Second Saturday is no longer an arts event

People call Second Saturday the “monthly art walk.” But we shouldn’t, because Second Saturday is no longer an arts event.

Back when north Sacramento's galleries started partying each second Saturday of the month, it truly was about the arts. Exhibits, fashion shows, performances—pretty not-normal art happenings were the norm. It inspired. So much so that Second Saturday eventually migrated to the central city: pop-up galleries, streets filled with musicians, thousands of visitors.

City leaders, however, couldn't handle it. They refused to organize bigger events for the masses to enjoy. And when thousands of people don't have something to keep them busy, they do things like drink booze in alleyways, loiter in neighborhoods and tailgate. Second Saturday became trouble. Police started arresting teens for violating curfew, and eventually a young man was killed.

The city swiftly cracked down with even more rules and red tape. Today, the event is devoid of meaningful artistic innovation. Galleries don't embrace it. And suburbanites come downtown to check out that “Second Saturday thing” and leave calling it lame.

Blame city staff and leaders, who've been unwilling—perhaps even afraid?—to use Second Saturday as an opportunity to celebrate the city's uniqueness. They hassle even the most responsible community members that try to organize street scenes and arts festivals.

But I'm hopeful. Look at Verge Center for the Arts (see Rachel Leibrock's cover story, page 18). It's a legit hub ushering in a new day for Sacramento's arts scene. I see Verge shaking things up. A new generation of creators will arrive. They won't let the city put them on a leash. They will take over. I can't wait.