For Margaret Kane, the story of Sacramento’s Music Circus isn’t just history. It’s something that needed capturing before it slipped away.
Her new book, “Broadway Sacramento: 75 Years of Theater Magic,” is the result of that urgency. What began as an idea in 2023 grew into a two-and-a-half-year labor of research, writing, design and production.
“I felt a real urgency to preserve these stories while the people who lived them were still here to tell them,” Kane says.
Royal Chicano Air Force, one of California’s most influential artistic cultural movements, winds down its exhibition this month at the Crocker Art Museum. The four-month show closes June 28.
Billed as “the largest exhibition ever” of Royal Chicano Air Force material, the exhibit marks a defining moment for the museum and its recognition of a collective that helped shape Sacramento’s artistic identity and civic pride.
Nearly 100 screen-printed posters created by local RCAF artists highlight the show. Bold in color, graphic in style and bilingual in message, many of the works were designed for street displays rather than gallery walls.
They rallied support for social justice and cultural pride, announced events and gave visual voice to Chicano Power.
Jim Tracy believes volunteer work should be practical and purposeful. After a 27-year career with SMUD, including 10 years as chief financial officer, he looks for ways to contribute where his experience can make a measurable difference.
“As a public organization with no shareholders, SMUD’s focus was on low rates and quality service to the people of Sacramento County,” Tracy says. “I feel that focus provides me a good foundation for volunteering with community organizations.”
That foundation guides how he chooses to serve. Rather than spread himself across many groups, Tracy focuses on where he can be most useful.
Recently I read an essay about the “third place.” The idea has been around for years. Our first place is home. Our second place is work. The third place is everything in between, the locations where we gather, linger and connect.
Sacramento has always had strong third places. But we can no longer assume they will sustain themselves.
Think about a Saturday morning at the Midtown Farmers Market or Sunday morning under the freeway. Strangers stand together and sample citrus, buy flowers and debate which bakery line is shorter. Everyone participates and builds familiarity and a sense of trust.
For the first time in more than 15 years, the historic fountain at the east end of Capitol Mall is alive again. Water arcs into the air where a dry basin once sat, restoring movement, sound and drama to one of the city’s most symbolic public spaces.
The fountain’s return is more than a technical achievement—it’s the outcome of years of advocacy, public pressure and persistence led in part by Preservation Sacramento.
Constructed in the early 20th century as part of the formal approach to the Capitol, the fountain was designed as a visual anchor and gathering point. For generations, it welcomed visitors, framed photographs and softened the monumental scale of Capitol Mall.
