Sammies on the block

Every year SN&R recognizes local musicians with a Sacramento Area Music Award. The first Sammies ever was held at the Crest Theatre some 19 years ago, back when the local scene was budding. Today, the Sammies is still here, and the 2010 Block Party & Music Extravaganza will bring together the general public, local musicians and Sammies nominees for a night of excellent, diverse music, awards and revelry. Here are 19 reasons not to miss it:

19. It’s free!

18. The biggest hip-hop throwdown in the 916. And by “biggest,” we mean more than a dozen local emcees and deejays sharing the stage. Called “Joints and Jams,” this year’s showcase will feature performances by DLRN, DJ Phase, Mike Colossal, A.R.A.B., Random Abiladeze, TAIS, Izreal, Task1ne, Mr. Lingo, Luke ScratchRocker, DJ Rated R, Tribe of Levi, Live Manikins, J.Rockit, and the SleepRockers deejays. These artists will be bringing their talents to R Street Corridor at 8 p.m.

17. Bike valet—just in case you’re smart enough not to drive on Second Saturday.

16. It’s all-ages.

15. Winners! SN&R readers cast votes, and SN&R will present the Sammies 2010 winners with awards in between performances throughout the night. Here are the times: at 6:30 p.m., categories of Folk, Teen Band, Rock, Hardcore, Blues, Pop, Experimental, Cover Band, Singer-Songwriter and Hard Rock/Alternative; next up at 7:30 p.m., Reggae/Jam/Roots, Latin, Jazz, Punk and Electronic; then Metal, Deejay, Hip-Hop/Rap, Hip-Hop Producer, Screamo/Post-Hardcore and Industrial/Rock at 8:15 p.m.; and finally Dance Night, Readers’ Choice, Emcee, Indie, Indie/Electro/Progressive, Funk/Soul/R&B, Turntablist, Favorite 2010 Reunion, Country/Americana, Album/Release and Hall of Fame at 9 p.m. (Dang, that’s a lot of hardware.)

14. Local rock troupe Goodness Gracious Me, who goes on at 6 p.m., will cover Prince tunes while the Sizzling Sirens Burlesque troupe performs.

13. Presenters—because someone has to give out all these awards. Keep an eye out for Miss Ashleigh and Josh Fernandez: We’ll see who makes it on YouTube the next day.

12. The New Humans, a band that deserves to be heard outdoors, where their synths and dance drums take over the night sky like alien lasers, goes on at 8:40 p.m. (Disclaimer: No promise of actual lasers at the Sammies. Or aliens.)

11. Hall of Fame inductees the CUF, 7Seconds and the Secretions will get their kudos at 9 p.m.

10. All the R Street Corridor shops and restaurants will be showing Sammies love. Muse Hair Boutique will be giving away freebies and raffling off prizes as DJ Rock Bottom spins; Burgers and Brew serve up the Official Meal of the Sammies, a burger and beer special; and other shops such as Top This! Yogurt will be offering specials or featuring musicians as well.

9. Storytellers. No, not Grandma reading Goodnight Moon. We’re talking feverish rhythms by the popular 916 reggae, roots and ska troupe, who goes on at 7 p.m.

8. Afterparties—which sometimes are more fun than the main event, right? This year when the Sammies finish at 10 p.m., the Shady Lady Saloon will kick off a night of jazz, R15 will offer $3 wells plus mixes by the SleepRockers deejays, and DJ Larry Rodriguez will be spinning at Fox & Goose.

7. Excellent local shutterbugs Amanda Lopez and Trevor Traynor will be taking party pics. Don’t embarrass yourself.

6. Haircuts! That’s right, what would a music festival be without free stylings or buzz cuts, courtesy Space 07 Salon, who will also showcase an art exhibition by Mark Holcomb and sounds by DJ Nocturnal.

5. Garden. Of. Beer. As in a beer garden for those 21-and-uppers. Stay thirsty.

4. Parking: options at 15th and Q streets and 16th and R streets.

3. Family-friendly fun. No dogs, sorry.

2. Country four-piece the Nickel Slots will put the finishing touches on Sammies 2010 with their end-of-the-night set at 9:30 p.m. (Shit kickers optional.)

1. Repeat: The Sammies Block Party & Music Extravaganza is free.