February in Sacramento: Music Art and Little Burlesque

Glittering floats, neon rainbows and a Sphinx glide down Capitol Mall this February, setting the stage for a month of music, art and celebration across Sacramento. Catch punk duo Rat Therapy tearing up The Press Club, or groove to hip-hop and spoken word with Ruby Ibarra at the Crocker Art Museum’s “Come Closer” feminist-inspired music series.

And don’t miss the fifth-annual City of Trees Parade, where dazzling floats, vibrant performers and an evening dance party light up downtown. It’s all here in your February guide to all things Sacramento.

Music

Surf meets static

Wednesday, Feb. 4: With fuzzed-out pop melodies and surf-leaning guitar tones, Santa Cruz band Trestles delivers sun-soaked garage rock into the present. It’s the type of sound that nods to its roots, reworked into something angsty, melodic and sharp.

Santa Cruz garage rockers Trestles stop by Cafe Colonial with fuzzed-out pop melodies and surf-leaning riffs, channeling the sharp, angsty push-and-pull of their latest release, “Salt.” They’re joined on the “West Is the Best” tour by Colorado psych rock band The Dirty Turkeys, with Sacramento singer-songwriter Brendon B opening the night. (Photo courtesy of Diego Diaz-Lindquist)

That push-and-pull comes through clearly on their latest album, “Salt,” where songs like “Head First” and “Shake My Hand” pair tongue-in-cheek vocals with shimmery riffs. Joining Trestles on their “West Is the Best” tour is Colorado psychedelic rock band The Dirty Turkeys, and local singer-songwriter Brendon B opens the night, his music bridging dreamy pop with aching, diary-like honesty.

Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $18.54; all ages.

Two rats and a trash can

Friday, Feb. 6: A dented trash can sets the tone at Rat Therapy shows. It’s like the third member of this Sacramento art punk/emo duo started by two best buds who leaned into music as a more therapeutic, yet aggressive form of expression. Check out their song “Eat the Rat King,” a fun, high-energy punk jam that launches immediately and only builds, fueled by a furious drummer.

Get ready for a loud night at The Press Club featuring Sacramento art-punk duo Rat Therapy with their raw, cathartic live energy. They’re joined by Fresno punks Tower Rats, plus Toxic Waves and Sacramento indie rockers Push To Feel. (Photo courtesy of Rat Therapy)

Speaking of rats, Fresno band Tower Rats, fronted by Jackie Bootstraps, adds their polished, yet intense blend of punk to the bill. Listen to their latest single “I Aim to Please,” a moody, self-deprecating standout the band released last spring. Plus,Toxic Waves’ chill vibes are for fans of Saves the Day, while Sacramento indie rock four-piece Push To Feel tops the night with their eclectic, genre-bending style.

The Press Club, 1119 21st St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20 day of show; 21 and over.

Voices of empowerment

Thursday, February 26: February kicks off the next chapter of “Come Closer,” the Crocker Art Museum’s genre-spanning music series inspired by bell hooks’ enduring call for feminist connection. This time, the spotlight turns to hip-hop artist, poet and activist Ruby Ibarra, whose sharp lyricism and commanding presence fuse hip-hop and spoken word into powerful reflections on identity, heritage and empowerment.

Hip-hop artist, poet and activist Ruby Ibarra takes the stage at the Crocker Art Museum as part of “Come Closer,” the museum’s feminist-inspired music series. Her commanding blend of hip-hop and spoken word anchors a night that also includes a DJ set from Mrs. Organic and time to explore the “Making Moves: A Collection of Feminisms” exhibition. (Photo courtesy of Ruby Ibarra via Crocker Art Museum)

Before Ibarra’s live performance, explore the “Making Moves: A Collection of Feminisms” exhibition or catch a DJ set from Mrs. Organic from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. With future performances featuring Chrissy Chlapecka in March and DEFEM in April, “Come Closer” invites audiences to lean in, listen closely and experience how feminism resonates through music, art and history within the museum’s storied walls.

Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; $30-$35; 18 and over.

Soul-baring blues

Friday, Feb. 27: Soul-stirring blues vocalist Katie Knipp brings her immersive vocals, expert piano work and artful storytelling, promising an unforgettable Friday night at the Torch Club. Knipp, joined by her full band, will perform some selections from her fourth, top-10 Billboard album, “Me,” a collection of evocative, modern blues that spans sultry ballads and socially conscious themes.

Soul-stirring blues vocalist and pianist Katie Knipp shows off her full band at the Torch Club, blending immersive vocals, artful storytelling and modern blues selections from her Billboard top-10 album, “Me” and more. (Photo courtesy of Phil Kampel)

Known for sharing the stage with legends like Buddy Guy and contemporary favorites including Trombone Shorty, Knipp blends vulnerability with virtuosity in every performance. Audiences can expect haunting melodies, heart-tugging lyrics and electrifying musicianship, all delivered with the passionate energy that has made her one of contemporary blues’ most compelling voices.

Torch Club, 904 15th St.; 9 p.m.; $15; 21 and over.

Art that connects

Sunday, Feb. 22: Celebrate Black artistry and community at the Crocker Art Museum’s Black History Month Festival, planned in partnership with Shonna McDaniels of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. This year’s theme, “interwoven,” is inspired by Faith Ringgold’s beautiful quilting patterns and Angela Hennessy’s hair-weaving masterpieces.

The Crocker Art Museum hosts its Black History Month Festival, themed “interwoven” and inspired by artists Faith Ringgold and Angela Hennessy. The afternoon includes gallery talks, a collaborative weaving project and a ballroom showcase featuring artists including Gerry “Gos” Simpson, Shawtay Gorman and Jermaine Tilson. (Photo courtesy of Wes Davis via Crocker Art Museum)

Throughout the afternoon, attendees can listen in on special talks, quietly explore the gallery and also join Weaving the Sunflowers, a collaborative project led by Poppy and Pot and Keia Kodama for a lesson in tying hair, fabric and florals into a socially-made artwork. The museum’s ballroom will also feature a partner and artist showcase, including work from Gerry “Gos” Simpson, Shawtay Gorman, Jermaine Tilson and more.

Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 11 a.m.; free; all ages.

Celebrate African voices

Wednesday, Feb. 25: South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir showcases powerhouse vocals, mesmerizing choreography and their captivating energy at the Mondavi Center in Davis. Founded in Limpopo in 2009 as an after-school program for vulnerable children, the choir has grown into an international phenomenon, infusing chart-topping hits such as Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s hit “Shallow,” among others, with African rhythms and layered harmonies.

South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir delivers powerhouse vocals and mesmerizing choreography at the Mondavi Center, blending chart-topping hits with African rhythms. (Photo courtesy of Ndlovu Youth Choir via Mondavi Center)

The masterful group first wowed audiences on “America’s Got Talent” and earned a record deal with Syco Entertainment before releasing multiple acclaimed albums, including their No. 1 debut, “Africa.” Under artistic director Ralf Schmitt, the choir continues to innovate, performing everything from Zulu-language Queen covers to dynamic, socially inspired arrangements that have transfixed audiences worldwide.

Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, 523 Mrak Hall Drive, in Davis; 7 p.m.; $18-$63.50; all ages.

City of beads

Saturday, Feb. 28: A Sphinx, a neon rainbow and The Giving Tree will all roll down Capitol Mall as a part of the fifth-annual City of Trees Parade & Mardi Gras Festival. It’s the city’s only nighttime parade with mesmerizing floats that starts just before sunset and illuminates a mile-long route from the Capitol to Old Sacramento.

Capitol Mall glows with larger-than-life floats, live music and Mardi Gras magic at the fifth-annual City of Trees Parade. The mile-long nighttime parade winds from the Capitol to Old Sacramento, finishing with food, vendors, a beverage garden and a dance party that lights up the night. (Photo courtesy of Jonah Hendler)

Last year, more than 1,300 performers joined in on the fun, and this year, festival-goers will be treated to live musical performances, interactive exhibits, local vendors and food trucks — plus a beverage garden that helps raise funds for the festival. It all caps off with the electric City of Trees Parade dance party. So if you’re interested in hopping on one of those dazzling art cars or special floats and want to toss 100% recycled beads at happy crowds – this is your festival.

City of Trees Festival & Parade, 700 Capitol Mall; 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10.97-$232.57; all ages

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 and protocols, the city had no editorial influence over this story and no city official reviewed this story before it was published. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, CapRadio, Hmong Daily News, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.

_{By Steph Rodriguez}