Only in Sacramento can you fight cancer while watching live wrestling, combat immigration raids with the power of cumbia, pay homage to the ancestors in a makeshift graveyard, catch a wink from a psychedelic surf siren — and still make it out to the annual Thanksgiving Day fun run without missing a beat.
First, join punk bands and wrestlers as they collide during Danny Reynoso’s F*ck Cancer benefit shows, with 16 acts across five venues raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Toronto surf-rockers, The Surfrajettes, turn Harlow’s into a Tarantino-worthy fever dream complete with knee-high go-go boots, while Oak Park Brewing Co. hosts the release of the collaborative hip-hop album, “Hometown Heroes Vol. 1,” spotlighting an unforgettable lineup of local emcees.
El Panteón de Sacramento, hosted by the Latino Center of Art & Culture, invites the community to celebrate Día de los Muertos with vibrant altars and live dance performances. And even more seasonal traditions return to the City of Trees as the downtown ice rink reopens and Run to Feed the Hungry rallies thousands of walkers and turkey-clad joggers to East Sacramento to support the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ mission. Here’s everything you need to make the most of fall’s final days this November.
Music. Body slams and punk rock jams
Sunday, Nov. 2-Saturday, Nov. 8: Longtime local musician and brain tumor fighter Danny Reynoso (The Moans, The Secretions, The Knockoffs) has spent more than 20 years organizing his annual “Lame-Ass Birthday Bash” benefit shows to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. This year, Reynoso has orchestrated a stacked lineup of Sacramento’s finest for the F*ck Cancer benefit series with 16 bands performing across five venues from Midtown to Citrus Heights — all united by one goal: to raise funds for cancer research and to witness a full-on wrestling match at The Press Club for the first time ever. Here’s this year’s lineup:
Sunday, Nov. 2: The Globs, Contraptions, Motorcycle and Pure Trash set the tone for the week ahead with a matinee show at Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; 3 p.m.; $15; all ages.
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Wet the Rope, Just For Now and Blooming Heads are ready to make a Wednesday night feel like the weekend at The Starlet Room, 2708 J St.; 7 p.m.; $15; all ages.
Thursday, Nov. 6: Dog Party, Fallback and Lamonta are three high-energy bands ready to give cancer the middle finger at Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St.; 7 p.m.; $15; 21 and over.
Friday, Nov. 7: The Bonstones, Chonker and The Blessing keep the week’s momentum strong by raising funds at The Corner Spot, 6432 Tupelo Dr., in Citrus Heights; 7 p.m.; $15; 18 and over.
Saturday, Nov. 8: The Moans, Lightweight and The Me Gustas end the week with an evening of punk rock music and live wrestling with champion Timmy Rogan vs. “Main Event” Michael Sean, ready to body slam each other at The Press Club, 1119 21st St.; $20; 21 and over. Will El Flaco Loco make an appearance?
For wax collectors and hip-hop lovers
Saturday, Nov. 8: Producer Andrew Lozano, founder of the music label Freqy Music Group, is hosting a record release party at Oak Park Brewing Co., where he’ll cheers to “Hometown Heroes Vol. 1.” It’s a longtime project that brought together numerous emcees from the Sacramento hip-hop community to create an album that hums with thoughtful wordplay and vibrates with soulful beats, moving listeners with deep, head-nodding rhythms. Each track spotlights a powerhouse lineup of local talent, including Nytelife, Mr. Lingo, Skratch Miyagi, 2Ugli and Crush CUF of The CUF, alongside many other Sacramento hip-hop luminaries who add their distinct voices and styles to the mix.
Pressed on limited-edition 180g eco-colored vinyl with one-of-a-kind marbled colorways, this record is just as much for wax collectors as it is for hip-hop fans, and it’s an album that embodies the creative spirit and collaborative energy of the city. Oak Park Brewing Co., 3514 Broadway; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $5; all ages.
Psychedelic surf sirens
Tuesday, Nov. 11: The Surfrajettes are bringing their cool, vintage-style, thick eyeliner and razor-sharp riffs to Harlow’s for a night of surf-fueled fun — and they’ve invited space-age pop queen Bethlehem Shalom to join the party. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, The Surfrajettes are a four-piece instrumental group who blend reverb-soaked surf rock with a splash of psychedelic flair — think beehives, go-go boots and a rock ’n’ roll attitude.
Known for viral hits like their creative take on Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” the group released their latest album, “Easy as Pie,” last October featuring playful tracks like a cover of Spice Girls’ “Spice Up Your Life” and the bright, sun-kissed tones of “Clam Chowder.” Sharing the stage is Bethlehem Shalom, the Los Angeles-based artist who draws inspiration from Sly and the Family Stone, The Black Keys and Stevie Wonder. She radiates with a lush mix of blues, funk and futuristic pop. Together, it’s a lineup that blends California daydream energy — wave-crashing rhythms and tremolo-laced melodies — with the intensity of interstellar soul that lifts you off the ground. Harlow’s, 2708 J St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m..; $26.40; all ages.
Still loud, still desolate
Wednesday, Nov. 19: Minneapolis punk band Off With Their Heads is celebrating the 15-year anniversary of their second studio album, “In Desolation.” Known for its gut-wrenching honesty and relentless intensity, the album captures singer Ryan Young’s candid lyrics about life’s misadventures, love, stress, drugs — and death — across 34 minutes of full-on catharsis.
To mark this milestone, the band is joined by punk legends Toys That Kill, performing as both their current project and original band F.Y.P., along with Smug LLC, which is musician Drew Thomson’s unfiltered electronic one-man band. Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.; $21.15; all ages.
Culture. Light in the cemetery
Friday, Oct. 31-Sunday, Nov. 2: Now in its 16th year, El Panteón de Sacramento returns to the Latino Center of Art & Culture for three days of remembrance and celebration. This beloved Día de los Muertos tradition transforms the LCAC grounds into a vibrant community space filled with colorful ofrendas, fragrant cempasúchil and the sounds of live music and dance.
Inspired by the cemetery gatherings of Mexico — where families clean graves, add fresh flowers and celebrate rather than mourn — El Panteón invites everyone to honor life with joy. Attendees can taste a variety of delicious foods and sweet treats for sale, purchase colorful trinkets from local artisan vendors and experience live dance performances during the afternoon or under the glowing moonlight of Sacramento’s beautiful autumn nights. Latino Center of Art & Culture, 2700 Front St.; Oct. 31, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Nov. 1, noon-10 p.m.; Nov. 2, noon- 4 p.m. $10 for adults, kids are free; all ages.
Skate into the holidays
Wednesday, Nov. 5-Monday, Jan. 19: What’s cold, crowded and full of wobbly legs — yet guaranteed to warm your heart? If you guessed the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, you’re correct! It’s officially that magical time of year where the city’s holiday spirit is on full display, just in time for the winter season. Plan a lovely date with your special someone, gather the gals for a festive night out or bundle up the kiddos for a family friendly afternoon on the ice, complete with hot cocoa breaks.
Since 1991, this beloved winter tradition has transformed Ali Youssefi Square into a cheerful hub where everyone is welcome to skate beneath the city lights. The rink officially opens on Nov. 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and $2 admission for the afternoon. Expect themed events like Veterans Day (free skating for active military and veterans) and the always-popular Princess & Superhero Day, where past guests have included Elsa and Anna from Disney’s “Frozen” and the ever-elusive Spider-Man.
Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, 7th and K streets; Skaters can enjoy the rink from 2 p.m.-9 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays through Sundays (weather permitting); For more information to plan your trip, visit here; $15 for general admission and $8 for children ages 6 and under; Skating admission includes skate rental and sizes run as small as youth 8 and as large as men’s 15; all ages.
Rhythms for resistance
Friday, Nov. 7: Show your support for NorCal Resist and their critical work defending immigrant families and communities in the face of growing threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From bonding people out of ICE detention centers and freeing activists from jail to offering brake light clinics, Know Your Rights workshops and organizing rallies and marches, NorCal Resist fights for justice and community safety.
Celebrate and support their mission at Noche de Cumbias y Calaveras at CASA de Español, featuring an Aztec blessing by Danza Iztatutli, cumbia beats from DJ Sly Boogie and El Revoltoso, delicious food from Tacos La Lupita, Raspados Reyes, Pupusas Ruth and Balance Coffee. Plus, a live printing demonstration by Xico González and MEChA de la Met. CASA de Español, 1101 R St; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20, at the door; all ages.
All turkeys to the track!
Thursday, Nov. 27: Before the pumpkin pie and obligatory holiday catch-ups, join the thousands taking part in Run to Feed the Hungry, Sacramento’s annual Thanksgiving morning fun run that brought together over 31,000 participants last year. Since its start in 1994, the event has grown into a lively holiday tradition with runners, walkers and turkey-costumed joggers all gettin’ in their cardio while supporting Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Want to make this your year? Choose a 10K- or 5K-course starting beneath the giant inflatable turkey at Sacramento State University, and enjoy live music as you make your way through the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. Whether you’re running solo or with a team, every step helps Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provide warm meals and essential services to local families each year. Run to Feed the Hungry, J Street, just west of the entrance to the Sacramento State campus; course map; Race times vary. For more information, on start times and pricing, visit here; all ages.
This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics, the city had no editorial influence over this story. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Hmong Daily News, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.
By Steph Rodriguez
