Volunteer Project Catalog

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Rock, Tribute Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is not just another Beatles tribute band – it’s a unique experience that puts the audience in control. Performed by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan and their band, the show relies on the audience to choose the entire set list. Before the show, audience members are asked to fill out a request card with their name, favorite Beatles song, and the reason why they chose that song. Minutes before the show starts, these cards are collected and a custom setlist is created based on the audience’s requests. Throughout the night, the band weaves the audience’s personal stories, and the McGuigan’s own heartfelt memories attached to the Beatles’ music, into the performance, creating a one-of-a-kind narrative that makes every show different. Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is an engaging, interactive celebration where your audiences’ memories, the McGuigan brothers’ passion, and the timeless songs of the Beatles come together in an unforgettable way.

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Genre: Tribute, Pop-Rock Attention all ABBA fans! Circle April 8, 2025 on your calendars because ABRA Cadabra, Vancouver's renowned ABBA Tribute band, is coming for the 1st time to Grass Valley! This is an unmissable, family-friendly event suitable for all ages, featuring a dynamic live band, stunning vocals, captivating dancers, and authentic costumes. Prepare for an interactive stage extravaganza that will have you dancing, singing along, and reliving the magic of ABBA's greatest hits including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Take A Chance, SOS, Waterloo, Fernando, and many more!

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Rock Benmont Tench is a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Best known as the longtime pianist and keyboard player for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Benmont Tench is one of rock’s most respected instrumentalists, as he’s guested on countless recordings other artists. Born on September 7, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, Tench took up piano at an early age, playing recitals at the age of six. But shortly after discovering the Beatles, Tench turned his back on lessons and focused on ’60s rock & roll. As a teenager, Tench met another up-and-coming rocker, Tom Petty, at a local music store. Several years later (while on break from college), Tench caught Petty’s band, Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreaker Mike Campbell on guitar), in concert, and after sitting in with the band on several different occasions, went back to school. Petty asked Tench shortly thereafter to quit school and join Mudcrutch full-time, which after some deliberation, he agreed to.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Poetry **Bar Cashiers Only** Sierra Poetry Festival is a project of Nevada County Arts Council. We will host our 9th Annual SIERRA POETRY FESTIVAL on April 12, 2025 at The Center for the Arts, in Grass Valley, CA, attended by some of our most exciting local, national, and international poets and performers, in the midst of a month-long POP-UP FRINGE POETRY FESTIVAL, taking place in venues across Nevada County and beyond. Sierra Poetry Festival marks National Poetry Month from the rolling foothills of California’s Gold Country to the rugged High Sierra, bringing a rich literary community together to celebrate the spoken word and reach out to new audiences in fresh ways. Through Sierra Poetry Festival we also celebrate California Arts, Culture & Creativity Month and we draw attention to our two coveted California Cultural Districts.

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Fundraiser for Nevada County Law & Fire - Bar Cashiers Only Needed Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Program and Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Music by the Edgetones, Last Dance 9:30 p.m.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Stand Up Comedy Comedian, actor, television writer, author and musician Paul Reiser is one of Hollywood’s most prolific creatives. On the heels of his new comedy “The Problem with People,” which he wrote, produced, and starred in alongside Colm Meaney and Jane Levy, Reiser has upcoming projects across a multitude of media formats. In March, Carter Burke, Reiser’s iconic character from “Aliens” will be re-emerging in a “what-if” concept comic book from Marvel comics. Reiser co-wrote “What a Fool Believes,” the candid, freewheeling memoir of his friend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Michael McDonald which will be published May 21 from HarperCollins/DeyStreet. Later, in July, Reiser will appear in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, reprising his role from BH Cop 1 and 2 and will also appear in the independent comedy “The Gutter,” directed by Isaiah and Yassir Lester, premiering at SXSW. Recently Reiser could be seen in Hulu’s critically-acclaimed comedy series “Reboot” from Modern Family creator Steve Levitan. Awards Daily wrote “Reiser truly excels, giving one of his very best performances…here, he reminds us just how very funny and experienced he is in the world of television comedy.”

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Genre: Rock/Americana With support from Parker Millsap. Larkin Poe – the GRAMMY® Award-winning duo of Georgia-bred, Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell – have shared their latest single, “Mockingbird,” available now via their own Tricki-Woo Records. An official music video premieres today at YouTube. The deeply contemplative track marks the opening song on Larkin Poe’s eagerly awaited new album, Bloom, arriving Friday, January 24, 2025. Pre-orders are available now. “‘Mockingbird’ is a tender reflection on the perpetual journey of becoming,” says Rebecca Lovell. “When all tallied up, the countless missteps we inevitably take along the way can feel disheartening — but looking too long in the rearview can be harmful to one’s future. Choosing to find the hidden meaning in the many pitstops and messy detours that life sometimes demands has felt like a very important perspective shift.”

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Genre: Signer-songwriter, Dance, Electronic Ayla Nereo is a creature of forests and rivers, a bridger of the timeless and modern, a musician and poet weaving forth a magical and emotional world of sonic beauty. Lyrical meditations and riddles of language dance into wondrous tapestries of sound and story, from electronic folk ballads to celtic melodies and elvin loop-pedal mantras. With an uncanny ability to crack open the heart, Ayla's songs are an ode to the wonder of being human, inviting us deeper into the exquisite and innately psychedelic dream of this moment.

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Genre: Singer- Songwriter, Americana, Folk For over three decades, Grammy Award winner Iris DeMent has been one of America’s most revered singer-songwriters. With a voice John Prine described as “like you’ve heard, but not really” and melodies rooted in gospel, hymns, and classic country, her music has graced film (True Grit), television (The Leftovers), and the voices of fellow artists. Her debut album, Infamous Angel, was recently named one of the “greatest country albums of all time” by Rolling Stone, and two of her subsequent albums earned GRAMMY nominations. Recognized with the Americana Music Trailblazer Award, DeMent continues to offer songs that feel like prayers—raw, unflinching, and full of grace. On her latest album, Workin’ On A World, DeMent turns her songwriting into a powerful act of healing. Facing the turmoil of our times—climate crisis, social injustice, division—she doesn’t just ask how we keep going; she urges us to keep loving. With 13 anthems for our broken inner and outer worlds, she extends a hand, inviting us to join the “warriors of love” in building something better.

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Genre: Workshops, Music, Songwriting - Stage Time for Workshop Attendees Included with the Full Festival Pass (Friday - Sunday): Three days of workshops with topics including songwriting, technical production, instrumental, and vocal/rhythm One ticket to two concerts during the festival Two coaching/feedback sessions Lunch provided during the festival Access to various practice rooms A public performance on a professionally produced stage*

The Center for the Arts

NJUHSD Student Art Exhibtion Featuring works by students from Nevada Union, Bear River, and Silver Springs High Schools The Granucci Gallery at The Center for the Arts | 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA Art Opening: Friday, May 2 • 5 - 7pm [RSVP] Exhibition Dates: May 2 - May 16, 2025 This is a juried show where students from each high school can submit multiple pieces of work to exhibit in the show. Artwork will be sold during the exhibition to support the NU Art Guild, a booster club that supports the art department by purchasing art materials and equipment and supports field trips for the students to museums and galleries.

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Genre: Americana, Country Los Hermanos Mendoza is a band of three brothers from Bakersfield, California, inspired by the legendary Bakersfield Sound of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. With a fresh take on traditional country music, they combine heartfelt storytelling with modern influences, delivering a sound that honors their roots while pushing boundaries. From soulful renditions of country classics to original songs that showcase their artistry, Los Hermanos Mendoza continues to win over fans with their passion and authenticity.

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Genre: Blues, Soul, Rock Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things–and more. The Georgia-born, Washington-raised musician first picked up a guitar after seeing The Beatles on TV then, having witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform in Seattle, determined that his destiny would also follow a similar path. And so he has: across the past half century Robert Cray’s developed into one of American music’s most singular artists. "I guess you'd have to say that we were lucky,” reflects Cray on his life in music, “because, growing up in the 1960s, the different music played on the radio really opened us up. I mean, we even had Albert Collins play our high School graduation party."

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Genre: Family, Youth In 1998, Chris Perondi started the first disc dog club in Northern/Central California to promote the sport and to encourage people to spend more time with their dogs. He then created the world's first "Stunt Dog Show" titled the Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show, producing many local shows with his talented stunt dogs including half-time shows for the S.F. 49ers and the Oakland Raiders, the San Joaquin County Fair, Dixon May Fair, LA County Fair, Kern County Fair, Stockton Asparagus Festival, the Stockton Ports; and most recently the Perondi's produced their famed theatre show at the Fox/Bob Hope Theatre in downtown Stockton! Chris decided to take his show on the road and went full time in the live entertainment business in 2001, producing shows for major theme parks, wildlife parks, zoos, state & county fairs, expos, performing arts theaters, and half time shows for college sports and the NFL. He has also been a guest with his dogs on many talk shows such as: Ellen, Oprah, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Day LA, CBS Early Show, and Good Day Sacramento. You may have event seen his dogs in commercials or featured on Fox Sports "You Gotta See This!", ABC's Monday Night Football, or on Animal Planet's "Pet Star".

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Genre: Big Band/Swing Together for over 32 years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — famously named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins — has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records, and had their music appear in hundreds of movies and television shows. With sold out concerts from the Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center, appearances with many of the country's finest symphony orchestras, and television appearances ranging from Dancing with the Stars to Superbowl XXXIII, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades long mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music — America's original musical art form — and bring joy to audiences around the world.

The Center for the Arts

Grad Night Dinner - Bar Cashiers Only needed Bright Futures for Youth is a community-focused nonprofit organization committed to addressing the ever-changing needs of youth, from sixth-graders to those in their mid-20s in Nevada County.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Rock Introducing Ronstadt Revolution, Northern California's premiere tribute band honoring the timeless music of Linda Ronstadt. Featuring renowned singer and stage performer Natalie Amaya, Ronstadt Revolution consists of veteran musicians who have played onstage with Elvis Presley, Alvaro Torres, Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner and many others.

The Center for the Arts

NCSA: Student showcase - Bar Cashiers Only Needed

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Art Movements in Fiber Exhibit - Gallery Reception - Bar Cashier and Greeter Only Needed

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Visual Arts In the world of music photography, Henry Diltz occupied the upper strata of legendary photographers. His images of popular musicians of the Sixties and Seventies defined the musical landscape of that time, when you were part of the band and a photographer could create lasting friendships and document each artist’s beginning through their assent to greatness. Behind The Lens is a one-hour plus visual feast of music photography and stories as told from one of the worlds iconic music photographers who documented those memorable times. Henry Diltz takes you on a visual and story-telling journey of some of the most famous album covers and musical artists ever documented. Featuring The Doors, Eagles, Crosby Stills & Nash, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Woodstock and many more… and the stories! You will be taken far behind the scenes of what the Sixties and Seventies were really all about in this authentic, heart-warming and humorous ride that only Henry Diltz can provide. Henry Diltz will be available to hand-sign and make available for purchase, his most famous photographic prints in a special after-show meet and greet. A portion of the money from this tour will go to the victims of the devastating California fires.