Author: TownNews Staff - Amanda Keim-Morrison

Nate Bargatze

Out & About in Summer 2026

Comedian Nate Bargatze shows what it means to be the greatest average American at Thunder Valley, B Street Theatre takes flight with Around the World in 80 Days,  Sacramento Pride brings the party to Capitol Mall, the Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar cooks up some summer fun, and more.
Sean Timm,

Q&A with Actress-Director Danielle Moné Truitt

Many celebrities grow up in a place, move to Hollywood, make it big, and never look back. Danielle Moné Truitt is not that kind of celebrity. Her résumé ranges from serving as the visual inspiration for Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog  to starring as Sergeant Ayanna Bell alongside Christopher Meloni in Law & Order: Organized Crime. But Truitt has always kept one foot firmly planted in the River City thanks to her family and also her work, like 3: Black Girl Blues—the one-woman show she performed at the B Street Theatre in 2022. And now, having moved back to Sacramento, she is standing 10 toes down on her hometown, shooting a short film she wrote about her childhood and directing Douglas Lyons’ play Don’t Touch My Hair, which runs June 12–28 at Celebration Arts.
Lesley Bargar Suter,
The City

Your summer 2026 guide to outdoor movies in the Sacramento region

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and catch an outdoor movie once in a while, you could be missing out. So grab your lawn chairs and blankets, and make the most of summer’s comfy evening hours with screenings under the stars around the region, from timeless comedies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off  to more recent releases like Wicked  and plenty of animated hijinks for the kiddos.
Sean Timm,

Keys to the City

Creative crosswalks have beautified cities all over the world, but have gained remarkably little traction in Sacramento. Here’s how—and where—to strike just the right note.
Rob Turner,

Ecotopia

In an era of social disconnection, climate change, soaring utility bills, rising food costs and recurring droughts, what if someone developed a community where all these modern predicaments were mitigated through architectural and landscape design? Well, it turns out someone did—50 years ago. Here’s how the founders of Davis’ Village Homes—the world’s first solar subdivision—created an inspiring model for better living, and why it still works today, more than ever.
Hillary Louise Johnson, Photos by Max Whittaker,

Thank You and Good Night

After nearly four decades in Sacramento, comedian Jack Gallagher quietly left town in 2024 and moved back to his native Massachusetts to be near family. In his latest (and last) one-man show at the B Street Theatre, he talks about what he left behind as he bids a fond farewell.
Sean Timm,

Q&A with Dan Simon, new CEO of Sacramento Zoo

Last spring, ambitious plans to relocate the 14.6-acre Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park to a 65-acre space in Elk Grove fell through. Since then, the zoo’s board has decided to stay in its current facility and is actively seeking to add approximately 6 acres of adjacent land to its footprint. And in November, it announced that Dan Simon would take over as CEO of the 99-year-old attraction. Prior to Sacramento, Simon served as the executive director of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas, and also held leadership roles at ZooTampa in Florida and the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota. We spoke with him in December about his animal expertise, why a focus on wildlife conservation is increasingly important for modern zoos, his favorite furry residents, and which animal he foresees making a comeback in Sacramento.
Rob Turner,

Your Friends and New Neighbor

The Urban Roots team moves into midtown’s Ice Blocks and creates a retro-cool hangout spot with Good Neighbor. Order a wood-fired pizza for the table, then get the flame-broiled burger and pavé fries for yourself.
Carla Meyer,

Out & About in Spring 2026

Cardi B brings her first arena tour to the Golden 1 Center, Jack Gallagher says goodbye at B Street Theatre, Cake serves up three shows at Channel 24, Frida Kahlo makes her debut at the Crocker, and more. Check out the blooming bounty of events sprouting up across the region this spring.
Sean Timm,

Sitting Pretty

Sun-powered street furniture is an emerging design trend around the world. With nearly 300 blue-skied days a year, Sacramento is the perfect place to take a seat and recharge.
Rob Turner,

G-Man

After 40 years as the definitive voice of the Sacramento Kings, Gary Gerould has been our man in the arena—our steadfast guide through the many ups and downs of a franchise trying to find its way. And now, at 85, he’s the second longest-serving active announcer in the NBA. Marking this milestone anniversary, we turned the mic on the broadcasting legend and, as ever, G-Man hit nothing but net.
Mark Kreidler,

Bittersweet Symphony

What’s it all mean? That’s the existential question that multi-instrumentalist Christian Gates—better known by his stage name, The Philharmonik—posed after navigating a series of personal struggles. The search for answers ultimately led the “one-man orchestra” to enter—and win—NPR’s career-catapulting Tiny Desk Contest in 2024. Now, as the Sacramento singer-songwriter explores his spiritual side in his new album, Transcendentalism, he continues his quest for deeper meaning.
Hillary Louise Johnson,

Lights, Camera, Fashion

Keith Herron is having a breakout moment. Stevie Wonder has donned his designs on stage. Tron: Ares  star Greta Lee has posed in his pieces. And NBA players like Malik Monk and Stephen Curry have sported his looks. His image has been projected on the tallest billboard in Times Square, and Vogue  has called his label, Advisry—which he formed when he was only 13 at Sutter Middle School near McKinley Park—“officially the new emerging brand on the block.” Not bad for a 25-year-old. And now the Sacramento phenom—a ravenous cinephile who consumes at least one movie a day and whose designs are artfully influenced by classic films—is fresh off showing his latest collection at New York Fashion Week, and eager to grow a multimedia empire. Meet the man behind the vision.
Hillary Louise Johnson,

Stepping Up

When the beloved Dad’s Kitchen closed in 2024, a family of veteran restaurateurs swooped in to resurrect the space. Enter Stepdad’s, the cozy Land Park restaurant by the owners of The Jungle Bird, Tank House and Camden Spit & Larder that makes you instantly feel right at home.
Carla Meyer, Photos by Anna Wick,

Best of the City 2025

Global culinary tours with regional culinary stars, a buzzy bus-festooned diner patio, a fly new book about birds of the Delta, a decadent hot chocolate rimmed with a pillow of marshmallow, an NFL Man of the Year who gives as good as he gets, a cheesy pizza slice to scarf in a New York minute—and many, many more. We enthusiastically present our list of the dozens of local people, places and things that have made us balloon with hometown pride this year.
Hillary Louise Johnson, Elyssa Lee, Sean Timm,

All That Glitters

From shimmery craft cocktails to seasonal small plates, The Hillmont at Remedy Supply Co. embraces Auburn’s rich history while offering modern American eats. This dazzling foothills restaurant just might spark a new Gold Rush.
Erika Mailman, Photos by Anna Wick,

Out and About in Winter 2025/26

John Legend celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut album with a concert at Thunder Valley, Heart brings their reunion tour to Wheatland, The Lion King  returns to the Broadway Sacramento stage for the first time in over a decade, and more. Here are 15 events heating up the capital region this winter.
Sean Timm,

Sidewalk Stories

Several California cities have cemented a reputation for adorning their sidewalks with clever shadow-themed art. Let’s follow in their footsteps.
Rob Turner,

Joy Rides

In 2014, shaken by a viral video showing teens harassing and humiliating a boy with autism, two local women turned their anguish into action. Combining their experience in the nonprofit world with their passion for skateboarding, they found a decidedly unconventional way to help children with physical and cognitive challenges—hosting skateboarding clinics, in the hopes of fostering confidence and community. Now beginning its second decade, with the founders passing the torch to their like-minded teammates, SkateMD is once again ramping up its mission to spread kindness and spark joy, one totally gnarly grind at a time.
José Vadi, Photos by Max Whittaker,

The Seeds of Change

Soil Born Farms first took root as a mere seedling on a cozy 3-acre plot in Sacramento with a mission that far exceeded its then-humble size—to create a thriving organic farm that would connect food, health, people and the environment. Today, on the eve of its 25th anniversary celebration, Soil Born has grown to become one of California’s largest urban farms. And its ambitious expansion plan to continue feeding our community while educating a new generation of young farmers promises an even more sustainable future for our region and beyond.
Hillary Louise Johnson, Photos by Max Whittaker,

Best of the City 2025:
Best Over-the-Top Hot Chocolate

Brewed with Belgian Callebaut chocolate, topped with scratch-made marshmallow fluff and chocolate mousse, then brûléed to perfection, this tasty treat is among the dozens of people, places and things that have added a dollop of delight to this year. Here's one of our picks for Best of the City 2025.
Sean Timm,

Best of the City 2025:
Best Rockers for the Ages

Selling out venues across the country and launching their 10th studio album, this Sacramento-born rock group is keeping the music going, earning them a place among the dozens of people, places and things that have rocked this year. Here's one of our picks for Best of the City 2025.
Sean Timm,

Out and About in Fall 2025

Cyndi Lauper heads to Wheatland as she wraps up her farewell tour, the Sacramento Ballet and Capital Stage launch their new seasons, A Flock of Seagulls (plus nine more ’80s sensations) take flight at Thunder Valley, a pop-jukebox sequel to Romeo and Juliet  delivers verses from bards like the Backstreet Boys and Kelly Clarkson at Broadway Sacramento, and more. Here are 15 reasons to fall for the arts around town.
Sean Timm,