We love the arts

I’m a big fan of live theater, musicals in particular. I’ve seen shows on Broadway, in London’s West End, in Las Vegas, in San Francisco and in Sacramento, at the Community Center Theater and Music Circus.

So I’m happy to raise the curtain on our plans: In the months ahead, you’ll see more stories about theater, music and other arts in the pages of SN&R. That includes performances for broader audiences at bigger venues such as Golden 1 Center, as well as more grassroots events at smaller spaces. And we’ll continue spotlighting undiscovered and new artists.

A vibrant arts scene is important to a city’s future, along with a strong economy, efficient local government and inclusive civic culture. Besides, the arts make for a far more interesting place to live.

This happens to be a crucial—and exciting—time for the arts in Sacramento. Established players such as the Philharmonic and Opera are clawing their way back from the Great Recession. New groups are seeking a foothold and offering different forms of art. Some smaller venues are struggling to stay open. At the same time, two major venues are undergoing long-overdue restorations: Memorial Auditorium’s first phase started in June; the Community Center Theater project starts in January.

As the arts grow in Sacramento, SN&R’s coverage will as well.