lions soak in some sun, shopping (and eating) at Ghiradelli Square and enjoying the beautiful weather while playing on the beach at Aquatic Park.  After a fantastic dinner at the Fog Harbor Fish House at Pier 39, we headed back out to the Amtrak bus stop just a few steps away and boarded the bus for home.  It was all so very nice and easy.  We will definitely make this trip again and recommend that others do so as well.  Not only is it a perfect way for locals to travel to the Bay Area, but it's even more perfect for out of town visitors who don't have a car or who simply don't want to navigate the Sacramento to Bay Area traffic.

 Here's what we loved most about taking Amtrak with our kids:

1 - Freedom.  My boys, ages 8 and 11, were absolutely ecstatic about not having to wear seat belts.  They could stretch their legs, move around and even get up and walk around, whenever they wanted to.  They also loved sitting at a table where they could take out the Legos they brought (snuck into their backpacks without my knowledge) and spread them out for the duration of the ride.

2 - Restrooms.  No more making unexpected potty breaks!  It was so nice to have access to a bathroom whenever my boys needed one...especially considering all the water and soda they drank throughout the day.  Boy was I glad we didn't have to make all those stops while in the car!

3 - Meals and Snacks.  We brought our lunches with us, but it was nice to know that there was a snack car on board, just in case we got hungry on the way back. I absolutely loved having the option!

4 - Free Wifi.  Bring your laptop (ipad or iphone will do) along and your kids will be occupied for hours due to Amtrak's free wifi access for passengers.  Amtrak even has travel games for kids to play on their website at Amtrak Kids Depot.

5 - Relaxation.  We got to relax and have fun, too.  Yep, I know it's almost undeard of, but when you are letting someone else do the driving (so to speak) you don't have to worry about a traffic jam, accident, or car trouble, all of which we witnessed on the highway beside us somewhere along the way.  I have to admit that I felt just a little bit smug about being able to race on by all those "poor" people stuck on the freeway.  I just sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed spending some quality time with my family.

So, next time you are planning a vacation, whether you are going somewhere far away, or fairly close by, consider taking Amtrak.  Our Sacramento Amtrak station location can't get much more convenient.  Located just off I-5's J Street exit, with Historic Old Sacramento, Westfield's Downtown Plaza, the California State Capitol and plenty of shops, restaurants and hotels nearby, it's perfect for outbound and inbound travelers.

I'm already planning our next trip...and I think this time it will be aboard the Coast Starlight heading down to Southern California.  I hear the views are spectacular as it coasts alongside the Pacific Ocean.  I Can't wait!

This Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day—a day for appreciating and celebrating the planet we live on and meant to encourage people to give back to it—and Sacramento outdoor activities abound. Events surrounding Earth Day run the gambit from coordinated volunteer efforts to kid-centric activities to full-on festivals. Take a look at our list below for some options, and don’t forget to check our Holiday Events section for more.

Festivals for Earth

Earth Day Celebration: Cesar Chavez Park & City Hall; Thurs 9am-2pm

Come out and join for a free day of fun and interactive green education, carnival games, and great entertainment. The day includes live entertainment from Radio Disney and Magician Bill Devon with Top Class Magic, face painting, balloon artists, and more than 50 local vendors providing information and demonstrations.

Sacramento Earth Day Celebration:

Southside Park; Sun 11am-5pm

The 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration will be filled with diverse business, non-profit, cultural, and government vendors with practical information, goods, and services for saving money, living healthier, and protecting the environment. There'll also be great entertainment, activities, and cuisine!

Give a little back

Ride for Earth 2012: Practical Cycle; Sat 8:30am-Noon

For the 3rd annual Ride for Earth join Practical Cycle for the Great American River Clean Up. Participation in the Clean Up is a real contribution to the health of the Parkway and river. The ride will be leaving Practical Cycle at 8:30am, giving plenty of time to bike along the Parkway to the assigned spot at Northrop and Highway 160 by 9am.

Creek Clean Up: Miwok Park (and other sites in Elk Grove); Sat 9am-1pm

Help the Cosumnes Community Services District clean and beautify the natural landscape of Elk Grove and Laguna Creeks, protect environmental resources, and have fun! Participants will be treated to a BBQ lunch.

Adopt a Pet for Earth Day: Extra Space Storage; Sat 10am-2pm

Come in and adopt a pet for Earth Day! It's good for the planet, it's good for the pet. Join Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, the Sacramento SPCA, and Extra Space Storage for complimentary food, prizes, and fun for the whole family.

Global Youth Service Day: Midtown Clean Up: J St btwn 20th & 21st Streets; Sun 9am-Noon

Join hundreds of youth in making Midtown clean and litter free! Volunteers will remove trash and do some basic beautification projects such as removing stickers from signs/poles/newspaper stands etc. Grab your walking shoes and enjoy the sunshine (we hope) while making Midtown even more beautiful. Refreshments and lunch will be provided so stick around after to socialize with your fellow volunteers.

Nature appreciation

Guided Nature Walk: Earth Day Every Day: Effie Yeaw Nature Center; Sat 10:30am

Mother nature's gifts are all around us. Learn how we can all make a difference.

Feast for Earth

1000 Vegan Cupcakes for Charity: Embassy Suites – Riverfront Promenade;

Sun 4pm-7pm

This vegan cupcake competition is taking on global warming and raising funds for three local charities with 10 local bakers making 100 cupcakes each to themes like: Fresh n’ Local, Cupcakes Around the World, and Save the Rainforest. There will be eco-vegan raffles prizes from local businesses, the opportunity to learn about sustainable living from Policy in Motion, and a display of 1000 cupcakes from Sacramento bakeries you won’t forget!

Recycle, Reduce, & Reuse

Love Your Mother Earth Art Exhibit: Little Relics Boutique & Galleria; Mon-Sat 11am-7pm

Honor the earth and the onset of spring by viewing theLove Your Mother Earth exhibit dedicated to art that showcases creations comprised of recycled and repurposed products into textiles by featured artist Lisa Young and jewelry by owner, Susan Rabinovitz. To round out the show, Rabinovitz added much loved and admired floral and fawna paintings by Award Winning Artist Karen Dukes, Laura Pallatin, and Florence Skiadas.

Recycle + Reuse = New Fun!: Discovery Museum; Sat & Sun 12:30pm-4pm

Celebrate Earth Day with some crafting fun for the kids using great recycled materials. Bring home a project constructed out of clean, purposed items. Remember to leave time for enjoying the grounds by having a picnic or exploring the acreage, looking for flowers and wild critters.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to get day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

This Week: Be on the Hunt for Libations & Revelry
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Food & Wine: Mastermind Pub Hunt Begins from Sutter's Fort April 10 Tues 6:30pm Love treasure hunts? Love beer? Be here! Solve clues that lead you to different locations. The first team to the pub with all clues solved gets bragging rights & a round of beers!
		Music: Brokedown in Bakersfield Harlow's April 12 Thurs 7pm A collective of acclaimed West Coast artists join forces in a spirited tribute to the Bakersfield sound: California country music made raw and rocking, spiked with twang and sweetened with heartfelt harmonies.
		Music: Banjo-Rama 2012 Red Lion Hotel April 13-April 15 Fri & Sat Noon-9pm; Sun Noon-5pm Enjoy a weekend of banjo performances featuring locally, nationally, and internationally renowned artists. Come enjoy the fun and the toe-tapping music.
		Festivals: 44th Annual Bockbierfest Sacramento Turn Verein April 13-April 14 Fri 6pm-Midnight; Sat 3pm-Midnight Sacramento's version of the Bockbierfest includes lively German music by the Sacramento Turner Harmonie, Bavarian folk dancing, German food, coffee cake, and Bockbier flowing like the Sacramento River.
		Food & Wine: Wine & Chocolate: A Harmony of Tastes Beatnik Studios April 13 Fri 7:30pm Join as the finest confectioners compete with delectable chocolate desserts to benefit the Sacramento Children's Chorus.
		Theatre: Woody Guthrie's American Song West Sacramento Community Center Ongoing-April 29 Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm Come experience the words and music of one of America's greatest folk poets and champion of the common citizen. A large cast of actors, singers, and musicians bring Woody Guthrie's music to life.
		Festivals: Festival of the Arts Sacramento State April 14-April 21 Daily, times vary The revelry includes attractions during the day and evening including theatre, music performances, visual art works, performances by faculty and staff in the Library Galleries, modern dance, literature, and more.
		Dance: Fiesta Mexicana celebrating International Day of Dance John F. Kennedy High School April 14 Sat 7:30pm Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes School, the Sacramento-based Mexican folk dance group, presents Fiesta Mexicana (Mexican Fiesta). Magic and color intertwines with traditional dances and authentic regional outfits highlights the colorfulness and versatility of Mexico's national musics.
		2nd Saturday Activities: -2nd Sat Coffee Bike Tour: Broadacre Coffee, 10am -Annual Spring Flowers Show: Kennedy Gallery, 3pm-9pm -2nd Sat SCVNGR Hunt: Fremont Park, 5:30pm-8:30pm See more 2nd Sat events>
		Sports & Rec: Jackie Robinson Day with the Sacramento River Cats Raley Field April 15 Sun 1:05pm Sacramento outdoor activities are starting up as the weather brightens with springtime! In this baseball game against the Reno Aces, the River Cats honor Jackie Robinson, the Hall of Fame second baseman who broke baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Daniel Mendoza

Learn more about this talented painter & poet by reading his Featured Artist Profile.

 Make It A Night with Sacramento365.com

Learn how you can!

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

This Week: Take to Spring with Theatre & Earthly Delights
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Kids & Fam: Spring Carnival on The Boulevard Rite Aid/O'Reilly Parking Lot April 4-April 8 Wed-Sun Noon-10pm Enjoy five days of family fun during Spring Break with rides for all ages, games of chance and skill, corndogs, and cotton candy!
		Film: Thurs 'Til 9: Film Frame: Women Art Revolution Crocker Art Museum April 5 Thurs 6:30pm-8pm Judy Chicago, Miriam Schapiro, Judith Baca, & other legendary artists paint a new picture of the feminist art movement in this documentary. Feminist art pioneer & Sac State professor Vicki Hall will introduce the film and offer post-screening remarks.
		Theatre: An Evening with Groucho Crest Theatre April 5 Thurs 7:30pm This fast-paced, two-act comedy includes some of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes, and songs.
		Theatre: Talking With... Artisan Building Ongoing-April 22 Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm A snake handler, daughter, baton twirler, washed-up rodeo cowgirl, tattoed woman, and older woman in the twilight of her life talk about their experiences in the poetic language that Jane Martin is known for bringing to all her stage characters.
		Special Events: Creek Week Various Sacramento locations April 6-April 14 Dates & times vary During Creek Week young & old will enjoy, explore, learn about, & work to protect local creeks and aquatic life through a variety of activities. Take part in Sacramento outdoor activities while helping the environment!
		Festivals: Earth Fest Sacramento Zoo April 7 Sat 9am-4pm It's a party for the planet! Learn how to protect and preserve the earth with environmental, wildlife, and conservation organizations and partake in many activities. Don't forget to stop by the Recycle Rummage Sale inside the Kampala center for a great bargain.
		Special Events: Living History Easter Promenade & Spring Ball Sacramento History Museum April 7 Sat 11am & 2pm Dress up in your favorite Easter finery & celebrate in high style through the streets of Old Sac!
		Music: Come Back Spring Geery Theatre April 7 Sat 7pm-8:30pm Come Back Spring features heartwarming, intimate acoustic performances by Jeremiah Jacobs and special guests Hero's Last Mission and Autumn Sky.
		Theatre: Relapse: A Retelling of the Orpheus Myth with Shakespeare's Sonnets John Natsoulas Center for the Arts April 7-April 15 Thurs & Sat 8pm; Sun 7pm See the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble like never before! Join on a journey to the Underworld through music, movement, and sonnets. Experience how Shakespeare's poetry stimulates the human form in a sonic space.
		Music: Over the Rhine Harlow's April 8 Sun 7pm Over the Rhine's music is post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop. This husband-and-wife team celebrate their 20-year musical anniversary with a rare acoustic performance.

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Happy Easter!

Looking for activities? Check out our Holiday Events section!

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Daniel Mendoza

Learn more about this talented painter & poet by reading his Featured Artist Profile.

Have you Made It A Night yet?

Learn how you can!

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Sometimes traveling isn’t pleasant.  Gas prices, traffic jams and other factors can cause major anxiety on the way to your destination.  The trip to the destination is considered the means to an end.  Getting there could be considered the hard part.  What if the trip to the destination was part of the fun?  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent and convenient way to travel to Sacramento from the Bay Area.  There are several reasons you should consider using Amtrak and the Capitol Corridor when planning your next trip to Sacramento.

1. Convenience.  The Capitol Corridor provides direct train service to 16 stations along a 170-mile rail corridor between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose.  Dedicated bus routes extend the service to various communities in Northern California.  If you live in Northern California and want to visit great Sacramento attractions, chances are you live conveniently close to one of these stations. 
2. Location.  The Sacramento Amtrak station is located in downtown Sacramento, walking distance from several Sacramento museums, hotels, attractions, shopping and restaurants.  Old Sacramento and the famous California State Railroad Museum are two blocks away from the station.  The train will drop you off in the heart of Sacramento – get off the train and start enjoying your vacation immediately.
3. Options.  There are several different ticket options tailored to your needs.  Discounts and promotions are often available for seniors, children, disabled persons and members of select organizations.  Amtrak also routinely offers specials to all of their riders, depending on the season.  Group travelers and frequent business travelers can also be eligible for special rates and discounts.  Plus, some Sacramento hotels offer special packages for travelers of the Capitol Corridor.
4. Stay Connected.  Did you know that Amtrak now offers free WiFi to passengers?  You don’t have to miss a thing when you travel.  You can plug your electronic devices into one of several surge-protected outlets located throughout the cabins, connect to the free WiFi and conduct your business without any interruptions or expensive fees.
5. Bring Your Own Connection.  Based on availability, you can bring your bicycle with you when traveling the Capitol Corridor.  The Sacramento area has world-class biking trails, including the American River Parkway, available for all cycling enthusiasts.  Sacramento is also a bike-friendly city with an abundance of bicycle racks for storage and bicycle lanes for travel.  Bring your bicycle, and enjoy all the fun things to do in Sacramento at your own pace.

Getting to Sacramento has never been easier and more convenient.  The Capitol Corridor is an excellent way to experience Sacramento.  Click here for more information about the Capitol Corridor.  Please visit our website to learn more about Sacramento attractions, accommodations and more to help you plan your visit to the Capital City.

This Week: An Invasion of Music & Family Fun for St. Patty's
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Special Events: St. Baldrick's Day: Battle of the Pubs de Vere's Sacramento & Davis March 12 Mon 5pm-9pm Watch or participate as the community comes together to shave heads bald as a sign of solidarity with children who are fighting cancer.
		Theatre: Mamma Mia! Community Center Theater March 13-March 18 Tues-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm *Add'tl 2pm shows Thurs & Sat It's your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA's greatest hits with an enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship.
		Kids & Fam: Mommy & Me Day Raley Field March 14 Wed 10am-Noon Come out for a day with your children at Raley Field & enjoy free snacks and drinks, a special visit from your favorite mascot, Dinger, and on-field games and activities.
		Music: Radio Harlow's March 14 Wed 9pm Radio is a captivating, high-energy band that keeps a crowd on its feet with their innovative, modern approach & amazing blend of classic, fresh, & pure musical excitement.
		Music: Blake Shelton Power Balance Pavilion March 15 Thurs 7:30pm The Well Lit and Amplified Tour 2012 features reigning "Male Vocalist of the Year" and five-time CMA nominee, Blake Shelton, with special guests Justin Moore & Dia Frampton (from NBC's The Voice).
		Music: Flash Experience 2.0/Tracks for Assimilation Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento March 16 Fri 7:30pm The Electro-Acoustic Music Collective performs eclectic sounds & noise in mathematically pleasing organizations.
		Festivals: St. Patrick's Day Parade Old Sacramento March 17 Sat 1pm Colorful marchers dressed in green, along with Irish and Highland dancers, pipe & drum bands, historic re-enactors & a variety of cultural organizations, join together to be a part of the Parade!
		Special Events: Art Poetry Jazz Live at The Center Sacramento Fine Arts Center March 17 Sat 7pm The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet & Poet Laureate of Sacramento, Bob Stanley, along with eight other prominent poets, present works inspired by the art at the Annual Animal House Art Exhibit.
		Performing Arts: Blast! Three Stages - Folsom March 17-March 18 Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm & 7pm In joining the showmanship of the drum corps with the artistry of the theatre, Blast! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache.
		Museums: VW Invasion California Automobile Museum March 18 Sun 9am-3pm Come and view some of the most cutting edge Volkswagens around and enjoy delicious food, live DJ, and fun!

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Make It A Night

Learn how Sac365.com's new feature lets you easily "Make It A Night" with Eats, Drinks, & Sleeps nearby!

More info>

Celebrate St. Patty's Day this weekend

Browse our Holiday Events section and find a way to celebrate the luck o' the Irish!

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Steve Hamm

Learn about designer, artist, and artisan Steve Hamm in his Featured Artist Profile.

Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

When you "Dial M for Murder" you dial a hit. What great fun! Yes, a murder mystery can have suspense and still have laughs.

The Sacramento Theatre Company has brought back a well-made play from the 1950s, later to be a Hitchcock film, and one of his best. The big star of this evening of fun and mayhem is Matt K. Miller as an aging tennis player afraid of losing his meal ticket wife. On stage Miller looks nothing like his all-American lobby photo so it’s a surprise to see him as a charming Englishman who is so manipulative and villainous.

The overly naive wife, Mrs. Wendice, is played by Jackie Vanderbeck. Poor Jackie is stuck with the simpering, helpless female of the time, but makes the best of it. She starts the play in a white dress with small black polka dots. Oh so fifties, and the hair is in a half page boy with rolls on the sides leaving a space for a hat. The hat comes on when it is time to leave the apartment (we can overlook the lack of gloves since they are just another thing for an actor to drop). Mrs. Wendice then appears in a lavender dress with a peplum. Oh my! Yes, the peplum is back—see page 305 of InStyle, March 2012, with Jennifer Aniston on the cover. A peplum is a short ruffle from the waist over a longer skirt, originally designed to hide Barbara Stanwick’s low slung rump.

And there is Barry Hubbard as the American pulp mystery writer for television. Barry towers over Miller and looks more the athletic type filling the stage quite nicely. It’s to Miller’s credit that he “James Cagney’s it out” with the taller man.

Now we come to the sleazebag Swan. Scott Divine with his thin moustache is the ultimate slime bag. I do love these characters. It’s shades of the Kray Brothers, but poor Swan is not as successful. Swan comes on stage to sell a car not belonging to him and within minutes has seen a way to make money and a killing—the wife. Poor Mrs. Wendice—now it’s two against her: her husband and a good-for-nothing killer.

It's a super play! Everything is clear and cleverly presented. Written by Frederick Knott, the story is certainly entertaining. Director Greg Alexander is strong at keeping a pace, yet making each plot point. Bravo!

There are only "…five important motives for murder: fear, jealousy, money, revenge, and protecting someone you love." All five are represented in the various colorful cast, but you must see it to find for yourself.

Even the usually thick-headed and indifferent police see through the plot. Gary Alan Wright comes on stage full force as the Police Inspector. When we first meet him he sees the case as open and shut. Ahhhh, but later the Inspector comes back with new views of the scene. We in the audience loved it. Thank you Gary the actor—you are so Wright, I mean so right. The big laugh of the play was Officer Thompson, played by Aaron Hitchcock, when he exits with evidence on his arm. You have to see it to understand.

It was the attention to detail that really set the mood for the story. Hats off to costumer McKayla Butym for bringing back memories with appropriate period attire. Especially notable was the 1950s classic gray suit back for the trial time of Mrs. Wendice. "The Gray Suit" was best seen on Kim Novak in Vertigo, but great on stage as well. The set was lovingly designed by Mims Mattair. Red walls—so fifties—and leaves stenciled as an upper border. Perfect. So "the fashion" for these sort of "now" people. Jessica Bertine set mood after mood with well-timed lighting. So much could have gone wrong, and didn't. And there is a Sound Designer, too. William Myers was right on cue with every phone call—and it's the old rotary phone, too.

What a good time in a wonderful theatre space. I got there early, as usual, so had a super chocolate chip cookie for only $1.  Not a bad night out for the money. It’s probably even cheaper than a movie once all the over-priced snacks are added in. Maybe it's time to go back to theatre.

A final note: at long last a Hairstylist is on a theatre Board of Directors.  We know theatre is business, but theatre should also be the right hair style for a time period.  How many times have we seen 1960 and later flowing hair on a Roaring Twenties lady, or on a 1940s female? Thanks to Neil SooHoo for watching from your Board position for these humorous mistakes.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Written by Ruth Chambers, Visitor Center Concierge

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Dial M for Murder runs through March 25. Tickets are still available.

The Sacramento Theatre Company's season of "mystery, music, and mayhem" continues with Barrymore (March 28-May 6) and Little Shop of Horrors (April 25-May 20).

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to get day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Sometimes not all group activities are for everyone. Maybe whitewater rafting is a bit too daring.  Or the group is wine-tasting and you don’t drink. We all find ourselves in this type of situation from time to time. Well, have no worries. The Sacramento CVB strives to make everyone in your group enjoy their time here - even if that means planning a separate activity for an individual or small group that isn’t interested in doing the group's main activity. 

We want everyone in your group to enjoy their visit to Sacramento, even if it takes several itinerary options.  For example, if a person does not wish to participate in one of the many Sacramento recreation activities such as whitewater rafting or biking on the American River Parkway, we are happy to provide options for those group members so they do not feel left out or have to wait on the "sidelines." 

We recently had a large group in town that was scheduled for a hard-hat mine tour in the Gold Country. A couple of group members knew they wouldn’t feel comfortable in such a situation, so we helped them fill their day with other – less strenuous – activities such as shopping, visiting a museum and going on a carriage ride.

We are more than happy to make such plans for any members of your groups that, for any reason, don’t wish to participate in the main group activity.  There is a wide range of fun things to do in Sacramento. 

Contact me to learn more about what I can do to accommodate all the members of your group.

Last issue, we looked at using a convention center. This month, we look at using self-contained properties, particularly those located away from the downtown core.

The advantages of a one hotel conference are obvious, number one being that your attendees typically need only travel down an elevator and the length of a hallway to get to their meeting rooms and events. Two, if your budget is tight rates may be lower and parking is either free or lower cost because these properties aren't located in the downtown core.

One such example is Sacramento Point West Marketplace, a collection of Sacramento area hotels - Hilton, Doubletree by Hilton, Marriott, Woodlake (former Radisson) - all with substantial meeting space under their roofs, and Cal Expo, a 350-acre venue. The properties have plenty of parking available. They're located next to shopping, low to mid-price dining options and family-friendly attractions.

Furthermore, the area is a 10-minute drive to downtown Sacramento, nearby attractions and Sacramento International Airport.

Hobby, fraternal, social and similar type groups are often good fits for the all under one roof conventions. For example, Sacramento has hosted several model train groups at hotels. There's ample space to display working model train displays, retail items and hold seminars.  Plus, there are comfortable sitting areas throughout the hotel for the members to congregate and socialize.

This doesn't mean, of course, your attendees never leave the property. Fraternal and social groups often look for fun things to do in Sacramento for day trips, such as winery visits, or post convention trips to places like Yosemite.

If you're not sure what kind of meeting space you need or don't have the time and resources to research hotels, contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau for assistance. We'll find out what your needs are and help you select the right hotel. Also, we can provide convention and meeting services, such as custom microsites to help build attendance or promotional materials to round out your conference.  

Contact Sarah Atilano (satilano@cityofsacramento.org) to help you create a great conference under one roof. 

This Week: Reminisce & indulge to your heart's desire!
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Valentine's Day Evening Activities: -Valentine's Day with Vivian Lee: Harlow's, Tues 5pm -Valentine's Artist Reception: JAYJAY Gallery, Tues 5pm-7:30pm -The Sacramento Love Ball: Laughs Unlimited, Tues 7pm See more Valentine's Day events>
		Music: Storm Large Harlow's Feb 15 Wed 7pm Storm Large (of Pink Martini) is well known her vocal range and power as well as her raw, gutsy attitude, which she makes no effort to conceal on stage.
		Sacramento Nightlife: The Siren Show: Good Clean Dirty Fun Harlow's Feb 16 Thurs 9pm Celebrate Valentine's Day Siren-style with a riotous night of love & lust themed live burlesque entertainment, featuring tantalizing performances from the Sizzling Sirens. Plus, DJ Larry Rodruguez will get your body moving to the beat before and after the show!
		Special Events: Sacramento Autorama Cal Expo Feb 17-Feb 19 Fri Noon-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm This show features 450+ of the finest custom cars, hot rods, classics, motorcycles, & specialty vehicles.
		Fashion/Design: The Hooded Cape Show Bows & Arrows Feb 17 Fri 8pm This group fashion show features capes made by Sacramento's most creative and inspired designers.
		Theatre: A Midsummer Nightmare 3 Sacramento Temporary Contemporary Gallery Ongoing-Feb 25 Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 7pm Blood splash zone? Politically incorrect jokes? Spoofing the world's greatest playwright? The Alternative Arts Collective's A Midsummer Nightmare 3 has it all!
		Special Events: Black History Tour Sacramento Historic City Cemetery Feb 18 Sat 10am From runaway slaves, teachers, soldiers, & restaurant owners, to barbers who practiced a little medicine on the side, hear about the intriguing stories of local black pioneers.
		Mardi Gras Festivities: -Old Sacramento Mardi Gras: Old Sacramento, Sat 5pm-10pm -Mardi Gras Bloc Party: The Sutter District, Sat 6pm-2am -Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball: Marilyn's on K, Sat 9:30pm See more Mardi Gras events>
		Music: Zappa Plays Zappa Crest Theatre Feb 18 Sat 7:30pm Led by Dweezil Zappa, the eldest son of the late American composer and musician Frank Zappa, Zappa Plays Zappa is a tribute band devoted to performing the music of Frank Zappa.
		Special Events: Sacramento Living Library: Ed Carroll Time Tested Books Feb 19 Sun 7pm In honor of the upcoming Sacramento Beer Week Beer Historian Ed Carroll, author of Sacramento's Breweries, will discuss the region's rich brewing heritage.

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Black History Month

Join in the celebration!

Check out Black History Month events in Sacramento here.

February's Featured Local Artist of the Month: Kristin Hartman

Learn about oil painter Kristin Hartman in her Featured Artist Profile.

 Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Looking for a special way to turn your Valentine's Day into a memorable holiday? There are myriad options in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section, but here are a few highlights for the upcoming weekend:

For the foodie (Fri & Sat 6pm): Let GrubCrawl USA's Pre-Valentine's Sexy Singles Mingle & Consensual Couples Crawl take you on a taste-tastic tour of Sacramento's finest dining spots. Whether you're single or paired up, there's a spot for you—Fri is aimed toward singles & Sat to couples (so, presumably, if you find someone on Fri you can make a return tour on Sat!).

For the single lady (Fri 9pm): Stroll Now 100.5’s Mile of Men at The Park Ultra Lounge and take your pick from the area's most eligible bachelors. Stay to participate in Sacramento nightlife at the afterparty and get your photo snapped in the photobooth manned by Nicholas Wray.

For the sporty sort (Sat 7am): Rise & shine Saturday morning and get your jog on at Race for Justice: 9th Annual Valentine Run, which begins from Country Club Plaza. This fun run has a kids' race component, plus a costume contest for dogs & humans alike!

For the musical type (Sat 10pm): Make your way to Vega's Nightclub & Sports Bar this Saturday night for Valentine's Heartbreak Hotel. Not only you will you enjoy live music by Barrel Fever and the Fortunite Few, you'll also get to see a live burlesque show and participate in a free pin-up photoshoot by Bad Bones Photography.

For the animal lover (Sun 10am-4pm): Head over to the Sacramento Zoo Sunday afternoon for I Heart Sacramento Zoo and watch the animals receive their Valentines, plus participate in informative talks and peruse activity tables.

For the anti-Valentine (Sun 7:30pm): Movies on a Big Screen notes that around Valentine's Day, they like to screen "some kind of movie that might make your date a little uncomfortable with your idea of romance." This Sunday evening, they feature the 1923 silent classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which, they claim, is a romantic movie (if you remove all of the violence, murder, mayhem, and obsession, that is).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written by Sacramento365.com Assistant Editor, Alison Kranz

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to get day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Esteemed auctioneer David Sobon will auction off “heart-works” donated donated by over 24 local artists, including Raphael Delgado, Shane Grammer, and Micah Crandall-Bear. Live music will be provided throughout the evening by Clemón.

Tickets are only $30 in advance ($40 at the door) and are still available. All proceeds go to support Any Given Child.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written by Sacramento365.com Assistant Editor, Alison Kranz

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are always lots of things to do in Sacramento California. Find these events and many more on Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Do you have an event coming up? Make sure it's on Sacramento365.com, the Sacramento Calendar of Events.

Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to get day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our Hometown Tourists visited Sutter's Fort on their most recent excursion.  The following blog includes two accounts by Janet Lewis and Carol Dabrowiak, detailing their visit to this Sacramento attraction.

Janet Lewis

Where can you time travel back more than 160 years without leaving town?  Maybe you know of a few places already.  But, how many times have you passed by the distinctive white walls spanning the blocks 26th-28th-K-L Streets in Sacramento without stopping and going in?  Well, you should re-discover Sutter’s Fort!

Cindy, Carol, and I did exactly that by visiting Sutter’s Fort one recent Thursday morning.  We arrived at the opening time of 10 a.m. in order to avoid August afternoon heat.

“When you walk through the gate of Sutter’s Fort you will be taking a step back in time and watching history unfold before you as the past is recreated...”  This key phrase is from the informational brochure each visitor receives upon entry along with a map of the Fort.  Sutter’s Fort also features an audio self-tour, which activated simply by leaning into each display room. 

For instance, in the cooperage I learned that for either dry or wet goods, it is easier to roll a barrel than pick up a box.  Hmmm, never really thought about that before, but it makes sense!  Then in the bakery, we heard that the residents of Sutter’s Fort ate mostly beef and bread (and vegetables when they could get them); and coffee was so scarce that they ground and roasted acorns to brew up instead! 

Fascinating as these auditory historical vignettes may be, the days at Sutter’s Fort when the costumed docent historical re-enactors are in attendance bring history to life even more!

Some highlights of our time travel excursion at this unique Sacramento museum included:

• The Pioneer Woman at a wagon in the shade of a tree told us about the journey west in a wagon pulled by yoked oxen.  She also played the hoop and sticks game called “Graces” with me and took it in good grace when I put the hoop up in the tree! 
  
• The Vaquero making tooled leather decorations explained how the Californio’s tradition of decorative arts differed from the Yankee-Puritan’s concept of plainness in all things, while the fur trapper, Sam, fashioned a leather strap to mend his suspenders. 
  
• Adrien explained and demonstrated the loading and firing of a French musket of the type used “back in the day” at Sutter’s Fort.  There is quite a story related to how the French muskets got there, but you will have to visit Sutter’s Fort to hear it!  Adrien also related the origins of several phrases used to this day, such as “flash in the pan” while showing how to load and fire the musket.  It went off with a satisfying loud noise and puff of gunpowder smoke!
  
• The Trade Store (where I bought a souvenir chunk of iron pyrite aka “fools gold”) offers an uncommonly good selection of books -- some about the historical period and some that are replicas of books actually in use during the 1840’s and 1850’s; such as George Washington’s Rules For Courtesy And Deportment; it could fit in anyone’s pocket and be useful even today.   The Trade Store also features various high quality toys, games, and craft kits that would be just as much fun for kids of all ages now as in the olden days.

After circling the fort with the audio tour and interacting with the costume docents, it was an actual surprise to come down the stairs from John A. Sutter’s office and see the modern skyline over the white adobe walls of the Fort!  In my imagination, it had been 1850 until that very moment! 

Then, capping off our tour at noon, we witnessed the cannon firing.  Wow!  It gave off even more loud noise and smoke, along with the fun of yelling out “fire in the hole!” to warn unsuspecting 21st Century passers-by outside the Fort’s adobe walls.

Fast-forward as Carol, Cindy, and I walked two blocks and almost two centuries into the present and enjoyed lunch at Centro restaurant, where we saw people at business lunches with laptop computers up on their table!  What a lot of changes have taken place since Sutter’s day.  We are very fortunate to have the Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park right here in the middle of downtown Sacramento, where we can get a glimpse of what it might have been like in the historical past and then enjoy some great downtown Sacramento dining!  My friends and I had a great time there.

Carol Dabrowiak

How many museums have you visited recently that fire off a replica of a pre-Civil War cannon during your tour?  That is one of the things that make Sutter's Fort a truly unique experience. 

It was a beautiful morning in Sacramento when my friends and I toured Sutter's Fort.  I felt like I was visiting the past nestled in the architecture of the future.  Walking into the Fort takes you back to the 1840s, before California was a state and it needed an adobe fort with cannons to defend it from enemy attacks.  But when you look back out to the horizon and you see high rise buildings and construction cranes lifting us into the twenty first century, the contrast is striking and a little jarring.

John Sutter built this fort as a way station for settlers who were heading west.  They needed temporary shelter and supplies to continue their journeys.  He befriended the travelers and provided them with lodging.  He even sent his workers to Tahoe to rescue the 47 survivors of the Donner Party.  He was California's first humanitarian.

A tour of Sutter's Fort is an interactive experience.   Docents in period costumes perform tasks that the settlers to Sacramento Valley would have performed.  A young man demonstrated how to load and fire a musket.  And he let the children hold the weapon after he fired it so they could feel the weight of it.  A woman in a long muslin dress and sun bonnet explained how families risked their lives to travel across the plains to get to California. 

A replica of the covered wagon they rode in is displayed at the fort.  The interior is about the size and shape of a pup tent, and the journey took about 4 months.  They frequently got lost or ran out of provisions. How did families survive such an experience?   I remember car trips with my siblings when we could barely be together for two hours before someone's life was at risk. 

The docent also had examples of toys and games that the children played.  These games consisted of wooden hoops and sticks and strings and involved throwing and catching -encouraging being outside.  She also played the games with the audience members.  No AA batteries needed here.  The blacksmith had children help him pump the giant bellows to fire up the coals and heat the steel rods.  He also let us examine the different tools the settlers made.

John Sutter is mostly remembered for the discovery of gold.  But gold was not discovered at Sutter's Fort.  It was discovered at Sutter's Sawmill about 50 miles east of the fort on the American River.  And it wasn't John Sutter who discovered it, but his employee, James Marshall.  After gold was discovered there was a "rush" of thousands of people coming to California to make their fortune.  Sadly, John Sutter didn't profit from it nor did James Marshall. 

There are lots of things happening at Sutter's Fort.  The docents were interesting and quirky.  They made sure everyone was gathered together for the highlight of the day.  They made us all yell "fire in the hole!" before they shoot off a large cannon that produces fire and smoke and shakes the ground.  Very Impressive!  Sutter's Fort is a fun place to visit and a fun thing to do in Sacramento.

This Week: Charm Yourself with Extraordinary Events
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Theatre: Aliens with Extraordinary Skills B Street Theatre Ongoing-Feb 26 Tues 6:30pm; Wed 2pm & 6:30pm; Thurs & Fri 8pm; Sat 5pm & 9pm; Sun 2pm Based on true tales of immigration, this play explores the idea that we are all "aliens" in search for love, understanding, & a home.
		Film: Thurs 'Til 9: Film Frame: A Place Called Sacramento Crocker Art Museum Feb 2 Thurs 6:30pm Celebrate the 10 original, local short films that premiered at last Oct's Film Festival.
		Dance: Open Sky Benvenuti Performing Arts Center Feb 3-Feb 4 Fri & Sat 7pm Along with the usual showcase of tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and contemporary pieces, this production features a tribute to 9/11 choreographed by Jill Strippling.
		Special Events: Paula Deen Live Community Center Theater Feb 3 Fri 7pm Successful restaurateur, best-selling cookbook author, Food Network superstar, and multi-media personality Paula Deen comes to Sacramento for one night only!
		Sacramento Nightlife: Sacramento Valentine's/ Unvalentine's Party for Singles Hilton Hotel Arden West Feb 3 Fri 8pm-Midnight Enjoy DJ dancing, games, complimentary snacks, quality singles, & much more. Couples welcome too!
		Museums: Sacramento Museum Day 28 participating Museums Feb 4 Sat 10am-5pm This popular & fun cultural tradition encourages the community to experience the area's incredible wealth of art, history, science & wildlife--at little or no cost.
		Festivals: Sacramento VegFest Artisan Building Feb 4 Sat 11am-4pm Celebration raw, vegan, & vegetarian cuisines with exhibits, tastings, recipes, vendors, speakers, and more.
		Music: This Charming Band Blue Lamp Feb 4 Sat 9pm This Charming Band strives to make each show a celebration of unity in the love and appreciation of the music of The Smiths.
		Kids & Fam: Dino-Volcano Mobile Discovery Museum Feb 5 Sun 12:30pm-4pm Remember your day of exploring rocks, fossils, crystals, & dinosaurs in the Blast from the Past! exhibit by making a Dino-Volcano mobile.
		Sports & Rec: Super Bowl Party Arden Hills - Mangos Lounge Feb 5 Sun 3pm Complete with two big screen TVs, raffle prizes, drink specials & finger food favorites, you and your friends will enjoy the big end-of-season match-up in comfort and style.

 
Sacramento365.com News

Join Sac365 on Twitter & Facebook to get the day-to-day scoop on Sacramento's happenings.

Forbidden Broadway debuts at Cosmopolitan Cabaret

 Read Sacramento365.com's review!

Sneak Preview! February's Featured Local Artist of the Month: Kristin Hartman

Learn about oil painter Kristin Hartman in her Featured Artist Profile.

 Want the chance for more discounts or free tickets to shows?

Sacramento365.com does regular ticket giveaways on our Facebook fan page. Become a fan to be notified of deals, discounts, and the chance to win free tickets to events!