The annual Festival of the Arts presents art exhibitions, theater and dance, symphonic ensembles, and literary readings this week at the Sacramento State University campus, 6000 J. St, down by the beautiful River Park section of Sacramento.

Um- but who knows it?  It wasn’t in the Ticket Section of the Sac Bee this week. It wasn’t on the front page of my Regional section, although I am in the ‘burbs. I only know because my mentor and colleague at Narrative Magazine, Peter Grandbois, will be reading from his latest novel, Nahoonkara, on Friday at 3pm in the Library Galleria, and I run in circles that would know.

In 2008, I was proud to be a featured reader at this event, and disappointed at the turn out, not just to my reading, but to others as well.  It’s no wonder, if it doesn’t even get into the Sac Bee Ticket section. This is a blunder– one that needs remedying. I’ll offer my services for Promotion for next year, as Sacramento is truly a beautiful city with a lot to offer artistically.

Look at the success of the Second Saturday Art Walk.

Although for some it has degenerated into a drunk night of cruising, for most it is still an opportunity to get inside some of the many art exhibits and feel like we’re part of a city that never sleeps. There are 40! galleries that participate officially in this monthly event.

Even if we do have to clear out by 9 pm. That’s okay with me, because, well, I’m an early to bed early to rise type anyway.

Which makes Friday’s 3 pm reading from Nahoonkara a perfect pleasure for me. Now you know. Hope to see you there.