(Almost) April in Paris
Poster illustration by Shane Murphy. Colored by Sarah Straub, lettered by Matthew Mora.
The Paris Saint-Germain Football Club is through to the quarter-finals of the prestigious UEFA Champion’s League soccer tournament, the Alliance Francaise de Sacramento will get a new house in the E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts and the Sacramento French Film Festival is hosting the sixth annual Serge! Fête de la Musique party this week. In other words, it’s a good time to be French in Sacramento—or at least it’s a good time to party like a Francophile.
If it’s anything like last year’s shindig, this year’s Serge! Fête de la Musique party—doors open at 7 p.m. at the Verge Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 28—is likely to be one of the hippest events of the year. At 7:30 p.m. the multimedia party inspired by French pop icon Serge Gainsbourg will start screening short French musical films. Then the Harley White Jr. Orchestra performs at 9 p.m., followed by French-pop-filled DJ sets from DJ Roger and DJ Christophe from 10 p.m. to midnight.
All this will be accompanied by “sceneography” (a.k.a a badass stage light show) by Sean Christopher. There will also be a no-host bar with beer, wine, champagne, Pastis and Perrier. Not to mention food truck Cichy Co. (which specializes in “gourmet sandwiches and gourmet french fries”) will be on hand to dish out good eats all night long. All this costs $10 at the door, located at 625 S Street. Gainsbourg would turn 86 this year. Head to www.sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.org for more information.
—Jonathan Mendick
Ginormous hug
Saturday, March 28
Who doesn’t need a good (free) hug? If you’ve never hugged a building, this is your opportunity to help set a record and be one of more than 3,500 people joining hands to hug California’s State Capitol. Sacramento is the first stop on a 50-state capital tour. Hugs Revolution founder Janet Tocatlian believes hugs can bridge gaps, heal and build friendships, especially across generations. Free, 9 a.m. at the State Capitol, 1315 10th Street; www.hugsrevolution.org.
—Trina L. Drotar
Denio’s Dog Day of Fun
Saturday, March 28
Ever felt the urge to much on a corn dog while watching a bunch of wiener dogs race? Want to dress up like one of the dogs? Your prayers have been answered. All ages are welcome but bring some spending cash if you want to enter your dog for a $5 race. Or join the corn-dog-eating contest for $10—first prize winner gets $200 and all the Dulcolax you can drink. Free, 11 a.m. at Denio’s Farmers Market, 1551 Vineyard Road in Roseville; www.deniosmarket.com.
—Eddie Jorgensen
It’s Magic
Sunday, March 29
It’s Magic draws from the world’s best magicians for a family-friendly variety revue of surprise. Christopher Hart studied under David Copperfield and is a master of manipulation magic. Multiple-award-winning illusionist Danny Cole develops new illusions for today’s audiences and Matt Marcy melds wit and magic. Juggler Michael Goudeau, former circus clown and collaborator with Lance Burton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller), rounds out the bill. $21-$45, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom; www.itsmagic.org.
—Trina L. Drotar
Cinema on K
Sunday, March 29
The Crest Theatre has been showing a lot of beloved films of yesteryear like Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Goonies, King Kong, etc. That’s all well and good, but for anyone who wants something totally new—and possibly ahead of its time—this Sunday’s film selection is a collection of two dozen or so shorts by local filmmakers. They cover all genres, plus there could be a potential future star director in the midst somewhere. Free, 6 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street; www.crestsacramento.com.
—Aaron Carnes
Pink Floyd Experience
Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31
After the untimely passing of keyboardist Richard Wright in 2008, any rumor of a Pink Floyd reunion was immediately squashed. While Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters have enjoyed successful solo careers, nearly all Pink Floyd fans would agree the band was (and is) where it’s at. Next best option? The Pink Floyd Experience in wonderful quadrophonic sound with an amazing light show. $29-$69, 7 p.m. nightly, at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom; http://thepinkfloydexperience.net.
