We don't consider ourselves easy to please, yet we found a great deal to like about the lineup of entertainment headed our way this week. There's living history, stand-up comedy, soulful balladeers, Southern rockers, dance and a man whose story was one of the most poignant that the "American Idol" juggernaut has offered to date.
Danny Gokey's wife had suggested he audition for the show, but he had put it off. Then she died after heart surgery - and he felt compelled to fulfill her wish. The fashionably bespectacled singer didn't win the show's big prize in the eighth season, but much of America agreed with his wife: This man's got talent. He'll visit the Powerhouse Pub in Folsom next week. No one's revealing how many changes there will be in eyewear.
TONIGHT
Stand-up comedy
Kevin Hart
WHAT: This comedian has appeared in movies such as "Little Fockers" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and his Comedy Central specials have won him a solid fan base - so solid that he added a second show here in Sacramento.
WHEN: 8 and 10:30 p.m.
WHERE: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
COST: $49.50 advance, $59.50 day of show (plus $3 fee)
INFORMATION: (916) 808-5181, http://tickets.com
- C.M. Anderson
TONIGHT-SUNDAY
Dance
'Burst'
WHAT: The Linda Bair Dance Company presents an eclectic program of contemporary dance featuring three premieres and two signature pieces.
WHEN: 7 p.m. today, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday; special interactive Burst for Kids show 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Center Theatre, 203 E. 14th St., Davis
COST: $15 general, $10 students, $5 ages 12 and younger
INFORMATION: (530) 304-2162
- Jim Carnes
TONIGHT-SATURDAY
Indie music
Center of it all
WHAT: The Center for the Arts carries a whopping one-two punch with its Friday-Saturday lineup. The soft-voiced Vienna Teng, a.k.a. Cynthia Yih Shih,
once endured a lecture in Mandarin from her grandmother for her decision to leave a secure career with Cisco to pursue music. Tonight, listeners will benefit from the passion and youthful rebellion of this singer, songwriter and pianist. She performs with percussionist Alex Wong. Lauren Shera opens for them. Saturday brings cross-pollinated gypsy music from the Fishtank Ensemble and the harmonic duo Karisha Longaker and Sarah Nutting of MaMuse.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main, Grass Valley
COST: $25 tonight, $20 Saturday
INFORMATION: (530) 274-8384, ext. 14, www.thecenterforthearts.org
- C.M. Anderson
SATURDAY
Living history
'Earthquake Day'
WHAT: A re-enactment of Sacramento's response to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, with costumed docents portraying Gov. George Pardee, other officials and local residents, all of whom reached out to help devastated San Franciscans.
WHEN: Guided tours start every 15 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: California State Capitol, 10th and L streets, Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 324-0333
- Dixie Reid
SATURDAY
Family event
Sutter's Landing park celebration
WHAT: Come enjoy the city park's new basketball and bocce courts, along with the existing skate park and off-leash dog park.
WHEN: 3-6 p.m. park dedication at 4 p.m. Event takes place rain or shine.
WHERE: 20 28th St., near C Street, Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: Bring a lawn chair for concert seating. Food will be sold, but you can bring a picnic. (916) 808-7003, sbrown@cityofsacramento.org
- Dixie Reid
SATURDAY
Film festival fundraiser
French shorts
WHAT: A program of French shorts that includes the animated "Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage," left - recently nominated for an Oscar - will raise funds for the 10th Sacramento French Film Festival in June.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S St., Sacramento
COST: $5
INFORMATION: (916) 455-9390, www.sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.org
- Carla Meyer
SATURDAY
Soul
Michael Bolton
WHAT: Everyone could do with a little time, love and tenderness from a soul provider like this entertainer. He's had eight albums rank in the top 10, with nine No. 1 singles. Enough said.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Club 88 at Cache Creek, 14455 Highway 16, in Brooks
COST: $69, $79, $89
INFORMATION: (888) 772-2243, www.cachecreek.com
- C.M. Anderson
TUESDAY
Rock
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
WHAT: The Black Crowes frontman is in the midst of a California tour with his new band. Robinson is joined by Neal Casal on guitar, Adam MacDougall on keyboards, George Sluppick on drums and Mark "Muddy" Dutton on bass.
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: Harlow's, 2708 J St., Sacramento
COST: $15
INFORMATION: (916) 441-4693, www.harlows.com
- C.M. Anderson
THURSDAY
Country
Danny Gokey
WHAT: He received plenty of national exposure as the third runner-up on Season 8 of "American Idol," and now he's continuing to pay his dues on a honky-tonk tour.
WHEN: 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Powerhouse Pub, 614 Sutter St., Folsom
COST: $20
INFORMATION: (916) 355-8586, www.powerhousepub.com
- C.M. Anderson
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