Out & About
By Jessica Laskey
September 2023
‘Unlocking The Past’
History center films explore racism in Sacramento
The American Association for State and Local History has honored the Center for Sacramento History for its short film series on racism in Sacramento.
Three films in the series, produced by the center and local filmmakers, explore the Sacramento city manager’s fight to get the Ku Klux Klan out of government in 1922; the work of Sacramento’s first Black attorney, Nathaniel Colley, addressing housing discrimination in Sacramento; and John Sutter’s impact on California Indians. Three more films are planned.
“The goal with these short films is to tell stories from the region in a more complete and honest way, and to face and examine discrimination while acknowledging its long-term effects on our communities,” says City Historian Marcia Eymann.
The films feature footage, photographs and archival material from the Center for Sacramento History’s collections, as well as interviews with scholars and people from the community.
Watch “Unlocking the Past: A History of Prejudice and Racism in Sacramento” at centerforsacramentohistory.org.
GLAMOUR ROAD
The California Automobile Museum has a new exhibit, Glamour Road, focusing on art, fashion and automobiles that defined mid-century America.
Exhibits Manager ShaVolla Rodriguez spearheaded the show in collaboration with Tom Dolle, author of the book “Glamour Road.”
Visitors explore the seldom-told story of how glamour, fashion, design and styling became the focus of automotive marketing from the postwar 1940s through the 1960s. The exhibit is on display until late October.
The museum is at 2200 Front St. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for vintage (65 and older), $10 for military and students, $6 for youth 6–17, and free for children 5 and younger. For information, visit calautomuseum.org.
RIVER PEOPLE
The Sacramento History Museum has debuted a new permanent exhibit, “Mómtim Péwinan, River People,” curated by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Exhibits and Collections Center.
The exhibit features four full-sized mannequins dressed in seasonal attire, plus regalia, tools, instruments and games from numerous tribal communities throughout the region.
The Sacramento History Museum is at 101 I St. and stands on Nisenan land in Nísem Péwinan territory, where many of the exhibit materials were gathered. For information, visit sachistorymuseum.org.
SUTTER’S FORT
Admission fees are waived to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park while renovations to re-roof some of the fort’s buildings and install seismic upgrades are underway.
The $1.3 million project will further preserve and protect the historic structures and priceless collections at Sutter’s Fort—the oldest restored fort in the U.S.
Display items are stored onsite during construction, while some historic artifacts were moved temporarily offsite.
The fort is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the renovations, allowing visitors to observe the project firsthand and tour the central building.
The museum store is closed, but Friends of Sutter’s Fort has launched a summer pop-up shop at the historic Huntington, Hopkins & Co. Hardware Store adjacent to the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento. The pop-up shop is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Sutter’s Fort is 2701 L St. For information, call (916) 445-4422 or visit suttersfort.org.
ST. MICHAEL’S
St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School in Carmichael celebrates 60 years this month.
Founded in 1963, the school is dedicated to teaching traditional academic skills while helping each child develop intellectual, social, athletic and spiritual capabilities.
The private K-8 school is part of an English and American tradition of independent church-related Episcopal schools noted for their high academic standards, dedication to humane values and service to society. Students enjoy arts and athletics programming, STEM opportunities, frequent field trips, chapel and daily assembly, an onsite organic garden and more.
“We demonstrate the value of community engagement in preschool and continue through eighth grade,” Head of School Mary Heise says. “Every year, each class participates in service-based learning projects and charitable giving, which helps them develop compassion, broaden their perspectives and form real-world connections.”
Like many schools, St. Michael’s pivoted during the pandemic to distance learning. Upon reopening, it’s enjoyed record enrollment. For information, visit smeds.net.
SPLAT STUDIO
Dipped N Color Splat Studio, winner of this year’s Calling All Dreamers business incubator program, is open in its new storefront at 122 I St. along the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
The studio offers splat sessions and private parties so guests can connect, create and de-stress by splatting paint on a canvas, walls—and even each other. For information, visit dippedncolorsplatstudio.com.
SSPCA GALA
A magical evening in the Emerald City takes place at the Sacramento SPCA’s annual fundraising gala, The Wizard of Pawz, on Saturday, Oct. 21.
This year’s event transports guests over the rainbow to a land of entertainment, food and a world where “there’s no place like home” for every companion animal.
The event sells out quickly. Tickets are $175 each or $1,750 for a table of 10. Tickets include table seating, food, beverages, auctions, entertainment and shelter tours.
The Sacramento SPCA is at 6201 Florin Perkins Road. To purchase tickets, visit sspca.org.
GAY MEN’S CHORUS
The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus welcomes new Artistic Director Alex Heetland.
Heetland is a choral musician, music director and pianist who has a passion for creating queer community through singing. He has taught choirs and music theory all over the world and most recently served as the artistic director for the Quire of Eastern Iowa, a queer chorus based in Iowa City.
Heetland succeeds Christian Bohm, who retired at the end of the group’s 38th season in July. For information on upcoming concerts, visit sacgaymenschorus.org.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
