October 24, 2025 - Joy & Madness

An eight piece soul and funk explosion out of Sacramento that could be described as Jamiroquai meets Fitz and the Tantrums (or even the J. Geils Band - that’s how hard they work onstage), Joy & Madness has been rocking stages all over the West Coast since inception. Joy & Madness brings a modern classic pop sensibility to a new age of joyous funk and soul, reaching audiences in a way that few live performers can. “They play music like music is meant to be played — with heart and devotion, thrusting every last particle of themselves into the moment and sound and mood they create.” (Susan Raines – The Examiner). They’ve shared the stage with artists as diverse as Tower of Power, Trombone Shorty, Ozomatli and Collective Soul. As true believers in music as a shared experience that can simultaneously allow escape and connection, Joy and Madness brings a live performance that leaves everybody inspired, sweaty, and full of joy.

Doors open at 7 pm and the music starts at 8. 100% of proceeds from ticket sales go to the performers. We'll have some complimentary food and drinks while they last and we always love it when guests bring food and drinks for all to share. We ask that you get here with plenty of time to spare so you have time to get something to eat and drink and we won't have to seat anyone during the set. We can't wait! Tickets are $35 per person and you can get them right here. See you then! 

Having long admired the T Sisters and their music, I’ve tried to get them to Theater 5150 for more than three years and, on Friday, December 5th, we’re finally making it happen! Distinguished by close harmonies, catchy melodies and potent lyricism, the T Sisters have created their own refreshing brew of eclectic folk music. Siblings Erika, Rachel and Chloe Tietjen flow seamlessly between styles and moods, from roots to pop and sassy to sincere, captivating listeners with their lush sound and soaring harmonies. They have three excellent full-length albums of almost entirely original material to their names and their latest EP, “Sheroes,” is a wonderful, heartfelt tribute to some of the legendary female performers who have left an indelible mark on the music industry. December 5th cannot come soon enough!

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Katie Knipp is returning to Theater 5150! Katie’s one of the artists whose music we love so much that we ask her back year after year after year. Although many of her albums have received Grammy consideration in the “Contemporary Blues” category, I have never thought any genre or category can contain what she does. Two of the best descriptions I’ve seen of her are “blues, jazz, beat poet, neo-classical composer” and “ a cross between Nina Simone and Mose Allison.” In fact, the very first time I heard Katie perform, maybe five or six years ago (maybe longer), she so flawlessly covered one of my favorite Nina Simone classics that I followed her to her car after her set and made my plea for her to grace our stage with her gale force vocals, piano, dobro, and harmonica chops, and her band of virtuosos. Her newest album, “Dance Me,” is a departure for an already genre-averse artist, a collection of Pancho Tomaselli - produced House, Drum & Bass, Neo-Soul, Electro-Funk, Big Beat Techno, Rock Reggae, Metal, and Trip-Hop takes on the material from her 2024 release “Me.” I mean it when I describe her as a local treasure and world class talent. You’ll love this one.

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Please join us February 13, when Jessica Malone and her marvelous band make their annual appearance at Theater 5150! Jessica is an award-winning singer, songwriter and composer whose instantly accessible music ranges from songbird confessional to rambunctious & rollicking full-band efforts and incorporates elements of Americana, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock, and even some hints of Jazz in a sometimes smooth, sometimes gritty, brew. Her music is difficult to categorize. The closest comparisons I can conjure are Brandi Carlile and Allison Krause, but you’ll hear influences that include Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt. She's back from writing and recording new music in Nashville and I can't wait to hear what she has in store for us. Her band is as good as they get. Jessica is right up there with the best NorCal music has to offer and is one of our all-time favorites! Her shows here ALWAYS sell out, so don’t sleep on this one.

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(Note: This show has been rescheduled from August 9, 2025. All tickets purchased for that show will be honored at this one.) After WAY too long, we’re happy to announce the return of The Gold Souls to Theater 5150! This is one of our favorite bands out there. Every time they perform, they put on display exceptional technical virtuosity and insightful lyrics to go with their irresistible combination of driving funk, soul textures, and blues storytelling. Featuring the stunning and dynamic Juniper Waller, the area’s only all-female horn section, and an absolutely killer rhythm section, The Gold Souls present a compelling wall of sound that’s not to be missed!

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Please join us May 9th for Solabel’s return to Theater 5150! Solabel is what happens when a group of world-class musicians come together with no rules, no labels, and no limits. The band was born out of a powerful musical community in Sacramento—artists who'd spent years playing together, building chemistry, and pushing each other creatively. I have tried and failed miserably to describe their music. It’s truly a one of a kind blend of indie-pop, jazz, folk, bluegrass, and gospel, but you need to hear them to appreciate their assimilation of those and other influences. Their musicianship is first rate; their vocals and arrangements give me goose bumps every time I hear them perform, which is as often as I can. This will be their third visit to Theater 5150. The first two sold out very quickly and this one will, as well, so be on your toes when tickets go on sale about a month or so before the show.

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Adrian Bourgeois and Ricky Berger are two of my favorite artists. Not favorite independent artists, favorite artists with local roots, or favorite artists who’ve performed at Theater 5150, favorite artists - period. They last performed here in 2022 as two-thirds of the indie-pop trio “See How They Run” and we have been trying to arrange their return ever since. Adrian is a pop master craftsman. His early album “Pop/Art” is still one of my top ten favorites out of the thousands I own. His music is always characterized by smart, incisive lyrics and gorgeous melodies. He’s the son of musically gifted parents (his father Brent was the “Bourgeois” of late 80s and 90s hitmakers Bourgeois Tagg) who exposed Adrian to some of the best songwriting ever, from Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys to The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and countless others. Adrian has used those influences to create a body of work that’s unique, accessible and beautiful.

Ricky Berger is, in my opinion, a musical genius. She routinely performs on piano, guitar, flute, glockenspiel, banjo, mandolin, harp, and I’m sure other instruments I’m forgetting, but it’s her songwriting that sets her apart. Heavily influenced by the music of Harold Arlen, Ricky’s lush, orchestral “Disney After Dark” music can be playful or haunting, bittersweet, enchanting, dark. It is ALWAYS fascinating, which is why I’m such a huge fan. I can confidently tell you there’s nobody else quite like her. Can you tell I’m really looking forward to this show?

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