The Sactown Weekend Update for Sept. 19-21
A Taste of Sacramento (Friday)
Sample some of the best food, wine and beer the capital city has to offer at this 16th annual event that benefits the Easter Seals Superior California, whose programs support those with disabilities. Taste items from nearly 20 area restaurants, including Hawks, Chicago Fire and Ink Eats and Drinks, sip drinks from breweries and wineries like Sudwerk Brewing Co. and Boeger Winery, and bid on auction items from local vendors like the Crocker Art Museum and Gekkeikan Sake. $40 in advance, $60 day of event. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sacramento Convention Center. 1400 J St. 485-6711. myeasterseals.org
National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China (Friday through Sunday)
The Harris Center opens its new season in spectacular, high-flying fashion with performances by the National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China, one of that country’s longest-running and most distinguished troupes. They will present “Cirque Peking,” a new show promising feats of strength, flexibility and balance like athletic hoop-diving, graceful juggling sequences, bicycle riding stunts and trapeze segments. $21-$45. Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. Harris Center for the Arts. 10 College Pkwy. Folsom. 608-6888. harriscenter.net
Melissa Etheridge (Friday)
Rock legend Melissa Etheridge comes to Grass Valley to preview her 12th album, This is M.E., which will be released at the end of this month. During this solo concert, the Oscar and Grammy winner, famous for such songs as “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” will be playing the harmonica, piano, and acoustic and electric guitar and highlighting new and classic songs. $68-$78. 8 p.m. Veterans Memorial Auditorium. 255 S. Auburn St. Grass Valley. 530-274-8384. thecenterforthearts.org
Camellia Koi Club Pond Tour (Saturday)
If you’re seeking an offbeat family adventure this weekend, look no further than the Camellia Koi Club’s koi pond tour, which takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This self-guided car tour of 10 residential ponds—from Folsom to South Sacramento—will introduce you to show-quality koi and lushly landscaped backyard ponds with waterfalls and bridges, including a 10,000-gallon pond in Granite Bay on the grounds of a rose garden. Pond owners or club docents at each location will teach you how the ponds are constructed, all about the colorful fish and what it takes to care for them. $10-$15. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin at 1030 Appollo Way or 218 Orange Blossom Cr. Folsom. camelliakoi.org
Firefighter Chili Cook-Off (Saturday)
Turn up the heat at Safetyville USA’s fourth annual Firefighter Chili Cook-Off, where Cal Fire and Rescue Training will be back to defend their title from last year. Guests will get to taste each creation before voting for the People’s Choice winner, which will be announced along with the Celebrity Judges’ Choice. Music from local band the Lava Pups, raffles and interactive demos including a helicopter landing round out the hot stuff on hand. $5 (children 5 and under free). Noon to 4 p.m. Safetyville USA. 3909 Bradshaw Rd. 366-7233. safetycenter.org
The California Brewers Festival (Saturday)
As the title hints, there will be plenty of beer pouring at this 20th annual charity event benefiting WEAVE and featuring 70 breweries from across California and beyond. Local participants include Sacramento’s Track 7 and New Helvetia, West Sacramento’s Jackrabbit Brewing and Davis-based Sudwerk, with appearances from food trucks like Bacon Mania, Green Papaya, Chando’s Tacos and more than a half-dozen others. Splurge for VIP tickets to receive entrance 45 minutes before general admission, a large Mason jar mug for your brew, and $10 off food—while sipping on suds, groove to the R&B/soul tunes of James Cavern and the Council (Cavern gained fame on Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice) and the indie-pop rhythms of Roseville-based Humble Wolf. $35-$75. Noon to 5 p.m. Discovery Park. 1000 Garden Hwy. calbrewfest.com
Autumn Equinox Celebration (Saturday)
Fall in love with fresh fare from some of Sacramento’s best restaurants at Soil Born Farms’ Autumn Equinox Celebration, benefiting its various projects. At this 12th annual tasting event, which in past years has welcomed guests like Gov. Jerry Brown and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, you can savor offerings from top local chefs, including Rick Mahan (Waterboy, OneSpeed) and Ed Roehr (Magpie Café), and drinks from the likes of Rubicon and Revolution Wines, stroll through Soil Born’s 1.5-acre urban farm in Arden-Arcade, and dance under the stars to the music of Mind X Quartet and Cousin Jimbo & Friends. $60. Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Soil Born’s Arden-Arcade farm. 3000 Hurley Way. 363-9685. soilborn.org
Farm-to-Fork Crayfish Boil 2014 (Sunday)
Ella Dining Room and Bar is going down to the Bayou for the second annual Farm-to-Fork Celebration with a special Crayfish Boil, for which chef Randall Selland (among other participants) will use all local ingredients—corn, sausage, potatoes, lemon, parsley, onions and, of course, plenty of tasty crustaceans from celebrated local vendor Kelly’s Crayfish. Other Southern influences include smoked trout beignets to start, peach cobbler with house-made ice cream, and a signature Sweet Tea cocktail. $75. 4 to 7 p.m. Ella Dining Room and Bar. 1131 K St. 443-3772. elladiningroomandbar.com
