Sam Smith & Beth Ditto Turned Golden 1 Center Pink

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If you were lucky enough to score tickets to Sam Smith’s sold-out show at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center last Friday evening, Aug. 24, then you already know that Mr. Smith and Beth Ditto performed the California capital’s queer concert of the year.

Both artists are openly gay, and Ms. Ditto provided a ferociously soulful opening set that ranged from an impressive cover of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” – which she dedicated to the late Aretha Franklin -- to the 37-year-old singer’s own songs, which fuse soul, dance, and rock music to wonderful effect.

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A message to His Holiness the Pope:

by Mark Segal

You’ve said you’re on the side of the victims and yet, the victims are saying these are just words that they’ve heard before. So, Your Holiness, I have a suggestion that can put your words into action: Tell your cardinals and archbishops to support the end of "Statute of Limitations" laws so that the child rapists in your church are brought to justice.

If you’re not sure what that means, here’s the point: Those 300 priests and bishops who were named in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s report might not be charged due to that law, and here’s the kicker — there’s only one organization in the state fighting that: the Catholic Church.

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607 Anniversary and Rainbow Festival Issue 2018

Singer, actor, dancer, director, drag queen, choreographer, songwriter Todrick Hall will be performing at Rainbow Festival, and Outword Magazine celebrates its 23rd birthday! How much more fun can we have, and it still be legal?

Sacramento’s Rainbow Festival turns 31 this year and they are pulling out all the stops. Be sure to head into Lavender Heights this Labor Day weekend for drag queens, great music, Todrick Hall, Ada Vox, Dev and more. Coverage starts on page 16 and goes through 19.

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A Boy & His Wolf At IMAX

By Chris Narloch

If you can get to Sacramento’s Esquire IMAX Theatre on K Street before it ends this Thursday, Aug. 23, I recommend you check out the new movie “Alpha,” a stunning big screen adventure about a young hunter who befriends an injured wolf during the Ice Age.

Presented in IMAX 3D, and set 20,000 years ago, “Alpha” is a feast for the senses that includes terrific music, gorgeous cinematography, superb performances, and a family-friendly plot.

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