Northern California artist blends classic 90s country roots with modern edge in Historic Folsom performance
A rising voice in Northern California’s country music scene will take center stage in Historic Folsom next week as Serena Karise headlines Country Thursdays at Powerhouse Pub.
The March 12 performance begins with free line dance lessons at 7 p.m., followed by live music at 8 p.m., continuing the weekly series that has become a staple for country fans and dancers in the region. Admission is free, and seating is first come, first served.
Karise has steadily built a reputation across the regional country circuit for her powerful vocals, engaging stage presence and energetic performances that blend classic country storytelling with a modern edge. Drawing inspiration from the strong female voices that helped define 1990s country, she channels the confidence and musical spirit of artists like Jo Dee Messina and Reba McEntire while incorporating contemporary influences reminiscent of performers such as Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson.
The result is a sound that bridges eras of country music — honoring traditional roots while delivering the grit and attitude that define today’s modern country landscape.
Originally from Northern California, Karise has become known for an electrifying stage presence that keeps audiences engaged from the first song to the last. Whether performing heartfelt originals or adding her own spin to familiar country favorites, her sets are built around connection and energy, pairing strong vocals with a lively band-driven sound.
Her growing reputation has led to performances across festivals, fairs, casinos and live music venues throughout the region. Along the way, Karise has shared the stage with national touring acts including Lily Rose, and has opened shows for country artists Sara Evans, Gabby Barrett and Deana Carter — experiences that have helped further shape her development as a performer.
Those appearances have helped Karise cultivate a devoted following among country fans who appreciate both the nostalgic influence of traditional country and the fresh energy she brings to the genre. Her performances frequently blend original songs with recognizable hits, creating a setlist that appeals to longtime country listeners as well as younger audiences discovering the genre through today’s artists.
Country Thursdays at Powerhouse Pub are designed to welcome dancers and music fans alike. The evening begins with complimentary line dance lessons that give guests an opportunity to learn new steps before the live band takes over the stage. Once the music begins, the dance floor typically fills quickly with two-steppers, line dancers and fans simply enjoying a night of live country music in Historic Folsom.
As Karise continues to expand her reach and develop new original music, the Powerhouse performance offers fans a chance to experience one of the region’s rising country artists in an intimate live setting.
Country Thursdays featuring Serena Karise take place March 12 at Powerhouse Pub, located at 614 Sutter Street in Historic Folsom. Free line dance lessons begin at 7 p.m., with live music starting at 8 p.m. All events at the venue are 21 and over.
Tickets and full event details are available atwww.powerhousepub.com.
Weekend lineup brings FBI Band, Warp Tour, Mere Mortals, Gas Money and Lydia Pense
The live music and nightlife continue rolling into the weekend at Powerhouse Pub beginning Friday, March 13 with the TGIF Early Show featuringFBI Band, taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Known for delivering a soulful, nostalgia-filled performance, spending time with the FBI Band has often been described as spending time with old friends. Those “friends” come in the form of legendary artists whose songs helped define generations of popular music. During their performances, audiences can expect to hear the unforgettable sounds of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Staple Singers, The Marvelettes, The Family Stone and many more. Their performances lean heavily into the timeless grooves of Motown, classic soul and vintage rhythm and blues, delivering a warm and familiar musical experience that encourages singing along and dancing throughout the evening.
Later Friday night, the venue shifts gears into high-energy nostalgia withWarp Tour Pop-Punk Emo Night | Birthday Showbeginning at 10 p.m. The event celebrates the music that defined a generation of alternative and pop-punk fans, turning Powerhouse into a tribute to the iconic Vans Warped Tour era. The night doubles as a birthday celebration and promises a packed dance floor filled with fans ready to relive the soundtrack of their teenage years.
Expect a nonstop lineup of sing-along anthems from bands such as Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, The Used and New Found Glory. Rather than deep cuts, the show focuses on the songs everyone knows — the loud, emotional and energetic hits that dominated the Warped Tour scene and early 2000s alternative radio. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite band tees, gather their friends and prepare to shout every lyric as Powerhouse transforms into a full-scale pop-punk and emo revival party for one unforgettable night.
Saturday’s entertainment begins in the afternoon with the weekly Saturday Afternoon Dance Party at 3 p.m., featuringMere Mortalsand a festive St. Patrick’s Day party and potluck gathering. The Sacramento-area group is known for performing an energetic blend of classic rock hits spanning the 1960s through the 1990s, along with blues-rock, R&B favorites and rockin’ oldies. With a song list exceeding 100 selections, the band tailors each performance to the crowd and venue, ensuring that the dance floor stays active throughout the afternoon. Their versatile repertoire allows them to move effortlessly from classic rock anthems to soulful grooves and upbeat oldies, creating a lively party-style atmosphere perfect for a weekend afternoon in Historic Folsom.
Saturday night brings another surge of energy to the stage whenGas Moneytakes over Powerhouse beginning at 10 p.m. The young and talented band has been gaining attention for their ability to blend the soulful sound of Motown with the driving energy of rock ‘n’ roll. Their performances combine groove-heavy rhythms with modern rock attitude, creating a high-octane live show designed to keep audiences moving well into the night. Gas Money’s musical style bridges eras of American music, pairing the smooth soul influences that shaped the Motown era with the powerful instrumentation and stage presence associated with rock bands. The result is a performance that feels both nostalgic and fresh, delivering a danceable, upbeat experience for fans of multiple musical styles.
The weekend concludes Sunday afternoon with the long-running Powerhouse of Blues series whenLydia Pense & Cold Bloodtake the stage at 3 p.m. The legendary group first emerged during the late 1960s when San Francisco was one of the most influential music centers in the country. During that era, the Fillmore Auditorium was widely regarded as one of the nation’s musical meccas, and promoter Bill Graham quickly recognized the power of Lydia Pense’s voice and the band’s unique sound. Graham was so impressed that he immediately signed Cold Blood to his record label, helping launch a recording career that would produce several influential albums.
Through releases such as Cold Blood, Sisyphus, First Taste of Sin and Thriller, the band helped shape a distinct funk-driven soul and R&B sound that became known as East Bay Grease — a musical style forged alongside other Bay Area legends such as Tower of Power. The band’s music blended gritty soul vocals, tight horn arrangements and rhythm-driven grooves that captured the spirit of the era while helping pave the way for future funk and soul artists.
Decades later, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood continue to perform and record, bringing their signature sound to new audiences while honoring the legacy that made them one of the most respected groups to emerge from the Bay Area’s golden age of music. Their performances remain rooted in the same soulful intensity that first captured audiences more than half a century ago, proving that great music truly stands the test of time.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher. This Folsom Times Entertainment feature is part of a marketing partnership with Powerhouse Entertainment.
