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. Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Festival – 4-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, on Capitol Mall. The harvest season’s most anticipated music and food festival is back with two days of local food, regional wines, craft beer, cooking demonstrations and much more. Local artists include Arden Park Roots, Boot Juice, Nat Lefkoff, Inner Nature, E D D Y, Zephyr, DJ Stace Lace, and Dunsbar Road. Free and open to the public.
  2. Love for Andy: Blues Benefit w/ T.Castro, A. Funderburgh, M.Hummel – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Starlet Room. This fundraiser is for guitarist, harp blower, vocalist and bandleader Andy Santana. Andy has been ill with a devastating disease and is struggling financially as a result. Santana is one of NorCal’s most talented, generous and gracious musicians and deserves love and care. Expect to hear from Tommy Castro, Terry Hanck, Anson Funderburgh, Mark Hummel, RJ Mischo, Red’s Blues, Kyle Rowland, Bob Welsh, Kedar Roy, Ed Mann, Sid Morris, Steve Ehrmann, MC Mick Martin, Dave Earl and more. Tickets from $45. 
  3. 16th Annual Exceptional Women of Color (EWOC) Awards & Expo – 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the DoubleTree Hotel. MC/host for our annual EWOC event is actress Neketia Henry, Sacculturalhub.com media correspondent. This is a red carpet event, so come dressed in your best for lots of photos. The Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation will recognize and present the 2024 EWOC Excellence Awards and scholarships to young women of color. The keynote speaker is Desiree Rogers, former White House social secretary and first Black CEO/co-owner of Black Opal Beauty and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Submit your questions at contact@sacculturalhub.com. Tickets from $220.
  4. Dad Night Meet, Greet, & Eat In– Person Class – 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Center for Fathers and Families, 920 Del Paso Blvd. Event features discussion and a potluck. They will cover topics such as fathering skills, love languages of children, child development, dealing with emotions and men’s health. Free, register with Terrence at 916-598-0141 or terrence@cffsacramento.org.
  5. The Aaron Jones Experience – 7 p.m.-Midnight Thursday, Sept. 26, at Our Place, 1107 Firehouse Alley. Join an unforgettable event filled with music, laughter and good vibes. Groove to live soulful tunes and experience the best local artists Sac has. Expect to hear from Classic Chris, Shawn Raiford and Jakhari Smith. Classy dress code will be enforced. Tickets are $13.
  6. The Soul Rebels – 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Harlow’s. The Soul Rebels are a music group from New Orleans that blends funk and soul with elements of hip-hop, jazz and rock, all within a brass band context. The band has built a career around an eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in a deep-pocket, funk party atmosphere. Tickets are $33.
  7. Girls Basketball Camp at Cosumnes River College 2024 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Cosumnes River College. Learn basketball fundamentals with experienced coaches and staff who trained under legendary basketball coach Pete Newell, including former WNBA star and two-time gold medalist Ruthie Bolton. This camp gives players the opportunity to focus on footwork, spacing and fundamentals, while concentrating on reading the defense. Individual player admission is $109. A coach observation pass is $82.
  8. Celebrate North Highlands – 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Freedom Park. Celebrate the community’s diversity with food, live performances, vendors, a live mural, kid activities and so much more. Free and open to the public.
  9. 2nd Annual ELK GROVE FALL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2024 – Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Laguna Town Hall Amphitheatre. This exciting outdoor concert features international and local artists. The headliner is the unstoppable bass genius Julian Vaughn. Also appearing will be trumpeter Lin Rountree, saxophonist and flutist Paula Atherton and local favorite Garrett Perkins. Tickets are $66.
  10. Afrobeats & Heartbreaks Festival – Festival is 4-10 p.m. followed by an afterparty from 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Sacto by Night Lounge. Enjoy a lively day party with food trucks, local vendors and immersive experiences, open to everyone 18 and over. As the sun sets, the energy amps up with their exclusive 21-and-over afterparty featuring top DJs, vibrant visuals and a dynamic atmosphere. Tickets from $38.
  11. Preacher Lawson: Best Day Ever! – 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Crest Theater. Lawson is a comedian best known for his appearance as a finalist on season 12 of “America’s Got Talent.” Check out his new comedy special as he performs it live for one night in Sacramento. Tickets from $38.
  12. OSE & 97.5 KDEE Presents Black & Pink– A night for Grown Folks – 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Officer’s Club, 3410 Westover St., McClellan Park. Join a night of fun, music and good vibes. This event is all about celebrating the grown folks in style. Get ready to dance the night away and mingle. Dress to impress in your best black and pink attire, dress code strictly enforced. Tickets from $26.
  13. Sacramento Blues Society: 2024 Hall of Fame Awards & Concert – Ceremony is from 1-5 p.m. followed by a showcase from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Harlow’s and the Torch Club, respectively. This is the 16th anniversary of the popular afternoon-into-evening event. The honorees are chosen annually in recognition of their contributions to the preservation and promotion of the blues in Sacramento for at least 20 years. This year’s inductees are Bob Jones, Dana Moret, Danny Sandoval, Kyle Rowland and Tim Barnes. Performing will be the Dixie Drifters (Mick Martin, Kyle Rowland, Todd Morgan and Andrew Little). Tickets are $27.
  14. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is! – 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Classy Hippie Tea Co., 3200 Broadway. Join this special fundraiser to help students in Ghana. Proceeds go towards student supplies such as sanitary napkins, desks, chairs, pencils, paper and a building fund. The event will feature an R&B/Old Skool Karaoke Jam featuring DJ Remme and hosted by Miss Mariana, activities, vendors and more. Tickets are $29.
  15. Blind Boys of Alabama with Special Guest Bobby Rush – 8-10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Crest Theatre. The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. They have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans more than 70 years and are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries with their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by songwriters such as Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits. Tickets from $58.