Things to do in Sacramento and Beyond

Rose Auction Benefit for Sacramento Rose Society Feb. 9

2012-02-09T01:21:43Z

The Sacramento Rose Society will be holding its Bareroot Rose Auction on Thursday, February 9 at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center in east Sacramento.

The auction features 50 new rose bushes, including some unique introductions not yet in nurseries--Eyeconic Pink Lemonade, Orchid Romance, Pink Flamingo and Itty Bitty Pink--as well as old favorites like Secret, Silver Star, and Nicole.

]]> Bidding starts at $10 and proceeds benefit the Sacramento Rose Society and its projects around the greater Sacramento Area. Cash and check only, please.

Lou Campbell is the auctioneer, and Sacramento Bee gardening reporter Debbie Arrington is the auctioneer's assistant.

Public welcome!

Sacramento Rose Society Bareroot Rose Auction

Thursday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.

Shepard Garden and Arts Center

3330 McKinley Boulevard

Sacramento, CA, 95816

sactorose.org/sacramentorosesociety

Map

Photo: A rose bloom in McKinley Park's rose garden. Anne Chadwick Williams/Bee file, 1997

Take a Valentine-themed photo with your pet at animal shelter

2012-02-08T19:31:50Z

A professional photographer will be taking Valentine-themed portraits of pets and their people this weekend at the Sacramento County animal shelter.

The "My Furry Valentine" event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the facility at 3839 Bradshaw Road, one mile south of Highway 50. Portraits are $10, and all proceeds benefit the shelter animals.

All animals adopted between now and Sunday will come with a free coupon to have their portrait taken by the photographer, Michael Kressner.

To see animals available for adoption or to get information about volunteering or licensing, go to www.SacCountyShelter.com.

- Cynthia Hubert

Madonna to perform in San Jose in October

2012-02-07T18:03:26Z

Say what you will about Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show (and many have), but to me, the elaborate staging, lip-synching, constant guest stars and weird-guy acrobat said, "That's entertainment."

(I grew up in the 1980s).

The Super Bowl appearance was a preview for a world tour Madonna will start later this year in Tel Aviv.

The closest the tour will get to Sacramento is a stop in San Jose Oct. 6. Tickets to that show run $56-$361 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000).

Backyard Bird Count starts Feb. 17

2012-02-06T21:23:58Z

By Sam McManis
smcmanis@sacbee.com

Dig out the binoculars and dust off that ornithology guidebook, because the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is fast approaching.

Each February, North American bird watchers are asked to tally the number and types of birds in a programs sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

This year's count takes place Feb. 17-20.

]]> Participants are advised to count birds in any venue they wish - it doesn't have to be their backyards - for 15 minutes, then go to to www.birdcount.org to log their numbers.

"This count is so much fun because anyone can take part--we all learn and watch birds together--whether you are an expert, novice, or feeder watcher," said Gary Langham, Audubon's Chief Scientist, said in a press release.

Last year, participants recorder more than 11 million bird observations.

S.F. exhibition highlights golden era of Golden State songs

2012-02-03T18:41:22Z

Songs celebrating California predate Katy Perry, Tupac and Dr. Dreand even the Beach Boys . By a good century.

The San Francisco exhibition "Singing in the Golden State" has collected songs -- from the Gold Rush to the vaudeville era -- name-checking the state and its events. Its sheet-music collection includes the 1913 song "I Love You, California," as well as "California Flood Mazurka," which commemorates the 1862 Sacramento flood.

The songs evoke pre-radio, pre-television parlor get-togethers that helped spread news about California. The show at the Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth Street, includes visually evocative sheet-music covers, sound recordings and instruments

The show runs into December. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays and the first Saturday of each month. For information, see the Society of California Pioneers website or call (415) 957-1849.

John Steinbeck books and collectibles are going to auction

2012-02-02T23:17:48Z

The eccentric bookseller Peter Howard was known for his vast and valuable collection of antiquarian books, which he sold and traded at his legendary Serendipity Bookstore in Berkeley, which closed after his death in 2011 at age 72.

Now 270 books and related items from that treasure trove will be offered by Bonhams auction house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 12 in San Francisco.

The centerpiece will be material from Howard's vast John Steinbeck collection. Among it is a signed first-edition presentation copy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Grapes of Wrath," inscribed, "Again for Helen Murphy / affectionately / John Steinbeck." Bidding will start at $10,000.

Also up for auction will be the typed manuscript of "The Pearl of the World," the short story that became the slightly longer "The Pearl" ($15,000 to $20,000). Also, the novella version of Steinbeck's "Lifeboat" ($5,000 to $7,000), which he wrote at the request of Alfred Hitchcock. The British director made "Lifeboat" into a movie in 1944.

Bonhams is at 229 San Bruno Ave. For more information: (323) 436-5442, www.bonhams.com.

On a related topic, the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas will hold its 32nd annual Steinbeck Festival from May 3 through May 6. Information: www.steinbeck.org.

Registration opens for new Sacramento run

2012-02-02T23:08:59Z

By Sam McManis

smcmanis@sacbee.com

Registration is open for Sacramento's newest running event, the Getty Owl Run, on Feb. 26 in downtown Sacramento.

The 5K and 10K race, benefitting Spinal Muscular Atrophy awareness, begins at Crocker Park on 3rd Street and travels along the Sacramento River waterfront. Cost is $27 for either the 5K or 10K, if you register by Feb. 20. After that, it rises to $35. They also will hold a children's fun run for a $10 entry fee.

For more information and to register, go to http://gettyowl.org/events/run.

Solano Land Trust opens access for Saturday hike

2012-02-02T19:04:47Z

By Sam McManis

smcmanis@sacbee.com

The open space in the tawny hills outside of Fairfield, Vallejo and Benicia, normally closed to the public, will be the site Saturday of a free hike at 9 a.m., sponsored by the Solano Land Trust.

The King-Swett ranches afford wondrousd views of the Suisun marsh on one side and the Golden Gate Bridge on the other. Those views, as well as up-close sightings of other flora and fauna, will be facilitated by Solano Land Trust guide Jim Walsh. Walsh notes, however, that the trek is not for beginners. Calling it "strenuous," the hike goes off-trail and through cattle areas for about six miles.

Hikers will meet at a Park-and-Ride lot off Interstate 80 (at the intersection of McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway and American Canyon Road) and then carpool to the King-Swett site.

For more information, email James_Walsh@landcare.com.

Camellia Symphony premieres jazz artist's piano concerto

2012-02-01T19:40:06Z

Music runs in the family...

That much is clear with the young jazz pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack, son of Camellia Symphony music director Allan Pollack. His mother - Susan Waterfall - is a concert pianist in her own right.

Waterfall Pollack started studying piano at age 5, with his mother. At 17, he was leading his own groups.

]]> And so it is only fitting that the Camellia Symphony give the world premiere of Waterfall Pollack's first piano concerto.

The orchestra's performance of Waterfall Pollack's 26-minute work will be noteworthy. After all, he owns some serious - and well deserved - cred in New York City and European jazz circles.

To date, Waterfall Pollack has performed or recorded with the likes of Joshua Redman, John Scofield and Miguel Zenon, among others.

Jazz figures large in his composition.

"The piano concerto is in three movements and its style draws heavily upon jazz, minimalism, and French impressionism," said Waterfall Pollack about the work.

The concerto plumbs Waterfall's experience of living on both coasts - he typically performs at the Mendocino Music Festival each summer.

The new work will be offered in a program titled "Sizzling" that includes Bernstein's Three Dance Episodes from "On the Town" and Stravinsky's "Petrushka."

Sizzling
Camellia Symphony
Julian Waterfall Pollack: Piano Concerto,
Julian Waterfall Pollack, piano
WHEN: 8 p.m., Feb. 25
WHERE: The Center at Twenty-Three Hundred, 2300 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento
TICKETS: $28; $24 (senior); $15 (student)
INFORMATION: (916) 929-6655; www.camelliasymphony.org.

Mardi Gras festival for families coming to Nevada City

2012-02-01T19:32:01Z

Families will be choosing from a long list of events and activities taking place over Presidents Day Weekend (Feb. 18-19). One don't-miss will be the 20th annual Mardi Gras in Nevada City.

Look for Cajun-themed food and drink, arts and crafts, and live entertainment at the two-day street fair. Headlining the celebration will be a masquerade ball, which sells out quickly, so it's wise to buy tickets ahead of time. The ball will begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring St.; tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

The Mardi Gras parade will start at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 (wear your most colorful attire), followed by a family-oriented carnival ($5 adults, free for children).

For tickets and more information: (530) 265-2692, www.nevadacitychamber.com., www.miners foundry.org.

Same-sex marriage film screenings sell out; encore added

2012-02-01T18:31:19Z

Tonight's screenings at the Crest Theatre of "Question One," a documentary about the 2009 referendum battle regarding same-sex marriage in Maine, have sold out. But a special encore screening has been scheduled for Feb. 8.

The film by Joe Fox and James Nubile chronicles a political fight that echoed the 2008 battle over same sex marriage in California. The fimmakers had access to "war rooms" on both sides of the battle, and examined the role of Sacramento public relations firm Schubert Flint in the "Yes on 1" (anti-same-sex marriage) Maine campaign.

Tickets to the Feb. 8 screening are available at the Crest box office, 1013 K St., Sacramento and via Tickets.com (800-225-2277).

Sacramento club Ace of Spades makes international splash

2012-01-31T23:42:22Z

Sacramento's Ace of Spades nightclub not only filled an important niche locally -- as an all-ages club drawing national headlining acts -- when it opened last year. It also ranked well among all clubs and theaters where music is played.

According to Pollstar magazine, Ace of Spades ranked 52nd internationally in ticket sales among clubs and theaters. That was several spots ahead of clubs like the Roxy and the Palladium in Los Angeles.

Ace of Spades sold nearly 56,000 tickets in 2011, according to Pollstar figures.

Ace of Spades next will distinguish itself as the local venue chosen for a show by hometown favorites Chino Moreno (Deftones) and Shaun Lopez (Far). Their new, electronic-driven group Crosses will perform Friday night.

Look for an interview with Moreno and Lopez in Friday's Ticket section. For information or tickets, see the Aces of Spades site.

Museums open doors for free or a bargain on Saturday

2012-01-30T23:03:50Z

By Sam McManis

smcmanis@sacbee.com

Museumgoers will be in for a treat this Saturday when the Sacramento Association of Museums, in association with Umpqua Bank, presents the 14th annual Museum Day.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., some 28 museums will be participating, offering free or reduced-cost admission. For more information, go to http://www.sacmuseums.org/museumday.html. The annual event has added two new museums to its lineup -- the Center for Contemporary Art at 1519 19th Street in Sacramento and the Sacramento Children's Museum at 2701Prospect Drive in Rancho Cordova.

The following is a list of the participating museums:

Aerospace Museum of California

California Automobile Museum

California Foundry History Museum

The California Museum

California State Capitol Museum

California State Indian Museum

California State Military Museum

California State Railroad Museum

Center for Contemporary Art

Crocker Art Museum

Discovery Museum Science and Space Center

The Don and June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum

Fairytale Town•

Folsom History Museum

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

Heidrick Ag History Center (Woodland)

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park

Museum of Medical History

Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum

Old Sacramento State Historic Park

Sacramento Children's Museum

Sacramento Zoo•

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery

Sacramento History Museum

Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Wells Fargo History Museum (Old Sacramento and Downtown locations).

• All listed Museums will offer free admission on Museum Day except for the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town which will offer half-priced admission.

Sacramento Public Libarary to celebrate Black History Month

2012-01-30T20:58:35Z

In celebration of Black History Month, the Sacramento Public Library will present a variety of culturally oriented programs for all ages at its 28 library locations, throughout February.

Included will be art displays and hands-on arts-and-crafts projects, drumming and dancing, storytelling, genealogy workshops, movies, cooking and recipe-sharing, and much more.

For more information: (916) 264-2920, www.saclibrary.org.

Watch trailers for the biggest movies of 2012

2012-01-28T21:17:48Z

In today's A&E section of The Bee, I wrote about the biggest movies scheduled to open in 2012. Here are trailers for several of those films.

"John Carter" (March 9):

"The Hunger Games" (March 23):

"Mirror, Mirror" (March 30):

"Snow White and the Huntsman" (June 1):

"The Avengers" (May 4):

"Men in Black 3" (May 25):

"Prometheus" (June 6):

"The Amazing Spider-Man" (July 3):

"The Dark Knight Rises" (July 20):

"The Hobbit" (Dec. 14):