Sacramento Gold Card

		Theatre: The 39 Steps B Street Theatre Ongoing-Feb 20 Tues 6:30pm; Wed 2pm & 6:30pm; Thurs & Fri 8pm; Sat 5pm & 9pm; Sun 2pm Sometimes the best comedy comes from being dead serious. We learned from Monty Python that no matter how silly those fellows were in word or action they seldom cracked a smile. That is a fundamental reason why The 39 Steps, based on the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock, is a raucously funny evening in the theatre. Laughter is inevitable. Make it a Valentine's date at the special Sunday evening performance, benefiting RAFT.
		Nightlife: Art Mix: Love & Lust Crocker Art Museum Feb 10 Thurs 5pm-9pm Celebrate all that's hot in February. Write love letters and poems with the Sacramento Poetry Center, take the "couples in the collection" tour, hear from a panel of local artists about what "turns them on," take in a performance from the Sacramento Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience, and enjoy all night beats from DJ Mike Colossal. Free with Museum admission.
		Poetry & Lit: You Are Beautiful Night Upper Level VIP Lounge Feb 10 Thurs 8pm-11pm You Are Beautiful is a night full of poems, stories, and songs to make a woman feel good! Let us celebrate your beauty and reiterate how beautiful you are. Featuring comedian Trissy Tris, poets Jason Banks, Rob Anthony, Terry Moore, Daniel Blake, and singers T.D. Trice, Gerry Simpson, and more. Enjoy poetry, snacks, and a special dedication to single mothers.
		Dance: Romeo & Juliet Community Center Theater Feb 10-Feb 13 Thurs-Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm Powerful and passionate, Ron Cunningham's telling of "the world's greatest love story burns with incandescent brilliance. Dazzling pageantry, sumptuous scenery, luxurious costumes, magnificent dancing, and glorious music join in compelling drama and searing emotion. Enhance your enjoyment of the performance by joining Ron Cunningham 45 minutes prior to curtain for an informal and entertaining inside view of the show.
		Special Events: Sacramento Autorama Cal Expo Feb 11-Feb 13 Fri Noon-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm The Sacramento Autorama is "The Kustom Capital of the World" and boasts being home to one of longest running indoor car shows in the world. The Autorama is recognized as the premiere custom car show on the West Coast. The Show features over 450 of the finest custom cars, hot rods, classics, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles from around the county.
		Festivals: Chinese New Year Celebration Sacramento State University Union Feb 12 Sat Noon-11pm Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at the Chinese New Year Celebration. There will be exciting cultural entertainment activities for you and your family. Enjoy Lion Dance and Martial Arts, music, singing, and dance performances, vendor booths, children's games, and ballroom dancing.
		2nd Saturday Receptions: -New Light: Old City Gallery, 5:30pm-10pm Enjoy new oil paintings by resident artist, Kristin Hartman, live music, refreshments, and free parking. -Made in America: Evolve The Gallery, 6pm-9pm This show is the largest Black Fine Art exhibition in Sacramento. -Greatest Hits Farewell Show: Bows & Arrows, 6pm-9pm Over 20 local artists help celebrate Bows & Arrows upcoming move at this farewell show to their L street location. There will also be a huge sale-50% off all clothing!
		Music: Sugar & Gold Blue Lamp Lounge Feb 12 Sat 9pm Hedonism in hard times, decadence and decay-indie dance mainstays Sugar & Gold embrace it all. Putting your best face forward, celebrating your problems, and dancing troubles away: these are the mantras of S&G. Shaking off comparisons to the likes of Prince, MGMT, Hot Chip, and Ssion, Sugar & Gold have created a form of danceable pop that is uniquely their own. They will be accompanied by opening band Yip Deceiver.
		Kids & Fam: I Heart the Sacramento Zoo Day Sacramento Zoo Feb 13 Sun 9am-4pm Bring your valentine to this special day organized by the Sacramento Zoo Teen volunteers. The event features valentine-themed animal enrichments, informative talks, and activity tables. Some of the scheduled enrichments will include scented valentine cards for the lemurs and a special piñata celebrating Val-lynn-tine, the giraffe's sweet 16th birthday.
		Music: Blues-a-Rama Sacramento Horsemen's Club Feb 13 Sun 2pm An afternoon blues concert featuring Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Rick Estrin ranks among the very best harp players, singers and songwriters in the blues world today. Also performing are Chris Cain, Alvon, Ron Thompson, and Ray Bailey. The Sacramento Horsemen's Club, part Texas road house, part Mississippi juke joint, offers "down home" food and a full bar.

 
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February's Featured Artist
-Learn about Sacramento metal artist Terrence Martin's design, inspiration, process, and more in this month's Featured Local Artist profile. You may have seen his work around town and not even known it: he has pieces at Mikuni, Nugget Markets, the Sacramento Zoo, and many others. Check him out!

Sacramento365's Weekly Deal
-'Tis the season of love, and couples are looking for spectacular Valentine's Day gifts. Ditch the heart-shaped boxes of chocolate-Zen Spa in East Sacramento has something better to indulge in. Let Zen Spa spoil both of you this Valentine's Day with an exclusive one-hour couple's massage, just $60 for $130. This deal is available Tuesday through Friday only, on Sacramento365.com's Weekly Deal Page.

Until recently the adjective 'cowtown' made Sacramentans cringe. It unfairly reduced our bounty of gold country wineries, outdoor recreation and sports, and cosmopolitan city living to … commodity cows and draft animals. Well, we invite you to join our revolution, to rightly respect our agricultural neighbors for nourishing and fueling our daily lives.

With 320 days of sunshine a year, the Sacramento region is a jewel with urban and rural facets. Area chefs (professional and amateur) are quick to recognize local growers who bring high-quality vegetables, fruits, meats, beers and wines to their dining rooms. Locals and visitors alike, whet your appetites as you consider your next culinary experience in California’s capital.

Rather than equip you with a laundry list of good eats, let me highlight the gourmet ghettos and allow you to discover tasty treasures for yourself:

·         Savor Old Sacramento’s fine dining scene even if you didn’t bring your Sunday best.

Dine on the riverfront or in a number of restored, historic buildings.

·         Bound by 11^th and 16^th streets, near K & L streets, enjoy a variety of cuisines near the Sacramento Convention Center and the State Capitol. Anchors include The Park Downtown (15^th & L), The Firestone (16^th & L), and The Elliott Building (16^th Street, between J & K).

·         L Street & Capitol Avenue between 18^th & 21^st streets are the veins of Midtown's Handle District.  

·         The Sutter District surrounds Sutter’s Fort, but its artery is 28^th Street, between J and N.

·         Explore Midtown along J Street, bound by 18^th and 28^th streets, and R Street between 14th & 15th.
Note: MARRS, on 20^th Street between J & K, is not as distant as we once thought.

·         Tower Café reigns at the heart of the ethnic food enclave on Broadway, between Riverside Blvd. and 26^th Street. Thanks to Capital Public Radio, the local NPR affiliate, for this preview.

·         Luxury defines Financial District dining on Capitol Mall, bound by 4^th and 7^th streets.

On the verge of a food coma as you daydream about a decadent meal? Book accommodations and ask for VIP treatment at these Sacramento Gold Card hotels.

What comes to mind when you hear the name Riedel?

If you're a hospitality veteran like me, you think of the Austrian glassmaking dynasty, Riedel Crystal. Maximillian J. Riedel, 11th generation of the family, can be credited with much of their success. Since joining the family business, he has expanded the company to international markets, been featured in numerous magazines and publications, designed and co-designed several decanters and famous collections.

In fact, most restaurants these days are likely to use one of his lines- Riedel Restaurant, which he created in 2001 specifically for restaurants. The line is designed to be more resistant to breakage and spotting than other glassware often used in restaurants, while still offering a variety of varietal specific shapes.

The most famous of his collections is the recent"O" series, a collection of stemless wine glasses. These were designed for serious wine drinkers but appropriate for casual appreciation as well. The series became the fastest selling new collection introduction in Riedel’s history.

Now you may ask, how much difference does the shape of the glass really make? According to Maximillian, the difference is worth a world tour. He is currently traveling the world demonstrating comparative wine tastings with glassware to prove that it REALLY makes a difference.

Sound interesting? Well you don’t have to go far to learn from this famous oenophile. Next week, Maximillian Riedel is coming to Sacramento! Held at the Historic Elks Tower Ballroom in Downtown Sacramento, This event may change your perception of wine forever- and even enhance your enjoyment of them. Even better, you’ll taste local wines from Sacramento Wineries and enjoy appetizers, desserts, and even go home with a set of your own 4-piece Vinum XL Tasting Set.
 
The event is organized by the Sacramento Chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). All proceeds will go directly to the local non-profit chapter.

To put it in persepective, the first of these tastings took place at Vinopolis in London in September of 2009 and attracted an audience of over 400, filling the venue to capacity over the two days. A return visit to Vinopolis London is planned for September 2010. Unless you plan on going abroad soon, take advantage of this rare appearance!

If you live near, but want to avoid drinking and driving, stay at one of the Sacramento Hotels where you can get a Sacramento Gold Card which offers discounts on all sorts of Sacramento dining spots and tourist attractions.

Many people travel to Sacramento for the holidays to visit family and friends. Here are five little tidbits about visiting Sacramento that will make your trip affordable and more enjoyable:

• Sacramento holiday hotel packages. They are in abundance. You don't want to sleep on the couch or in a too-small twin bed surrounded by Justin Bieber posters. Combine your hotel stay with a Sacramento Gold Card, only available at participating Sacramento area hotels, and you'll get special offers at Sacramento attractions, restaurants and shopping centers. Simply ask for your free Sacramento Gold Card when you check in.

• Sacramento International Airport. It is so easy to navigate and pleasant that you'll forget you may have paid extra for your bags. To brighten your mood even further there's live musical performances bringing you the sounds of the holidays. If you fly into Terminal A, enjoy what is my favorite piece of artwork in Sacramento, "Samson." Two towers of stacked luggage reach 23 feet high. It's very cool. When you're returning home and waiting for your flight, you get free Wi-Fi. Gotta check your Facebook.

• Old Sacramento. Locals have a love-hate relationship with Sacramento's best-known landmark and favorite Sacramento tourist attraction. Listen up. Old Sacramento, especially during the holiday season, is well worth the visit. The second annual Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights show this year has a true 'wow' factor. Thursdays through Sundays, there are two 20-minute shows at 6 pm and 7:30 pm. Wrap up the kids, grab yourself an overpriced decaf-low fat-mocha-soy-cino-something and walk from a nearby hotel (see how easy that it is) and feel the holiday spirit.

• 12 Days of Midtown Christmas. Midtown is Sacramento's hip, cool 'hood without the pretension. Now through Dec. 12, it's everything from karaoke to wine and jazz to a crafts fair. And if you come after Dec. 12, there are still plenty of things to do. Um...you can walk to Midtown from one of the downtown Sacramento hotels - think hard about sleeping on that couch.

• Fog. Why fog? Because it's not three feet of snow you have to shovel. It's  mildly irritating (unless it messes up your hair), but it gives you that gray, brisk feeling of Christmas without really being cold, nor nervous about driving in snow, or just being on the road with eggnog-fueld drivers in bad weather. Plus, the fog usually burns off just enough to keep the irritation level low. 

Located west of downtown and along the Sacramento River, Old Sacramento brings to life the history of the 1849 California Gold Rush. Stately brick and mortar buildings house more than 100 businesses -- hotels, shops, restaurants & bars, comedy clubs and theaters -- within this charming U.S. National Historic Landmark District. Don't miss the annual Theatre of Lights tradition or pedestrians in period costume who parade along the wooden boardwalks. (Ladies, mind the gaps or say, 'Adios!' to those stiletto heels.) From antiques and hand-crafted jewelry to old fashioned candies and fun educational toys, find your way around with this map. 

Wondering what to do this weekend with all of your family in town? If the house is feeling cramped and you're looking for something to do to get the clan out and about this holiday weekend, look no further! Here's are some suggestions that won't break the bank and will surely put some smiles on everyone's faces.

Celebrate the onset of spring tonight with the "Spring Jam Concert" at the Radisson Hotel featuring the funky sounds of the Ohio Players and ConFunkShun. Get your groove on to the sounds of the 70s along with some good ol party-hits that are sure to make you want to dance! 

Not feeling like dancing? How about a little laughter to lighten you up after a long week? Check out Josh Blue at the Punchline Comedy Club this weekend. You may know him for his performances on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" (which he won). A diverse and triumphant individual, he is a hilarious stand-up comedian, but also a stand-out guest star on television, talented artist, and stellar U.S. Paralympic Soccer player– refusing to bow to any of the challenges that come from living with Cerebral Palsy.

After a fun-filled Friday night, you may be tempted to sleep in late and mozy around the house before you start your day... until the kids burst into your room to interrupt your drowsy slumber to remind you that it's Easter Bunny time! Depending on where you live, there are all kinds of kid-friendly festivities going on. If an egg hunt is up your alley, check out the Fairytale Town's Spring Eggatravaganza (on Sunday too!), or the Southside Park Spring Egg Hunt. Maybe you'll want to join the easter bunny at the Kids Easter Egg Decorating class at Taylor's Market.

Around lunch time, head over to Old Sacramento for the Living History Annual Easter Bonnet Promenade where ladies and gentlemen of the past don their Sunday Best in a leisurely Easter stroll throughout Old Town. For the more adventurous, animal-lovers, check out the "Earth Fest- It's a Party for the Planet" at the Sacramento Zoo. Browse through the rummage sale while the kids enjoy games, crafts, face painting and the animals of course!

If all of that wasn't enough to entertain the family, you may want to consider winding down with a scenic Excursion Train Ride with the Sacramento Southern Railroad! Climb aboard for a relaxing 40-minute six-mile roundtrip route atop the levees of the Sacramento River in the vintage passenger coaches and converted freight cars. Or upgrade to First Class service on the El Dorado where you will enjoy being treated as a VIP aboard this beautifully restored 1920s lounge-observation car, which offers large picture windows, plush seating and air conditioning!

Whatever your fancy, there sure are lots of Sacramento family events and recreation activities to keep you entertained all weekend long!

Don't forget, if you have family staying at one of the many Sacramento Hotels, make sure they ask about the Sacramento Gold Card to get lots of discounts at many of these (and other) Sacramento tourist attractions.