Submerge Magazine: Issue 258 (January 29 - February 13, 2018

DIVE INTO SACRAMENTO & ITS SURROUNDING AREAS JANUARY 29 – FEBRUARY 12, 2018

#258

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

S I W O N S R U O

C I N A G R O % 0 10 D

E C R U O S Y L L A C LO SIERRAATTAHOE.COM

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SHARON KNIGHT AND WINTER / KEITH LOWELL JENSEN / $6 DRINK SPECIALS / $3 PBR

SubmergeMag.com

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

3

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

DIVE IN

Submerge: an independently owned entertainment/lifestyle publication available for free biweekly throughout the greater Sacramento area.

258 2018

10 YEARS OF RADNESS

JAN. 15 – FEB. 12

MELISSA WELLIVER melissa@submergemag.com COFOUNDER/ EDITOR IN CHIEF/ ART DIRECTOR

Melissa Welliver melissa@ submergemag.com COFOUNDER/ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

18 18

Jonathan Carabba jonathan@ submergemag.com SENIOR EDITOR

James Barone ASSISTANT EDITOR

Ryan Prado

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ellen Baker, Robin Bacior, Robert A. Berry II, Bocephus Chigger, Ronnie Cline, Justin Cox, Alia Cruz, Josh Fernandez, Lovelle Harris, Mollie Hawkins, Niki Kangas, Nur Kausar, John Phillips, Paul Piazza, Carly Quellman, Claudia Rivas, Daniel Romandia, Andrew C. Russell, Amy Serna, Jacob Sprecher, Richard St. Ofle, Haley Teichert CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

20

05 DIVE IN 07 THE STREAM OPTIMISTIC 10 THE PESSIMIST

11 I <3 SAC

22

Wesley Davis, Evan Duran, Kevin Fiscus, Dillon Flowers, Jon Hermison, Sam Ithurburn, Jason Sinn

24

20

ELEMENT BRASS BAND

22

IGWE AKA

24

JOHN DOZIER

26

CALENDAR

OUTSIDE THE 9-TO-5

13

HAPPY HOUR HUNTER

14

SUBMERGE YOUR SENSES

18

HEATHER MCDONALD

I-SHANGHAI DELIGHT

SubmergeMag.com

29

THE GRINDHOUSE

30

THE SHALLOW END

HOSTILES

Submerge

1009 22nd Street, Suite 3 Sacramento, California 95816

916.441.3803 info@ submergemag.com All content is property of Submerge and may not be reproduced without permission. Submerge is both owned and published

by Submerge Media. All opinions expressed throughout Submerge are those of the author and do not necessarily mean we all share those opinions. Feel free to take a copy or two for free, but please don’t remove our papers or throw them away. Submerge welcomes letters of all kinds, whether they are full of love or hate. We want to know what is on your mind, so feel free to contact us via snail mail at 1009 22nd Street, Suite 3 Sacramento, California 95816.

Or you can email us at info@submergemag.com.

SUBMERGEMAG.COM Follow us on Twitter & Instagram! @SubmergeMag PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Wow. A full 10 YEARS we’ve been making Submerge. Let’s just say I’m in my mid-30s so that means I’ve been making Submerge for practically a third of my life.

Recently Jonathan (my husband and co-founder of this publication) and I were asked, “What was the motivation for starting Submerge?” Honestly, 10 years feels so long ago, like a lifetime ago, it feels hard to give the reason behind it.

I believe the answer is that we were simply ... young.

Young enough to want to work in the fields we were passionate about: music, art, culture and publishing. We were also young enough to basically not give a fuck. That kind of young where you take major risks and don’t look back and also don’t look too far ahead. You don’t even think about failing or what if it doesn’t work out. We were in our twenties and we just took a leap of faith back in that rainy January 2008. Looking back now, it was by far the scariest thing I’ve ever done. Now in my 30s, a realist, if I had the opportunity to do it now, I’d probably be too scared out of my mind to start a business, and I doubt I’d do it.

It’s been a long road. A whole lot of work and stress but at the same time a whole lot of fun.

A decade is really hard to reflect on, especially in a column that only fits about 500 words. But I can say without doubt my favorite thing about making Submerge is all the friends I’ve made along the way. Friendships with our contributors, musicians, artists and advertisers. I can’t thank you enough for being an invaluable part of my life for the past decade. And if it wasn’t for them as well as all of our readers, we wouldn’t have made it this far. So ...Thank you friends. Thank you readers. And thank you advertisers!

Special shout out to James Barone, our senior editor, who’s been around since the beginning, he’s the one who makes our publication read professionally. And Jonathan Carabba, who keeps the whole publication alive since day one, by working with advertisers to keep the ink on our pages.

Also thank you for putting up with me all these years, professionally and lovingly.

Last but not least, you may have noticed the awesome typography on our cover with the slogan we’ve been using here and there for the past year, “Read.

Learn. Do rad things.” Thanks to the artist John Dozier who drew our phrase.

We plan to turn it into T-shirts ASAP. We are hoping to have them printed in time for our 10 Year Anniversary Party on Feb. 3 (more info on that on page 7), but things are taking a little longer than expected. As soon as I get more information on the shirts, which will probably be by next issue, I’ll let you know how they can be purchased.

Now, please enjoy our new issue.

This issue is jam-packed with everything we are known to cover from music, art, food, comedy and more. Enjoy! And be sure to make this your motto:

Read. Learn. Do rad things.

Melissa

(Feb 10th, 6-9pm)

CK Art – open WED-SAT 10am-6pm

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

5

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

21 TVs

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nfl, NBA, nhl & UFC

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

THE STREAM

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: GET TO KNOW THE ARTISTS PLAYING OUR 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY!

JONATHAN CARABBA

Send regional news tips to info@submergemag.com

In case you haven’t picked up our last couple issues or aren’t following us online (which you should be!), Submerge turns 10 years old in 2018! Yes, time sure flies when you’re always on a deadline. It was way back on Feb. 4, 2008, when we distributed our first issue around the greater Sacramento area. To celebrate the past decade of our local music, art and culture coverage, we’re throwing a party on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Holy Diver, an all-ages music venue located at 1517 21st St. in Midtown Sacramento. It’s sure to be a good one, so keep on reading to get to know the artists playing the show, and please come on out.

SCREATURE

HORSENECK

DESTROY BOYS

SAM I JAM (LE TWIST)

Genre: Dark Psych/Goth/Punk Must Hear: Old Hand New Wave (2018, Ethel Scull Records) Listen: Screature.bandcamp.com

Genre: Rock/Post Hardcore/Stoner Metal Must Hear: Heavy Trip (2017, Self-released) Listen: Horseneck.bandcamp.com

Genre: Punk/Rock Must Hear: Sorry, Mom (2017, Uncool Records) Listen: Destroyboys.bandcamp.com

Genre: Electronic/Indie/Dance Listen: Soundcloud.com/sam_i_jam

Get ready for a sweaty good time, because local headbangers Horseneck are back and ready to melt faces! Made up of members of notable Sacramento bands like Will Haven, Chelsea Wolfe, Eightfourseven and Red Host (just to name a few), Horseneck are veterans in the scene, yes; but they still rock like limber youngsters. Guitar strings might be broken, drum heads will likely be smashed, there may even be a little blood and ear plugs will most definitely be necessary. Horseneck hasn’t played a local show in many, many months, due in part to their badass drummer Jess Gowrie being out on tour for much of 2017 with the aforementioned Wolfe, so don’t miss them at our party!

One of the most exciting and promising young acts to come out of Sacramento in recent years, Destroy Boys are doing things the old fashioned way: playing lots of shows up and down the West Coast, winning over fans with their raw and infectious garage-punk sound, and having fun while giving zero shits. No marketing gimmicks here, folks; Destroy Boys are the real deal. Self-described as, “What would happen if Blondie stumbled into a Misfits recording session,” Destroy Boys even earned a mention in Rolling Stone by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong in 2016, before the band’s two main members, Alexia Roditis and Vi Mayugba, had even graduated from high school! These days, they are playing as a four-piece, with Enzo from the band MT. EDDY on bass and a “very special guest playing drums.” Rumor has it Destroy Boys has been recently doing some recording in a Los Angeles studio, so we’re beyond excited to see what comes of that.

Bow down. This is Screature’s world and we’re all just living in it. This local four-piece is a force to be reckoned with, and this is their moment—a dark, heavy, powerful moment.

Having just seen them live in late 2017, I can say they must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated, as they are very wellrehearsed and firing on all cylinders right now. Their new album, Old Hand New Wave, was released just weeks ago on Jan. 19, and it is a fucking monster. Produced by Chris Woodhouse (known for his work with Oh Sees and Ty Segall, among many others), it is easily one of this local music geek’s favorite albums to come out of Sacramento in a long time.

“Whenever and wherever Sacramento’s Screature take the stage, they bring a 4 a.m. world of dread with them, embodying completely a dark strain of rock music that first sparked in the underground nearly 40 years ago … Play their music in a darkened bedroom, and things begin to crawl.”

— Submerge contributor Andrew Russell in his piece on Screature from issue #257.

“Existing somewhere within the sonic field of Murder City Devils and Red Fang, Heavy Trip sounds like a band unafraid to push the coveted tenets of heavy music to more nuanced volumes.” — Submerge assistant editor Ryan J. Prado in his piece on Horseneck from issue #232.

“Scrambled up, punk-ass garage rock—songs ranging from folky to full of angst and rage …

Make no mistakes: The band, however wacky, loud and obnoxious, still wants to be taken seriously. They’re not just a bunch of fuckups.”

— Submerge contributor Josh Fernandez in his piece on Destroy Boys from issue #216.

Sam I Jam is a local DJ and event curator known for his Le Twist parties inside LowBrau. Through Le Twist, he has introduced Sacramento showgoers to numerous cuttingedge touring bands that it might not have otherwise had the pleasure of being able to see, along with guest DJs and local bands. Whether it’s music, art, fashion, food, whatever, the man has exquisite taste, and we’re beyond stoked he’s on board to play some jams at our party. He’ll be downstairs setting the vibe along with special guests popping in throughout the night.

Come see all these artists and some special guests on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Holy Diver for our 10-Year Anniversary Party! Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and all ages are welcome.

While technically a free show, we are asking for a $5 to $10 donation at the door to raise money for a cancer charity in honor of our dearly missed assistant editor Mandy, who passed away in December 2015 after losing her battle with cancer. So please, bring some donations in Mandy’s honor! Follow us @SubmergeMag on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for more.

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1 - 2 PM

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

7

1517 21 st Street Sacramento

Holydiversac.com

All Ages & Music Venue Bar

ng Servi Now

ht

idnig

pm-m eek 4 saw 7 day

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY

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(ALBUM RELEASE)

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DESTROY BOYS

TUE JANUARY 3O • 7PM

WED JANUARY 31 • 7PM

FRI FEBRUARY 2 • 7PM

SAT FEBRUARY 3 • 7PM

MON FEBRUARY 5 • 6:3OPM

TUE FEBRUARY 6 • 7PM

WED FEBRUARY 7 • 7PM

THU FEBRUARY 8 • 7PM

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

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VEIO, XAON, EXILED FROM GRACE AND NAM THE GIVER

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SUN FEBRUARY 11 • 6:3OPM

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THE CUTBACKS AND KNOCKOUT

FRI FEBRUARY 9 • 6:3OPM ,

&

AC3

SUBTLETY YUGEN DEMON IN ME

THU FEBRUARY 15 • 7PM 8

FRI FEBRUARY 16 • 6:3OPM

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

SAT FEBRUARY 17 • 7PM

SUN FEBRUARY 18 • 6:3OPM Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

1517 21 Street Sacramento Holydiversac.com st

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MATT & TOBY (OF EMERY), MOTHERFOLK, THE DEAD MEDS, NATIONAL LINES AND VERNO

WED MARCH 7 • 6PM SubmergeMag.com

MARCH 1O: SLAVES MARCH 11: WE CAME AS ROMANS MARCH 12: DOYLE MARCH 16: ALTERBEAST MARCH 22: TAYLOR BENNETT MARCH 23 : WILL HAVEN[ALBUM RELEASE] MARCH 24: NIVIANE MARCH 26: THEDICKIES,THEQUEERS MARCH 28: BRYCE VINE MARCH 31 : AUSTIN JOHN WINKLER APRIL 2: RIFF RAFF

APRIL 4: THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS APRIL 5: IRON MAIDENS APRIL 7: KOREAN FIRE DRILL APRIL11: REDSUNRISING APRIL 13: DEVIN THE DUDE APRIL 15: U.S. BOMBS APRIL 18: SAXON APRIL 2O: PSYCHOTICA APRIL 21: DAMAGE INC MAY 2O: D.R.I. JUNE 12: FLOTSAM & JETSAM JUNE 15: ULI JON ROTH JUNE 23: BROWN SABBATH

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

9

A K O G O N Z I k Pop A l O D o T F B e R i Ind O C C A

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Bocephus Chigger is world-renowned for telling people what to do and how to live their lives.

Bocephus Chigger was the recipient of a Bachelor of Arts in the field of Psychology from UC Davis, so he is basically a genius and certainly knows better than you. Bocephus Chigger’s advice columns appear in print, on the internet and as a nagging voice that pops up in the back of your mind when you feel anxious about something. This week, Bocephus is helping the swamp things from Washington, D.C. who have written in for help.

Dear Bocephus, I am married to a very powerful man. Well, I should say that he pretends to be a powerful man, but really, he is just a big man-baby. All he does is whine all the time: “CNN is fake news!” “My hair won’t wrap around my head right!” “Where did the scotch tape go for my tie?” “There is no collusion!” “I’m not racist!” He won’t acknowledge the truth and his defenses are laughable at best. I swear it’s all so ridiculous. When he isn’t whining, he is lying in bed eating cheeseburgers like some sort of loser. I just want to be left alone to raise my son and I can’t even do that because my stupid husband keeps doing things that call our marriage into question.

I’m so fed up with the man that I am thinking about leaving him. I’m at the end of my Louis Vuitton rope here; what should I do?

–Jaded in DC Dear Jaded, First, let me just say how sorry I am that you have to share anything with that man.

I say share, but we both know that your husband has no concept of the word. To him sharing means you can have whatever is left over once he is done with it. It sounds like that extends to his personal relationship with you as well.

Normally, my advice would be to confront your husband and try to work on a solution together for your child’s sake, but your husband sounds like he is too far gone. If I were you, I’d take your son and go someplace your husband would not dare go, like the top of a steep staircase or somewhere in South America.

Dear Bocephus, I have a lot of problems. My biggest issue is that I oversee a bunch of people who can barely agree on anything. I also do this thing where I say vile and unproductive things about people who I have to work with on important government business. I am older than dirt and more stubborn than a 20-ton boulder stuck in the mud. No one likes me and, to top it all off, I look like a turtle. My job requires creative solutions and I am the most uncreative person on the planet. It took me two days to come up with my pseudonym for this question and several people have told me that it is terrible. How can I become a better person?

–Rich McConner Dear Rich, I think you just need to embrace yourself for what you are: a complete and total asshole. You have no redeeming qualities. You aren’t funny, you aren’t charming, you aren’t clever and you aren’t smart either.

You are just a cantankerous old prick who ruins everything he touches. The best advice I can give you is to stop. Stop doing everything that you do and just go away.

Dear Bocephus, I am a small man with big ears, which means I hear everything. I was a big supporter of my new boss during his campaign to get rid of the brown people and gays.

When he won, he said such wonderful things about me and even helped me get my dream job, despite my many clear biases and deficiencies.

Things were going great for about two weeks, but everything changed when I told him I didn’t want to help him hide his personal and financial connection to the Russians. Now he has turned into a real jerk.

He never invites me to eat cheeseburgers in his room anymore and keeps all his secrets from me. He keeps saying he would fire me if he could. How do I become friends with my boss again?

–Whitey Klansman Dear Whitey, Payback is a real bitch isn’t it?

It doesn’t feel very good when someone says a bunch of mean and untrue things about you, does it? Perhaps now you might understand how you have made other people feel with your terrible comments and actions. What you should be doing is forgetting about your boss and working on apologizing to everyone else.

However, if all you really want to do is get back in your boss’ good graces, that should be easy enough. All you need to do is fire Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and press criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. Do that, and the man will be eating out of your hand. Of course, the rest of the country will abandon you, so make sure your boss’ love is really all you need.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

OUTSIDE THE 9-TO-5

10 REASONS I LOVE SACRAMENTO WORDS & PHOTOS ELLEN BAKER

Sacramento reminds me of my uncle who I never thought was cool until I finally realized, “holy shit, my uncle is really fucking cool!” I have heard many stories, some of which even I perpetrated, about the rebellious teenagers who hate Sacramento, only to be greeted with the love and warmth that Sacramento has to offer upon returning to the motherland— usually a year later.

In honor of my (almost) 10-year anniversary of once again living in Sacramento, as well as Submerge’s 10-year anniversary of badassery, I have constructed a list of 10 reasons why I love Sacramento.

Tower Bridge, Jan. 2017

American River Parkway 1) AMERICAN RIVER PARK WAY The river that meanders through our city—home to river otters, mallards, mountain lions and rattlesnakes, with paralleling scenic trails. I have taken my grandma on this parkway for an evening walk and I have eaten shit on a mountain bike riding the trails.

2) OLD FAIR OAKS While on the American River Parkway, a must-stop is my hometown of Old Fair Oaks.

Wild chickens, the best vegetarian restaurant I have ever eaten at (Sunflower DriveIn, 10344 Fair Oaks Blvd.), Concerts in the Park, cute pubs, dive bars, cafés and one of my favorite hot yoga studios in Sacramento (Hot Yoga at Sunrise, 4009 Bridge St.).

SubmergeMag.com

Shooting Range in Rancho Murieta | Photo: Kat Verseman 3) COUNTRY LIVING NEAR THE CITY Just on the outskirts of the City of Sacramento you can go to shoot guns (my favorite being Sacramento Valley Shooting Center, 15501 Meiss Rd., Sloughhouse), practice archery (Yolo Bowmen, 8605 County Rd. 104, Davis), or grab a dirt bike, ATV or other off-road vehicle and ride at a local state park (Prairie City OHV, 13300 White Rock Rd., Rancho Cordova).

4) YOLO C AUSE WAY I’ve talked about it before, and I’ll do it again. Head to the Yolo Causeway to watch the bats at dusk and the egrets at sunset. Get lost on the winding levee roads and wave goodnight to the silhouette of our city.

5) OLD SACRAMENTO All aboard the Delta King for a cocktail on the bow of the ship, and perhaps even a night spent in the Captain’s Quarters, if you’re lucky. Take a walk along the boat dock, cobbled streets, underground tours and museums.

6) FOOD AND COFFEE The crème de la crème of our home.

With the new slogan, “America’s Farm-To-Fork Capital,” (I won’t say I don’t miss “City of Trees,” I mean, how appropriate for 2018?) I think we’re definitely headed in the direction of best food in California.

Some of my favorites include: La Bonne Soupe Cafe (920 8th St.), Temple Coffee (all over the place), Block Butcher Bar (1050 20th St.), Sunflower Drive-In (as I previously mentioned), Mother (1023 K St.) and the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op (2820 R St.), as I shop here at least three times a week.

Sunflower Drive-In Natural Foods

7) THEATERS Oftentimes, I think about living in a different era; I think about being in the 1930s at talkie films in the cinema, or the early 1960s at the drive-in theaters with a bunch of friends. I imagine what it must have been like, and then I realize Sacramento is home to all of this entertainment, still. From the Sacramento 6 Drive-In (9616 Oates Dr.), the Crest Theatre (1013 K St.), Tower Theatre (2508 Land Park Dr.) to the newest of the bunch, Studio Movie Grill (5140 Commons Dr., Rocklin), Sac is inundated with fabulous movie theaters and cinemas throughout the city.

8) SACRAMENTO TO SAN JOAQUIN RIVER DELTA If you own a motorcycle, bicycle or simply like to drive along beautiful roads, this day trip is one of my favorites, especially in the summertime.

9) HEALTH AND WELLNESS FACILITIES I may be biased because I worked at Sacramento Pipeworks Climbing and Fitness (116 N. 16th St.) for six years, but the selection of health and wellness centers in Sacramento is another favorite of mine. I will be the first to admit that I have taken advantage of the “30 days for $30” deal at just about every yoga studio in Sacramento, and all the teachers I have encountered have been outstanding.

10) LOCATION One of our city's best attributes is its accessibility to so many different landscapes.

In a three-hour drive or less, you can get to the mountains, ocean, desert or forest. Whether you want to hike, climb, hot spring, taste wine, surf, snowboard, ice climb, paraglide, experience one of the hottest places on earth, wakeboard, sail, mountain bike or trail run, California is home to world renowned locations for all of these experiences, and Sacramento is the absolute best home base to access them all.

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

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Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

HAPPY OUR HUNTER

DUMPLINGS: THE PERFECT DRUG I-SHANGHAI DELIGHT

1115 Front St., Sacramento WORDS & PHOTOS NUR KAUSAR The Shanghai soup dumpling (xiao long bao or XLB) for those who have tasted it, is a habit you can’t, and don’t want to break.

The craving comes suddenly. The thought of freshly stretched dough, pasta-thick, twisted into a sack around a meatball that is floating in a steam bath of its own broth is too much to bear.

XLB is the pot of gold at dim sum brunches, in established Chinatowns and Asian immigrant neighborhoods, and on cold nights when you’re in need of something warm. For those who try XLB for the first time, get ready for lifelong addiction and adventure for the next best.

Who knew that something even more venerated existed? That is what I learned at I-Shanghai Delight (1115 Front St.). Sheng Jian Bao, where have you been all my life?

Before I tell you about SJB, the pan-fried dumpling explosions I encountered, I will say that on a Friday night around the Sacramento grid, a lot of dumpling options are available, but in five years nothing has blown my mind until now. The meat dumplings at the new I-Shanghai Delight SubmergeMag.com

in Old Sacramento come closest to the Shanghai dumplings of San Francisco, where the largest Chinese population outside mainland China resides, and the best Shanghainese cuisine on the West Coast exists.

Walk, ride or park a couple blocks away from I-Shanghai Delight, then walk downstairs to the basement level into a lively, cozy dim sum house.

White-washed wood-grain floors, dark gray brick arches and a glass encasement showcasing the chef in a tall hat placing dumplings in bamboo steamers welcome you as you descend.

Formerly the location of Hong Kong-style Cellar Bistro, the newly renovated I-Shanghai Delight will make you feel like you’re in a hip neighborhood spot despite its touristy location.

Large groups of young people, dates of all ages and families fill the space by 7 p.m., but the wait lasts only a few minutes. The restaurant is larger than it seems and includes private space.

Once seated, you order dim sum style, marking with pen on laminated menus how many of each item your table would like, and sharing is encouraged.

At $8.95 for eight one-bite steamed soup dumplings, the price is actually steeper than some dim sum houses, but still a bargain if you’re splitting a few items with friends.

My partner and I had one order of steamed dumplings, an order of the pan-fried soup

dumplings or SJB (six per order, also $8.95), braised duck in Shanghai sauce and the evening special of egg dumplings with cabbage.

I’ll start with the SJB, because I can’t stop thinking about it. This is no bread-y pork bun; the ratio of dough—golden crisp on the bottom—to soup to meat is done in a way that you should probably pop the whole thing in your mouth to prevent squirting your neighbor. It is completely worth it, but just make sure to give the dumplings time to cool down or you’ll have a scalded tongue.

The best way to pass the time as your dumplings cool is to eat that braised duck.

Served sliced, cold and on the bone, the meat is tender inside, crispy outside and doused in a slightly sweet, thickened soy sauce with cinnamon, star anise and pepper.

Cold, bone-in meat may not have been my first choice, but it’s one of the best duck dishes I have tasted. For vegetarians, an order of kelp salad or cucumber in garlic sauce could be a starter as you wait for the dumplings to cool.

At maybe five minutes, the pan-fried dumpling on your plate is ready for a dip in the accompanying vinegar-based sauce. I made the mistake of biting just halfway through first, and lost the soup to my plate. You’ll want to mop that up with something later.

The ground meat within is not heavily

seasoned, and reminds me of breakfast sausage.

The green onions sprinkled atop the SJB and salt in the sauces, however, provide a push of flavor.

The XLB could use some more seasoning internally, but again, a strong dip into the garlic sauce provided with them adds that extra kick.

The stomachs at the table didn’t have much room for the egg dumpling special, but picture a mini omelet with the same meatball as the soup dumplings folded inside. These yellow half-moons are floating in broth with softened cabbage and glass noodles, and the whole thing is begging to be taken home for breakfast the next morning— so that’s what we did.

Expect to leave full and satisfied without spending much more than $35 for two very hungry, ambitious people. The restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol, but that just leaves more room for dumplings, right? A nutty, complimentary tea is provided early on, and the menu looks to have additions and subtractions depending on day and time.

I-Shanghai Delight is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. everyday except Tuesday.

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

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Your Senses WORDS HALEY TEICHERT

SEE

Local Photographer Cyrus Javid’s New Exhibit Morocco Is a Feast for Your Eyes • Feb. 6–March 3

“Man and Sand Dune”

Morocco is intriguing for a number of reasons. Geographically, it falls between Europe and Africa, which means that the cultural influences and climate are unlike anywhere else in the world. Until recently, Morocco has been considered a dangerous place for tourists to travel to. But times are changing. Morocco is not the unsafe place that it once was. The country’s colorful and exciting streets, markets and cultural traditions are becoming popular with modern travelers of many nationalities. Photographer Cyrus Javid has managed to capture the magic and beauty of the Moroccan people, cities and landscapes in his new exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit will have the pleasure of viewing an impressive array of stunning large format color prints that bring the exotic and exciting scenes of Morocco to life. The photography in Javid’s exhibit captures the diversity of Morocco, and includes images of the impressive expanse of the Sahara Desert, roads winding through the Atlas Mountains, green hills, markets full of spices, snake charmers and much more. Experience it for yourself by stopping by the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center (2015 J St.) between Feb. 6 and March 3, or attend the exhibit’s Second Saturday, Feb. 10, 5–9 p.m. Members may also attend an artist’s reception on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. For more info, go to Viewpointgallery.org. The exhibit is appropriate for all ages.

TOUCH

Get Creative at UPcyclePOP’s Hands-On “Playful Valentines Market” • Feb. 11 This Valentine’s Day, get creative with your gifts and save the planet in the process! UPcyclePOP is an interactive pop-up market that will take place at 7300 Folsom Blvd. the Sunday before Valentine’s, solely featuring items that have been repurposed and reclaimed. This event is family-friendly, and the perfect opportunity to support the sustainability of our artistic community, shop consciously, discover unique art created by local artists, and to browse creatively upcycled art, inventions, furniture, style and home design. In addition, you will have the to chance to play with interactive art installations, participate in pop-up theater, sip wine, listen to jazz (courtesy of Take 7 and the Sacramento Jazz Quartet) and to watch artists create one-of-a-kind pieces out of discarded materials. You can also use the items provided at the market to create your own art and valentine gifts. The market will take place from noon–6 p.m. Admission and public parking for the event is free. Visit Facebook.com/ upcyclepop for more details about the Valentine’s Day Market and the local remakers, crafters, artists and eco-entrepreneurs who will be participating in this year’s event.

Photo by Kristian Gonzalez

HEAR

Sacramento Band Instagon to Celebrate 25 Years of Noise at Cafe Colonial • Feb. 2 Twenty-five years after the inception of the experimental noise band Instagon, their one-of-a-kind performances are still consistently blowing audiences away with out-of-thebox creativity and impromptu songwriting. Lob Instagon, the curator of the group, has had more than 700 different musicians join him on stage over the past quarter-century, with each show boasting a different lineup and a surprising set of unique, unrehearsed songs. Because every song performed is created live, on the spot, by a different selection of musicians, every show is distinct, special and unrepeatable. On Friday, Feb. 2, Instagon will be celebrating their silver anniversary with a night of coordinated chaos, garage jazz and spontaneous musical creation. The event will take place at Cafe Colonial (3520 Stockton Blvd.), and will also feature live sets from local bands What Rough Beast, Pierce and the Gals, and Sir Corduroy. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and all ages are invited to attend. Tickets are $8–$10 (sliding scale) and will be available at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go toward benefiting Cafe Colonial.

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Photo of Lob Instagon by Laura Marie Anthony

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Instagon's 20th Anniversary at Marilyns | Photo by Ed Goldhorpe Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

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Pork Yeah! Seventh Annual Sacramento Bacon Fest Returns for Six Glorious Days!

Feb. 6–11

Sacramento Bacon Fest is back for the seventh year in a row!

The second week of February will be chock-full of pork-themed events, kicking off the festivities with the Bacon Fest Opening Party at Empress Tavern on Feb. 6, and ending with the infamous (and already sold-out) Chef’s Challenge at Mulvaney’s B&L on Feb. 11. Tickets might go fast for the main events, but don’t worry: there are a dozen other bacon-themed celebrations happening throughout the week. There will be a Bacon Cocktail Competition held at Bottle and Barlow on Feb. 7, and on Feb. 8 you can attend the annual Skee Ball Tournament at Two Rivers Cider Company (which will feature bacon-inspired food and the opportunity to win tickets the the sold-out final event) or a surprise bacon-themed event at LowBrau. On Feb. 9, Revolution Wines is hosting a Bacon and Wine Happy Hour, and the Torch Club will be presenting the sixth annual Kevin Bacon Soundtrack Tribute Show. You also have opportunities to satisfy your bacon craving on Feb. 10, with options ranging from bacon dim sum at Canon, bacon food trucks and brews in Curtis Park, and bacon and beer at Selland’s MarketCafe and Bike Dog Brewery. And on Feb. 11, you have two baconthemed brunches to choose from: one at Magpie Cafe and one at Hook and Ladder. With the exception of the events held at bars, Bacon Fest is open to all ages. Find out more about Sacramento Bacon Fest at Facebook.com/SacramentoBaconFest.

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

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ELYSIUM LIVE

OF A DEADMAN

SACRAMENTO SHOWCASE:

FASHION, MUSIC, ART AND MORE

February 10

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February 9

T H U R S DAY

February 15

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

W E D N E S DAY

February 21

W E D N E S DAY

February 28

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

OF A DEADMAN

T H U R S DAY

March 1

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Coming Soon!

D LIMITE TS TICKE IN! REMA

T U E S S D AY MARCH 27

S U N D AY APRIL 22

THE SWORD

BIG K.R.I.T.

W E D N E S D AY MARCH 28

S U N D AY APRIL 29

S AT U R D AY MARCH 31

T U E S D AY M AY 1

M O N D AY APRIL 2

W E D N E S D AY M AY 9

THE OH HELLOS THE WAILERS KIRRA

SAT U R DAY

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TECH N9NE

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IN THE WILDERNESS & FRIENDS

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WHISKEY MYERS PETER HOOK M O N D AY & THE LIGHT APRIL 16 S AT U R D AY DASHBOARD JUNE 16 CONFESSIONAL CORDUROY F R I D AY APRIL 20

PEARL JAM TRIBUTE

TWIZTID

S AT U R D AY APRIL 21

S U N D AY NOV 4

STRYPER

CODY JOHNSON

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

17

TALK SCOOP COMEDIAN HEATHER MCDONALD DISHES ON BEING A MOM, A CAREER WOMAN AND A #METOO SUPERSTAR WORDS MOLLIE HAWKINS

H

eather McDonald has done some pretty cool things. She’s a comedian, writer, actress and podcast all-star. These touchstones are great and everything, but I’m going to put it out there first and admit that I’m completely biased here because the coolest thing she’s done was appear on one of my favorite episodes of Frasier. Particularly Season 8, Episode 13, titled “Sliding Frasiers.” McDonald’s character Judy goes on a really, really bad speed date with Frasier. Let’s just say she tells a terrible joke about pirates going to rated R movies (get it? Rated “Arrrrghh?”).

Frasier was not nearly as amused as I was, and continue to be, 17 years later.

But you’ll be happy to know that McDonald’s real-life jokes are much funnier than pirate jokes on a ‘90s sitcom. In fact, McDonald’s wildly popular podcast, Juicy Scoop, has collected a significant fan base, and has welcomed guests like Corey Feldman, Lance Bass (because why not?), Ali Wong and a full range of famous reality TV personalities I won’t pretend to know. She’s also written a couple of best-selling books, released a Showtime comedy special and was a staff writer and regular guest on Chelsea Lately. She’s been a celebrity guest on RuPaul’s Drag Race and Keeping up with the Kardashians, and has a Facebook army of more than 85,000 devoted followers.

And she did it all while being a mom and a wife of 17 years. Feel lazy yet?

“I didn’t pursue acting, drama or film in college because I was like, ‘it’s too hard to make it in this business,’ so I studied marketing,” McDonald says. “Luckily, I was fired from my first job so I was forced to reevaluate my life at 23. I realized it’s really important to pursue something you like. But you also have to be patient and realize it might take a while. As long as you’re enjoying the pursuit, don’t put a timestamp on it.”

McDonald went from performing stand-up, to sketch comedy, to a writing job and then writing books.

“Everybody’s life takes different paths,” she says, “but find that passion and pursue it—that’s what’s great about today’s technology. You can carve out a career for yourself. You can start a show online and create your own business.”

McDonald says that having the flexibility within her job helped her not only have a great career, but to be a great mom—and not because she stayed at home: She didn’t.

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

While she adores her 15- and 12-year-old sons, McDonald says you should never feel like you have to give up your career to be a great mom.

“Everybody thinks you have to stay home when the kids are really young, but I don’t think that’s actually the most important time,” she says. “I have more free time now, and I get to see my kids and pick them up from school. I almost didn’t take the Chelsea Lately job because they were so little at the time. But my friend told me, ‘You know, five years from now, you’re going to walk in the house and they’re not even going to look up from their Xbox and you’re going to wonder, why the hell did I give up such a great opportunity?’ And it’s true! They don’t come up to me and say, ‘Mom, remember when you missed my poetry reading in second grade?’

“I mean, it was hard for me to make those choices at the time, sure. But I think moms are always going to have more mom guilt than a man will ever have—but let’s all check back when our kids are 30 and see who’s really killing it.”

I tell McDonald it freaks me out when young moms use their kids as an excuse to duck out of their own lives and use their kids as their profile pictures on social media. She adds that it bums her out when she sees families with tiny babies on vacation.

“I enjoy taking my kids on vacations now,” she says, “when they can remember it. And roll their own suitcase.”

matter what they do] that’s been in effect for so many years,” McDonald says. “So I thought, wow, my #MeToo story actually changed a policy on the university level! I’m happy, that’s all I wanted.

We shouldn’t be afraid to tell on people that do bad things to us.”

But remember, it’s not all serious; Juicy Scoop delivers on its promise to be fun, relatable and full of pop-culture goodness to get you through a boring commute or jog around Midtown. I ask McDonald who her favorite Scoop guests were so far, and who her dream guest would be.

“I’ve never met either of them, but I’d love to interview Oprah and Madonna! I’ve had so many great guests that have opened up and shared with me,” she says. “Like Kyle [Richards] from Real Housewives, Spencer Pratt from The Hills—of all people—and Suzy Favor Hamilton, who wrote a book about being an Olympic runner-turnedhousewife-turned prostitute.”

Of course, McDonald loves when her fellow comedians join her show to cover general topics and keep things light, because at the end of the day, we all need something to laugh about. We’ll get the chance to laugh with her during one of her shows at Punch Line Sacramento, taking place Feb. 2 and 3.

What can we expect from McDonald’s show?

She says she’ll be talking about her life, her marriage and her continuing perplexities with the online dating world of Bumble and Tinder.

“Luckily, I was fired from my first job so I was forced to reevaluate my life at 23. I realized it’s really important to pursue something you like. But you also have to be patient and realize it might take a while. As long as you’re enjoying the pursuit, don’t put a timestamp on it.” – Heather McDonald Clearly, we’re on the same page here.

And when it comes to being a woman comedian in the modern day, McDonald does not shy away from her experiences, good and bad. In fact, she has her own #MeToo story: Her former boss at PodcastOne was caught on audio saying inappropriate things to her while she was trying to record an ad.

“He made my life hell, and finally I left,” McDonald explains.

After the infamous “Grab ‘em by the pussy” stunt heard ‘round the world, McDonald had had enough and decided to speak out. She played the audio for her audience and the response was bigger than she could have ever imagined.

“People were telling me I should sue, but that’s not what I wanted to do.”

McDonald explains that suing would only bring in money, and then she wouldn’t be allowed to talk about it anymore. She didn’t want money; she wanted change. The man in question, Norm Pattiz, was not only powerful in the radio world, but also a University of California Regent.

After students heard McDonald’s story, many of them protested and eventually Pattiz resigned.

McDonald’s willingness to speak out caused a positive change for the students and removed a creep from the radio world, as well as the education system.

“And now they’re working to change the policy [that makes it impossible to “fire” a regent, no SubmergeMag.com

“All that stuff really intrigues me; I’m somewhat envious sometimes,” she says.

I think of all the bad Tinder dates I’ve been on and tell her, with confidence, “Oh, Heather McDonald, please don’t be.”

There will be impressions and general commentary on reality stars, McDonald says.

“It’s dirty-esque and I use bad language. But it’s really fun and high energy.”

I tell her that sounds cool, but I ask her—for the sake of Sacramento—please don’t perform any public stunts that might get her show cancelled (thanks, Kathy Griffin) before she arrives. She tells me not to worry; the only confrontations that happen at her shows involve people (usually, overly eager ladies) going too deep into the sauce and getting asked to leave.

“Usually I’ll get an email the next day from the gal saying she’s embarrassed, and I tell her, ‘Oh girl. Don’t worry. We’ve all been there.’”

And so we have. Drink responsibly, darlings, and get ready to laugh.

See Heather McDonald live at Punch Line (2100 Arden Way, Sacramento) when she'll perform three sets in two nights on Feb. 2 and 3. To order tickets in advance, go to Punchlinesac.com.

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

19

THE PEOPLE ARE THE SECOND LINE

ELEMENT BRASS BAND’S SACTO SPIN ON NEW ORLEANS PARADE MUSIC WORDS NIKI KANGAS PHOTOS AARON GUZMAN

“N

owadays, they’ll find any excuse in New Orleans to throw a second line parade,” says Justin Au, trumpet player for Element Brass Band.

And that’s because of the energy that hiring a second line band brings. Element Brass Band’s fresh and evolving take on this NOLA tradition combines letting inhibitions go with utmost mastery, adding to a style already rich in history.

Rooted in West African tradition, second line music encourages expression and improvisation. Originating from burial ritual, funeral goers of New Orleans had their own unique way of mourning— marching and singing.

“They would parade down to the gravesite with the body in a slow, solemn march, to lay the body down to rest,” says Byron Colborn, band leader and baritone saxophone player for Element Brass Band, or EBB as they like to hype themselves.

After the procession, funeral marchers would celebrate the deceased’s life and discuss the personal obstacles they’d battled, thus a NOLA funeral showcased a full spectrum of somber music, combined with high-energy partying.

“This was a long-standing tradition that helped develop the second line tradition,” recounts Colborn.

If you’ve ever visited New Orleans, you’re well-acquainted with the brazen energy of improvisational jazz permeating the air, as bands march the streets revving up the people. Usually what you’re seeing in New Orleans are bands-for-hire. It could be a celebration, a birthday, or any kind of event.

“The band goes first down the road, and they’re so loud that you can’t help but hear them, and then the people that follow behind are called the second line. The band is the first line, and the people are the second line,” explains Colborn.

So the crowd is really a part of the

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

band. Collaboration between players and audience is integral to this music style, both in the streets and onstage. Often the body movements that people choose to express also evolved from West African dancing and funeral marches.

“Whenever possible, we try to parade into the club, while Dan banters, and leverages call-and-response, to get the crowd going,” says Au, who began playing with the band in 2012 following grad school, and joined his brother, Brandon, one of the original members.

Dan Smith, their MC, describes the euphoric feeling of engaging a crowd with this music style as a positive feedback loop, and feeling the spirit of the music through the surrounding people.

Yet Element Brass Band is unique from traditional second line music with its infusion of hip-hop.

“Hip-hop is something that’s always been around in our music, especially if you grew up listening to West Coast hip-hop— you can hear a lot of that infused into our music … You wouldn’t really know unless you’re paying attention, like, ‘Did Dr. Dre just come up in that song?’” says Colborn.

When Byron Colborn first joined Element Brass Band, it was about six months in the making, and he replaced the tenor saxophone player who preceded him as a member. Going into their seventh year, Colborn became the band leader because the torch was passed to him.

Trumpet player Ryan Robertson, early band leader, moved away to pursue a music career in New Orleans, and Anthony Coleman, also a previous band leader, moved away at the time to pursue academic endeavors. Coleman has since moved to New Orleans, too. They both wanted the band to continue, thus Colborn stepped in to swoop the reigns.

Other members include Gio Antolin (trombone), Brandon Au (trombone), Reagan Branch (tenor saxophone), Ryan Coughran (tenor saxophone), Devoney Dean (drums), Matt Gentry (drums), Billy Maerdian (drums), Courtney Miller (drums), Joby Morrow (trombone), Nick Niebank (trumpet), Jose Ortiz (sousaphone), Brother Perry (trombone), Miss Q (drums), Benwar Shepard (sousaphone and Colborn’s “right hand man”) and Aaron Smith (trumpet).

That’s a lot of players to manage.

“Leading this band is one of the biggest tasks I’ve ever had as a musician," says Colborn . "Our band is kind of like a rotating blob. We have a lot of core musicians that stay with us most often, and we some of the best musicians in Sacramento, and California for that matter, who are in very high demand. So in order to play with musicians of that caliber, you can’t expect the same five to seven people to be there every time. You have to be willing to roll SubmergeMag.com

“Our band is kind of like a rotating blob. We have a lot of core musicians that stay with us most often, and we some of the best musicians in Sacramento, and California for that matter, who are in very high demand. So in order to play with musicians of that caliber, you can’t expect the same five to seven people to be there every time. You have to be willing to roll with that. It takes a lot of coordinating. And not to belittle people or anything, but a lot of patting people on the back to let them know that they’re appreciated.” – Byron Colborn on the challenges of leading Element Brass Band

The

Boardwalk

TUES, JANUARY 30

its biggest unique contributions to the international music scene. It relies on gang vocals, escalating horns, a fun French influence, flirtatious percussion, crowd collaboration and melody to produce its characteristic mischievous and uplifting sound. It sounds so sweet you can almost taste the beignets.

EBB’s upcoming, free, album release party for their second LP, Cali Got a Brass Band, takes place on Feb. 13, following the Fat Tuesday parade, at Shady Lady (1409 R St.). The new record features cover art

by Sacramento artist Shaun Burner. Vinyl copies will be available at local record stores soon, at which time there will be a separate vinyl release party. In the meantime, you can score the LP online via digital download.

This is a really big deal for the band, as their last album came out six years back, and this one is all original music, recorded with Clubhouse Studios. Burner's cover art blends a New Orleans color palette and symbology with Sacramento and California archetypes.

Ladies, they marched with us. Let’s march with them. The parade starts at Mulvaney’s at 4:30 p.m., and ends at the Torch Club. The Shady Lady album release starts at 9 p.m. Bring your costumes, beads, feathers and good cheer.

The band is also planning a summer tour to promote their album release.

They’ve got a great fan base in Sacramento and they’re ready to take their show on the road.

“It’s not just about getting paid,” says Colborn, “it’s about community. When we lift people up, it makes the music rise higher.”

And no matter where you live, that’s an idea we can all get behind.

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FEB 8 March on down to Shady Lady (1409 R St., Sacramento) to celebrate the release of Element Brass Band’s brand new album. While you’re at it, you might as well make a day of it and pre-game with the band at the annual Mardi Gras parade beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Mulvaney’s B &L (1215 19th St., Sacramento). All ages are welcome to the parade.

ALL AGES • 7PM

INTERVENTION

SAT, FEBRUARY 3

with that. It takes a lot of coordinating. And not to belittle people or anything, but a lot of patting people on the back to let them know that they’re appreciated.”

“We all feel like kids waiting for that call, for that gig,” says Smith.

One gig that stands out is the sold out show that they played at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, at which they accompanied the California Honey Drops.

During intermission, in an effort to keep the vibe going while the headliner took a break, they went down into the crowd with a huge spotlight on them. The energy of the crowd went absolutely wild in the best way with this unexpected “intermission.”

Another gig at Starline Social Club in Oakland, with MJ’s Brass Boppers, was a friendly fight concert that mimicked a battle of the bands.

“That’s the first time we really got into something like what they do in New Orleans," says Colborn. The bands will be doing their second lines, and sometimes they’ll just come around a corner, and there’s another band. But it’s not an aggressive thing, it’s like, let’s do a musical battle right here. And they respectfully take turns, little snippets. And you get it sizzling, and then the next band goes. So we did that with the Brass Boppers, and it was not just us playing for tips on the corner, this was us playing like they do in New Orleans.”

EBB have got a lot of impressive performances under their belts. They played the March of Science, the Women’s March and Concerts in the Park two years running, where they brought 18 to 20 people onstage as a rare outpouring of EBB members. They founded the first annual Mardi Gras parade in Sacramento with help from the Torch Club (904 15th St.) and other venues. Now in its fifth year, this year’s parade takes place starting at Mulvaney’s B&L (1215 19th St.) on Fat Tuesday. Each year, it has increased in popularity. They also once produced an ongoing concert series called Flow at Assembly Music Hall, in partnership with Jay Siren and Andru Defeye. They also recently collaborated with Defeye, a local poet and activist, for a performance at Crocker Art Museum.

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For booking inquiries email robert@momosacramento.com

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

21

THE AMERICAN DREAM

NIGERIAN-BORN IGWE AKA IS A LOCAL HIP-HOP STAR IN THE MAKING WORDS CLAUDIA RIVAS • PHOTOS JESSE ULI

A

t a Carmichael hole-in-the-wall named Granite’s Subs and Wing Shop, local rapper Igwe Aka walks in. When I greet the 19-year-old Aka, real name Anthony Aka, he goes in for a hug rather than a handshake, like a good acquaintance you haven’t seen in a while. It was comforting. He recommends what to order for lunch—“The Sweet and Hot wings are flame," he says—and mentions a new project he’s excited to work on, which pays homage to the SMACK battle rap DVDs from the early ‘00s.

I was first introduced to Aka’s music at Concerts in the Park last summer. Robbie of HOF was DJing and called Aka to the stage. Based on his performance that day, it would have been easy to assume Aka was a clown with electric energy and attention-grabbing humor. Although that may be true, he is actually more mellow and conscious of his actions and behavior. He exudes a self-awareness that would make one question his age.

Aka’s music is reminiscent of Joey Bada$$ in

22

depth, and Kanye West in beats. His content deals very much with the realities of a kid growing up in the North Highlands/Citrus Heights area.

“I’m a huge Kanye West fan, so that’s a given,” Aka says, “but Joey Bada$$ is the reason I started caring about not only old school rap, but the reason I started caring about the depth of my raps when I was in like eighth grade.”

As far as genres, Aka doesn’t limit himself to a specific type. Reggae, soul, latin, African beats and African layers of chorus-inspired melodies can be heard across the artist’s tracks. Whether covering issues involving substance use, women, vivid emotions or simply being human, the rapper is always being honest with his audience and himself.

Although Aka grew up in a Sac suburb, he was born in Nigeria as Anthony Chukwubuike Aka’Naizerigwe. According to Aka, the term Igwe, from his last name, has multiple meanings, like king and the heavens.

Aka told Submerge that moving to the States

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

and attending private school came as quite a culture shock, and that he would endure jokes about the color of his skin. As a child, he didn’t understand how his skin color was the punch line of humor.

“In Africa it wasn’t an issue to be black, that’s just what you were. So it was weird coming here and experiencing that,” Aka says. “I’m hilarious and I can take a joke, but at least if you’re going to make a joke, make it funny or interesting.”

In middle school, Aka was moved to public education and met close friends through those years. During that time, he says he was influenced by the contrasting interests that emerged within people, like Pokémon and skateboarders, alternative music and other people of color, and how this culture contributed to blending genres within his music.

He got into hip-hop through his older brothers who rapped. Aka started rapping in high school himself, but says that he was writing rhymes way before then. He always knew he was destined for

something greater in his dreams.

Today, immigrants in America may be fearful to dream due to their prospects for deportation.

The concept of the American Dream today is altered and somewhat non-existent, but Aka still believes it’s possible.

“It’s a little bit easier [today than in the past],” Aka says, “But the fight [for acceptance and decency] still has a long way to go. As Malcolm X said, ‘You don’t stick a knife in a man’s back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you’re making progress … No matter how much respect, no matter how much recognition [whites show toward me], as far as I am concerned, as long as it is not shown to every one of our people in this country, it doesn’t exist for me.’”

Aka details how his progress has increased in the Sac hip-hop community with the MyNorities, a group of rising rappers in Sacramento who support and help each other in the hopes of expanding their music. It’s evident that he cares for these dudes like family. He even mentions

“In Africa it wasn’t an issue to be black, that’s just what you were.

So it was weird coming here and experiencing that. I’m hilarious and I can take a joke, but at least if you’re going to make a joke, make it funny or interesting.” – Igwe Aka on the culture shock of moving to the United States from Nigeria Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

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how the crew is doing a show at Exhale Smoke Shop in Sacramento to support one member who was in an accident and needs help paying for medical bills.

To be in the MyNorities, a person needs to be authentic. When asked about what authenticity means to him, Aka responds, “Just being cool.

Like for me, it’s being a cool kid in the sense of being comfortable. Being comfortable in your own skin, in the clothes you like, in saying, nah that’s not for me, and in saying, that is for me. I have friends that say they would never do drugs, and that’s dope because they are expressing their individuality. But I also have friends who are like, ‘I feel you and that’s dope but I dabble.’

But that’s dope, too, because they are expressing their individuality.”

About a month ago Aka released the track “Moonwalking,” a reflection on anxiety and selling Xanax. He wrote the song out of frustration after selling his laptop and running low on funds. He had recording equipment but without a laptop, working on his craft was going to be difficult.

With the help of his friend Austin and his laptop, Aka found a beat on YouTube from producer P-Soul to perfectly vent out his art.

He explained a bit about the allusion and figurative language in his lyrics. In the song he raps: If you getting credit I’m the one who made the C-part Face of a sweetheart pockets full of Sweet Tarts If you got a sweet tooth hit me, I got street narcs Off a downer, but the clouds are what we reach for …

SubmergeMag.com

What he means is, the face of those that he sees consume Xanax are young and his character in the song can provide the medicine for those baby-faced kids, but he understands that the drugs are for the darkness of anxieties building within these young people.

Prior to “Moonwalking,” Aka released his first music video for his track “Right On,” and has multiple projects on SoundCloud like The Classics Vol. 1, a collection of songs that includes the tune, “Henny Sea,” which has been played 33,000 times.

As for new stuff, Aka is working on a project called Smells Like Sadness. The collective project will be about 11 to 14 songs. But he mentions it may be cut to just nine tracks depending on how he feels about the result. The collection is based on springtime blues. Another collection Aka is building is called Igwe’s Universe.

As far as a sequel to The Classics Vol. 1, Aka comments, “What I’m scared of is … I don’t want to make a part 2 of The Classics that sounds too much like part 1. I want to take it to another level but I don’t feel like I can take it to another level yet. I want the production value to be crazy.”

Igwe Aka should be on your watch list and he’ll be popping up all over town sooner than you can imagine. Hopefully you don’t miss out on this King on the rise.

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(THE CURE TRIBUTE)

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SHODY THE ARTIST, JOHNI BOI LOPEZ, CORY BARNES, DJ SANE

WEDNESDAYFRIDAY 4 - 7 PM

CHRIS LEMOS’ B-DAY

VOYEUR, XTOM HANX, BARC

CARAVAN OF GLAM

BURLESQUE | DRAG | COMEDY CIRQUE | DANCE ISAIAH ESQUIRE, JOHNNY NURIEL, CHACHA BURNADETTE, CASEY WYNN + MORE

JEZEBELLE’S ARMY & BLACKARTSMATTER

BURLESQUE & VARIETY SHOW

NASTY GIRLS: JANET JACKSON TRIBUTE

DAHLIA KASH, SPACEWALKER + MORE

THE RICHMOND SLUTS FEB 17 PEACE KILLERS, CHEAP TISSUE 8 PM SATURDAY

SUNDAY

FEB 18 8 PM

GLORIAM DRACONIS XENOTAPH, DEARTH, BARREN ALTAR

FEB 20 SQUARESLASHERS COOLS, PORNO RIOTS 8 PM TUESDAY

FRIDAY

FEB 23 8 PM

YEAR OF THE COBRA CHROME GHOST, CATAPULT THE DEAD, DEMONSMOKE

Catch Igwe Aka performing at Elysium, an exclusive showcase of Sacramento artistry through local musicians, painters, brands and fashion enthusiasts on Feb. 10 at Ace of Spades (1417 R St., Sacramento). For more information, visit Aceofspadessac.com.

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

23

Red Tail Technologies, Sacramento

Leave your Mark's grand opening group show | 2016

Photo of John Dozier by Evan E. Duran

Photo by Evan E. Duran

TO THE LETTER

JOHN DOZIER KEEPS A TRADITIONAL ART FORM ALIVE AND WELL WORDS ALIA CRUZ

T

he art of hand-painted signage is an American tradition well over 150 years old. In decades past, most small businesses were often adorned with ornate, sometimes goldleafed letterings on windows and other exterior surfaces, painted by a deeply skilled artist who would intricately and lovingly rouge every curve of every letter solely by the freewill of their own hand.

Today, the sign painter is an obscure type of artist, one who has been replaced by quicker and cheaper technologies that have about as much soul as a drum machine. John Dozier is one of those obscure artists who are keeping the branding traditions of years past alive in Sacramento and beyond. Whether it be on barber shops, at ArtStreet or even on the infamous Freeport water tower, chances are you have been exposed to Dozier’s work.

Last year, Dozier opened up his own sign and mural business on 26th and J streets as a hub for branding that is purely hand-painted and one-of-a-kind. His business is an ode to the OG advertising medium. It intertwines custom typography and symbols in a way that is most eye-catching to customers and valuable to business owners. In our own pursuit to encourage our readers to read, learn and do rad things, we used Dozier-designed typography on the front cover of this very issue, and the text of his trademark calligraphy will also soon be turned into Submerge T-shirts! We recently sat down with Dozier to get to know the man behind the branding a little better.

24

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

Welcome to San Jose Mural | Painted by John Dozier and Jeff Jacobson | 2012 You’re from San Jose originally. Who lured you to Sacramento?

I’ve always had love for Sacramento, and in November 2016, decided to make the move from the South Bay Area to Midtown Sacramento and never looked back. A whirlwind of events have occurred since, but I can honestly say these have been the best years of my life.

My friend Daniel Osterhoff, aka DJ Whores, had a huge impact on my decision to leave the Bay. We worked several jobs together such as Jackrabbit Brewing, Sierra Collision and all our work for ArtStreet, including the History Dies and Condos Rise collaboration. We shared an art studio space together and really had momentum rolling in a great direction. His unexpected passing was devastating to this entire community and city. That void will never be filled, period. The quality of product and level of perfection he strived for will forever be an inspiration in Sacramento, Seattle, Portland and beyond. Dude’s a legend on many platforms.

How did you realize your niche in the art of hand-painted signage?

I started doing paid aerosol murals in San Francisco around 2005, and the business owners would always ask me to include their logo or info on the business. After painting a few markets’ and liquor stores’ lettering, I realized I had quite a knack for it. I knew I was a clean enough painter that this could become a feasible business one day.

In 2010, I was visiting my good friend Joey Nix in Seattle. While exploring around town, he showed me hand-painted sign work by Sean

Barton and Japhy Witte. The work by these gentlemen really inspired me to pick up a brush and give enamel a try. I began to study the craft seriously in 2011, and from then on I was hooked.

In 2012, I took a brush lettering workshop from Damon Styer at New Bohemia, and that further pushed me to dedicate any free time to building my skills. That same year, I attended a gold leaf and glass glue chipping workshop from Ron Percell of Letterhead Signs in Petaluma. This opened a ton of new doors. I knew then this craft was something you could spend a lifetime learning and perfecting.

You’ve done lots of work for everything from small businesses to large companies and even whole cities. What are some of your favorite projects?

Both large companies and small businesses have their own perks. I get the most satisfaction from fully branding a small business, painting their signs and then seeing them thrive and succeed. It’s the best feeling and reminds me why I love my job.

With big companies, the exposure of my work can be vast. I recently completed a bunch of work for Lyft at their headquarters and hub in San Francisco. It’s reassuring to see that one of the largest rideshare companies in the United States wants quality hand-painted sign work and would hire a small-timer like me. I really enjoyed painting the mural in the headquarters and being in that work environment. Man, their cafeteria is something else; don’t think I’ve eaten that good since!

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

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Ad SizeS for every Budget!

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PAGE Photo by Evan E. Duran

Jupiter Bar, Seattle

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Photo by Evan E. Duran Tell me about your work for San Jose and the Sharks.

The Welcome to San Jose mural was a huge learning experience with the logistics of receiving a city grant and generous donations from the neighborhood association where the mural is located. I brought in my friend Jeff “Weirdo” Jacobson from Seattle to help and was very satisfied with the final product. It has since been featured on the megatron at Sharks games, multiple television commercials, magazines, etc.

The time has come to talk about the infamous Freeport water tower rebranding that you worked on.

What was that whole experience like?

The Freeport water tower in Sacramento was definitely another memorable job, if not the most because of the controversy [the slogan “City of Trees” was replaced by “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital,” which drew ire from some members of the community] following the completion. Another one with crazy logistics and a situation where more of the work was around the administrative tasks such as paperwork, insurance—we even had to get OSHA certified to operate a 135-foot boom lift. Being 130 feet in the air trying to pull a straight line isn’t easy. I have to give it up to my man Jeremy Stanger on that one; I couldn’t have asked for a more solid partner.

You really need to trust the man you’re working with on a job like that.

Another interesting thing about this one was that I know the original sign painter that did it back in 2003. It was painted by Fernando Ocampo, who I’ve met at Gilders Meets in Petaluma. He took on the job while working and apprenticing under Ron Percell, my gold leaf mentor. Ron was excited when I told him I got the job, and I was determined to SubmergeMag.com

History Dies and Condos Rise | ArtStreet Painted by John Dozier and Daniel Osterhoff | 2017 do them justice on the repaint. The backlash that ensued was something we hadn’t expected; it really shows how much pride Sacramento has, how this city sticks together. Sac will always be the “City of Trees.”

Whether we did the re-paint or someone else, it was going to get done. Politics aside, our job was to paint and do the best work possible.

You recently opened up your own shop on J Street.

How’s it going?

After losing my first studio I shared with Daniel Osterhoff due to building code violations, I was presented with a big opportunity: A space on J Street next to my longtime friend Lance Arnold from Leave Your Mark became available. I checked it out and immediately jumped on it. Things have been going great since. I’ve known Lance since 2001, so it’s pretty cool coming full circle and owning businesses next to each other. We’ve been hosting joint art shows in our gallery spaces, and the dynamic of a sign shop and art supply store in the same building work quite well together. It’s nice to finally settle in somewhere and I’m looking forward to many prosperous years at this location.

To learn more about artist and sign painter John Dozier, find him online at Instagram.com/ johndoziersigns or Johndoziersigns.com. His new shop, located at 2627 J Street in Sacramento, is now open (but hours may vary). You can also check out some of his typography skills on the front cover of this very issue!

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info@submergemag.com Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

25

2.03 SATURDAY

MUSIC, COMEDY & MISC. CALENDAR

JAN. 29 – FEB. 12 SUBMERGEMAG.COM/CALENDAR

1.29 MONDAY

Center for the Arts (Grass Valley) Steve Smith and Vital Information NYC Edition, 8 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Nebraska Mondays hosted by Ross Hammond, 7:30 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

1.30 TUESDAY

Ace of Spades Silverstein, Tonight Alive, Broadside, Picturesque, 6 p.m.

Blue Lamp The Toasters, Flip the Switch, At Both Ends, 8 p.m.

The Boardwalk Intervention, Sunsleeper, Citysick, Swing Away, Enso Anima, 7 p.m.

Center for the Arts Ladysmith Black Mambazo, 8 p.m.

The Colony Selector Dub Narcotic, Vasas, Pets, 8 p.m.

Crest Theatre José González, Bedouine, 6:30 p.m.

Dive Bar Jayson Angove, 9:30 p.m.

Harlow’s Howard Jones, Rachael Sage, 5:30 p.m.

Holy Diver Rebel Souljahz, The Steppas, Crsb, 7 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, 8 p.m.

Old Ironsides Karaoke, 9 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Live Band Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Press Club Glaare, Fearing, Gamine Grey, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Matt Rainey, 5:30 p.m.; Michael Ray Trio, 8 p.m.

1.31 WEDNESDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Open Mic, 6:30 p.m.

Bar 101 Open Mic, 7:30 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) The Double Shots, 7:30 p.m.

Crest Theatre Eric Johnson, Arielle, 6:30 p.m.

26

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

El Dorado Saloon Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose All Vinyl Wednesdays w/ DJ AAKnuff, 8 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen, 6 p.m.

Harlow’s Johnny A., 5:30 p.m.

Holy Diver Mary Lambert, Mal Blum, 7 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium Tyler The Creator, Vince Staples, Taco, 6:30 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento Sac Blues Society Fundraiser w/ James Armstrong Band, 5:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Acoustic Open Mic, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Open Mic, 9 p.m.

Sacramento State: Redwood Room Turntable Demonstration w/ DJ Rated R, El Conductor, 12 p.m.

Shine Speak Out! Sacramento Pop-Up Concert Series, 8 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Brandy Robinson, 5:30 p.m.; Joe Hein, 9 p.m.

2.01 THURSDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Songwriters in the Round w/ Gene Smith, Matt Freemont, Gillian Underwood, Chris Matthews (Host), 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Karaoke, 7:30 p.m.

Capitol Garage Karaoke, 9 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m.

The Colony Public Trash, Slutzville, Get Out, The Keel, 7 p.m.

Dive Bar Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Irish Jam Session w/ Stepping Stone, 8 p.m.

Goldfield Hellbound Glory, 8 p.m.

Harlow’s Dave East, 6:30 p.m.

Holy Diver Enso Anima, Cardboard Houses, Worthy Goat, The New Crown, 6:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Dylan Crawford, 9:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento Discover Thursdays: Animals in the Attic, Spooky Mansion, 8 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Brewer’s Grade, 9:30 p.m.

Press Club VVomen, Anxious Arms, Cassette Idols, 8 p.m.

Scarlet’s Saloon According to Bazooka, 8:30 p.m.

Shine Jazz Jam, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Mind X, 5:30 p.m.; Johnny Mojo, 9 p.m.

2.02 FRIDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Chris Webster and Nina Gerber, Hannah Jane Kile, 6:30 p.m.

Bar 101 Stephen Yerkey, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. The Golden Cadillacs, 5 p.m.

Blue Lamp Marbin, 8 p.m.

The Boardwalk Dru Down, DJ Kedde, 7 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Instagon (25th Anniversary), What Rough Beast, Pierce and the Gals, Sir Corduroy, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage Capitol Friday’s Reggae Night w/ DJ Veyn, 10 p.m.

Center for the Arts Leo Kottke, 8 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon Bobby Zoppi, 9:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose Kevin & Allyson Seconds, Noah Nelson, Matt Woodcheke, 9 p.m.

Golden Bear DJ CrookOne and Guests, 10 p.m.

Goldfield Casey Donahew, Mark Mackay, 7:30 p.m.

The Hideaway Chantilly Lace Vincent, Los High Tops, Dyana & the Cherry Kings, The Truckaderos, 8 p.m.

Holy Diver Through The Roots, White Glove Service, One Sharp Mind, 7 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Drunken Kung Fu, 9:30 p.m.

MontBleu Resort Casino Tower of Power, 7 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Open Mic Night, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides The Lillingtons, Western Addiction, The Moans, Grim Deeds, 8 p.m.

On The Y Final Drive, Void Vator, Atomic Flounder and More, 9 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Eddie Edul, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Powerplay, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Rue, 9 p.m.

Red Hawk Casino Brewer’s Grade, 9:30 p.m.

Shine Shotgun Sawyer, Sparks Across Darkness, Manresa, 8 p.m.

Stoney’s Jessica Lynn, 8 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Funk Shui, 9 p.m.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort Pepper, J Ras, Higher Elevation Band, 7:30 p.m.

Torch Club Jimmy Pailer & Co., 5:30 p.m.; Twilight Drifters, 9 p.m.

Yolo Brewing Co. The KMCBand, 6 p.m.

Ace of Spades Alex Aiono, 6:30 p.m.

The Acoustic Den Cafe The Music of Neil Young and CSN&Y, 2 p.m.; The Time Warps, 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Smoke, Gravity’s Gone, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Red Dirt Ruckus, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp Erasure-esque (Erasure Tribute) & Just Like Heaven (The Cure Tribute), DJ Bryan Hawk, 9 p.m.

The Boardwalk J.I.D., Earthgang, Chaz French, Lute, 7 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino America, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage The Corner w/ DJ Veyn & Guests, 10 p.m.

The Colony Plague Phalanx, Defecrator, Malefic Levitation, 8 p.m.

Fair Oaks VFW BackTrack, Down Pressor, Minus, Hangman, Natural Selection, 7 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon The Lucky Seven, 9:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose KC Shane, Dolores 5000, Temple K. Kirk, Slug Muffin, Finley, Timberly, 9 p.m.

Harlow’s School of Rock Elk Grove, 11 a.m.; New Kingston, The Late Ones, 9 p.m.

Holy Diver Submerge Magazine’s 10 Year Anniversary Party feat. Screature (Album Release), Horseneck, Destroy Boys, Sam I Jam and Special Guests, 7:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House All the Pretty Songs, 9:30 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento Back in the Day: Old School Dance Party, 10 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Free Ukulele Class, 1 p.m.

Old Ironsides Lipstick w/ DJs Shaun Slaughter and Roger Carpio, 9 p.m.

On The Y Twitch Angry (Album Release), Cursed, His Name is Robert Paulson, Spicy When Naked, 8 p.m.

Opera House Saloon Fleetwood Mask, 9 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Peeti V, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Frank Hannon Band, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

The Purple Place (El Dorado Hills) Black Zeppelin, 9 p.m.

Red Hawk Casino Gotcha Covered, 10 p.m.

Sauced BBQ & Spirits Brewer’s Grade, 9:30 p.m.

Shine The Hard Luck Daddies, The Brangs, 8 p.m.

The Silver Orange Fat Lizzy, A Waking Memory, Body Blow, 6 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Agent, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Watt Ave Soul Giants, 5:30 p.m.; Kyle Rowland Blues Band, 9 p.m.

Two Rivers Cider Co. Vinnie Guidera and The Dead Birds, Bad Patterns, 7 p.m.

UC Davis: Jackson Hall UC Davis Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m.

Yolo Brewing Co. Quinn Hedges & the Outcome, 7 p.m.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

2.04 2.05 SUNDAY

MONDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Ukulele Jam and Singalong, 11 a.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. A Thousand Years at Sea, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp 8th Annual Super Bowl Party w/ Kill the Precedent, 3 p.m.; War Cloud, The Hazytones, American Killers, 8 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Dandelion Massacre, John Underwood, Chris Fox, The Flowers, 7 p.m.

The Colony Brent Walsh, Kylle Reece, Adrian Bellue, Song Bird, City Mural, Mariano Lopez, 7 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon JonEmery Dodds, 3 p.m.

LowBrau Throwback Jams w/ DJ Epik & Special Guests, 9:30 p.m.

Midtown BarFly Factor IX w/ DJ Bryan Hawk, DJ CarnieRobber and Guests, 9 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Press Club Sunday Night Soul Party w/ DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Blues Jam, 4 p.m.; Front the Band, 8 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis Ashley Bathgate Cello Performance, 7 p.m.

Antiquite Maison Privee Sacramento Jazz Cooperative Presents: Mike McMullen (Album Release), 7 p.m.

Center for the Arts Bruce Cockburn, 7:30 p.m.

Crest Theatre Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, 6:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Harlow’s La Cuneta Son Machin, 7 p.m.

Holy Diver Distinguisher, Castaway, Born a New, Hellheart, The Last Titan, Until The Unknown, 6:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Sol Jazz feat. Todd Clouser, Darius Babazadeh, Robbie Kwock and More, 7:30 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

2.06 TUESDAY

Dive Bar The Highway Poets, 9:30 p.m.

Harlow’s Peter Mayer and Brendan Mayer, Garratt Wilkin, 6 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, 7:30 p.m.

Holy Diver G. Perico, 6:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Acoustic Guitar Club, 6:30 p.m.

Old Ironsides Karaoke, 9 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Live Band Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Andrew Little, 8 p.m.

UC Davis: Jackson Hall St. Olaf Choir, 7:30 p.m.

2.07 WEDNESDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Open Mic, 6:30 p.m.

Bar 101 Open Mic, 7:30 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) The Double Shots, 7:30 p.m.

El Dorado Saloon Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon Proxy, 6 p.m.

Fox & Goose All Vinyl Wednesdays w/ DJ AAKnuff, 8 p.m.

Harlow’s Pete Rock, Bru Lei, 8 p.m.

Holy Diver Wastewalker, The Measure, Circadian Reign, Princess Kitten, Focara, 6:30 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento Bourbon & Blues: Rusty Zinn, 5:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Acoustic Open Mic, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Open Mic, 9 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Sacramento State: Redwood Room Nooner w/ Mino Yanci, 12 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Scott McConaha, 5:30 p.m.; Peter Petty and the Double P Revue, 9 p.m.

UC Davis: Jackson Hall Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, 8 p.m.

2.08 THURSDAY

The Acoustic Den Cafe Songwriters in the Round w/ Host Heather Evans, 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Karaoke, 7:30 p.m.

Capitol Garage Karaoke, 9 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m.

The Colony Barbie & The Hookers, The Cobras, Omnigul, Public Trash, Slutzville, 7 p.m.

Crocker Art Museum ArtMix: Love Boat w/ DJ Shaun Slaughter, The Sacramento Mermaids and More, 6 p.m.

Dive Bar Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon Karaoke Night & DJ Matty B, 9:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose Michael B. Justis, 8 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Lucie Silvas, 6 p.m.

Harlow’s La Castañeda, Rostros Ocultos, 7 p.m.

Holy Diver KRS ONE, 7 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Lauren Wakefield, 9:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento Discover Thursdays: National Lines, Lucid, 8 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Moonshine Crazy, 9:30 p.m.

Press Club Shotgun Sawyer, Lightning Rules, Blue Oaks, Gnargoyle, 8 p.m.

Shine Jazz Jam, 8 p.m.

Sundstrom Hill Winery According to Bazooka, 5 p.m.

Torch Club Mind X, 5:30 p.m.; Danny Morris & the California Stars, Rubber Tramp, 9 p.m.

2.09 FRIDAY

Ace of Spades LP, Noah Kahan, 7:30 p.m.

The Acoustic Den Cafe Christie Lenée, 8 p.m.

Bar 101 The Stoneberries, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Doc Tari, 5 p.m.

Blue Lamp The Generators, Roadside Bombs, West Lords, 8 p.m.

The Boardwalk 2018 Love Bash feat. Devon Galley and the Heavy Hold, Graybar Hotel, Frankie and the Defenders, California Riot Act and More, 7 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Black Crosses, Year Of The Fist, Unsteady Heights, Frack!, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage Capitol Friday’s Reggae Night w/ DJ Veyn, 10 p.m.

Community Center Theater Los Angeles Azules, 8 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon The Wiz Kid, 9:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose Kally O’Mally & the 8-Tracks, Hunter Merritt, 9 p.m.

Fretted Strings According to Bazooka, 7 p.m.

Golden Bear The Woolen Men, Diamond, DJ CrookOne, 9 p.m.

Harlow’s Tainted Love, 9 p.m.

Holy Diver Ambers Wake, Chaos Mantra, Somni, 6:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House The Stummies, 9:30 p.m.

McKinley Library Fenix Drum and Dance Company, 3:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Open Mic Night, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Battle Hag, Winter Reign, Saint Apostate, The Igors, 8 p.m.

On The Y Tyrannocannon, Cemetery Legacy, Severpull, Nihil Futurum, 9 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) Radney Foster, 7:30 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Shift, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Take Out, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Rue, 9 p.m.

Red Hawk Casino Audioboxx, 9:30 p.m.

Shine Larisa Bryski & Willy Seltzer, Bri (of Beauty Is Betrayal), Jojo Minnick, 8 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) RCA, 9 p.m.

Torch Club The Hucklebucks, 5:30 p.m.; Kevin Bacon Soundtrack Tribute Show, 9 p.m.

UC Davis: Jackson Hall Bill Charlap Trio, Cécile McLorin Salvant, 8 p.m.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

>>

Give Keep

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON S H O P or JEWELRY, REPAIR To CUSTOM LOCAL AND toARTISAN GIFTS LOCALLY MADE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS

LITTLE &BOUTIQUE RELICS GALLERIA LITTLE

SubmergeMag.com

908 21st Street (between I & J) Midtown Sacramento 95811

916.346.4615 www.littlerelics.com Open 7 days a week

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

27

2.10 SATURDAY

Ace of Spades Elysium Live feat.

The Philharmonik, James Cavern, Danielle Shavonne, Igwe Aka, Classic Chris Jones and More, 7 p.m.

The Acoustic Den Cafe Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong, 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Todd Morgan, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. The Hucklebucks, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp #KeepMidtownBlue Benefit Show, 8 p.m.

The Boardwalk Lil Pete, Frosty Da Snowman, Trilliano, Lady BP and More, 7 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Side Effect, Short Trip, Lightweight, Floral Jacket, 7 p.m.

Capitol Garage The Corner w/ DJ Veyn & Guests, 10 p.m.

Center for the Arts John Gorka, 7:30 p.m.

The Colony The Anima Effect, Gigantes, Shorelines, 7 p.m.

Crest Theatre Steelin’ Dan (Steely Dan Tribute), 6:30 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon Posterchild, 9:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose Working Man Blues Band, The Cantaliers, 9 p.m.

Harlow’s Tainted Love, 9 p.m.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, 7:30 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts Folsom Lake Symphony, 7:30 p.m.

Holy Diver XEB (Members from Third Eye Blind), The Cutbacks, Knockout, 7 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Sactown Playboys, 9:30 p.m.

MOMO Sacramento The Groove Line: All Vinyl Party w/ DJs Epik and Platurn, 10 p.m.

MontBleu Resort Casino Beth Hart, Marina V, 7 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Free Ukulele Class, 1 p.m.; Nikolay Shpurik, 3 p.m.

Old Ironsides Tom Petty Tribute Show feat, The Nickel Slots, Devon Galley and the Heavy Hold, Commerce Tx, The New Past and More, 8 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Cluster Phunk, 4 p.m.; Corduroys, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

The Purple Place (El Dorado Hills) Bad Caddies, 9 p.m.

Shine Negative Press Project, The Mechula, 8 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Take Out, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Valo Boheme, 5:30 p.m.; Daniel Castro, 9 p.m.

2.11 SUNDAY

Ace of Spades Jeezy, Tee Grizzley, 7 p.m.

The Acoustic Den Cafe Ukulele Jam and Singalong, 11 a.m.; The Music of The Eagles, 2 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong, 2 p.m.

Blue Lamp Joseph Kay, Shody the Artist, Johni Boi Lopez, Cory Barnes, DJ Sane, 8 p.m.

28

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

The Boardwalk Skinlab, 24Gore, Unprovoked, MadorMaero, Esther Black, 7 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino Lawrence Ng, Annabelle Lui, 2 & 5 p.m.

Center for the Arts Children for Children Benefit Concert, 2 & 6:30 p.m.

The Colony Higuera, The Gaffer Project, Dolores 5000, Not., 8 p.m.

Crocker Art Museum Classical Concert w/ Michelle Xiao You, 3 p.m.

Folsom Hotel Saloon Acoustic Sundaze w/ Dan Cribb, 3 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Tobymac, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Ryan Stevenson, Finding Favour, 6 p.m.

Harlow’s Ghostemane, 6:30 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts Susan Lamb Cook and Friends, 2 p.m.

Holy Diver The Veer Union, Veio, Xaon, Exiled From Grace, Nam The Giver, 6:30 p.m.

LowBrau Throwback Jams w/ DJ Epik & Special Guests, 9:30 p.m.

Midtown BarFly Factor IX w/ DJ Bryan Hawk, DJ CarnieRobber and Guests, 9 p.m.

MontBleu Resort Casino Mike Gordon, 7 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Guitar Shorty, 3 p.m.

Press Club Sunday Night Soul Party w/ DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Red Hawk Casino Buck Ford, 1 p.m.

Root of Happiness Kava Bar One Sharp Mind, One Dollar Check, JRas, 7 p.m.

Torch Club Blues Jam, 4 p.m.; Front the Band, 8 p.m.

2.12 MONDAY

Ace of Spades J Boog, The Green, Jesse Royal, 6:30 p.m.

The Colony Spike Polite and Sewage, Not A Part of It, Spitting Roses, Slutzville, 8 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Goldfield Frontier Ruckus, Cataldo, 7:30 p.m.

Holy Diver MyChildren MyBride, Capsize, Kingdom Of Giants, The Colossal Dream, 6:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Nebraska Mondays hosted by Ross Hammond, 7:30 p.m.

Masonic Temple Sacramento Jazz Cooperative Presents: The Music of Rodgers and Hart feat.

Carolyne Swayze, Joe Gilman, Rick Lotter and More, 7 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

Comedy Laughs Unlimited Coming to the Stage Comedy Competition w/ Amy Estes, Zach Edlow, Ben Rice, Chelsea Bearce and More, Jan. 31, 8 p.m.

Don Barnhart Comedy & Hypnosis Show, Feb. 2 - 3, 8 & 10:30 p.m.

Comedy Open Mic Showcase, Feb. 6, 8 p.m.

Carlos Rodriguez and Friends, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.

Brett Walkow feat. Jason Cheny, Feb. 9 - 11, Fri. & Sat., 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 8 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Open Mic Comedy w/ Host Jaime Fernandez, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

On the Y Open Mic Comedy w/ Host Robert Berry, Thursdays, 8:30 p.m.

Punch Line Mike E. Winfield and Friends, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

Heather McDonald, Feb. 2 - 3, Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 & 9:45 p.m.

Sacramento Comedy Showcase, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.

Frankie Quinones, Chris Estrada, Rudy Ortiz (Host), Feb. 8 - 10, Thurs., 8 p.m.; Fri., 8 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 & 9:45 p.m.

Lance Woods, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Comedy Spot Open Mic, Sunday’s and Monday’s, 8 p.m.

Improv Taste Test and Harold Night, Wednesday’s, 7 - 10 p.m.

Cage Match and Improv Jam, Thursday’s, 8 - 10 p.m.

Anti-Cooperation League, Saturday’s, 9 p.m.

Tommy T’s Tommy Davidson, Feb. 1 - 3, Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat., 7 & 9:45 p.m.

Misc.

8th and W Streets Certified Farmers Market, Sunday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

20th Street (Between J and K) Midtown Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

24th Street Theatre Stories in Dance Benefit Show feat. Hinalei Polynesian Dance, Rincones de mi Tierra Mexican Folklorica and More, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.

7300 Folsom UpcyclePOP: Playful Valentines Market, Feb. 11, 12 - 6 p.m.

Blue Cue Trivia Night, Wednesday’s, 9 p.m.

Bottle & Barlow Sacramento Bacon Fest Cocktail Competition, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.

The Boxing Donkey Trivia Night, Tuesday’s, 8 p.m.

CLARA (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts) Sacramento Carnaval 2018, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Community Center Theater California Musical Theatre: Jersey Boys, Jan. 30 - Feb. 4 Country Club Plaza Certified Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Crocker Art Museum California Fresh Film Series: Romeo is Bleeding, Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.

Exuberant Earth: Ceramics

by Ruth Rippon, Now through Feb. 4 Masters of Venice: Drawings

by Giambattista and Domenico Tiepolo from the Anthony J. Moravec Collection, Now through Feb. 4 CK Art Gallery Art, Wine and Chocolate feat. Live Music, Live Painting, Pairings and More, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Elks Tower Penthouse Love Is A Verb: Art, Music, Unity feat.

Lorelis Ploche, Toni Rodriguez, Ricky Guerrero, Melissa Uroff Millner, Alex Trujillo, DJ Akan, DJ Niko and More, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Empress Tavern Sacramento Bacon Fest Opening Party, Feb. 6, 5 p.m.

Florin Road & 65th Street Certified Farmers Market, Thursday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Fox & Goose Pub Quiz, Tuesday’s, 7 p.m.

Golden 1 Center WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts Mummenschanz: You and Me, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Moscow Festival Ballet Presents: Swan Lake, Feb. 7, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

Moscow Festival Ballet Presents: Giselle, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Highwater The Trivia Factory, Monday’s, 7 p.m.

Hiram Johnson High School Chinese New Year Celebration, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Historic Old Folsom Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 8 a.m.

Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co. Sacramento Bacon Fest: Sunday Brunch, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.

- 3 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Triviology, Sunday’s, 7:30 p.m.

Laughs Unlimited The Love Jones Best Love Poem Competition, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

Poetic Justice 2018 w/ Terry Moore, Selena Spencer and More, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Poetry Unplugged, Thursday’s, 8 p.m.

Magpie Cafe Sacramento Bacon Fest: Magpie Brunch, Feb. 11, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

McClatchy Park Oak Park Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Midtown BarFly Salsa Lessons, Wednesday’s, 8 p.m.

Mulvaney’s B & L Sacramento Bacon Fest: Chef’s Challenge, Feb. 11, 2 p.m. (Sold Out) Nicholson’s MusiCafe Trivia Night, Monday’s, 7 p.m.

Oak Park Brewing Co. Trivia Night, Sunday’s, 8 p.m.

Old Sacramento Mardi Gras Festival Crawl, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

Old Sugar Mill Port, Wine and Chocolate Lover’s Weekend, Feb. 10 - 11, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

On The Y Movie Night w/ Jandy Barwench, Wednesday’s, 7 p.m.

Papa Murphy’s Park USA Rugby: Eagles vs. Canada, Feb. 10, 3 p.m.

Revolution Wines Sacramento Bacon Fest: Bacon for the People - A Revolutionary Event, Feb. 9, 5 p.m.

The Rink Sacramento Roller Derby Season Opener, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Selland’s Market Cafe (Broadway) Sacramento Bacon Fest: Bacon and Beer on Broadway, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Shine Questionable Trivia, Tuesdays, 8 p.m.

Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum Art & Craft Fair, Feb. 3, 12 - 6 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Pub Trivia, Sunday’s, 8 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Let’s Get Quzzical: Trivia Game Show Experience, Tuesday’s, 7 p.m.

Sunrise Light Rail Station Certified Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tommy T’s Medium Cindy Kaza, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Two Rivers Cider Co. Sacramento Bacon Fest: Skee Ball Tournament, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.

UC Davis: Jackson Hall Cirque Eloize, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.

William Land Park Margarita Madness 5K, Feb. 10, 4 p.m.

Yolo Brewing Co. Trivia Night, Tuesday’s, 6 p.m.

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2018 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS FRI FEB 9 7:30PM SAT FEB 10 11AM THUR FEB 15 7PM SUN FEB 18 7PM SAT FEB 24 12:30PM THUR MAR 1 7PM SUN FEB 11 3PM

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MAR 31

THUNDER ROAD HOSTILES RATED R

WORDS RICHARD ST. OFLE Hostiles is such a complicated film, though I guess I should have expected as much from anything starring Christian Bale and directed by Scott Cooper (Black Mass). You can imagine how exciting something like this would sound in a pitch meeting, too: A Western—which is the hallmark of American grit and onesided, hard-talk bad-assery—that centers on something as tender and intellectually important as overcoming bigotry through brutal adversity. Putting sworn enemies together and forcing them into a common goal makes for the most engaging kind of conflict, and there are moments in Hostiles that fulfil that promise, but there are other parts that are clunky and heavy-handed to the point of being hard to follow.

Interestingly, the film positions itself in a way that complicates the moral binaries of traditional Westerns. There are no “good guys” and “bad guys” in Cooper’s film, which makes for a nuanced and more historically accurate view of a savage and barbarous time in American history. As a result, both the nuance and savagery are left to unfold in interesting ways. Where the politics of the film fall short are in not humanizing these archetypes and exploring the subtleties of the dynamics a little more.

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Hostiles follows U.S. Army Captain Joseph J. Blocker (Bale), who has a reputation for being a ferocious killer of Native People, as he is forced to escort his dying enemy, Cheyenne chief Yellow Hawk (played by Wes Studi) from New Mexico to Montana Territory, so that he can die on tribal lands. Blocker hates the task, and loathes the Cheyenne chief so much that he contemplates suicide to keep Yellow Hawk from a noble burial.

Overcome with a sense of duty that only a 19th century U.S. Army Captain can understand, he relents and forms a small band of fellow deplorables—including Timothée Chalamet as Private Philippe DeJardin and Jesse Plemons as Lieutenant Rudy Kidder—to escort Yellow Hawk and his family home to die.

Structurally, this is—if you squint—a Western that gets off of the hook of tired “cowboy and indian” stories by complicating the genre and masquerading as a road movie. As such, it leaps out of the frying pan and into the fire by tripping over all of the worn out road movie tropes.

But it’s in exploring the biggest road movie trope of all (meeting the curious stranger who needs help) that this film starts functioning on a deeper emotional level, as the procession comes across Rosalie Quaid (played by Rosamund Pike), a widow who has just seen her husband and three children slaughtered by Comanches. Broken and suicidal, Rosalie is the emotional heart of the film and the barometer for change. And here’s where the politics of the film get a little murky.

While the plausibility of seeing

your family murdered in front of you making you skeptical of the people who share a complexion with the assailants plays well on the screen, it ends up reducing the native characters to either murderous savages (the Comanche) or sentimental philosophers (Yellow Hawk and the Cheyenne), and the truth is that for a film hell-bent on breaking down the genre, it’s hugely irresponsible to mishandle one of the biggest misgivings in the Western genre. And while we get to watch Rosalie change, in moments that are both compelling and emotional, that change doesn’t come from a nuanced understanding of Native People, or a sense of compassion that is sprung from witnessing the treatment of Native People, but rather from a logistical change, the catalyst of which is mostly grounded in the fact that they share a common enemy in the Comanche. Roll your eyes with me.

While the film really does good work in depicting the complicated relationships on the frontier in the 19th century, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of exploring or scrutinizing these characters. At some point in the development, Hostiles—which is based on a story by Donald E. Stewart—was being considered as a True Detective-like anthology drama, which would have given it the time and space to delve deep into these captivating characters and relationships. One hundred thirty-three minutes isn’t enough time to do that, and the result is a film that, for all its elaborate bombast, interesting characters, wonderful cinematography and delightful acting performances, tries hard, but falls a little flat.

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Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

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Thursday

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The Purple Ones (Prince Tribute) Loose Ends (Two Shows) The Blasters Junior Reid ALO Langhorne Slim Noah Gundersen Zach Deputy Adrian Marcel Cut Chemist (of Jurassic 5)

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Ryan Caraveo Anderson East Shoreline Mafia The Winehouse Experience Rudy Colombini

3.17 3.24 3.28 3.29

Metalachi Petty Theft (Tom Petty Tribute) G.Love & Special Sauce Turkuaz

& the Unauthorized Rolling Stones

3.31 4.04 4.05 4.10 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.21 5.12

Wonderbread 5 The Lil Smokies Don Carlos Alvvays Bilal Peter Asher & Albert Lee John 5 & the Creatures Foreverland (Michael JacksonTribute) Built To Spill

Issue 258 • January 29 – February 12, 2018

THE SHALLOW END THE STORY THUS FAR …

It’s really difficult for me to comprehend that I’ve been writing this column every two weeks for the past 10 years.

Around the end of 2007, Melissa Welliver took me out to sushi and told me she and her now-husband Jonathan Carabba were moving to Sacramento, where they hoped to start a magazine. I didn’t tell her at the time, but I thought they were insane—but not because I wasn’t sure they’d do a good job and be successful at it. I knew them both and worked with them enough to know how talented and passionate they were about music, art, culture and publishing. I just thought they were crazy because they wanted me involved. So, of course, I jumped at the chance to help out any way I could. Because I’m an enabler.

All kidding aside, I was honored then when they asked, and even more honored today to have been a part of this thing for as long as I have.

I don’t really have any interesting anecdotes about our first issue. I just remember how quick it all seemed to come together, from that first sushi dinner to them clearing all the legal and financial hurdles one has to do to start a small business, lining up a printer and whatnot—and then suddenly there we were holding this weird paper baby in our hands.

I do remember how this column was born, though. I was busy convincing Melissa that she should probably write a letter from the editor sort of column that would serve to preface each issue and that we should have someone write a column to appear at the end as a sort of bookend. After I had suggested the latter, however, I realized I’d made a horrible mistake.

Because, since it was basically just the three of us at the time, I’d pretty much accidentally volunteered myself.

Writing a column was not something I was at all comfortable with. In the years prior, I focused on feature writing, doing interviews with artists and musicians and basically telling their stories. They were the ones doing all the interesting stuff. I was just some nerd who got way too into comics and music and movies and stuff, and I was scared shitless to have to start telling my own story, and sharing my take on

JAMES BARONE jb@submergemag.com

things. I mean, what if I didn’t have anything to say?

Regardless, I agreed to take on “The Shallow End,” though at the time I remember saying that I’d do it until they found someone else to take over for me. Now here we are, 10 years later, no savior in sight, so I guess we’re just stuck with each other?

And as it turns out, there’s a whole lot of shit to write about. One thing that doing “The Shallow End” for the past 10 years has taught me is that the world is a crazy, fucked up and, even when it’s being a total prick, a pretty amazing place. Even when you get beyond whatever bullshit the Trump administration is up to, there’s still troves of bizarre shit out there (though not as dangerous and upsetting as the aforementioned administration’s bizarre shit). Like, did you hear about Marilyn Hartman? She was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on Sunday for sneaking onto a flight to London’s Heathrow. This isn’t the first time she’s been nabbed for trying to stowaway. Hartman was arrested in 2014 for boarding a flight from San Jose to Los Angeles without a ticket, and then again in Florida in 2015, O’Hare in 2016 and even three days before her most recent infraction at O’Hare airport. The best part? She’s 66 years old. I guess why bother fucking around with a senior citizen’s discount when you can save a lot more with the old five-fingered one. I mean, sure, the poor lady probably does have mental issues, but when I’m that age, if I’m sneaking onto international flights, I’m going to be pretty darn proud of myself.

Heck, I’d just be proud to make it another 25 years without keeling over.

I’m also proud of being a part of Submerge for the past decade. It’s been fun interviewing bands and artists from Sacramento and beyond, and it’s even been fun writing this column all this time, even though sitting down to do so still scares the living shit out of me.

Most of all, it’s been amazing working with Jonathan and Melissa, who in addition to being ridiculously talented people, are also two of my best friends. Thanks guys, and thank you for reading.

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