Manuel Crosby is a local filmmaker from Valley Springs who made his directorial debut with the film “First Date,” which premiered at Sundance 2021 + will screen Thurs., June 16, at the Crocker Art Museum.
We asked Manuel 10 questions about life + art in the River City. Keep reading to find out the inspiration behind his film, “First Date,” and what he thinks our region offers local artists.
Manuel Crosby | Photo provided by Magnet Releasing
Q: Describe your perfect day in Sac in the length of a Tweet.
A: My perfect day in Sac is probably a day on set, full of interaction + collaboration with local creatives.
Q: What were the last 3 things you did locally?
A: I went to the premiere of “Infrared,” a local feature film made by Rob Livings + Randy Nundlall Jr. along with a number of local actors and crew. It was fantastic to see their unique storytelling approach (creating a narrative feature film through a 100% improvised storyline) come to fruition on the big screen at the Tower Theater.
I was also given a tour of Old Sacramento by the most knowledgeable Sac history expert around, who chooses to remain anonymous… and before that I stopped by Mike’s Camera to get some still picture film developed and scanned.
A scene from “First Date.” | Photo provided by Magnet Releasing
Q: What does the Sac region offer for filmmakers that you think makes it unique?
A: This region’s greatest strength is the close-knit community within the arts. It’s rare to find communities where people are so open to collaboration born out of genuine connection first and foremost. Also, there is always a sense of excitement with people that I collaborate with on projects. The magic is still here and I hope it can be continually harnessed in the future.
Handstand Clinic | Wed., June 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Sacramento Pipeworks | Free+ | Whether handstands are a goal or a daily routine, this course will help condition + strengthen your body. 💪
BARNFLIX: Love Simon | Wed., June 15 | 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Drake’s: The Barn, 985 Riverfront St. | Prices vary| Catch a screening of the 2018 romance-drama along the West Sacramento riverside. 📽️
Friday
Orangevale’s Summer Palooza | Fri., June 17-Sun., June 19 | Times vary | Orangevale Community Park | $1+ | All ages can come out to explore carnival-inspired attractions, a silent disco, cornhole tournament + more at the 36-acre park. 🎡
Saturday
Front Street Brewfest | Sat., June 18 | 1-4 p.m. | 2127 Front St. | Prices vary | Support the Front Street Animal Shelter as you peruse vintage cars, food trucks, breweries + adoptable animals at this annual festival. 🍻
Juneteenth Block Party | Sat., June 18 | 4-9 p.m. | 40 Acres Art and Cultural Center, 3408 Third Ave. | Free | Honor African-American culture through entertainment, food + art on this historic holiday.
Sunday
Father’s Day At The Park | Sat., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | North Natomas Regional Park | Free | Cheer on the fatherly figures in your life at this celebration with 30+ vendors, food, music, and good vibes.
Bayside Car Show | Sun., June 19 | 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Bayside Church Adventure Campus, 6401 Stanford Ranch Rd. | Free | Rev up Father’s Day with classic cars, raffles + food trucks. 🚗
Sips & Succulents | Sun., June 19 | 1-4 p.m. | Device Brewing Company, 1610 R St. | $40 | Spend the afternoon potting plants + sipping suds at the Ice Blocks. 🪴
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Retired MLB player Steve Saxspoke out this week about his son, Sacramento-born Capt. John Sax, calling him“the absolute best son any man could ask for.” Capt. Sax died earlier this month in a Marine aircraft crash that occurred during a training exercise in Southern California. (Sac Bee)
Civic
California’s Park and Recreation Committee will hold a public hearingFriday to discuss a name change for the day use area at Folsom Lake — currently known as Negro Bar in reference to a historic townsite south of Folsom. The state previously voted against a name change in 1999. (KCRA 3)
Biz
Gregg Lukenbill — one of the men responsible for bringing the Kings to Sacramento — and his wife Sally recently purchasedThe Trap. Located at 6125 Riverside Blvd., the dive bar has been operating for 125+ years and is one of the River City’s oldest businesses. 🍻 (Sac Biz Journal)
Local grocer Pacific Market is expanding. The company announced they will be opening a second space at 2531 J St., the former home of Bon Air Market & Deli. No opening date is in the bag as of yet. 🍎 (Sac Biz Journal)
Plan Ahead
The Great American Triathlon is returning to Sacramento. On July 15, anyone aged 14+ can test their mettle — or put together a team — as they run, bike, and paddle along the American River Parkway. This year’s race will aim to benefit nonprofits like the American River Parkway Foundation. 👟 (CBS13)
Feel Good
Community members banded together and raised $2,000+ to help Sac-based vegan restaurant Chay Corner. Owner Brandon Dinh told CBS13 he was preparing for an event when he noticed the cash register, stove + fryer were stolen from his food truck. 💰 (CBS13)
DYK
The Delta King has bobbed up and down in the same spot along the shore of Old Sacramento since 1989 because its engine was taken? The Delta King has a sister ship named the Delta Queen with whom it served as naval vessel in the 1940s before she took our King’s steam engine for her own. 🚢 (FOX40)
Opening
West Sac-based Shorebirds Brewing Co. will officially open Sat., June 18. Located in the Barrel District of Rancho Cordova at 11327 Trade Center Dr., their opening day offerings will include free bagels + yoga from 10-11 a.m. along with the debut of five new flavors of their hard kombucha. 🍺
Eat
If getting organic poultry, grass-fed beef, heritage pork, wild game + more delivered straight from the farm to your dinner plate sounds like your foodie dream, D’Artagnan Foods can make it happen. Their small farms deliver overnight forguaranteed freshness. 🍽️ *
Announced
Last week, we asked you to submit your best dad joke for a chance to be featured on a t-shirt or mug sold in Six & Main, our online store. Congrats to readers Jeff M., Natalie J., Anne M., and Elizabeth C. for submitting winning dad jokes that will be featured on merch (just in time for Father’s Day). All winners have been contacted, and thanks to everyone who submitted. Shop the dad joke collection.
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There’s no need to mince words here — that’s a freaking meat vending machine.
East Sac’s V. Miller Meats is working with New York-based Applestone Solutions to bring its customers 24/7 access to quality cuts of locally-sourced meat. While no timeline was given for the vending machine’s official start date (or plug-in date), we personally think this is a delicious idea.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick:I first met Manuel in 2017 when I was still a student in college, and it has been an absolute joy to witness audiences resonate with his art + appreciate his skills as a filmmaker. Hollywood’s got nothing on the Sac film scene.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter?Check out the cute critters of Capitol Park.
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