Sacramento Conventions

May 2 marked the return of Wednesday certified farmers markets and 'Follow the Chef' tours to downtown Sacramento, namely Cesar Chavez Plaza, the park that faces Grange and The Citizen Hotel. 

Since Chef Oliver only unpacked his knives and settled into Grange in November, he introduced himself in a casual California way that betrayed his Sussex [read: British] accent. However he restrained his gestures (arms) as he described how much he loves the restaurant's proximity to the growers. Trust your chef when he tells you that he and executive sous chef, Brad Cecchi, were there much earlier. The early bird catches the worm!

As we casually walked between booths, Chef Oliver entertained questions about seasonal crops, cooking and pairing foods, and his personal relationships with local farmers. (Some growers won't even sell you certain harvests because they've set them aside for specific chefs!) As we stopped at certain canopies, we were given helpful pointers: how to spot fresh asparagus, how to cook fava beans [or broad beans] and how to encourage children to eat healthy foods. Who knew dried apples and marshmallows are so similar?! Despite the dry winter in Sacramento, Chef Oliver notes 'pockets of abundance' in the region keep his creative menus thriving.

The tour also highlights the people who bring such fresh ingredients to market. All that charisma is definitely missing from the supermarket aisle. Near the corner of 10th & I streets, Beatriz typically brings the best melons and squash. Closer to 9th & I streets, Ryan of Bogdanich Farms features naturally sweet snacks from dried fruits to jams that pair well with goat cheese -- or grilled steaks. He knows his regulars, but is ready to help anybody entertain hungry guests. My favorite was Dr. Charles French, who retired from family medicine in East Sacramento to produce Tehama Blend Olive Oil. No special orders needed from your primary care physician to see this heart health specialist!

Good thing we received a reusable grocery bag at the outset. It helped me bring home some juicy red strawberries and green sugar snap peas. I'm imagining salad and grilled chicken paired with a viognier. 

As the tour continued, I had the pleasure of meeting  various Sacramento community members and visitors: from a food literacy advocate to a women's online magazine editor, from a California legislative lobbyist to a Illinois resident on vacation. 

We knew the tour had ended when Natalie oh so tactfully asked, 'When do we get to eat?' That was kind of her to mask the growling sounds from my tummy! 

Part 2 of our farm-to-fork adventure was waiting for us back at the  restaurant... Ready for the conclusion of our Park-to-Plate narrative?

Are you meeting planner who's already picturing 'Follow the Chef' as a team building activity, incentive, or networking event for your conference? Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to ask us how to make the most of your downtown Sacramento dining partners.

Last year, the Sacramento's very own Nick on the Town (second from right) raised awareness about social issues like domestic abuse that affect our neighbors in the capital community. Local hospitality partners -- Chef Patrick Mulvaney and downtown real estate developers -- weren't shy. In fact, they recruited more friends to increase more awareness and funds to help WEAVE Inc.: Women Empowered Against Violent Environments, formerly Women Escaping A Violent Environment.

This past weekend, Hell on Heels 2 even won an award to further advance education to end sexual assault. It raised the most funds as a non-corporate team. Moreover, it featured more SCVB staffers than ever: Jeff and Matt (third and fourth left), and team leader Nick (fifth from right).

The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can help out-of-town visitors give back to the  community. Local service projects and fun runs build camaraderie among conference attendees, and create a unique memory of the host city. If you are a meeting planner who is interested in voluntourism, visit discovergold.org to learn more.

Are you ready for experiences that connect you with the essence of Sacramento and its people?

When you're traveling, sometimes it is comforting to stop into a Starbucks and get a "tall half-skinny half-one- percent extra hot split quad shot (two shots decaf, two shots regular) latte with whip" that tastes exactly like it does at home.

But it's not authentic.

Unlike bigger cities, Sacramento has an ideal size. There are no tourist-only areas where residents avoid. In fact, locals and tourists can enjoy a pretty similar quality of life. Meet some people in our neighborhood whose lives create lasting memories when you visit us:

THE COFFEE ROASTER, Jason Griest
In 2006 after opening another mainstay on the capital's coffeehouse circuit, Jason Griest and artisanal baker, Tim Jordan, started a wholesale coffee bean roasting business. Old Soul Co. sources green beans from small estates and fincas, then lightly roasts them in a 12-pound roaster.

"My favorite days are roasting days because it smells so great in there," hinted Diana, a regular patron.

"You can actually watch bakers put high-grade crack into those addictive ham and cheese croissants," remarked another patron, Richard.

Located only blocks from the Sacramento Convention Center and downtown hotels, the warehouse-cafe (and de facto community center) has even fueled real estate development with alley in-fill projects.

After opening two more coffee-inspired community centers, including one with beer and wine options, founders and fans petitioned to bring soul to the new terminal at Sacramento International Airport. After all, there's a very comforting feeling in enjoying a cup of coffee just before leaving on a trip (or coming home from one).

Throughout the Spring, I'll introduce you to more neighbors who shape experiential travel and tourism in Sacramento. Sign up to get the latest issue of our complimentary SCVB visitor guide.

The Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau has the privilege of hosting meeting planning professionals and conference delegates from throughout the United States. Shortly after their flight arrives and luggage claimed, one of the most common requests we've received from out of state visitors is 'Where is the nearest In-N-Out?'

In-N-Out (2900 Del Paso Road, Sacramento, Calif. 95834 // 1-800-786-1000 // www.in-n-out.com ) is only 10 minutes from the Sacramento International Airport, en route to dowtown and Sacramento meeting facilities. It's typically open from 10:30 AM to 1 AM.

This California institution has a cult following because it quickly serves up high-quality burgers, fries, and shakes from a streamlined menu... as well as a not-so-secret menu of variations like 'animal style' or '4x4'. Look for the marquis and signature crossed palm trees.

The second most common request is 'Where is See's Candies?'

It's 10 minutes from In-N-Out! Located in downtown Sacramento, See's Candies (1009 L Street, Sacramento, Calif. 95814 // 916-443-4497 // www.sees.com) faces the California State Capitol, which is only a block from the Sacramento Convention Center and downtown hotels.  

This California original has its own devotees as well. In fact, the company was one of Warren Buffett's earliest purchases! Our East Coast and international visitors are very fond of the chocolates, peanut brittle, and other candies. They often buy them by the pound to take home for gifts -- or for themselves! And locals are almost guaranteed to receive See's from family, friends, even business partners during year-end holidays.

Got a California exclusive you want to check out during your stay in the capital, Sacramento? Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to ask us.

There are some new and exciting developments in the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau “Goldology” program.  "Goldology" is defined as “a study of finding student-friendly treasure in Sacramento, especially with reference to performance venues, educational growth and historic significance.”  We have been working hard to create some new student-friendly events and collateral materials for your groups.
 

• Student Activity Book.  Please contact me if you would like a sample of our brand-new Sacramento Student Activity Book.  The book includes a detailed Gold Rush history, crossword puzzle, word find and more.  Students are encouraged to tell us their favorite thing they learned while they were in Sacramento.  We will provide prizes for the best answers!  For your group to be eligible to receive the Student Activity Book, a one-night minimum stay in a Sacramento hotel is required.

• California Capital Vocal Jazz & Show Choir Festival.  This event was held over two days in March at the Woodlake Hotel in Sacramento.  Nine schools and 15 choirs participated in the event that featured two days of competition, a karaoke dance, an option to see “Mamma Mia!” at a discounted rate at the Community Center Theatre, and an awards ceremony.  We plan for this event to grow exponentially each year, so contact us to learn more about your group performing in this event next year.  We are already in the process of planning the 2013 festival, so be on the lookout for more information.

• Performance Venues.  Speaking of performance groups, we know that you have several groups that may be interested in performing in venues throughout the city.  The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can arrange this for you. Click here for a pdf of student-friendly performance venues.  I would be thrilled to arrange one of these venues for one of your performance groups.

Choose the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau for all your Sacramento student and youth travel and itinerary needs.  Sacramento offers a variety of educational experiences from history and government to environmental to agricultural.  The Capital City is also an ideal destination for performance groups as there are numerous performing venues in and around the city.  We're safe, affordable and above all, student and youth friendly!  You may visit our Goldology webpage at www.discovergold.org/students.  Please feel free to contact me with any of your student travel needs. 
 

Do you depend on booster clubs, parents and fans when it comes to the success of your team -- on and off the home field or home court? Could you use a reliable boost of support to help you plan and execute a well-run tournament?

It's no surprise that tournament directors and competition organizers recruit the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist with their volunteer-run events. Here are 3 reasons we can help you plan a successful tournament:

• Athletes and their families always rank #1.

We work hard off the field, so you can focus and do your best when game time matters. During the free time, athletes and their guests remain our first priority. Ask us how we can enhance their visitor experience.

From personal greetings at Sacramento International Airport and welcome signs at contracted hotels, our tournament services include exclusive discounts at premium shopping malls in addition to brochures and visitor guides.

• Put us in the game, Coach. We know venues, hotels, and more.

We have working relationships with a range of world-class venues from Lake Natoma to impressive facilities like Memorial Auditorium; affordable hotels; restaurants; shopping; and entertainment -- all conveniently located within close proximity. We'll even arrange transportation if you need it!

Furthermore, Sacramento has hosted an array of sports -- from USA Club Soccer to U.S. Fencing, high school wrestling to cross country, NCAA Division I volleyball to USA Track & Field Olympic team trials, and more. We bring the gold standard of professionalism to all levels of competition.  

• Promote your event with a customized web site.

You tell us the details. We listen, and then build your microsite -- so you can get back to the game! Access the site via smartphone for info on the go. It's faster & less costly than an app. Give 'em travel related info. when they want it.

By the way, housing is only a quick click away! Athletes and guests easily can book hotel rooms from a list that you choose to work with.

Before we forget to mention, we've got sunny weather -- without humidity. Athletes love our restaurants, many of which serve fruits, vegetables, even rice that's grown locally. Most of all, they enjoy the enthusiasm of our neighbors who gather to cheer on aspiring athletes. 

Contact Director of Sports Development, Brad Hillard, CSEE (bhillard@cityofsacramento.org) to talk about the needs of your tournament.

Have teens who want to avoid family vacations like the plague? Maybe they'll change their minds after hearing about downtown Sacramento tourist attractions that cater to them... and parents won't have to hear complaints!

Sports and Fitness
Cruise the capital in style. See the City of Trees from the seat of a bicycle. Family-owned Practical Cycle (916.706.0077) rents bikes made in the USA. Guided or self-guided tours get your teen exercising! Fast Eddie (916.812.2712) only offers guided tours; pricing includes bike rental.

Shock your X Games fan when you tell him or her to pack a helmet because the skate park at Sutter's Landing (916.808.5611) is on the itinerary. All sessions are supervised. Skateboarders, scooters and (inline) skaters are invited. The indoor street course features a bowl, quarter pipes, fun boxes, and grind rails -- can you picture it? Pro skaters Matt Pailes, Matt Rodriguez, and Omar Salazar are familiar faces.

When the sun goes down, student specials on glow-bowling appear at Capitol Bowl (916.371.4200). Remodeled. The 1950-era bowling alley is the first in the country to feature granite counters and restaurant-caliber dining. Don't wait til Thanksgiving to bowl a turkey! 

Another popular indoor activity is rock climbing. Pipeworks has a 40-foot-high lead wall with 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain -- plus 2,000 square feet of bouldering.

Entertainment
Ever read Teens are from Mars, Parents are from Earth? Shrink the generation gap when families laugh together. Sacramento Comedy Spot (916.444.3137) at MARRS -- the Midtown Art, Retail and Restaurant Scene -- is an all-ages venue featuring weekly improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy shows. Material rated 'PG-13' (parental guidance recommended, age 13 and older) to 'R' (restricted, age 17+).

If your youth enjoy music, free summer Concerts in the Park or the all-ages, indoor Ace of Spades event facility can introduce them (or you) to a wide variety of live, local music: from blues and country, to punk and indie, to pop and hip hop. During the outdoor park series, more than 40 bands play on Friday nights from 5 to 9 PM. The diversity of talent and ages on stage may inspire your guitarist to learn more than 'Stairway to Heaven'.

Discover more inspiration at the California Museum (916.653.7524), home of the California Hall of Fame. This cultural destination is popular for its modern and thought-provoking storytelling of the state's rich influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Now through March 25th, Riding Concrete is a multimedia exhibit about skateboarding from California creation in the 1950s to its international appeal today. 

Food and Shopping
Schedule a power-ballad lunch or dinner at Pizza Rock (916.737.5777). World pizza-tossing champion, Tony Gemignani, opened his flagship artisan pizzeria in Sacramento to re-establish respect for his craft by using seasonal and organic ingredients. The ceiling mural, semi-truck cab, and energy certainly suggest you aren't at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Got an adventurous or epicurean eater or chef? Downtown Sacramento dining can take you on a culinary tour of the world. Join a Local Roots Food walking tour. Or browse farmers markets. 

Finally, indulge designers or stylists with a shopping tryst. Explore Midtown's concentration of new and vintage clothing stores plus record, home, and gift shops. And if you feel like driving them, Arden Fair mall (916.920.1167) is 10 minutes away!

Let your teen to discover Sacramento, shortlisted by BETA UK -- the British Educational Travel Association -- as the Best International Youth Destination.

Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau at tourism@discovergold.org to learn more about itineraries for traveling families with teenagers and tweens (pre-teens).
 

In case you didn't already know: it's a great weekend to be in Sacramento. In addition to the arrival of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) at theConvention Center, it's also the finale weekend ofSacramento Beer Week. Both were epitomized at Thursday's Art Bike Kick Off Party at Hot Italian.

Hot Italian was serving their Beer Week special--a Moretti in a glass you get to keep--and Sierra Nevada was on site giving out samples of their beers. Three Art Bikes were on display (have you seen the other nine around town?): a Trike (that you were encouraged to climb on for a photo opp), a Shark Bike, and a St. Patty's Day Bike. The crowd was asked to submit their vote for their favorite, and the St. Patty's Day bike--complete with rainbow ending in pot of gold (that were hidden speakers)--was announced the winner.

This event was certainly a teaser for the show this weekend--three great examples of creative bikes whetting the palate for NAHBS. If you want to get in on the action, attend the show (public hours are: Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm), get inspired by the vast array of creative bikes, and then decorate your own to bring to Sunday's Avant-Garde Bike Parade, which starts at 2pm from Fremont Park. The 2.5-mile ride meanders through town, eventually ending at the Convention Center, where you'll be able to display your own bikes at NAHBS.

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Written by Sacramento365.com Assistant Editor, Alison Kranz

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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.

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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. 

To help you make the most of your theater experience in the capital, or you're planning a visit to Sacramento and would like to see a play or musical performance, we've compiled this insider's guide to venues in the area:

From Broadway to Cabaret
Broadway Sacramento — established nearly 25 years ago at downtown's Community Center Theater on the Sacramento Convention Center campus, and now the region's largest live performing arts event — is home to big, splashy musicals. Prices range from $16 a person midweek or matinees to $85 for orchestra seats on "premium" weekend nights. More than 200,000 tickets are sold annually to theatre-lovers from the California-Oregon border to western Nevada and the Central Valley. Remaining productions in the current season includes Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet and Wicked.

Don't miss its summer series, Music Circus. JUST ANNOUNCED: the 2012 season of musicals in the round: Grease, The Little Mermaid, The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof, and Crazy for You. Prices are slightly less than the Broadway series, making this an affordable tradition for families as well as groups.  

If you prefer cabaret, to drink or eat as you enjoy the musical production, The Cosmopolitan Cabaret offers a more relaxed and spacious experience. Tickets range from $33 to $48 a seat. Forbidden Broadway will have you laughing out loud and falling out of your seat.

Off-Broadway or Fringe Theater
Midtown Sacramento, where indie boutiques and locally owned restaurants flourish, is no exception to gutsy, thought-provoking, and intense productions.

Established by Timothy Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield, B Street Theatre has become recognized as one of Northern California’s top professional theaters. It has produced more than 100 new plays, 60 of which are world, national, West Coast, or regional premieres. The current season includes The Giver, based on the award-winning and widely-read novel by Lois Lowry. Prices range from $10-30 per person.

Since 1942, Sacramento Theatre Company has been professionally producing contemporary and traditional theatrical works, providing rigorous and comprehensive training to young professionals, and advocating theatre as a tool for educational engagement. From September through June, its theaters, including its own cabaret, feature eight performances each week for a total of more than 300 each year. Prices range from $15-$46 per seat. STC even offers senior and rush discounts. The current season includes Dial 'M' for Murder and Little Shop of Horrors. 

Now in its (lucky) 13th year, Capital Stage continues to bring bold, intimate and live plays from contemporary playwrights to audiences of no more than 125. Explore the human condition with your mind and soul -- at slightly less expensive prices. Highlights include periodic post-production discussions with the director and cast. Prices range from $16-38 per seat. Cap Stage also is expanding its high school, youth summer drama instruction programs.    

Off-Off-Broadway have even smaller (and perhaps scruffier) spaces with fewer than 100 seats. They can be found throughout the capital. Our pick is Big Idea Theatre, near uptown's Enotria restaurant and wine bar, a laboratory for new actors and the theatrical vanguard -- and tickets for as low as $10.

.... A dizzying number of options, and we haven't even talked about the community and school productions! Book a hotel room, pack your bags, and stay a while ...

The League of Sacramento Theatres lists dozens of curtains going up every week all over town. Don't believe me? Check out the list of current productions for yourself. Sacramento presents audiences with a surprising array of theater-going experiences, from blockbuster musicals to intimate monologues. Navigating all the choices to arrange a night (or matinee afternoon) at the theater is easier with a little help from your friends, here, at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Ticket Timing and Specials
For Broadway (and Music Circus) shows that regularly or nearly sell out, get tickets weeks or months in advance. Midweek shows are less crowded (and often cheaper) than Friday, Saturday or Sunday shows. Saturday nights require booking the furthest ahead. Student tickets may be available, and some venues offer a limited number of cheap same-day rush tickets. Check each company box office for discounts and details.

Fueling Up
Several restaurants serve traditional pre-theater meals at reasonable prices; peek at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau site list of eateries where you'll be in good hands. Book a reservation 90 minutes before curtain, and as soon as you're seated at the table, tell your server you're going to a show.

This Week: Rendezvous All Week Through
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		Music: Allstar Weekend Ace of Spades Jan 25 Wed 5:30pm Pop rock group Allstar Weekend gained popularity from the Disney Channel television network & comes to Sacto with special guests The After Party.
		Theatre: In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play Capital Stage Jan 25-Feb 26 Wed 7pm; Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm It's the 1880s and for the wife of eminent scientist and inventor Dr. Givings, the vagaries of the medical field have never held much allure...until now.
		Film: Media Mentoring: Miss Representation Crest Theatre Jan 26 Thurs 6pm *Screening 7pm Mix with Sacramento's film makers & media professionals, watch Miss Representation, a documentary on how media affects kids and young adults, and engage in a panel discussion focusing on media literacy & how to get distribution without misrepresentation.
		Museums: Thurs 'Til 9: Open Art: William Eiland on St. Sebastian Crocker Art Museum Jan 26 Thurs 7pm A lecture examining imagery of St. Sebastian, a common figure in the paintings featured in the exhibition Florence & the Baroque, & its cultural meanings for LGBT viewers.
		Special Events: Pirates Rendezvous Sac. Marriott - Rancho Cordova Jan 27-Jan 28 Fri 5pm-Midnight; Sat 10am-Midnight Come play all day with the Pirates! Fri night is boarding night & Sat is Pirate family fun day.
		Food & Wine: Winter Wine & Food Fest Sacramento Convention Center Jan 28 Sat 5pm-7:30pm *VIP event until 10pm Enjoy a live and silent auction, live entertainment, and delicious food and drink from over 120 of Sacramento's best local restaurants and wineries. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento & Northeastern California.
		Special Events: Ladies Night Out 2012 ft. Danny Boy Guild Theater Jan 28 Sat 7pm-10pm Award-winning poet Terry Moore hosts Ladies Night Out, a night of recognition, featuring R&B crooner Danny Boy, plus many others. This is a fun and different way to take part in Sacramento nightlife.
		Comedy: 14-Hour Comedy Challenge Sacramento Comedy Spot Jan 28 Sat 10:30pm This one day competition requires participants to incorporate criteria given at the beginning of the day into their video sketch, live sketch or stand-up routine and perform it that night. Come see what's made!
		Music: Cold Eskimo Fox & Goose Jan 28 Sat 9pm Cold Eskimo is moody and eclectic, energetic and pretty, creating a full sound. See them play along with Golden Youth.
		Music: Hot Club of Cowtown with The Alkali Flats Harlow's Jan 29 Sun 7pm Hot Club of Cowtown are the most globe-trotting, hardest-swinging Western swing trio on the planet.

 
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Are you ready to Make It A Night?

Keep an eye out for Sacramento365.com's new feature launching next month, "Make It A Night," which lets users see restaurants, bars, and hotels nearby the event of their choosing.

Streamline events with a 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: Alex Trujillo

Learn about multi-media visual artist & DJ Alex Trujillo 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!

Your motorcoach is essential to your group.  And it is also essential your motorcoach seamlessly fits into your scheduled itinerary.  Sacramento is a motorcoach-friendly destination with many options to ensure your motorcoach is staged, loaded, unloaded and parked with ease in reasonable time.  Here are five ways the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can ease your motorcoach worries:

This Week: Welcome 2012 with Pizazz
Email support@sacramento365.com to get the Top 10 Events Newsletter delivered to your inbox.

		Music: Alice Wallace Fox & Goose Jan 4 Wed 7pm Sweet country artist Alice Wallace performs in support of her new album Sweet Madness. Also performing is Sacramento's Lovelorn Trio. Come have some Hot Spiced Cider and a Nutburger and enjoy the show.
		Film: Thurs 'Til 9: Film Frame: Sunset Boulevard Crocker Art Museum Jan 5 Thurs 6:30pm Director Billy Wilder's Academy-Award-winning classic connects Baroque drama with a modern medium. Film scholar Kristen Anderson Wagner will introduce the film and give the audience a sneak peek of Film Frame features to come in 2012.
		Comedy: Lavell Crawford Punch Line Comedy Club Jan 5-Jan 8 Thurs 8pm; Fri 8pm & 10pm; Sat 7pm & 9:30pm; Sun 8pm Famous for his "Can a brother get some love?" stand up on Comedy Central, Lavell Crawford will have you rolling on the floor clutching your chest from laughing.
		Festivals: California State Home & Garden Show Sacramento Convention Center Jan 6-Jan 8 Fri Noon-7pm; Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm Isn't it time to give your home a little TLC? Come have FUN as you learn money saving ideas for your home and garden.
		Special Events: Jazzy Cats: Mardi Gras Madness Doubletree Hotel Jan 6-Jan 8 Fri 5pm-9pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm Come admire the cats and take in the cage decoration contest & costume contes. There will also be an appearance by Trouble, the Guinness-certified World's Tallest Cat.
		Theatre: Chicago Davis Musical Theatre Co. Performing Arts Center Jan 6-Jan 29 Fri & Sat 8:15pm; Sun 2:15pm In the roaring twenties, Roxie Hart and fellow "Merry Murderess" Velma Kelly vie for the spotlight and the headlines.
		Sacramento Nightlife: Fishnet Friday with The Sizzling Sirens Dive Bar Jan 6 Fri 9:30pm Enjoy live teaser performances on the hour all night from the Sirens, dance with them to their favorite music, watch the beautiful mermaid as she swims above the bar, and take advantage of sizzling drink specials all night long!
		Special Events: Polar Bear Plunge McKinley Park Jan 7 Sat 10am-Noon Brave the cold weather & get wet! There are many fun ways to take the plunge, and there'll be a polar bear costume contest & cubs craft corner for kids.
		Special Events: "G" Hum Parade Bows & Arrows Jan 7 Sat 1pm-4pm The idea of the "G" Hum Parade is to tune enough guitars and other instruments together and play either sporadically or all together to create a large ambiance of "G".
		Dance: Inside the Director's Studio Sacramento Ballet Studios Jan 7 Sat 6pm-7pm Former Sacramento Ballet dancer Jared Nelson shares his unique view of Septime Webre's rock-n-roll influenced Fluctuating Hemlines both as a dancer and ballet master.

 
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Music fanatics rejoice!

We now have sub-categories for Music genres to appeal to music-lovers of all sorts.

Genres include: Jazz, Rock/Pop, Hip-Hop/R&B/Soul, Blues, Dance/Electronica, World, Classical/Opera, Acoustic, Americana/Bluegrass, & Country/Western. 

Featured Local Artist of the Month: Alex Trujillo

Learn about multi-media visual artist & DJ Alex Trujillo 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!

As college students weather finals and return for winter break, empty nest parents are planning new trips to Sacramento. Parents still remember taking kids to the State Capitol and other tourist attractions. They've been there, done that -- even the newly expanded Crocker Art Museum, which debuted a year ago. 

They're passing on packaged tours. Instead, they're exploring places new to them. And they aren't collecting magnets or shot glasses. They're bringing home art that captures the spirit of their adventure, and sharing these stories of discovery with friends. Their secret's out as I visited five Sacramento art galleries, clustered predominantly in the midtown neighborhood.

• Skinner Howard / 723 S St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 

• Art Foundry and Solomon Dubnick / 1021 R St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 AF / 916.444.3868 SD  

• Axis Gallery / 1517 19th St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.443.9900 

• b. sakata garo / 923 20th St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.447.4276 

• La Raza Galeria Posada / 1022 22nd St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.446.5133 

You don't need to be a CEO or CFO to debate whether a conference app justifies its cost. We recently received estimates from $750 to $20,000! Like you, your convention delegates want meeting information that is convenient and easy to find.

The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has collaborated with Lambda Alpha International to create a microsite that communicates logistics, schedules, off-site events, and interactive maps for its upcoming Land Economics Weekend. The page is optimized for PC users... but smartphone users -- both iPhone and Android fans -- can access the same beneficial information about your event!

Our microsites cost much less than apps; planners simply book a minimum number of room nights. More importantly, our microsites save planners time. These customized sites are immediately viewable across all platforms.

In contrast, apps need to be re-designed to meet requirements of each platform or operating system. Then they go through a lengthy process to get approved for display in app stores... and delegates have to search for them.    



More and more planners are finding value in this convention service. The one-stop source draws together details about downtown Sacramento hotels, dining, tourist attractions, maps, and the calendar of events Sacramento365.com.  

Contact the Convention Services Dept. to learn more about developing a microsite to spur a gold rush to your next conference or trade show in Sacramento!