Theater was born , playing host to live music , dance troupes and art exhibits . This month , California Stage will resume its popular radio drama program Sept . 11 with “ The Egyptian Amulet ” and “ the Black Cat ,” a two-act show about a tough female detective . Then , in January 2022 , the theater will launch what Tatar calls a “ powerhouse season ” inside the Wilkerson Theater with “ City of Shame ,” a play about investigative journalists Ida Tarbell and longtime Sacramento resident Lincoln Steffens . Post-quarantine , Tatar says the company is following public health guidelines , and will also continue with temperature checks as well as social distancing . Staff will also frequently sanitize communal spaces such as bathrooms . “ It ’ s so patrons feel good about visiting ,” Tatar says .
The bands — and teams — play on
Live music is also back . The Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento , which relaunched its events calendar in August with professional bull riding and a monster truck rally , will host several concerts beginning in September , including the Eagles and Andrea Bocelli , both in October .
According to John Rinehart , president of business operations for the Sacramento Kings , which plays its home games at the arena , Golden 1 is back to full capacity with no limitations on attendance , although attendees will be required to prove either they ’ ve been fully vaccinated or received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to the event . Guardians of children over 2 years of age will need to attest to a negative COVID-19 test as well .
In the sporting world , the Golden 1 reopened in August with the California Classic , a two-day basketball event that included the Sacramento Kings . The event is a boon for the area . In 2019 , it drew about 50,000 people to Downtown Commons , the retail space surrounding the arena . The Kings , which like all NBA teams , played a truncated 2020-21 season , are expected to resume their normal schedule in October , Rinehart says .
The region ’ s other sporting leagues have already returned to the field . The Sacramento River Cats , the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants , which returned with limited capacity games in May , reopened Sutter Health Park to full capacity in June . Likewise , the Sacramento Republic FC ,
which played without fans last season , returned to Heart Health Park in June with fans in the stands . The club will still enforce increased safety measures , says Dustin Vicari , the Republic ’ s chief revenue officer . Such practices include continued social distancing , when possible , and digital ticketing . The organization is also ready for any necessary pandemic-related changes , Vicari says . “ We ’ re prepared for what may come next ,” he says . “ We ’ re ready for small-capacity ( crowds ), no capacity or season postponement .”
In the meantime , fans are thrilled for the “ sense of normalcy ” that comes with the full season that runs through October . “ Everyone is excited to be out ,” Vicari says . “ There ’ s a lot of pent-up excitement .”
Editor ’ s note : The information within this story is accurate as of press time , but subject to change as venues continue to reevaluate their COVID protocols or adapt to the latest requirements .
Rachel Leibrock is a writer and editor who covers arts and culture , food and current events . She has worked at the Sacramento News & Review and The Sacramento Bee . More at www . rachel-leibrock . com .
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