WC PERFORMER – Tour Stop: Sacramento, CA


www.performermag.com
www.myspace.com/westcoastperformer

Sacramento, CA

WHERE I-80, I-5 AND CA-99 CONVERGE LIES CALIFORNIA’S CAPITAL CITY, the grand metropolis of the Central Valley. Sacramento’s location and extensive history create a crossroads of sorts for musical culture, encouraging the existence of eclectic venues from the hip lounges in nostalgic Old Sac to the larger rock clubs prominent throughout the area. Nearby colleges Sacramento State and UC Davis promise a strong student turnout and often host shows themselves. Music events like Friday Night Concerts in the Park, NorCal NoiseFest, and the experimental Sacramento Audio Waffle deliver something for every musical bent. Established musicians Cake, Blackalicious, and the ever-popular Jackie Greene all draw origins from Sacramento, and many more have some claim to the place. From jazz to hip-hop, no genre is underrepresented. Artists traveling between the Bay Area, the Central Valley, Reno and Redding will find Sacramento a most convenient stop over.

BOOK A GIG: VENUES

OLD IRONSIDES
1901 TENTH STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
(916) 443-9751
www.theoldironsides.com

A Sacto staple popular in the indie scene. Sign-up for Wednesday’s open mic starts at 8:30pm. Booker, Jerry Perry, also coordinates Second Saturday, Friday Night Concerts in the Park, and the local scene publication, Alive and Kicking. Email jerry@alivenkicking.com, or call (916) 448-2582 at least one month in advance.

HARLOW’S
2708 J STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
(916) 441-4693
www.harlows.com

A classy downtown venue hosting all genres, particularly hip-hop, R&B and jazz. Call booker, Danny Torza, at extension 11 for more info, or send an email to harlows@harlows.com at least one month in advance.

MARILYN’S ON K
1107 NINTH STREET, SUITE T-100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
(916) 446-4361
www.marilynsonk.com

Near the Capitol, Marilyn’s hosts a number of great singer-songwriters and rock bands up to five nights a week. Email the general manager, Jane Gribben, at booking@marilynsonk.com. Artists new to the club should utilize their web form. Allow one month advanced notice.

THE SPEAKEASY LOUNGE
117 J STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA
(916) 443-5051
www.myspace.com/speakeasylounge

Below Café New Orleans in Old Sac, Speakeasy features music at least twice a week from
most genres. Email booker, Wendy Thomas, at thespeakeasylounge@gmail.com with your
MySpace site, and mail a promo kit to her attention one month in advance.

JAVA LOUNGE
2416 SIXTEENTH STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95818
(916) 441-3945
www.thejavaloungeisrad.com

Voted “Best All-Ages Venue” in SN&R’s Best of Sacramento 2007. Send an email to Kevin
Seconds at javaloungebooking@gmail.com at least one week in advance.

THE BOARDWALK
9426 GREENBACK LANE
ORANGEVALE, CA 95662
(916) 988-9247
www.boardwalkrocks.com

Boardwalk is renowned for hosting bands on the verge of breaking out. Contact booker, Mark Earl, at booking@boardwalkrocks.com (916) 722-5784, two to three months in advance. Shows are all-ages unless specified.

BLUE LAMP
1400 ALHAMBRA BOULEVARD
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
(916) 455-3400
www.bluelamp.com

A venue that features all genres up to five nights a week. Contact Ed Stoner at
booking@bluelamp.com or call (866) 575-9405. Electronic kits are preferred, but mailed press kits are also welcome. Allow two months advanced notice.

TRUE LOVE COFFEEHOUSE
2315 K STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
(916) 448-5683
www.truelovesacramento.com

A local all-ages favorite for singer-songwriter and indie rock shows up to three times a week. For booking, send an email to Kevin Seconds at truelovesacto@gmail.com, with your MySpace link, at least two months in advance.

STORES

SKIP’S MUSIC
2740 AUBURN BOULEVARD
SACRAMENTO, CA 95821
(916) 484-7575
www.skipsmusic.com
With an additional location in Elk Grove, Skip’s provides a slew of services from equipment rental to repairs. Rates: $60/hr with 3-5 day turnaround, or $90/hr for same day service. Open weekdays (11-8pm), Saturdays (10-6pm), and Sundays (11-6pm).

PROMOTE A GIG: MEDIA

KSSU 1580 AM
6000 J STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95819
(916) 278-5882
music@kssu.com
www.kssu.com

Sac State’s student-run radio station offers indie artist rotation. See their contact page for the appropriate genre contact, or email music@kssu.com for more info. Additionally, KSSU prints “The Local Slice,” a free format magazine. Contact editor, Sarah Hannon, at news@kssu.com or (916) 278-3343 for coverage consideration.

R5 RECORDS
2500 SIXTEENTH STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95818
(916) 441-2500
www.r5records.com

The recently-opened lovechild of Tower Records founder, Russ Solomon. Live in-store shows are held up to three times a week, and records can be sold on consignment. Email Christina Mestas at christina@r5records.com for more info. Allow at least two weeks advanced notice for performance consideration.

DIMPLE RECORDS
2433 ARDEN WAY
SACRAMENTO, CA 95825
(916) 925-2600
www.dimple.com

The area’s definitive indie record store, Dimples has six locations in and near Sacramento. Stores offer record consignment. Email dimplerecords@dimple.com or call for more info.

SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW
1015 TWENTIETH STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
(916) 498-1234
www.newsreview.com/sacramento

A premier source of alternative culture and events. Email arts editor, Jonathan Kiefer, at jonk@newsreview.com for coverage consideration. Artists can add their profiles and events online.