Instead of a traditional, single-day State of the City address, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is hosting three panel discussions, the first of which focused on creating a more vibrant local music scene. Steinberg’s brief speech, and the accompanying panel discussion with city leaders and industry experts, focused on expanding Sacramento’s creative economy.The conversations were based on the findings in the Sacramento Music Census, which was done in late 2022. The survey found that Sacramento’s live music “ecosystem” is out of balance, noting that there are not enough venues and resources for the number of musicians in town. The survey also found that live music opportunities at local businesses are limited because live music is lumped in with bar and nightclub restrictions.At Monday night’s State of the City panel, Steinberg proposed seven changes to city ordinances, all of which were guided by the music census.Streamline the permitting for special events, entertainment licenses, pop-ups, etc.Establish a single point of entry, through an entertainment division at the cityMake the entire process online using existing city IT softwareLessen the permit approval process for small, low-impact eventsCreate an easy-to-obtain pop-up permit for vacant spacesReduce costs by relying on a more efficient processEnsuring public safety through a bad actor policy with clear guidelines“All of these changes together will create a more entrepreneurial environment for creatives to take advantage of,” Steinberg said.He added that his goal is “to make Sacramento a music capital of the west.”Steinberg said he hopes the proposed changes will create more opportunities and establish more performance spaces for Sacramento musicians, especially newer musicians.“There aren’t enough venues that can host local artists. Sacramento lacks venues with capacity between 100 and 500 people, spaces that are perfect for hosting local musicians looking to get their start,” Steinberg said.One of the panelists on Monday night was Julia Heath, the California Chapter President of the National Independent Venue Association. She said local venues are crucial for artists to grow and refine their craft.“The more spaces for local artists to play, the better,” Heath said.Heath pointed to the findings in the Sacramento Music Census showing that 86% of creatives have less than four gigs per month. She said that points to the need to create several different kinds of performance spaces.“We need venues of all sizes right now, I think. The Golden 1 Center is beautiful, and Harlow’s is beautiful, but we need a 1,500 capacity room; we need a 3,000 room; we need all of it so that we can really have a full ecosystem here in Sacramento,” Heath said. “A lot of artists feel like they have to leave in order to be successful.”The Band Hayez is a Sacramento-based music act that was formed in 2017. The band’s pianist, Jeffery Archie, said more music venues would seal the deal for him to remain in Sacramento.“It would definitely keep us here, and we would love to stay at home,” Archie said.Archie has played the piano for 14 years, and he said he is thrilled he is living out his dream as a musician. And while The Band Hayez has played at many locations across Sacramento, Archie said more venues would help those outside the music community to hear what he and his bandmates have to offer.“I feel that the best thing for us as artists is to have those spaces, those opportunities, to allow us to be seen and heard and allow the community to support us and help us grow,” Archie said.Sacramento city leaders will still have to discuss the policy proposals before any changes are officially made.There will be two more panel discussions this week as part of the mayor’s three-part State of the City address. Wednesday’s panel will discuss homelessness, and Friday’s panel will discuss affordable housing, transportation and Sacramento’s climate goals.
Instead of a traditional, single-day State of the City address, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is hosting three panel discussions, the first of which focused on creating a more vibrant local music scene.
Steinberg’s brief speech, and the accompanying panel discussion with city leaders and industry experts, focused on expanding Sacramento’s creative economy.
The conversations were based on the findings in the Sacramento Music Census, which was done in late 2022. The survey found that Sacramento’s live music “ecosystem” is out of balance, noting that there are not enough venues and resources for the number of musicians in town. The survey also found that live music opportunities at local businesses are limited because live music is lumped in with bar and nightclub restrictions.
At Monday night’s State of the City panel, Steinberg proposed seven changes to city ordinances, all of which were guided by the music census.
- Streamline the permitting for special events, entertainment licenses, pop-ups, etc.
- Establish a single point of entry, through an entertainment division at the city
- Make the entire process online using existing city IT software
- Lessen the permit approval process for small, low-impact events
- Create an easy-to-obtain pop-up permit for vacant spaces
- Reduce costs by relying on a more efficient process
- Ensuring public safety through a bad actor policy with clear guidelines
“All of these changes together will create a more entrepreneurial environment for creatives to take advantage of,” Steinberg said.
He added that his goal is “to make Sacramento a music capital of the west.”
Steinberg said he hopes the proposed changes will create more opportunities and establish more performance spaces for Sacramento musicians, especially newer musicians.
“There aren’t enough venues that can host local artists. Sacramento lacks venues with capacity between 100 and 500 people, spaces that are perfect for hosting local musicians looking to get their start,” Steinberg said.
One of the panelists on Monday night was Julia Heath, the California Chapter President of the National Independent Venue Association. She said local venues are crucial for artists to grow and refine their craft.
“The more spaces for local artists to play, the better,” Heath said.
Heath pointed to the findings in the Sacramento Music Census showing that 86% of creatives have less than four gigs per month. She said that points to the need to create several different kinds of performance spaces.
“We need venues of all sizes right now, I think. The Golden 1 Center is beautiful, and Harlow’s is beautiful, but we need a 1,500 capacity room; we need a 3,000 room; we need all of it so that we can really have a full ecosystem here in Sacramento,” Heath said. “A lot of artists feel like they have to leave in order to be successful.”
The Band Hayez is a Sacramento-based music act that was formed in 2017. The band’s pianist, Jeffery Archie, said more music venues would seal the deal for him to remain in Sacramento.
“It would definitely keep us here, and we would love to stay at home,” Archie said.
Archie has played the piano for 14 years, and he said he is thrilled he is living out his dream as a musician. And while The Band Hayez has played at many locations across Sacramento, Archie said more venues would help those outside the music community to hear what he and his bandmates have to offer.
“I feel that the best thing for us as artists is to have those spaces, those opportunities, to allow us to be seen and heard and allow the community to support us and help us grow,” Archie said.
Sacramento city leaders will still have to discuss the policy proposals before any changes are officially made.
There will be two more panel discussions this week as part of the mayor’s three-part State of the City address. Wednesday’s panel will discuss homelessness, and Friday’s panel will discuss affordable housing, transportation and Sacramento’s climate goals.
