Nightlife & Entertainment picks

Comedy blazers

Various locations

Summer brings ample opportunities to lighten up and laugh in and around Sactown. At Thunder Valley Casino & Resort (1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln; thundervalleyresort.com): Alleged joke borrower Dane Cook (June 15), immigrant impressionist Russell Peters (June 23), Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (June 29), dad-joker Jim Gaffigan (July 21) and Jo Koy (August 10-11). At the Punchline (2100 Arden Way; punchlinesac.com), check out Craig Robinson (June 7-10), who’s most known as a member of Judd Apatow’s Apatow Mafia, which is what the director’s posse of frequently collaborating comedy actors is sometimes called (Pineapple Express, This Is the End). Of course, he’s also known for playing Darryl on The Office. Other notables include Aries Spears and Amanda Seales. YouTube Seales’ hilarious bit on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she throws shade at cat-callers and saves praise for Colin Kaepernick. Also, don’t miss Hasan Minhaj, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah contributor who wrecked President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last year. He gigs at the Community Center Theater (1301 L St.) on June 16. And on June 29 at the Golden 1 Center (500 David J Stern Walk; golden1center.com), Steve Martin and Martin Short remember their career highlights, performing a retrospective show that’s a slice of stand-up, convo and musical. Check out websites for time and ticket info. M.Z.

Pedal-powered cinema

Bike-In Movie Night

The bike-in movie night series returns for its third season, hosted as usual, by the nonprofit HI Sacramento Hostel. The hostel, housed in a historic Victorian mansion that dates back to 1885, is truly a gem to travelers near and far. The lineup for this year’s series includes To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (June 23), The Avengers (July 28) and Mrs. Doubtfire (August 25). Doors open at 8 p.m. and complimentary popcorn and water will be up for grabs. What’s more, this series is BYOB, although it should be noted that only beer and wine are permitted. Also, leave your pot at home, Cheech, as this is a ganja-free zone. A $5 donation is encouraged, but not required. 925 H Street; facebook.com/hisacramento. S.R.

Off the Rails: Happy Hour & Trivia Night

California State Railroad Museum

Test your beer-and-wine-numbed brain to the backdrop of old locomotives, or just meet other people, at this after-hours trivia-thon/happy hour event held every second and fourth Saturday, 6:30pm-9pm. Of course, there are prizes, including train ride tickets, museum passes and various donations from local businesses. Tickets are $12 ($10 for museum members), and you can feel noble about that price: proceeds go to the museum’s education programs offered all year long. June 9 and 23 are your last chances to come aboard. 125 I Street; californiarailroad.museum. M.Z.

Eat, drink and be neighborly

Gather

Gather Oak Park’s monthly celebration is inspired by warm, Sacramento summer nights and a mission to bring communities together with live music, delicious fare and some of the city’s craftiest vendors. It happens every second Thursday in Oak Park through October. This foodie event includes communal tables for outdoor dining, a craft beer area, artisanal food vendors and demos, interactive art and also a kids park. Gather has also expanded its event to the Rocklin area as a movies in-the-park series on select Friday nights. This summer, family friendly films like The Emoji Movie (June 22), Peter Rabbit (July 13) and Coco (August 3) will show in various parks in Rocklin. For more information on Gather events, times and locations check out the website. gathernights.com. S.R.

A perfect prom

Q-Prom Neon Lights

Dance in a neon getup for an evening at the Sacramento LGBT Community Center’s annual ball for LBGT youth and allies. On its 10th go this year, organizers expect to fill the Union Ballroom with around 700 people ages 13 to 20 for safe fun with an authentic prom night experience. Advance tickets are $10 on Eventbrite, $15 at the door. Can’t afford it? Email the center’s youth programs manager at Jesse.Archer@SacCenter.org. 2425 24th Street; 6000 J Street. M.Z.

Tunes al fresco

Concerts in the Park

On May 18, post-punks Franz Ferdinand headlined a show in the longstanding free Concerts in the Park summer series. But, the season’s not over. The Crystal Method (July 27), Dance Gavin Dance (June 22), Middle Class Rut (July 20) and the recently viral Hobo John & the Lovemakers (July 13) top the list of heavyweight Sacramento artists yet to perform. Jazz, electronic dance music, hard rock, hip-hop and soul make for a pretty diverse selection of sounds through July 27, a series which last year brought in around 76,000 people. Expect to see a park packed every Friday (minus July 6) starting at 5 p.m., with food trucks, mobile boutiques, live art exhibits, beer and life-sized bubble wands. 9th and J streets; godowntownsac.com. M.Z.

Moonlight for a cause

Lunar Lunacy

Lunar Lunacy is Sactown’s only moonlit, summer bike ride for charity; it takes place June 23 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Deck out your two-wheeled transportation with the brightest and most colorful lights, gather some homies and cruise by iconic spots such as Raley Field and the Crocker Art Museum during a 6-mile, fully closed course designed by the Sacramento Police Department’s bike unit officers. This year’s ride benefits CASA Sacramento’s Making Memories Program and other local children’s charities. Enjoy a pre- and post-ride festival with live music from the KMC Band, food trucks, vendor booths and a bounce house for the kids. For the boozers at heart, the California Brewer’s Festival will pour cold pints inside its beer garden because what’s a summer night bike ride without some much-needed libations? Capitol Mall Greens between 5th and 7th Streets; lunarlunacyride.com. S.R.