In one weekend, at one venue, you can catch a bluesman who had a seminal influence on rock and a woman whose persona and guitar work set a standard for both genders in the world of rock 'n' roll.
Every note and line of music from Bobby "Blue" Bland testify to the fact that he has lived the blues. Although he did not achieve the pop icon status of B.B. King, blues enthusiasts treat the "Lion of the Blues" as royalty. He has an impressive list of awards from a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement to a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you love rock 'n' roll, then you can probably sing at least the refrain of the song Joan Jett made famous:
I love rock 'n' roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock 'n' roll
So come an' take your time an' dance with me
Both artists will be at Thunder Valley. But wait, there's more. Here's the line up for the week:
TONIGHT-SUNDAY
Musical theater
'Mary Poppins'
WHAT: Few musical productions achieve the heights this one scales in every imaginable way. It is anchored by Steffanie Leigh as the magical, unflappable nanny.
WHEN: 8 p.m. today- Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
WHERE: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
COST: $24-$89
INFORMATION: (916) 808-5181, (916) 557-1999, www.tickets.com
- Marcus Crowder
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Blues and hard rock
Thunder Valley
WHAT: This weekend brings Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby "Blue" Bland and kickin' guitarist Joan Jett to the casino.
WHEN: Blue Bland at 8 tonight; Joan Jett & the Black Hearts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Pano Hall for Bland and outdoor amphitheater for Jett
at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort, 1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln
COST: $21 and $29 tonight; $19, $29, $39 and $55 on Saturday
INFORMATION: (916) 408-7777, www.thundervalleyresort.com, www.ticketmaster.com
- C.M. Anderson
SATURDAY
Living history
'Three Flags, One Fort'
WHAT: By the time statehood came in 1850, Sutter Fort had stood under Mexican, American and independent rule. Learn about the politics, similarities and differences of each era.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: Sutter's Fort State Historical Park, 2701 L St., Sacramento
COST: $5 general, $3 for ages 6 to 17, free for children 5 and younger
INFORMATION: (916) 445-4422, www.parks.ca.gov/suttersfort
- C.M. Anderson
SATURDAY
Equestrian show
Lipizzaner Stallions
WHAT: These horses, trained in the fashion of the renowned Spanish Riding School of Vienna, perform a leaping ballet that has been seen by millions of people.
WHEN: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Power Balance Pavilion, One Sports Parkway, Sacramento
COST: $25, $28, $32 (Discounts available for children 2-12 and adults 60-plus.) Parking is $12.
INFORMATION: (916) 928-3650, www.powerbalancepavilion.com
- C.M. Anderson
SATURDAY
Ska music
The English Beat
WHAT: Back in 1978, this six-member band led by singer-guitarist Dave Wakeling burst onto the British music scene. Known in England as the Beat, and in the United States as the English Beat (since we already had a Beat of our own), the band made danceable music that combined a range of influences.
WHEN: 10 p.m.
WHERE: PowerHouse Pub, 614 Sutter St., Folsom
COST: $20
INFORMATION: (916) 355-8586, www.powerhousepub.com
- Jim Carnes
MONDAY
Benefit concert
'Oh, What a Beautiful Evening!'
WHAT: Presented by Dennis Mangers and Friends, this cabaret concert featuring such local entertainers as Gayiel Von, Connor Mickiewicz, Jerry Lee, Nanci Zoppi and the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus, will benefit California Musical Theatre.
WHEN: 7:30-9 p.m.
WHERE: Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K St., Sacramento
COST: $50-$75
INFORMATION: (916) 557-1999
- Jim Carnes
THURSDAY
House music
Paul Oakenfold
WHAT: One of the world's best-known DJs, he has opened for Madonna on her world tour and mixed music for films such as "Pirates of the Caribbean: The End of the World."
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: District 30, 1022 K St., Sacramento
COST: $30
INFORMATION: (916) 737-5770, district30sacramento.com
- Mel Shields
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