![Jonathan Joiner works with papercraft and old electronics to build 3D objects, which he animates to create stop-motion videos and gifs.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/leadimage_jonportrait_resized.png?1642550150)
Art Exposed: Jonathan Joiner
How a filmmaker and creative director mines the past for inspiration to create fantastical objects, stop-motion video and playful GIFs
Jonathan Joiner finds inspiration in retro-futuristic gadgets,
movies and “practical things.”
![An art park is still set to be developed on land adjacent to Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. (Photos by Graham Womack)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead-2.png?1642547192)
Status Check: New Plans for an Old Park
Crocker Art Museum, city revive dormant talks to transform Crocker Park
Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Crocker’s art park project is being brought back to life, though there are a few hurdles to overcome before breaking ground.
![Davis Varsity Theatre was closed March 2020 to May 2021 and saw audiences return to independent movies like “The French Dispatch.” (Photos by Gavin Hudson)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_1_2.png?1642460219)
Entertaining Hope
Capital Region movie theaters struggled through the pandemic — but a few are thriving
We spoke to two Capital Region theaters with long histories that managed to ride out the pandemic.
![Sarah Miller is a regular contributor to The New Yorker website and Hodinkee, with past pieces in The New York Times and The Awl. In 2021 she started her own newsletter on the publishing platform Substack. (Photos by Andrew Calisterio)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/untitled_design-3.png?1640735551)
Getting to Know: Sarah Miller
A New Yorker satire writer and journalist calls Nevada City home
Freelance essayist Sarah Miller lends her idiosyncratic
style to The New Yorker website and many other
publications. The Nevada City-based writer was
commissioned by Substack to start her own
newsletter earlier this year.
![The Imaginarium 360 Light Up the Night exhibit at Cal Expo runs through Jan. 16 on selected nights, featuring over 3 million LEDs and a State Fair-like midway experience. (Photos by Steve Martarano)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1-december_02_2021holidaylights.jpg?1639681300)
The Season of Light Shines Again
Holiday season events return to the Capital Region in 2021
After a pause in 2020’s holiday festivities, Sacramento’s holiday season returns looking as bright as ever.
![Jay Howell, a former Sacramentan best known for his work on “Bob’s Burgers,” did some of the wall art at the West Sacramento wine bar Franquette.
(Photos by Raoul Ortega, courtesy of Clay Nutting) Jay Howell](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/franquettejhowell_0181-hr.jpg?1639509917)
Wine Bar Brings Punk Art to West Sacramento’s Bridge District
Franquette in West Sacramento features art by ‘Bob’s Burgers’ character designer
Artist and former Sacramentan Jay Howell, best known for his
work on Bob’s Burgers, painted the walls of West
Sacramento’s new French-inspired wine bar and cafe,
Franquette.
![“The Nutcracker” returns to its five-decade run this year, with freshly redesigned sets and lighting. (Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Ballet)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead.jpeg?1639089762)
Nutcracker Magic Returns to Sacramento
Beloved ballet set to open after COVID-19 delay
“The Nutcracker,” the much-loved ballet about a young girl’s fantastical dream at Christmastime, is returning to the Sacramento Ballet after a one-year absence due to COVID-19.
![Faith J. McKinnie is a gallerist and curator who champions underrepresented and marginalized queer artists and artists of color. (Photos by Andrew Calisterio)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/leadoption1.jpg?1638321253)
Getting to Know: Faith J. McKinnie
Gallerist Faith J. McKinnie is highlighting the work she wants to
see in her Midtown gallery that highlights contemporary art
by underrepresented artists.
![Vaming Xiong, host of the Vaming Radio show, broadcasts at KJAY in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Powell)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/vaming.png?1637713821)
Mom and Pop Radio
The Sacramento Hmong community stays connected by broadcasting on family-owned KJAY
KJAY in West Sacramento broadcasts a mix of Hmong, Russian, religious and oldies programming, and that’s just a part of what makes the station an outlier in a world of corporate radio.
![The Colour of Music Festival highlights Black classical musicians and composers. (Photos courtesy of Colour of Music)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/colour_of_music_festival_octet_2_2.png?1636402515)
Art Exposed: Lee Pringle
The founder and artistic director of the Colour of Music Festival highlights the achievements of Black classical musicians and composers
Less than 2 percent of professional classical musicians identify
as Black. Lee Pringle wants to change that.