Category: Uncategorized

Charles Phoenix: Addicted to Americana – November 4, 2017 – 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

$29

Join Charles Phoenix for a live comedy slideshow performance celebrating classic and kitschy American life and style!

Hosted by the California Automobile Museum and presented by SacMod.

Prepare to swell with patriotic pride when the Ambassador of Americana launches retro pop culture into the stratosphere! With unbridled enthusiasm and keen expertise, Charles unleashes his stories and glories of spectacular space-age style, amazing attractions, local landmarks, roadside wonders, fun foods, festive fashions, crazy car culture, futuristic transportation and more galore. Your imagination will be inspired and your American spirit will soar!

Come for the show…stay for the Addicted to Americana book signing, classic cars and ice cream social!

Festive dress is encouraged  (but not expected).

EVENT SCHEDULE: 

6:30pm – Doors open – California Automobile Museum is open – join us for a “no host bar.”  

7:30pm – Performance – Addicted to Americana. 

9:00pm – Book Signing and Ice Cream Social – After the show Charles will sign copies of his new book, Addicted to Americana, while the Museum serves ice cream and root beer floats.

More information about Charles Phoenix:

A showman, tour guide, food crafter and author, Charles Phoenix is the Ambassador of Americana. He is known for his live retro slide show performances, fun filled trip tours, madcap test kitchen videos, and colorful coffee table books celebrating classic and kitschy American life and style. 

On TV, he has appeared with Jay Leno, Martha Stewart, Conan O’Brian, and as a judge on Cake Wars. 

Growing up in Southern California, Charles was educated at theme parks, thrift stores, and his dad’s used car lots. Fans enjoy his genuine reverence, keen eye and trust his guide to time-honored attractions from coast to coast. The New York Times says, “Call him the King of Retro”.

His latest book is Addicted to Americana.

Tickets ($29) available at California Auto Museum’s website

Charles Phoenix: Sacramentoland

A Live Comedy Slide Show Performance Celebrating the Capitol City like it’s a Big Theme Park!  
Charles Phoenix: Sacramentoland - October 16, 2015
Charles Phoenix: Sacramentoland – October 16, 2015
Brown Paper Tickets Buy Now
Brown Paper Tickets Buy Now

Prepare for your local pride to SWELLL when Ambassador of Americana, Charles Phoenix, sweeps us away on a madcap adventure as he uncovers the stories and glories of Sacramento’s classic and kitschy landmarks and lore.

With his gracious sense of humor, unbridled enthusiasm, and keen expertise,  Charles lavishes the city’s most colorful “attractions” with the respect they SO deserve; revealing the unique style, backstories, and pop-cultural significance of Pancake Circus, Jim Denny’s, Iceland Skating Rink, Gunther’s Ice Cream, Vic’s Ice Cream, Sam’s Hofbrau, County Club Lanes, Fairytale Town, Tower Theatre, Crest Theatre, and Old Town.  

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A Call to Action – Help Save Capitol Towers Historic District!

captowers_buttonWe need your help to save Capitol Towers Historic District. You can help by speaking up at public hearings and by writing letters opposing its demolition. Upcoming hearing dates and an easy-to-use online form are listed below.

Capitol Towers is an established mixed-use neighborhood in the heart of downtown Sacramento. Its award-winning design includes the interplay of high-rises, individual low-rise garden apartments, green spaces, recreational areas, and car-free bicycle and pedestrian areas. Even after over 50 years, the Capitol Towers neighborhood remains a highly successful model for a livable, walkable, densely populated, and public transit-oriented downtown community.

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Capitol Towers has been deemed a historic district by Federal and State law. The City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director and Preservation Commission have also determined it is a local landmark. At every hearing in 2014, experts unanimously voted in favor of its historical importance. However, these decisions are not enough to save it. That is why we need your help.

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Big Day of Giving – May 5, 2015

SacMod is pleased and excited to be a part of the Big Day of Giving on May 5, 2015, in partnership with Sacramento Region Community Foundation and Give Local Now.  

We ask you to kindly consider making a donation (starting as small as $25) to Sacramento Modern on May 5th.  

Your donation of any amount will help fund our research and preservation efforts, and help launch our next MCM Home Tour in 2016!  We can’t do this without your help!  

Thank you!
SacMod Board/Volunteers

Preservation Commission Supports Capitol Towers Historic District!

FloraCapTow
Photo © Flora Chou

Many thanks to the City of Sacramento Preservation Commission, who unanimously voted at their 10.15.14 meeting to write a letter of support for the nomination of Capitol Towers to the National Register of Historic Places!

SacMod also suggested during the meeting via an application submitted to the City of Sacramento Preservation Director that Capitol Towers Historic District be listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

FloraCapTow2
Photo © Flora Chou

Join SacMod for two 2014 AIACV Experience Architecture Week events!

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The Bateson Building is one of several buildings featured on the Drawing Safari, October 12, 2014. Photo © Rob Super

Sacramento Modern (SacMod)  will be teaming up with the Central Valley Chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIACV) for two great events this October: a Drawing Safari on October 12th and a film screening of “The Vision of Paulo Soleri: Prophet In The Desert” on October 13th!

What exactly is Experience Architecture Week? AIACV President Kris Barkley explains here and here.

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SacMod Advises City : Protect Historic Urban Oasis

Capitol Towers and Garden Apartments as they appear today. Photo SacMod
Capitol Towers and Garden Apartments as they appear today. Photo SacMod

A new proposed project seeks to destroy a thriving and historic mid-century modern neighborhood in our urban core that is already a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly mixed-use community.

Read more about Sac Mod’s response to the proposed project and our efforts to protect Capitol Towers and Garden Apartments, including our nomination of the neighborhood to the National Register of Historic Places.

Circa 1964 photo of Capitol Towers and Garden Apartments by Sirlin Studios
Capitol Towers and Garden Apartments circa 1964. Photo Sirlin Studios

Food Circus

Food Circus ephemera, AtomicPear/Sacramento Modern

Hello from Arden Fair Mall’s Food Circus, circa 1960s! — where you can “Eat like an elephant for peanuts”! Designed by Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects for the Kassis Brothers, this area featured restaurants such as: Arden Fair Bake Shop, Bar-B-Que Chicken, Cork & Bottle Liquor Store, Country Candies, Carnation Ice Cream Bar, die Rheinlander, Frank’s Fisherman’s Wharf, Food Circus Card & Gift Shop, Frank Fat’s Chinese Food, Frank’s Chicken Ranch, Hof Bauer, Health Bar, Hot Dog On A Stick, Jumbo’s Coffee Shop, La Plaza Mexican Kitchen, Pagluica’s Italian Kitchen, Stop-N-Shop Market, The Steak Pit, The Nut Shop, Tastee Donut Parlor, and Ye Old Pastry Shop.

Support AB 1999 – The Economic Development and State Historic Tax Credit Act

Advocacy Alert – Call for Action

AB 1999 Passed the Assembly with a 75-0 Vote!

A coalition of nonprofit organizations lead by the California Preservation Foundation and the AIA California Council is seeking passage of AB 1999, The Economic Development and State Historic Tax Credit Act. The bill is authored by Toni Atkins, Speaker of the Assembly (San Diego). Under the leadership of Speaker Atkins, AB 1999 was passed by the State Assembly with a 75-0 vote!
The bill now moves onto the State Senate and we need your help. Send letters of support now to Toni Atkins, Speaker of the Assembly. Letters should be sent by Thursday, June 12.

What will AB 1999 do?

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