We started at The Smith Gallery at 1020 11th Street. We parked by the Capitol and walked toward the gallery, overshooting by a block. This turned out to be a lucky mistake as we discovered an Irish pub we had never seen before – Gallagher's at 1021 K Street, that we filed away for future reference. As we approached the Smith Gallery we noticed a sign announcing the unveiling of the 2-year $34M renovation of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, at 1017 11th Street. We made another mental note to return in the next few days. The Smith Gallery featured an exhibit entitled “Sacramento's Cathedral & Cityscapes" an exhibit of Cathedral images and Sacramento cityscapes by local artists. From Steve Memering’s great oil on canvas Sacramento scenes to William Tuthill’s extremely realistic original and limited edition watercolors of Sacramento scenes and J. Pat Livingston’s sweeping panoramic photographs – the diverse depictions of this great city we live in were amazing. Rounding out the show were Vicki Asp’s scenes of vineyards that were so real they were mesmerizing.

Next on our journey was the corner of 18th and L where we visited Zanzibar Trading at 1731 L Street and Phoenix Gallery at 1729 L Street. The corner was abuzz with restaurant goers and Second Saturday participants. Finding a parking space was tough. What a difference a couple of years makes. Used to be that the city was dead on the weekends, but no more. And with the number of new lofts and other housing being built at a great pace, we imagine that getting a reservation at a city restaurant at the last minute will soon be a lost art.

In our travels we also come upon Le Petit Paris at 1221 19th Street. A new boutique featuring children’s clothing, purses, and other decorative accessories, all housed in a 900 square foot renovated warehouse. Nearby, the two story, red brick building, built in 1893, one of Sacramento’s first firehouses and former home of the New Helvetia coffee house, has brown paper at the windows and signs announcing a new restaurant.

Next on our gallery list is the Barton Gallery next door to Michelangelo’s Restaurant at 1725 I Street. The restaurant is full to the brim with people waiting for tables outside. The gallery features a showing of Richard Whitehead’s interactive abstract painting.

During our travels we had picked up a flyer announcing the relocation of the Artists’ Collaborative Gallery from Old Sacramento to 910 15th Street, opposite Memorial Auditorium. The Gallery has been in business for more than 25 years and features the work of artists from a variety of backgrounds – art, glass, ceramics, photography, jewelry, sculpture and textiles. Next door, a beauty salon, with great artwork on its walls, has decided to join in on Second Saturday. And down the street the Torch Club, voted the best place to hear blues, and in business since 1939, is just gearing up for the evening.

Things are definitely hopping in Sacramento these days (and nights).

Next Second Saturday – December 10th. Plan on checking it out. And maybe add a dinner at one of the many great restaurants to the evening.