Just flow with it

Can’t miss, don’t forget: Details for this year’s In the Flow Festival have been released, and it looks like a killer lineup. Local jazz musician Ross Hammond tells us this year’s creative music festival, scheduled to take place May 9-13, will spotlight local acts such as the Harley White Jr. Orchestra, Hearts + Horses, Gentleman Surfer and CAVE Women as well as various out-of-towners, such as Seattle’s Bad Luck and the Kris Tiner Trio from Bakersfield. This year’s venues include Old Soul at 40 Acres, Bows & Arrows, Luna’s Café & Juice Bar, the Antiquite Maison Privee, and Midtown Village Cafe. This will be the festival’s sixth year, and while the general approach is the same, says Hammond, this year’s festival has been “condensed” a bit to make the shows a “can’t miss.” Oh, and also of note: The Ross Hammond Quartet will release a new album, Cathedrals, at the show on May 12. Visit www.intheflowsacramento.com for more details.

—Rachel Leibrock

An abundance of aural goodness: Some weeks it feels like there’s nothing going on, and other weeks—such as this one—there’s not enough space to cover all the great gigs. Here’s one not to overlook: On Monday, April 15, at 8 p.m., The Press Club (2030 P Street) welcomes three local acts for just five bucks. Of particular note is Jilt vs. Jonah, an upbeat indie-rock band originally scheduled to play the Yuba Sutter D.I.Y Music Festival in Marysville. That event, unfortunately, was canceled, but at least there’s this gig closer to home. The band, which just released a new eight-track album I Thought We Buried That in January, will join singer-songwriter Mandy Zeboski and the rock ’n’ roll sounds of Goldener—the latter of whom boasts a very Minus the Bear-style sound.

In France, they kiss on Main Street: On Saturday, April 13, celebrate what would have been sexy French icon Serge Gainsbourg’s 84th birthday with this tribute show sponsored by the Sacramento French Film Festival. The tribute party, held at the Verge Center for the Arts (625 S Street), is now in its fourth year and boasts live-music performances from the modern chamber-pop ensemble Afternoon Teacup Collection and the aptly named Peter Petty Is Dirge Gainsbourg. The evening starts at 7:30 p.m. with cocktails and short films that pay homage to Gainsbourg and ends with a French-pop dance party, courtesy of deejays Roger Carpio and Christophe. Tickets are $7, and proceeds benefit the 12th annual Sacramento French Film Festival, which takes place at the Crest Theatre June 21-30. For more information visit http://sacramento frenchfilmfestival.org.

Bring it home: When good live-music events seems scarce at various venues, there’s always the house show. You know, the hush-hush, bring-your-own-beer kind of affair where you listen to stripped-down versions of familiar Sacramento musicians’ songs. One recent warm Friday evening proved to be the perfect time for such a show at a house located somewhere between the Round Corner Tavern and—well, let’s just say the Hideaway Bar & Grill. And at this house, there’s a huge backyard with overgrown clover patches that set the stage for local musicians like Killdevil’s Alex and Artie Dorame to perform acoustic-style originals. Members of punk band the Left Hand also played a few tunes—stuff like soul and blues covers, as well as a take on the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” The standout of the night, however, was Micah Schnabel, a musician visiting from Columbus, Ohio. Schnabel, who performed solo on this particular night, is probably better known as the singer-guitarist in the alt-country band Two Cow Garage. Here, he performed songs from his solo album, I’m Dead, Serious, keeping the crowd’s attention with an intense performance. While Schnabel’s music and lyrics are likeable and catchy, it’s the vulnerability of his live performance that captivated. He shared intimate details of life experiences and failed relationships, ending the night with an upbeat cover of the Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy.” Check him out for yourself at http://micahschnabel music.bigcartel.com.

—Steph Rodriguez