By Nicholas Ibarra | OBSERVER Staff Writer

All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER’s community events calendar at SacObserver.com. Be sure to submit your events two weeks in advance to have the chance to be featured on the list.

  1. McGeorge Centennial Speaker Series: “Leadership and Antiracism in Legal Education” – 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, McGeorge School of Law in the Law Library, Grand Salon. Danielle Conway, dean of Penn State Dickinson Law, visits as part of McGeorge’s Centennial Celebration Speaker Series. Enjoy light appetizers, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet Dean Conway. Free, RSVP required.
  2. LPA Capitol Connections – Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the California Chamber of Commerce, 1215 K St. This panel discussion is hosted by the summer intern team of Lucas Public Affairs (LPA). Hear from panelists Fiona Ma, CPA, California state treasurer; Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood; and Cynthia Moreno, press secretary for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, about their career trajectories and the advice they have for young professionals beginning their journeys in politics, policy and communications. There will be an opportunity to ask the panelists questions. Free, RSVP required.
  3. Sacramento Racial Equity Alliance Listening Sessions – 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Hagginwood Community Center. The purpose is to ensure that the diverse residents have an opportunity to provide meaningful input on how the city prioritizes and invests in racial equity. Your lived experiences are powerful and a vital contribution to this discussion. The Racial Equity Alliance will use the input from these listening sessions to develop a racial equity resolution for the City Council to consider for adoption. Free supper and activities for kids. Free, RSVP required.
  4. 2024 Fentanyl Awareness and Action Summit – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Sacramento State, University Union Ballroom. Join an informative event on fentanyl awareness, education, prevention, treatment and harm reduction. Lunch is provided. Free and open to the public.
  5. Say It Loud Comedy – 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club. Hosted by Michael Calvin Jr. and featuring performances by Caleb Lush and Robert Omoto, special guests Javon Whitlock and Thelonious, and headlined by Ricco Da Great. Tickets are $20.
  6. The Spinners – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Harris Center, 10 College Parkway, Folsom. One of R&B’s most iconic and enduring groups, the Spinners created and came to define the smooth sound of Philadelphia soul with smash singles like, “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Then Came You,” “The Rubberband Man,” “Working My Way Back To You,” and many more – earning Six Grammy nominations, 18 Platinum and Gold Albums, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and selling millions of records worldwide in the process. Tickets from $57.
  7. Kalea McNeill – LIVE COMEDY – 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16-17, at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club. Kalea McNeill is an actor and stand-up comedian from the Bay Area. She is most known for her recurring character “Hanifa Downey” on season four of CW’s “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” and other television guest spots. Tickets are $25.
  8. Brown Sugar: Sensual Black Art Show – 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug.16, at Our Place Event Space and Kitchen, 1107 Firehouse Alley. Join an evening of captivating and provocative Black art. Immerse yourself in the beauty and sensuality of the pieces on display. From paintings to photographs, this event celebrates the richness and diversity of Black artistry. Also featured are poets including Grammy-nominated Shawn William, musicians, and comedians performing with a sensual theme. Tickets from $20.
  9. Son Little – 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at the Sofia. Son Little, praised by American Songwriter as “one of the best songwriters working today,” conceived his latest album, “Like Neptune,” in a cabin overlooking the Delaware River in upstate New York. Trading in the existential dread permeating his previous work for unbridled joy and self-acceptance, Son Little transmutes the chronic pain of self-doubt into a beautiful and freeing opus about overcoming generational trauma. Tickets are $44.
  10. An Evening With John Legend – 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Thunder Valley Casino, 1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln. John Legend doesn’t need much to deliver an exceptional live show. Often playing with just a solo grand piano, he allows his soulful vocals to be at the forefront as he treats concertgoers to hits like “Ordinary People” and “All Of Me.” Tickets from $140.
  11. Historical African Martial Arts Association (HAMAA): The Gathering IV – 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy, 3463 Ramona Ave. Suite 20. Join HAMAA for a one-of-a-kind event that involves African martial arts classes, feasting and a tournament of champions. Saturday is a full day of classes and seminars in which attendees can learn martial traditions of Africa and its diaspora, and have an opportunity for open sparring. At 7 p.m. is the annual feast, celebrated with foods from the continent; attendees wear formal traditional wear and engage in ceremonial sparring. On Sunday is the tournament of champions, pitting martial artists against one another. Tickets are $50 per event or $125 for the weekend.
  12. Sacramento Wedding Festival – Your Ultimate Bridal Extravaganza – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at Cal Expo. Get ready for the most exciting and fun day of wedding planning. Meet face-to-face with professionals ranging from venue specialists, florists, photographers, planners – you name it. Don’t just dream about what could be; plan away by getting your questions answered in one place. Tickets from $20.