Things to do in Sacramento and Beyond: Hit a home run with suds, sounds at Raley Field this weekend

Tribute and cover bands have become hot in a tough economy as music lovers seek familiar sounds they feel are worth paying to hear.
Well, Saturday brings Sactopalooza to Raley Field, where you can pay $25 for a lot of solid gold - and some platinum - memories from bands covering music by the Dave Matthews Band, INXS, Journey, U2, Van Halen and others.
Wander over to Raley Field on Friday, and you'll find it awash in music and suds. Brewskis, that is. Take a look below for price and time.

FRIDAY
Beer festival
Raley Field Brewfest
WHAT: More than 40 Northern California breweries, including Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Sudwerk Brewery, will be pouring their crafted brews, and you'll be able to boogie to live music on two stages.
WHEN: 6-10 p.m. VIP, 7-10 p.m.
WHERE: Raley Field,
400 Ballpark Drive,
West Sacramento
COST: $30 advance, $35 at the door; $50 VIP, plus fees. Food will be sold at concession stands.
INFORMATION: You must be 21 or over to attend. (916) 376-4676, www.raleyfield.com
- C.M. Anderson

FRIDAY
Pop music
Tommy and the High Pilots
WHAT: This four-piece band from Santa Barbara (including brothers Tom and Michael Cantillon, who've been singing together practically all their lives) released an EP, "American Riviera," in September and have been on the road almost nonstop since then. When the guys did take a brief break in February, they returned to the studio to record a five-song, stripped-down acoustic EP called "Sawhorse Sessions" showcasing their classic rock 'n' roll songwriting. Headlining the evening will be
Roger Clyne and
The Peacemakers.
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: Harlow's,
2708 J St., Sacramento
COST: $17.50 general,
21 and older only
INFORMATION: (916) 441-4693, www.harlows.com
- Jim Carnes

FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Visual art
'The Real-Fake'
WHAT: Claudia Hart of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Sacramento State art professor Rachel Clarke created radical art with 3-D software.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, through May 28
WHERE: University Library Gallery at California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J St., Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 278-4189
- Dixie Reid

SATURDAY
Music benefit
Sactopalooza
WHAT: You'll find games, a laser light show, fireworks and bands covering music by the Dave Matthews Band, INXS, Journey, U2, Van Halen and others. This event benefits local children's charities.
WHEN: 4-11 p.m.
WHERE: Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento
COST: $75 VIP, $25
INFORMATION: You must be 21 or over to attend. (916) 376-4700, www.sactopalooza.com
- C.M. Anderson

SATURDAY
Concert
Pops 'n' Corks
WHAT: This event, featuring a variety of fine wines and tasty food samples served to the musical accompaniment of the Capitol Pops Concert Band, will benefit the nonprofit group's musician scholarship program.
WHEN: 6-10 p.m.
WHERE: Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg
COST: $30 each, $50 for two advance; $35 each at the door
INFORMATION: (916) 599-5214, www.capitolpops.org
- Jim Carnes

SATURDAY
Soul
Brian McKnight
WHAT: If you've ever had the occasion to romance someone, you probably know this balladeer's name well. Seven of his
13 albums have gone platinum.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Club 88 at Cache Creek Casino Resort, 14455 Highway 16, Brooks
COST: $59, $69, $85
INFORMATION: (888) 772-2243, www.cachecreek.com
- C.M. Anderson

SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Country music
The Palms
WHAT: At least once in your life you should have that moment when you realize that Billboard top 100 lists miss too much of the best music that America has to offer.
The Palms offers two opportunities to country fans with Gurf Morlix on Saturday and Hayes Carll on Sunday.
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: The Palms, 13 Main St., Winters
COST: $20 each night
INFORMATION: (530) 795-1825, www.palmsplayhouse.com
- C.M. Anderson