Over ten years ago, the city of Sacramento started its Second Saturday Art Walk. Happening mainly in the downtown area, the event encourages the owners of art galleries and stores to open their doors in the evening hours on the second Saturday of each month. Arts and crafts are highlighted, with an emphasis on that produced by local talent. The event also attracts large numbers of musicians and street performers.

I first started going to the Second Saturday Art Walk in Sacramento with my good friend, an artist by the name of Arco Tung-Sol, now deceased. (You’re right - that wasn’t his birth name!) Arco and I liked having something to do on the weekend that didn’t cost much money. The free food was certainly appreciated, especially by Arco, who often subsisted on such “meals.” (Thinking of this, I still crack up!) Arco could certainly down glasses of wine or beer with amiable abandon as well. Incidentally, Arco had a show or two on these art walks.

(Please note that not all galleries or stores offer free food or drink. And some places charge a dollar or so for a small glass of wine.)

Other than Arco Tung-Sol, many other artists have exhibited their work at the Second Saturday Art Walk in Sacramento: Steve Vanoni, Dave Sherrod, Marco Fuoco, Manny Segovia, Gregory Barton, Richard Kozikowski, Bob Dreizler, John Van Dusen, Frankie Hansbearry, Henry Garciga, Katie Murphy and many others. I’ve met all of these artists and some are my friends.

One of the most interesting art venues in the Sacramento area is the Horse Cow Gallery, located on Harbor Boulevard just west of the Sacramento River. This wild place resembles a kind of mini Burning Man, particularly when they have a party or some other special event going on. Quintessential Sacramento artist Steve Vanoni runs the place. Stop by sometime and say “boo.”

The Twentieth Street Art Gallery is another impressive art venue in Sacramento. The art is always first-rate, and on every second Saturday they have a band twanging away out front on the sidewalk (see the photo in the slide show). One time this dude played Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile.” I just tripped out!

Interestingly, while strolling in the art galleries, I’ve discovered that many people think I’m an artist as long as I wear one of my European berets. (I think my gray hair adds to the illusion as well.) You could wear one too, I’ll bet, even if you happen to be a woman! By all means, when you go on an art walk, wear a beret, look bohemian or play the artist, what the hell! New hobbies and life styles are there for the taking. And if you want to play music at somebody’s gallery, they just might let you bang away!

I’ve discovered that many other areas have regular art walks. Davis, just 15 miles from Sacramento, has a Second Friday Art Walk, and both Downtown Los Angeles and Seattle, Washington have one on the second Thursday of each month. Such affairs seem to be popping up across the country. It’s a regular movement of some kind – for the enlightenment and entertainment of countless folks, I’m sure.

So, if you’re interested in all things artsy-craftsy, or just curious, see if there’s an art walk in your area and get down there ASAP.

And don’t forget to wear a beret!

Look below for some of the short videos I recorded on the Second Saturday Art Walk in Sacramento: