Submerge Quick Hits: 7 Brief News Updates from Sacramento’s Music, Art & Comedy Scenes

The downtown Sacramento music venue and bar Blue Lamp is up for sale. When Submerge first saw owner Gabriell Garcia post something about it on her Facebook page last week, we figured she was joking around, but it looks like she wasn’t, as the night club is officially listed on Sellingrestaurants.com. Gabriell and her husband Ben recently took over another local venue, Cafe Colonial (3520 Stockton Blvd.), so they are currently operating both Colonial and Blue Lamp. Cafe Colonial is an all-ages venue that also offers food, whereas Blue Lamp (1400 Alhambra Blvd.) is strictly a 21-plus venue that does not offer food. We’ll try to keep you in the loop when we know more about the future of Blue Lamp, but in the meantime, all of their scheduled shows are still happening, so get out and enjoy the place while you can! For more info, check out Bluelampsacramento.com, Facebook.com/bluelampsac or Facebook.com/cafecolonial916.

One of the world’s largest mural festivals, Wide Open Walls is currently underway right here in Sacramento. The festival brings 40-plus artists from around the world, with many of them being from Sac, and allows them to paint new murals all around town. By the time you read this, some of the murals will already be completed, with many still in progress, so check out Wideopenwalls.com for a map to find where the artists are working. Feel free to stop by and watch the artists in action! Wide Open Walls officially runs through Aug. 18 and on Saturday, Aug. 17 they are throwing a massive Street Party and Concert from 6–11 p.m. at Capitol Mall on Fifth Street that features Sage the Gemini (pictured), DJ James Kennedy, Robbie (HOF), Joseph One, DJ Oasis, Lillian Frances and more.

Capital Dance Project returns to Crest Theatre this weekend, Aug. 16–17, for their fifth annual production of Behind the Barre: Made in Sacramento. Watch professional local ballet dancers collaborate with local musicians and visual artists to premiere new, unique works of art. Visit Capitaldanceproject.org for more info and to purchase tickets ahead of time. Crest Theatre is located at 1013 K St.

The 21st annual Race for the Arts is coming up on Saturday, Aug. 24 at William Land Park. Race for the Arts raises funds and awareness for California nonprofit visual, performing, cultural, literary and culinary arts organizations, including school music, drama, literary, art and culinary arts programs. Serious runners and casual joggers or walkers alike can take part. There is entertainment throughout the racecourse and a free Arts Festival! Learn more and register at Raceforthearts.com.

Callback Bar, a new bar and live comedy room owned by and adjacent to Punch Line, is in soft opening mode. From what Submerge has seen, the place looks super chic and stylish, and will offer those attending Punch Line a nice place to chill and have a drink before or after the show. Keep an eye out at Facebook.com/PLSAC or Punchlinesac.com for more info on when they’ll officially be open to the public. Punch Line and Callback Bar are located in the Howe Bout Arden shopping center at 2100 Arden Way.

Keeping on the local comedy club topic, Laughs Unlimited is currently closed for renovations. The club will hold a weekend long re-opening celebration from Friday, Aug. 30–Sunday, Sept. 1. There will be six total shows, each with a different lineup of some of the best local comics, including but not limited to Brad Bonar Jr. (pictured), Ngaio Bealum, DJ Sandhu, Anthony K, Carlos Rodriguez and Ellis Rodriguez. Look up Laughsunlimited.com for more info and for a link to buy tickets. Laughs Unlimited is located at 1207 Front St. in Old Sacramento.

The 29th annual Chalk It Up! Festival is going down Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31–Sept. 2 at Fremont Park, located at 16th and Q streets. This free, family friendly event features eye-popping sidewalk chalk art around the perimeter of the park, plus tons of live music from local bands, food trucks, and craft vendors galore. It’s open from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. each day. Chalk It Up! raises money for Sacramento area youth arts education. Look up Chalkitup.org or Facebook.com/chalkitupsac for more info.