Sacramento Music Festival

Memorial Day Ceremonies

"Salute to Service" — Firehouse Lot  •  Monday  •  10:00 a.m. 

We pause on Memorial Day to commemorate fallen veterans and honor living veterans and active service members. Enjoy a blend of jazz and patriotic music, historic commentary, and moving pageantry.

Participants include: 101st Army Dixieland Band, UC Davis Army ROTC, Sacramento Children’s Chorus, and special commentary by LCDR Ted Robinson, USNR Retired, who participated in the rescue of Lt. John F. Kennedy and the crew of the PT 109.  Amy Lewis, Morning Drive Personality from KFBK-AM 1530 will host.

We salute all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces. The program features the 101st Army Dixieland Band, now participating in these services for the 11th consecutive year as the Festival's only military band. Memorial jazz and patriotic songs will be performed, including a medley of patriotic standards and the performance of the five active duty service songs. Expect a full program of service songs and America's music, to be concluded by a tribute to fallen veterans and the playing of "Taps." Service personnel are admitted free to this set.

101st Army Dixieland Band. Founded in 1989 by Sergeant First Class Roger Balogh and under the musical direction of Sergeant Lance Christensen, the 101st Army Dixieland Band is one of the Army National Guard’s outstanding ensembles. An eight-piece group, this band plays America’s original musical form in a style befitting the fervor of America’s Patriots. From ragtime to swing, West Coast style to traditional, these self-styled “Rough Riders” play happy jazz as Colorado’s only military Dixieland ensemble. Whether it’s trad stylings of "The Tiger Rag," the hot vocalizing of "Seduced," the military fervor of the "Armed Forces Salute," or the deep emotion of the immortal "Saint James Infirmary Blues," the 101st Army Dixieland Band “Rough Riders” step beyond traditional Army green to provide a show that pleases young and old alike.

Big thanks to all of our sponsors for the 2011 Festival! Website is funded in part by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC)

The Festival recommends these Old Sac establishments: The Firehouse, Golden Eagle Rm., Round Table Pizza, Ten 22, Courtyard D'Oro, Crescent Club, Laughs Unlmtd., Evangeline's, Stage Nine.