JAX Exchange - Spring 2026 - Magazine - Page 12

S AC R A M E N TO ,
AMPLIFIED
Photo Credit
JJ Noel
Another Planet Entertainment
Sacramento’s commitment to preserving its past while
embracing its future has shaped its evolution. That
balance is rare, and it is increasingly drawing attention
from artists, producers, and entertainers. New venues,
concepts, and creative spaces continue to take root
here. What has emerged is a downtown and midtown
scene that feels alive in a way that rewards exploration,
where an evening out can go in any direction and still
feel unmistakably Sacramento.
Visit Sacramento’s President & CEO, Mike Testa
explains, “As residents, we can often be our city’s
biggest critics. We’ve seen that time and time again.
But when our surroundings are vibrant, when there is
new energy, it’s hard to not get excited and want to
be a part of it. Activity changes both perceptions and
realities.” When locals and visitors alike invest in local
stages, local kitchens, and local artists, the return is felt
by everyone. The venues 昀椀lling our neighborhoods are
a direct re昀氀ection of a community that chooses to show
up consistently.
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SPRING 2026
Sacramento’s variety of venues has put us on the map
as an entertainment destination, not a stop along
the way. Testa explains, “Pre-2020, Sacramento was
primarily a business destination – people were coming
into the city for work, primarily at the capitol, for
conventions, or other work-related functions. But the
pandemic pushed a dramatic shift in the visitor pattern.
People in the Bay Area and nearby communities
started discovering us as a place for leisure – for live
music, great food, a place to recreate. And the market
has grown to reach that demand accordingly.”
Testa said, “Live music venues like Channel 24 opened
and mainstays like Ace of Spades continue to book
great music. The Golden 1 Center continues to host
popular acts and shows.” The economic e昀昀ect of the
growth in Sacramento’s entertainment scene ripples
throughout the community. Show attendees don’t just
go to the event and go home, they spend money at
local hotels, restaurants, and bars, directly supporting
local businesses. “In a lot of ways, live music brings in

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