By Nicholas Ibarra | OBSERVER Staff Writer

All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER’s community events calendar at SacObserver.com. Be sure to submit your events two weeks in advance to have the chance to be featured on the list.

  1. The Art of Soul – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 12-April 2, at Gallery 625. This exhibit spotlights several legendary Black artists from throughout the region, illuminating the American experience through an African American lens. Works include abstract and realistic paintings, works on paper, mixed media and digital media. Free and open to the public.
  2. Life & Libations Networking Mixer – 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at The Midway, West Sacramento. Come dressed in red and partake in complimentary Casamigos tequila samples. Items for a fun date night will be raffled. Get ready to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network in a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Free, attendees must register.
  3. Romantic Valentine’s Date in Sacramento – 2-7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Feb. 14-18, at River Walk Trail. Let the city be the canvas for your cute love story and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic couples activity that’s part outdoor escape room, part scavenger hunt and part exploration tour. Invite your significant other to work together and complete a cute little quest that will make you feel like you’re the main character of a romantic movie. Tickets are $20 per couple.
  4. Valentine’s Dinner for Two – 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Platinum Wine Lounge. Give your date the Valentine’s dinner experience they deserve, including a decadent three-course dinner beginning with an amuse-bouche and ending with dessert. Add a wine flight created to pair perfectly with your meal to complete your culinary experience. Tickets are $75.
  5. Love is in the Air – 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Aerospace Museum of California. Indulge in an enchanting evening where love is in the air, featuring a delicious three-course meal, complemented by a bottle of wine. Tickets are $150 per couple.
  6. Valentine Haunt Sacramento – 6:30-11 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14, 16 and 17, at Sacramento Scream Park. Skip the routine Valentine dates and do something extraordinary. Cling tight to your friend or special someone as you navigate four world-class, Valentine-themed haunted houses. Characters include not-so-jolly Valentine clowns, evil babies, demonic cupids and more. Tickets from $24.
  7. Love Your Life: A Valentine’s Day Celebration of Self-Love – 6:30-8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Wyndham Sacramento. Enjoy a night of pictures, dinner and self-care. Bring your kids or girlfriends to enjoy a catered dinner, bid on items, listen to powerful female speakers and connect with local single moms. Tickets from $55.
  8. Love & Laughter – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club. Experience Key Lewis and his comedic stories about growing up biracial, family and unusual views on relationships. His ability to improvise and interact with all types of crowds makes his show a must watch. Tickets are $25.
  9. The True Black History Museum – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Sacramento State, University Union Ballroom. Visitors journey through the African American experience. Artifacts in the collection range from the slave trade, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights/Black Power movement and modern day. The collection celebrates and highlights the contributions of African Americans in the arts, sciences, sports, entertainment, education and politics. Free and open to the public.
  10. Taste of Love – 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Our Place Event Space and Kitchen. This VIP dinner experience is sure to swoon that special someone. Led by the talented Chef D, this exclusive chef’s table event is a culinary journey filled with decadent courses. Tickets are $85.
  11. Black Parent Involvement Day Training – 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, via Zoom. Gain a deeper understanding of your child’s learning environment and recognize exceptional teaching. Discover ways to support your child’s educational journey and become an active participant in their success. Free, attendees must register.
  12. Art and Film: Faith J. McKinnie – 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Crocker Art Museum. Faith J. McKinnie, curator at her eponymous gallery that reopened in 2023, presents “Morse Code” (2023) by Joha Harrison and “I See No Ships” by Chris Christian (2018), two short video works by artists included in her current exhibition, “When We See Us.” McKinnie is a curator whose practice interrogates visual culture and its relationship to post-colonialism, feminist and race theories, migration, land degradation and the historicity of the personal narrative. Tickets are $16.
  13. When Doves Cry: The Prince Tribute Show – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Thunder Valley Casino. The Sacramento-native tribute band invites you on their musical journey to pay tribute to Prince, with a selection of videos from live concert performances and behind-the-scenes footage of the band. Tickets are $25.
  14. Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Black History Month Mixer – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. Honor the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Black community. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to network, socialize and have a great time. Tickets are $10.
  15. Opus Open Mic Homecoming featuring Hayez – 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at 2574 21st St. Opus Open Mic returns to coordinator and host Chloe Williams’ hometown. This immersive art experience highlights premier local talent, vendors, edible art and more. Tickets from $15.
  16. Bruce Bruce – 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-Feb. 18, at Punch Line Sacramento. Experience comedy legend Bruce Bruce as he takes the stage for a weekend. Tickets from $30.
  17. Live Billie Holiday Show! – 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16-18, at the West Sacramento Black Box Theater. This two-act play combines storytelling and song to capture the essence of Billie Holiday’s music and life. Featuring the Alex Jenkins quartet, Hardy embodies Holiday in a concert of her hits including “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “Willow Weep for Me” and “Lover Man.” Tickets from $20.
  18. Black History Month Daylong Retreat: Remembrance, Reclamation & Restoration – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at First United Methodist Church. Join in a soulful gathering, themed around remembrance, reclamation and restoration. Grounded in African-centered traditions, they will immerse themselves in a variety of healing practices, including meditation, dance, sound healing and community storytelling. Donations are being accepted.
  19. Mardi Gras Carnaval – 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Old Sacramento Waterfront and Freeway Gardens. Celebrate Mardi Gras with a parade, live music, food, dancing, floats and more. Tickets from $15.
  20. Black History Month Art Show – 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg. This art show and crafter event features art, vendors, crafters, live music, shopping and more. Free and open to the public.
  21. TEA&Poetry – 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1814 Del Paso Blvd. Enjoy performances from local poets and artists, participate in an open mic, support local entrepreneurs and enjoy great food, music and vibes. Tickets from $8.
  22. KRS-ONE – 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Harlow’s. Experience a night with hip-hop legend KRS-ONE as he performs for one night in Sacramento. Tickets from $30.
  23. Dr. David Covin Scholarship Fund 2024: Application and Essay – Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 12, and should be submitted to info@blackparallelschoolboard.com. The scholarship provides financial assistance to Black, Sacramento-area high school graduates completing studies by spring. More information can be found online.
  24. Networking With Purpose Professional Business Mixer – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Made Studio. Our dynamic platform connects business owners and professionals to the local community in a meaningful way. The program includes networking, establishing sisterhoods and community, connections and community empowerment. Tickets from $15.
  25. Black History Month Festival – 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Crocker Art Museum. Enjoy live performances, creative art activities, thought-provoking poetry readings, mini talks, and explore current exhibitions like “Black Artists in America: Civil Rights to the Bicentennial” and “Joyce J. Scott: Messages.” Presented in collaboration with Shonna McDaniels, professional artist, teacher, and community activist, and the founder and director of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. Free with admission.
  26. Art Reception: Black History Month Art Show – 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the West Sacramento Community Center. This show is prompted by the observation of Black History Month, but also amplifies Black artists in the community and region. Come view the art and meet the artists. Light refreshments provided. Free and open to the public.