Patti LaBelle Blows Modesto Away — A Concert Review

By Michael P Coleman The incomparable Patti LaBelle made her Modesto debut Wednesday night at the Gallo Center for the Arts, and the occasion wasn’t lost on her. “Have I ever been here? I don’t think so,” LaBelle asked from the stage, after an expectations-shattering entry from one side of the auditorium while singing “Over …

Hairspray Reminded Me That You Really Can’t Stop The Beat: A Theatre Review

By Michael P Coleman Last night marked my return to live theatre after a COVID-inspired, three year absence. For the record, it was my return to experiencing live theatre, not singing and dancing. Let’s leave that to the professionals. While the wait was long, the raucous HAIRSPRAY made it worth it! Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical …

Last Weekend, I Finally Figured Out What Amy Grant Is For: A Concert Review

By Michael P Coleman In the spirit of full and total disclosure, I wasn’t exactly Team Amy as I meandered into last weekend’s Amy Grant concert in Sacramento. I’d been aware of her for decades, since the early 80s. But to my mind, there was always a CeCe Winans or a Sandi Patty who could …

Gunshots Fired In My Neighborhood, and Lots of Lives Forever Changed

By Michael P Coleman In the hours after a dozen or so gunshots ran out in the middle of the night in my cozy neighborhood on the outskirts of Sacramento, more lives than the two taken by gunfire were lost. I was born and raised just outside of Detroit, a town that has struggled against …

Modesto’s Blooming Almond Bloom Viewing

By Michael P Coleman Most know that Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms get a lot of national love every spring. But did you know that northern California’s gorgeous white and pink almond blossoms are every bit as bountiful and beautiful? Me, either. Did you know that about 80% of world’s almonds — and 100% of the …

Hot Off The Griddle Is Aptly Named

By Michael P Coleman As a part of my “year of new,” I recently visited Hot Off The Griddle’s Sacramento location. The mainly breakfast spot is aptly named. I should correct that: Hot Off The Griddle serves lunch, too — burgers and the like — and I’m sure it’s good. But it couldn’t be better …