With Moments of Clarity, Narrow Head dashes away any shadow of romantic nostalgia or indulgent self-deprecation. Channeling equal parts pop-star cockiness and weathered sobriety, the band has, in the truest and most basic sense, arrived at a record that only they could have written. Moments of Clarity does not speak to or build upon the past. Rather, it cuts straight to the heart of the matter, taking the struggle, brilliance, and mystery of contemporary life as its direct subject.

Open Mic stand-up comedy show is part of our up-and-coming talent night series. You see comedians that are new to performing, some seasoned veterans, and every level in between. Any comedian, regardless of skill, can perform. It’s exciting! It’s raw! It’s hilarious, AND sometimes not-so-hilarious, stand-up comedy.

Sacramento’s Red’s Blues recorded a live CD at the Starlet Room last fall, and now we will be celebrating the release of that CD, Old Diamonds and Uncut Gems!

This night, Beth Reid-Grigsby, lead/harmony vocals, RW Grigsby, bass, Doug Crumpacker, guitar/harmonica, Tim Wilbur, drums, and very special guests Robert Sidwell, guitar, Sid Morris, piano bring the goods live again!
This is the band’s ( ALL members of Sacramento’s Blues Hall Of Fame)  fourth album!

As the title aptly notes, there are old diamonds and uncut gems. Beth and RW are wise songwriters who know how to both uplift and face hard truths Their new originals –“Singing A Brand New Song,” “Looking For a Hustle,” “Black-Eyed Sally’s,”  and Beth’s own ‘Lizzie’s Blues’ are testimony to this. Live versions of favorites like “Poor Girl,” “Sherry Ann,” Forty Years of Trouble” and “Broke Down in the Fast Lane” will thrill fans.  Special guest Jon Lawton brought it with his slide on Mike Morgan classic Texas tune,” Ain’t Worried No More.”  Great piano man Sid Morris’s version of his Floyd Dixon’s 1953 “San Francisco Blues” is a slow blues beauty.

Red’s Blues has always had a finger-poppin’ attitude—straight outta the golden years when blues, R&B and swing all meshed together and dance floors every night were filled with snake hips and slow drags. Beth Reid-Grigsby, with her sensual, southern voice and classy behind-the-beat phrasing is more a Peggy Lee or Bobbie Gentry-styled singer: smoky with languid, sexy sophistication.

Thanks to her older brother, she grew up listening to Huddie Ledbetter, Muddy Waters and Mississippi John Hurt records and as a kid, learned from and sang songs at home with her Mom — “Summertime,” ‘God Bless the Child,’ and St. Louis Blues.” Across the street in her hometown of south Santa Barbara though, the shy seven-year-old redhead was bold enough to go perch on the neighbor’s porch listening to a Cuban salsa band rehearse, and from that learned to love the rhythms, the bass and percussion in particular. She and RW Grigsby met through the local Santa Barbara blues scene years later in 1977 and have lived in his home state of Georgia and then Texas before heading back to sunny Sacramento, California in 2006.

2014 Grammy-nominated and Blues Music Award (BMA) winner bassist/singer/songwriter RW Grigsby has been playing since he was 14 years old and began his professional career when still a teenager. He’s toured the U.S., Canada and Europe since the ’80s. He played and recorded with Texas blues stars Gary Primich and Black Top Records’ Mike Morgan and the Crawl in the 1990s, and later with Mark Hummel and The Golden State-Lone Star Revue with legends Little Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh.. RW is the bassist on the 2014 Grammy-nominated and BMA-winning CD, Remembering Little Walter. He was nominated for a BMA “Best Bassist” Award in 2017 and was inducted into the Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2018. His lauded debut Americana solo record, Grigsby’s Truck Stop, released in November of last year.

Red’s Blues guitarist Doug Crumpacker, a well-known name in Sacramento for close to forty years, is one of just a handful of  area musicians who truly taught the city about blues beginning in 1990 with his hugely popular band, The Hucklebucks (with RW on bass, Tim Wilbur on drums). A Sacramento 2016 Blues Society Hall of Fame inductee, he joined Red’s Blues in 2018. Tim has been with Red’s Blues for over eight years now, and Doug joining six years ago, was a natural fit for our band. We are all like family.

Red’s Blues draw their audiences into a grown-up music world—southern music with downhome simmer, dance floor fun and stellar, sophisticated players who know they have no need to blast at ear splitting volumes to make the biggest impact.

Three retired best friends. One hotrod surf instructor. The currents of the Pacific Ocean. What could possibly go wrong? Set on surfboards in Santa Cruz, WIPEOUT is a poignant comedy about friendship and the unpredictable tides of life.

WIPEOUT is produced at B Street Theatre as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other Partner Theatres are Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (Chicago, Illinois) and Gloucester Stage (Gloucester, Massachusetts). For more information, please visit NNPN.org.

Written by Aurora Real de Asua

Helix Night features three improv teams creating comedy scenes, off the top of their heads, inspired by cast members’ true stories from their past. These hilarious and smart performances start with a single suggestion from you, the audience!

You will see new comedians, some seasoned veterans, and everything in between. All of the performers have taken the Comedy Spot’s core classes (Improv 101-301), auditioned, and now have an opportunity to continue their training through regular rehearsals and performances.

Each team performs a long-form (scene-based) improv structure (form) named the Helix. Helix performers create high-paced, high-energy, two-person scenes inspired by the unusual parts of cast members’ true stories. Characters, themes, and stories continually spiral in and out of the show until they reach a climactic ending. The Helix is an original improv form developed by Sacramento Comedy Spot.

Helix Night Performers
Adam Cranfill • Alex Recalde • Alex Shewmaker • Alex Troyan • Allie Berta Clover • Alyson Anderson Monson • Amy Nelson • Ando Crete • Andrew Sarchet  • Beth Hotchkiss • Cameron Domasky • Carissa Edwards • Carson Poe • Cassandra Banks • Cassondra Carper •  Chandra Howard • Charlotte Hoar • Danny Outlaw • Ellen Berg • Hannah Hudler • Ian McGlone • Janay Lovering • Joe Matthews • Jonasz Ely-Rubik • Jordan Varney • Josef Salazar • Kathleen Burch • Katrina Huber-Juma • Kyle Buis • Lauren Vigliotti • Linda Maldonado Bibaeff • Matthew Walker • Michael Frigm • Mickey McKim • Patrick Blanson • Raedene Harborth • Sam Sellers • Sydney Taylor • Tyler Swanson • Yuen Lenh

Midtown Parks is hosting a happy hour fundraiser at Lock and Key Tapas + Bar. Enjoy happy hour anytime from 5pm to 8pm., where 10% of sales will support Midtown Parks for Big Day of Giving.

There will also be a free yoga session hosted by Yoga Moves Us, from 5pm to 6pm across the street at Marshall Park.

It's not a phase mom! Grab your skinny jeans and swoop your hair for the Emo Night Tour! Listen to your favorite songs that will bring back all that teenage angst.

A Motown Celebration with Chester Gregory is a musical tribute featuring some of Motown's greatest hits by legendary artists such as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson, and many others. Singer and Broadway extraordinaire, Chester Gregory, will perform some of Motown's greatest hits and also share his personal experiences meeting some of Motown legends in person. Motown Records was founded by Berry Gordy, Jr., in 1959 and quickly became a major force in the music world. The record label was instrumental in breaking down racial barriers in the music industry and bringing black artists to the forefront of mainstream popular music.

Pioneer Players presents Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by David-Matthew Barnes.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on February 14, 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical British comedy. The play tells the story of two men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who both assume the identity of a fictional man named Ernest, leading them both to fall in love and find an assortment of problems along the way. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage and the resulting satire of Victorian conformity.

To reach the Pioneer Theater, enter the church through the doors located in the church courtyard. The theater is accessible. Street parking is available. Concessions are cash only. Patrons arriving late will not be seated until intermission.

Ahhh April. Everything is in bloom — trees, love, and ... muuuuuuurderrrrrrr. The greenery all around us is growing, and so is the suspicion that something wicked is going to happen on Friday, April 19 at the dubiously perfect time of 7:30 p.m. That's right ... springtime sundown.

Here's what we know: One amongst us will perish in our opening act. Someone known to them — someone in the very room at the time of the crime — did the deed. Lots and lots of lies, deceptions, and misdirections will be bandied about by a band of bad actors, all of whom are going to allege an airtight alibi.

Here's what we don't know: Who did it. That'll be up to you to decide. Once the audience picks the killer, the crime-solving duo will reveal exactly what went down.

Jack and the Band are Back!

Two Shows Featuring Music, Comedy and “Tidbits." This time the Band Features Horns A-Plenty!

Comedian Jack Gallagher, backed by the Dick Bright Band, brings back his popular music and comedy show to The Sofia for two performances. This is Magic Milestone #10 with Jack and the band, and this time (to mark the occasion) they’ve added a 3-piece horn section.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one of Jack’s music shows, it’s a mix of some of his favorite tunes previously recorded by familiar recording artists. In fact, audiences are invited to sing along!

Throughout the show, Jack will be threading musical “tidbits" and trivia to tantalize and “nostalgia-tize” lovers of music from various eras and genres…mostly popular and familiar.

It’s a full-service show!

It’s worth mentioning that this group of musicians, separately and together, have played with everyone from Carlos Santana to Huey Lewis to Tony Bennet and James Brown and have performed around the world as pop sensations, The Rubinoos. They are considered by many in the biz to be the cream of the crop of Bay Area musicians!

Come join in the fun!

Company Members Dave Pierini, Tara Sissom, Stephanie Altholz and Jason Kuykendall perform classic long-form improvisation for a late-night audience. Coming out of Chicago’s comedy scene, the Harold has been used by famous improv groups like Second City which developed comedic talent such as Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Based off an audience suggestion, performers will create a one-night-only improvised play, so every performance will be unique! As an exciting caveat, if we do achieve “maximum occupancy” (aka a sell-out show), we buy everyone pizza!

Welcome to Anti-Cooperation League! Join ACL weekly for a unique blend of audience interaction and on-the-spot comedy, where YOUR stories serve as the fuel for our hilarious improvised scenes. Share your stories and watch as Sacramento’s best improvisers create comedy scenes inspired by your life.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Strike a pose at our ACL photo booth and show up for weekly surprises including exclusive giveaways, drink specials, appearances by Sacramento celebrities, and whatever weird shit we can think of. There’s always something new and exciting brewing in our imaginative minds. So mark your calendars, grab your friends, and get ready for an unforgettable experience at Anti-Cooperation League every Saturday night at 9PM at the Sacramento Comedy Spot.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to know in advance what we have planned next. And if you have an idea for a story we should ask you about, submit your idea when you buy your ticket.

Cast :Brian Crall, Chris Emery, Coreen Lemcke, Corky McDonnell, Dustin Seidler, Greg Sabin, Justine Lopez, Michelle Daubner
Guest Performers: Allie Berta Clover, Chandra Howard

Join us for brunch, bottomless mimosas and a play reading!

The event will run from 11am - 1pm

Keep your eyes peeled for more info about which play we'll be reading!

Have you ever wished upon a star for more whimsy in your life? Once Upon a Line is just the fairy godmother you need! Peer into an enchanted mirror to enter a storybook world full of wagish witches, pompous princesses, hapless heroes, and much more! Underscored by Steven's musical accompaniment, Ava, Chandra, Michael, Nate, and Vita will improvise a narrative fairy tale that is charming enough to delight even the most dastardly of villains. YOU decide the moral of the story, then the players provide the rest!

Cast: Ava Abuchai, Chandra Howard, Michael Frigm, Nate Breshears, Vita Doria, and music by Steven Boyd

MRI (Masters of Rap Improv) is Sacramento Comedy Spot’s only freestyle rap improv show. The cast of MRI gets a one-word suggestion from an audience member to inspire a freestyle rap, then performs improvised scenes based on the rap. If you like hip hop and improv, this is the show for you!

You! The Musical is a completely improvised musical inspired by your suggestion of a title. Everything in the show is made up on the spot — lyrics, music, dancing… everything! Each 60-minute performance features a full story with heroes and villains, sidekicks and allies.

Cast: Brian Crall, Chris Emery, Hawley Allen, Ruben Acosta, Sam Harrison

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes (2010), Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft while maintaining a unique identity. With his eighth full-length studio album, 2022's "What Tomorrow Brings," Wood reaches new emotional depths and delivers his most powerful collection of music to date. "Although it was finished before the pandemic even began, the time I had during those unpredictable years allowed me to dig deep and fine-tune the album in a way I've never been able to before. I know, without a doubt, this is the best work of my career."

Royal Wood has received multiple JUNO nominations, 5 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and a #1 added song at Hot AC. Having seen high-profile features on programs such as Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, his catalogue has amassed over 15 million streams worldwide. Most recently, Danish manufacturer VELUX utilized the 2007 single, "A Good Enough Day," in a promotional campaign, generating a surge of newfound fans across Europe. Capturing the same sonic and emotional depth of these recordings, Wood translates his songs into astounding live performances. This live prowess has led to performances in world-class venues and support-billing for globally-celebrated artists such as Bonnie Raitt and David Gray.

Following a headline performance at Toronto's iconic Massey Hall, Royal Wood released his latest album, "What Tomorrow Brings," in November 2022. Crafted alongside world-renowned producers Linda Perry (Adele, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera) and Jamie Scott (Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber), the album draws from deeply personal points in Wood's life, effectively capturing the emotion of these moments. "During the writing of this album, I lost a parent, fell in love, got married and became a father. These experiences definitely allowed me to write from a place of pure vulnerability and create the most carefully crafted and inspired lyrics of my career."

Antsy McClain is hilarious. He is also insightful and heartwarming.

Whether he’s performing solo or with his incredible band of musicians called the Trailer Park Troubadours, Antsy McClain will have you “laughing til your cheeks are sore,” and tearing up over “the good stuff": love, family and friends. As a songwriter, Antsy wants to touch every emotion. “I love to make people laugh – if we can laugh, we can heal – and that will always be a big part of my shows. But without something deeper, it’s just a superficial cartoon: me with the big hair, plaid pants and funky clothes, the band with their antics. We have a good time up there, but we want to leave you with tears in your eyes from laughing and from recognizing that life is short so enjoy the ride.”

Antsy calls what he does “humor with heart.” Funny without ridicule. Sentimental without saccharine.

The friends of Antsy’s music (more than 20 albums to date) call themselves Flamingoheads, after the iconic plastic figurines that have adorned trailer park lawns for decades. They are a caring bunch of people who call themselves cousins, per Antsy’s wishes on social media to not only “friend” him, but “cousin” him, as this all seems too much like family to use any other word. “I am confident that I have more cousins than anyone on Facebook,” Antsy recalls with a smile. “Last count it was in the hundreds. That’s a big family. I’m a lucky man.”

The backdrop for these characters and stories is the semi-fictional mobile home community called Pine View Heights. It was designed after his own upbringing in several Central Ohio trailer parks where he lived with a blue collar family, raised by a truck-driving father and an Avon-selling, stay-at-home Mom. “You can’t make this stuff up,” Antsy recalls. “It’s like the Blues. You gotta live it.” And live it, he does, honoring those who mentored him with grace and dignity, albeit exposing the foibles and occasional scar tissue that makes us all unique and endearing.

When asked if there are common threads that run through his music, Antsy answers in the affirmative: “Don’t clutter your life with stuff that doesn’t matter. Hug your loved ones. Appreciate each moment. Use your powers for good. I’ve been writing that same theme paper for years and setting it to music – from my first album in 1999 to the most recent one this past Summer."

Antsy McClain’s latest album, released in 2023, is the self-produced The Indelible Man and covers the emotional range his fans have come to expect from this wildly creative and diverse songwriter.

His new song, “Cover Up Lover,” is the story of a man and his tattooed betrothed who bears the name of a previous love interest on her arm. He takes her to a tattoo parlor and tells her: “I’m your cover up lover / You’ll never need another tattoo / With someone’s name / I’m the road that meets the rubber / The one who’s gonna see you through / Life’s joy and pain.” Antsy ends the song by giving us the album’s title, saying, “Now, let’s get all the ink that we can / Now that you’ve found your indelible man.”

Seekers of the Strange is a fictional, paranormal investigation team that embarks on a perilous and sanity-sapping foray into the unknown each month. Based on the model of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, company member John Lamb and other familiar faces bring live role playing to the stage. Part game, part improvisational storytelling, and all strange, the Seekers invite the audience to help them navigate a supernatural mystery. Whether you want to be an observer or create a character and become an active participant, Seekers of the Strange offers a truly unique theatre experience every month. Perfect for those who enjoy HarmonQuest or classic RPGs.

In today's rapidly advancing technological era, AI is at the forefront of shaping the future landscape of business. Join this engaging and insightful event focused on exploring the transformative impact of AI in business, healthcare, education, transportation and beyond. A panel of AI and business experts will examine the ethical considerations and broader societal impacts of AI, while highlighting the vast opportunities it offers. Learn how leveraging AI can drive innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, shaping a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.

Small business resource booths and opportunities to network will be available before and after the formal program.