Out & About
By Jessica Laskey
August 2024
Race For The Arts
Break a sweat to support your favorite arts groups
Get a workout while supporting local nonprofit arts organizations at the 25th Race for the Arts. The 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Runs are Saturday, Aug. 24, at William Land Park.
Participants will enjoy entertainment throughout the day—on the racecourse and stage—plus an arts festival with food, hands-on activities and more.
Collect pledges for any California literary, performing, cultural, visual or culinary arts organization or school program, then enjoy a day of free festivities with fellow fundraisers. Arts groups and school programs receive 100% of pledges.
Pledges are not required to race, but they’re a great way to support your local arts groups.
Registration is $25–$40 (depending on age and date of entry). Teams of 10 or more receive a 20% discount. Registration includes an event T-shirt, refreshments and a commemorative finisher medal. For information and to register, visit raceforthearts.com.
CHALK IT UP!
The annual Chalk It Up! art and music festival is back Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 at Fremont Park.
Enjoy three days of live music, vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities and hundreds of volunteer artists creating stunning works of art on sidewalks around the park.
“We are so excited to bring the festival back for our 33rd year,” says Chalk It Up! Executive Director Christy Jourdan.
“We are one of the last free, family friendly festivals in the region and we are grateful to our community—volunteer artists, volunteer musicians, and especially our generous sponsors and donors—who are key to keeping this tradition alive since we started back in 1991.”
Since 2012, Chalk It Up! has awarded more than $70,000 to local schools and nonprofits, such as River City Theatre Company, Leading Edge Academy Expressive Arts and San Juan Unified School District Foster Youth Services. For information, visit chalkitup.org.
RIVER CITY SINGERS
Calling all singers! River City Chorale invites singers to an open rehearsal 7–8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, where they can practice with the entire choir before auditions.
Auditions are 6–9 p.m. (by appointment) Monday, Aug. 26, at Northminster Presbyterian Church. Auditions include singing from measures 1–21 of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “The Messiah” (with sheet music and provided accompanist), the singer’s short memorized selection and a voice assessment.
For sheet music, recordings, information and to schedule an audition appointment, visit rivercitychorale.org.
JAPANTOWN MURAL
A mural honoring Sacramento’s historic Japantown neighborhood has been unveiled at 301 Capitol Mall.
The “Sakuramento Mural” honors the country’s fourth largest Japantown, destroyed when residents were sent to internment camps in the 1940s. After World War II, citizens returned and tried to rebuild the area, but were again displaced in the name of redevelopment.
The mural depicts Japantown’s history, celebrations and businesses through painted panels that resemble Hanafuda cards. Roseville artist Karen Tsugawa created the mural with help from volunteers.
Reclaim Sacramento Japantown, which chronicles the history of the area on its website, organized the mural. For information, visit rust-sunfish-7ntg.squarespace.com.
GUITAR EXHIBIT
“America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation,” a traveling exhibit from the National Guitar Museum, is on view through Sept. 1 at the California Museum.
The traveling exhibit showcases 40 instruments, from the vihuela of the 1500s to a modern steampunk guitar, and examines historical events such as European colonialism, westward expansion, introduction of electricity, the Great Migration, Cold War, teenage rebellion and the rise of video games.
The Sacramento stop features the role of California guitar makers and musicians in popularizing the instrument in the 20th century. View guitars played by Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Eddie Van Halen and Los Tigres del Norte.
The California Museum is at 1020 O St. and open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8–$10. For information, visit californiamuseum.org.
AMERICA’S MONSTERS
The Sacramento History Museum’s new exhibit “America’s Monsters, Superheroes and Villains: Our Culture at Play” is on display Aug. 9 to Jan. 7.
The exhibit features more than 400 vintage and original toys, comic books, games, posters, packaging and more from SuperMonster市City! co-founder David Barnhill’s private collection.
Visit iconic monsters, superheroes and villains such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Joker, Storm, Green Goblin and Captain Marvel. The exhibit profiles creators, designers and artists including Stan Lee, Bob Kane and Todd McFarlane.
Sacramento History Museum is at 101 I St. at the Old Sacramento Waterfront and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, visit sachistorymuseum.org.
5 OVER 50 AWARD
Sacramento County’s Adult and Aging Commission has honored five volunteers with the 5 Over 50 Award.
The commission selects winners based on nominations from county residents. Nominees must be more than 50 years old, volunteer each week and demonstrate how getting involved impacts the community.
District 1 winner Ana Marcelo volunteered at South Natomas Library for more than 15 years.
District 2 winner Margarita Chavez participated in more than 300 trash cleanups with River City Waterway Alliance.
District 3 winner Adele Kruger, at nearly 90 years old, is volunteer coordinator for American River Parkway Foundation.
District 4 winner Wayne Watts spent more than 40 years volunteering and is a member of River City Waterway Alliance.
District 5 winner Faye Gaines feeds thousands of people each month as CEO and director of Sunshine Food Pantry & Resource Center in Galt.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
