Editor’s note: We saw this new post on the CATS website — an audition notice for Miss Saigon, one of the most stunning theatrical spectacles of all time and a “mega musical”:

Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra’s 20th Anniversary Production

From the creators of Les Misérables, comes a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr. It is based on Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera, Madame Butterfly. In the turmoil of the Vietnam War in the 1970’s, an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl fall in love, only to be separated during the fall of Saigon. Their struggles to find each other over the ensuing years end in tragedy for her and a fighting chance for the child he never knew he had.

AUDITIONS: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City

Saturday, July 20, 10 am to 2 pm
Monday, July 22, 6 pm to 9 pm (Choose ONE date)
CALLBACKS: Saturday, July 27, from 10 am to 3 pm

Direction by Susan Mason. Musical Direction by Susan Mason and Jeffrey Mason

Tentative Rehearsal and Production Schedule:

Music rehearsals for full cast January and February 2014 – two or three times a week. Full rehearsals start in March – Sunday late afternoon or evening and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. All dates: TBA
Performance dates (TBD) will be 5 weeks in April and May at the Nevada Theatre.

(More information for people who want to audition can be found on CATS website)

The self-driven tour is free of charge and starts by downloading the ARTour Tour Guide (available at www.northtahoearts.com). NTA’s website will also identify numerous locations to pick up a print Tour Guide.

This year’s tour features 40 diverse and talented artists, and will be held over two three-day weekends: July 12-14 and July 19-21. Using the Tour Guide, visitors can stitch together an easy-to-navigate driving tour based on their specific interests. Most of the artists will have demonstrations of their work.

“ARTour is family friendly, casual, full of original artwork, warm welcomes and tasty treats,” says ARTour Coordinator Carla Beebe. “You’ll be inspired, engaged and occasionally challenged by the art. So, hit the road to meet the artists, witness the process, and see where art is created.”

ARTour 2013 brings together a mix of well-established and up-and-coming artists that will delight visitors. Michel de Braganca is an award-winning artist who is new to the tour, while award-winner Randall Stauss is an experienced tour participant.

Don Britton of Incline Village, an award-winning oil painter, creates landscapes of the American West. In Tahoe City, don’t miss a visit with Elsie Dill. Dill is a multi-media artist working in collage (paper and cloth), oil, watercolor, ink, yarns and batik. Other artistic events are taking place in and around ARTour:

•July 12-13: Squaw Valley’s Art, Wine & Music Festival (www.Squaw.com)

•July 12-August 25: Shaekspeare Festival at Sand Harbor (www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com)

•July 18-21: Squaw Valley’s Wanderlust Festival (www.WanderlustFestival.com)

It’s a small world: My “classmates” wound up including friends such as Jim Pyle (https://www.facebook.com/jim.pyle1) and Dayton Faraco of Community Canvas. We promote Community Canvas and Nevada County Arts in our magazine. Jim kept us apprised of tonight’s Giants’ game, and we all had a blast.

“Resident chef” Roberta DesBouillons was informative and entertaining. Well worth my investment. Baking isn’t always my favorite cooking task, because you have to follow the rules!

My wife and son also benefitted: gobbling up the fresh-baked cinnamon rolls I brought home.

Cooking and listening to soothing music are among my lifelong passions. Around here, a cooking class at Tess, Wendy Van Wagner’s In the Kitchen , or a Sunday afternoon concert from InConcert Sierra recharges my battery (along with a Giants win).

We are lucky to have so much talent and cultural diversity in the foothills, and you can be entertained on any weekday night. (Photo credit: Jim Pyle)

When:
Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2pm

pre-concert forums 45-minutes prior to each concert

Where:
Seventh-day Adventist Church
12889 Osborne Hill Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945 (Off hwy 174)

Tickets:
$26 general
$13 ages 5-17
Available at Briar Patch Co-op Community Market; NC Box Office @ Miners Foundry;
online at www.inconcertsierra.org; or cal 530-273-3990

More info:
530-273-3990

Sierra Master Chorale Spring Concerts

The InConcert Sierra 2012-13 season closes with a powerhouse concert of timeless masterpieces by the Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra. The concert is headlined by one of the biggest, most beloved compositions in all of classical music, Mozart’s “Requiem,” alongside the music of Morten Lauridsen, America’s most frequently performed choral composer.

The first half of the spring program brings joy and radiance with Lauridsen’s “Nocturnes,” and “Lux Aeterna.” “Nocturnes” is a set of four impassioned songs regarding aspects of ‘night’ with the poetry of Rilke, Pablo Neruda, and James Agee. “Lux Aeterna” is a rich, complex, intensely moving piece that the SMC performed at their 2010 holiday concert program. Audience member Janet Rossman said, “ I felt transported to a timeless world of joy and beauty. Even the trees we watched through the windows…seemed to be responding to the beauty of the music.”

Morten Lauridsen was named an “American Choral Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2005 and in 2007 he received the National Medal of Arts from the President in a White House ceremony “for his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power, and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide.” He is currently Distinguished Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

The second half features the choral and orchestral classic, Mozart’s “Requiem.” Music Director Ken Hardin has programmed the choral sections of the “Requiem,” one of the most significant works of classical music. “As I decided not to have soloists, I have deleted four movements but retained all the splendor,” says Hardin. “It will be a jaw-dropping experience to hear the “Requiem” in the intimate and brilliant acoustic of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In programing this concert, I feel that the music chosen is one wave of beauty cascading after another, providing a breathless yet exhilarating experience for all.”

The Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra’s spring concerts are dedicated to the memory of John Zwerver, former chorale member and InConcert Sierra board and advisory member. New Moon Café, Yuba River Wealth Management, Joan and Lance Goddard in memory of John Zwerver, Gerri Griswold, Kathy Chastain and Gary Shannon are sponsors of the concerts.

(Photos: Barry Dorland)

Spring has sprung and once again Colfax activities come to life. Especially the Colfax Art Walk for its 2013 season. This free event is appropriate for people of all ages and tastes, and is only one-third of a mile north on South Auburn Street from Interstate 80.

Just like last year, the Colfax Art Walks occur on the second Friday of each month, May – October from 3-8 pm in historic, downtown Colfax. Participating local businesses, located on Main & Depot Streets, will host an artist reception throughout the event… and each featured artist will show and discuss his or her work.

The first Colfax Art Walk is Friday, May 10, from 3-8 p.m.

Downtown Colfax’s newest merchant said yes to being on the Colfax Art Walk before he even had his doors open. Brooklyn’s West Deli, at 7 N. Main Street, Ste. 1, hosts the brilliantly enhanced photography of Rick Krach.

Krach is well known to the Auburn Art Walk crowd, having participated in numerous Art Walk exhibits. In addition, his work has been featured as part of California State Fair posters. The Deli will have pastries and beverages for sale.

The first business to confirm their participation in the 2013 season of the Colfax Art Walk was the Doggie Depot at 9 Depot Street, #1. This adorable pet grooming shop returns to the walk, opening with the stunning watercolor paintings of Foxey McCleary.

Anyone who spends much time in downtown Colfax certainly knows Foxey as the sweet, unassuming lady who volunteers for everything. What many don’t know is that she holds Masters of Fine Art and two teaching credentials from Sacramento State University. She has taught art locally for many years, mostly volunteering, and is a member of the Placer Artist League (PAL).

Two of her watercolors were accepted into the 30th Jubilee Open Juried Show in The Arts Building in Auburn. Doggie Depot owner, Pam Firpo, will no doubt be grooming a variety of gorgeous, friendly dogs during the reception.

Jim Lee, of SurfingBuddhaArt.com fame, will be showing his paintings at Café Luna’s. Jim, a resident of Colfax, was the first artist to hang up work after the current owners took over at the location of 5 Depot Street, but this season is his first appearance in the Colfax Art Walk. Jim studied art literally all over the world.

His mixed media paintings are a fusion of influences from east, west, ocean and mountain, abstract and realism. They are colorful and express movement. And, of course, Mario is sure to have some of his lovely tastees on hand to nibble while conversing with Jim.
We have two block print artists on for May.

The first, Peggy Just Peterson, resides in Granite Bay. Her showing takes place in Main Street Pizza, at 46 N. Main Street, in the lounge area. Inspired by objects found and scenes captured in nature, her block prints express the relationship between art and nature.

Our second block print artist for May will grace the walls of the Colfax Greek Bistro at 30 N. Main Street. Katherine Cook’s block prints show a highly complex layering of texture and color, giving her prints a richness unusual in block printing. Two of her prints were accepted recently into the 30th Jubilee Open Juried Show in Auburn. Cook resides in Auburn.

NEW PARTICIPANTS

Another new business that joined the Colfax Art Walk this season is an unusual one – Ammo Camo & Bait, corner of S. Main & Grass Valley Street. Floyd Green will exhibit his wonderful metal sculptures. The sculptures look like they belong on a wooden framed ranch entrance but are equally beautiful hanging inside a living room or den.

Although most of the local artists know Floyd, a Colfax resident, he’s never ventured to show his work as “art.” It took the prodding of other local artists to convince Floyd show up with a portfolio. There was no question about his talent.

We’re delighted that Ammo Camo decided to be a venue on the art walk for wonderful artists like Floyd Green.

Although not a new business in Colfax, The Hair Studio at 15 S. Main Street has been a fixture of Colfax for years. An art lover herself, the owner for several years has permitted crafters & jewelers to sell their work on consignment in her salon.

We are thrilled she’s jumping into the Art Walk. Her first artist is well-known Newcastle artist, Kathleen Ryan. Among Ryan’s favorite subjects are impressions of historical buildings, antique cars and landscapes.

She also does wonderful portrait paintings. She won a teaching minor in art at San Jose State University. Her studio is located in the converted, historic Newcastle fruit packing sheds.

Ryan also curates the Auburn Library Beecher Room Art Gallery as well as the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Art Gallery, both of which are located in Auburn, CA.

The first Colfax Art Walk finishes at the Creative Corner Arts & Crafts Co-op at 55 S. Main Street. Although this artist co-op exhibits the work of many artists throughout the year, Daunine Vining, one of the co-op resident artists, will have a special space reserved for her for this Art Walk. She plans to show her marionettes and pencil drawings.

Last year, her marionettes were a big hit along with her drawings. Vining volunteers much of her time to Colfax’s various art related projects, including the Sierra Vista Art Center where she teaches several classes.

COLFAX THEATER

Lastly, while not an official Colfax Art Walk venue, the newly restored Colfax Theater hopes to have its first movie showing following the Art Walk. Permits, approvals and restoration challenges always loom with these kinds of undertakings, but we hope that you’ll stop and take notice of what’s happening at this theater which holds a special spot in cinema history.

The theatre was one of only nine theaters throughout the nation in which Lucas Films installed the first surround sound systems for the premiere of Star Wars. Only nine – and one of them was in little Colfax, CA. How wonderful that this historic movie house is being restored.

We hope you will make time in your schedules to come to downtown Colfax for this enjoyable family-friendly event. It’s a wonderful way to create community, support local commerce and keep the arts alive.

For more information, click here.

You can also pick up a free map at any of the participating businesses in Colfax, marked prominently by red “Colfax Art Walk” signs.

PlacerArts is the Arts Council of Placer County, a non-profit, public benefit, and the designated state-local partner of the California Arts Council for the County of Placer. The Colfax Art Walk is coordinated, in conjunction with PlacerArts and the Sierra Vista Art Center, by the all-volunteer Colfax Art Walk Committee.

The digital edition is here.

This is an ideal collaboration between our magazine and the Placer County Visitors Bureau, Placer County Board of Supervisors, PlacerGROWN, Placer Valley Tourism, Auburn, Loomis, Foresthill, Lincoln, Placer County Wine Trail and others.

The reading will take place at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City at 7:30 PM.

Admission is FREE, with a suggested donation of $10 to cover costs. There are no advance tickets. The doors open at 7 PM. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

“SLEUTH” is a first-class thriller, with a plot that twists and turns with fiendish cunning, an atmosphere of extreme suspense and a staggering outcome. It is also a brilliant parody of the country house thriller and a dramatic portrayal of the conflict and jealously between an older man and his younger rival.

The New York Times, in its review of the original Broadway production, observed that “SLEUTH” is “not only a whodunit but a whodunwhat. A great deal of fun…marvelous.” The reading of “SLEUTH” is directed by Susan Mason, and the cast includes Jeffrey Mason and Danny McCammon.

For more information, visit www.minersfoundry.org or www.SierraStages.org or call Sierra Stages at 530.346.3210.

Taste wine from fourteen of our fabulous Placer County wineries while you sample food from the best local food suppliers. At Beermann Plaza we’ll be featuring fine art vendors, live music, wine garden and more.

And new this year! Olive oil tasting and sales, our own unique Lincoln Wine Fest Olive Oil.

Tickets in advance $35. At the door $40.
Must be 21 or older to purchase. Children may accompany adults.

Last year’s Lincoln Wine Fest was a huge success, and we are working hard to make this one even better. We have added four more excellent wineries, and we will have additional retail venues for you to explore.

Remember all proceeds go back to our Community through Rotary projects and donations.

Participating wineries:

Bear River Wine – www.bearriverwinery.com

Bonitata Boutique Wine – www.bonitataboutiquewine.com/

Casque Wines – www.casquewines.com/

Cristaldi Vineyards – www.cristaldivineyards.com/

Green Family Winery – www.greenfamilywinery.com

Dono Dal Cielo Winery – www.donodalcielo.com/

Lone Buffalo Vineyards – www.lonebuffalovineyards.com/

PaZa Vineyards – http://pazavinesandwines.com/

Pescatore Vineyards – www.pescatorewines.com/

Rancho Roble Vineyards – www.ranchoroble.com/

Rock Hill Winery – www.anywinery.com/rock-hill-winery-loomis-ca-usa/

Secret Ravine Vineyards – www.secretravine.com/

Vina Castellano Vineyards – www.vinacastellano.com/

Wise Villa Winery – www.wisevillawinery.com/

Food suppliers:

Awful Annie’s Restaurant – www.awfulannies.com

Beermann’s Restaurant – www.beermannslincoln.com

Buonarroti’s Ristorante – www.buonarrotis.com

Dillian’s Bar and Grill

Kim’s Country Café – www.kimscountrykitchenlincoln.com

Lincoln Chinese Restaurant

Los Gallos Taqueria

Mimi’s Cafe

Mr. Pickles

Old Town Pizza – www.otpizza.net

Whistle Stop Cafe

For more information, visit LincolnWineFest.org.

Summer Thyme’s Bakery & Deli —a pioneer of fresh, local food in the foothills — is vastly expanding to a new location just down the street on Colfax Avenue in Grass Valley in mid-October, our magazine has learned.

Summer Thyme’s will start serving dinner, along with breakfast and lunch, and will offer live music, local artwork and its signature farm-to-table food in a bright, artsy 4,600-square-foot space, Owner Amy Cooke confirmed. The restaurant also offers a popular catering service.

The move, which has been quietly in the works for months, represents one of the biggest restaurant expansions in the area and is sure to make Summer Thyme’s an even bigger destination for dining, relaxing or sharing a cup of coffee with friends.

It is the latest example of the boom in fresh, local food and the regional dining business — a trend we have documented in our magazine.

Summer Thyme’s expansion also is a sign of growth in the up-and-coming Colfax Avenue neighborhood in Grass Valley, dubbed “The Avenue.”

“The Avenue” neighborhood, just east of the landmark Del Oro Theatre downtown, is where you’ll find some of the area’s most popular restaurants, including Diego’s, Goomba’s and Summer Thyme’s; a popular food market, Back Porch Market; and more. (Read more about “The Avenue” in our current issue).

Summer Thyme’s will relocate at 233 Colfax Avenue — more than doubling its space to 4,600 square feet, says Amy. Parking is plentiful.

Features include an expanded dining area, new menu items, full professional kitchen, a fresh, colorful interior and expanded outdoor patio.

Siteline Architecture will be stewarding the project.

Summer Thyme’s will be hosting a blog on their website so that patrons can track the progress toward the opening.

Meanwhile, Summer Thyme’s will continue operating at its current location at 421 Colfax Avenue.

A growing number of local restaurants are expanding in the region. They include Kane’s Family Restaurant and Gold Rush Burgers & BBQ in Grass Valley, Lefty’s Grill, Harmony Ridge Market and Emily’s Catering & Cakes in Nevada City, Cafe Zorro in Loomis and Fifty Fifty Brewing Co. in Truckee, among others.

In Grass Valley, Kane’s restaurant is expanding its interior, as we wrote previously. The 900-square-foot expansion will increase seating in the bar to 22 seats. It also will create a 44-seat lounge, with a fireplace and skylights.

Gold Rush Burgers & BBQ has a new patio.

In our fall issue, our magazine profiled Amy, among others, as “real food chefs who are revitalizing dining in the foothills.

Amy has long been a proponent of using fresh, organic ingredients. Back in the ’80s, when she was chef at an inn outside Santa Fe, Amy grew her own herb garden.

Amy and her husband, Chamba, team up with local farms (such as Boxcar Farm) to supply their restaurant with fresh, local produce.

Summer Thyme’s sandwiches are piled high with all natural ingredients. Breakfasts come with local, organic eggs. Chili is made with grass-fed beef. “People used to know where their food came from, and it tasted better,” says Amy. “We believe strongly in bringing that back.”

(photo credits: Sierra FoodWineArt magazine, Lisa Redfern, Summer Thyme’s)

”GET CORKED!”
Drop by the Grass Valley Wine Co. to try a few wines (or even have a pre-dinner glass). Purchase your favorite bottle of Bent Metal, Pilot Peak or Solune wine.

Get a voucher to waive or reduce your corkage fee at one of five nearby restaurants: Kane’s (free corkage); Diego’s (free corkage); The Owl Grill & Saloon (corkage reduced to $5); and Tofanelli’s (free corkage).

LOCAL BREWS AT LOCAL PUBS
Craft breweries are booming, with regional ones such as Loomis Basin Brewing Co., ‘ol Republic Brewery in Nevada City and Fifty Fifty Brewing Co. in Truckee. In December, ‘ol Republic tapped its first keg outside the brewery at Matteo’s Public in Nevada City.

FARM TO TABLE
The teamwork between farmers and chefs was the original foodie collaboration. More partnerships are being forged, between BriarPatch Co-op and local farms; or between restaurants, such as Ike’s Quarter Cafe in Nevada City or Summer Thymes in Grass Valley, and the farms or Nevada County Free Range Beef.

Restaurants are offering more local artisan food. Diners can find Shaft’s cheese at Hawks Restaurant in Granite Bay and The Baker and the Cakemaker bread at Carpe Vino and tre Pazzi in Auburn.

COOKING SCHOOLS FEATURE LOCAL INGREDIENTS
Cooking schools are booming. More of them are using local ingredients in their classes. In The Kitchen features fresh produce from local farms. In fact, owner Wendy Van Wagner’s brother Tim is a farmer with the Living Lands Agrarian Network. Tess’ Kitchen Store now is offering cooking classes.

We attended one that featured wine from Pilot Peak, paired with the meal.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Smith Vineyards tasting room in Grass Valley offers a plate of cheese, salami, olives and crackers with a glass of wine. Sierra Starr has paired its wines with artisan cheeses from Dedrick’s Cheese of Placerville.

(Photo credit: Tom Dalldorf, Celebrator.com)