Volunteer Project Catalog

The Center for the Arts

This is a great volunteer job for a friendly, responsible person who's interested in volunteering during the day. You'll welcome visitors to the Center, answer questions about our Gallery art, inform guests about upcoming concerts, help direct students who are coming in for classes, and prepare postering packets. Ideally, we'd love to have a committment for one shift a week, however, signing up for a single shift is much appreciated.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter The Center for the Arts presents Tom Rush with special guest Brendan Cleary. A legendary voice of the folk revival, Tom Rush brings his warm storytelling, rich vocals, and timeless songs to the Marisa Funk Theater for an intimate evening of music. With a career spanning more than five decades, Rush helped shape the folk and Americana landscape while championing emerging artists and delivering songs that resonate across generations.

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Genre: Rock Alternative rock pioneers The Smithereens formed in New Jersey in 1980. Known for their high-energy performances and chart hits including “A Girl Like You” and “Blood and Roses,” they have earned enduring acclaim from fans and critics alike. The band continues to tour worldwide and captivate audiences with their signature guitar-driven sound.

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Genre: Alternative Rock, Folk Rock Alternative rock icons 10,000 Maniacs bring their 45th Anniversary Tour to Grass Valley for a special night of music spanning more than four decades. With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, the band helped shape the sound of college radio and alternative rock with beloved songs like “These Are Days,” “Like the Weather,” and “Because the Night.” Today, the group continues to tour with founding members alongside vocalist and violist Mary Ramsey, delivering the same poetic songwriting and lush melodies that made them a defining voice of the genre.

The Center for the Arts

Main Stage Playmakers Present ~ The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Based on the bestselling novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, this action-packed musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is the half-blood son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. After being accused of stealing the powerful lightning bolt of Zeus, Percy must embark on a dangerous quest across the United States to find the missing weapon and prevent a war among the gods. Along the way, Percy teams up with fellow demigods Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood as they battle mythical monsters, uncover secrets about Percy’s past, and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Filled with humor, heart, and electrifying rock music, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings Greek mythology to life in an unforgettable adventure about friendship, identity, and courage. Directed by David Endacott-Hicks & Co-Directed by Carey McCray

The Center for the Arts

Main Stage Playmakers Present ~ The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Based on the bestselling novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, this action-packed musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is the half-blood son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. After being accused of stealing the powerful lightning bolt of Zeus, Percy must embark on a dangerous quest across the United States to find the missing weapon and prevent a war among the gods. Along the way, Percy teams up with fellow demigods Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood as they battle mythical monsters, uncover secrets about Percy’s past, and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Filled with humor, heart, and electrifying rock music, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings Greek mythology to life in an unforgettable adventure about friendship, identity, and courage. Directed by David Endacott-Hicks & Co-Directed by Carey McCray

The Center for the Arts

Main Stage Playmakers Present ~ The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Based on the bestselling novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, this action-packed musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is the half-blood son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. After being accused of stealing the powerful lightning bolt of Zeus, Percy must embark on a dangerous quest across the United States to find the missing weapon and prevent a war among the gods. Along the way, Percy teams up with fellow demigods Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood as they battle mythical monsters, uncover secrets about Percy’s past, and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Filled with humor, heart, and electrifying rock music, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings Greek mythology to life in an unforgettable adventure about friendship, identity, and courage. Directed by David Endacott-Hicks & Co-Directed by Carey McCray

The Center for the Arts

This is a great volunteer job for a friendly, responsible person who's interested in volunteering during the day. You'll welcome visitors to the Center, answer questions about our Gallery art, inform guests about upcoming concerts, help direct students who are coming in for classes, and prepare postering packets. Ideally, we'd love to have a committment for one shift a week, however, signing up for a single shift is much appreciated.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: American Roots, Bluegrass, Country Dailey & Vincent –Condensed Biography “Two voices, one vision —preserving the heart of American music.” Grand Ole Opry members, Grammy nominees, and multi-award winners, Dailey & Vincent are among the most acclaimed duos in modern American roots music. With unmatched harmonies and musicianship, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have built a career that bridges bluegrass, country, and gospel with heart, humor, and faith. Since their 2007 debut, the duo has earned over 30 major awards, performed at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Opry, and hosted the nationally syndicated Dailey & Vincent Show on RFD-TV. Their song “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee” was adopted as an official Tennessee State Song, and their annual Dailey & Vincent Music Fest in Hiawassee, Georgia continues to draw fans nationwide. As they prepare for the release of their forthcoming album on June 12, 2026, Dailey & Vincent stand firmly in a genre of their own —where bluegrass virtuosity meets country heart and gospel soul. Rooted in faith and friendship, they remain dedicated to preserving the heart of American music while sharing its joy with audiences everywhere.

The Center for the Arts

Chris Dacre Gallery Reception - Bar Cashier Only Need Painting: Acrylic on Mouldmade Heavyweight Paper

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Tickets: Reserved Seating | Genre: Folk More than a decade into one of contemporary folk’s most quietly extraordinary careers, Alela Diane returns with Who's Keeping Time? on May 22 via Fluff & Gravy / Loose Music. The Portland songwriter’s seventh full-length came as the consequence of intuition, coincidence, and community. “I came to the end of a season last year,” Alela shares. “My daughters had grown a bit. I no longer had babies waking me in the middle of the night. I could hear myself think again.” More and more, those thoughts circled music. The ultimate spark for Alela’s return to her music community came in April of last year with the death of her close friend and mentor Michael Hurley — folk legend and indispensable presence in the Portland music scene. Tracked live in the attic of her 1892 Victorian home, Who’s Keeping Time? was produced by Sam Weber (Madison Cunningham, Anna Tivel) and brought to life with staples from the local music orbit, including members of the bands Lucius and Blind Pilot and fellow singer-songwriters Anna Tivel and AC Sapphire. Over the years, Alela's lustrous discography has gathered major critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR Music, The Guardian, and plenty more. UNCUT counted her work in their ambitious “50 best singer-songwriter albums” of all time roundup—a canon comprising John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Paul Simon—with Consequence echoing that significance, declaring, “Hers is a timeless sound, that of a wayfaring troubadour, which only seems to come a few times a generation.”

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Tickets: Reserved Seating | Genre: R&B, Soul The Center for the Arts presents Corinne Bailey Rae – Like a Star: Celebrating 20 Years, a special anniversary tour honoring the songs that made her one of the most beloved voices in modern soul. The Grammy-winning artist behind global hits like “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star” brings an intimate evening of music celebrating two decades of songwriting, storytelling, and timeless sound. A limited number of Put Your Records On VIP Experiences will also be available, offering fans the opportunity to meet Corinne Bailey Rae, watch a portion of soundcheck, and receive exclusive signed merchandise. VIP packages are extremely limited.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Rock Playing is the joy and satisfaction of touring, but it comes with the hard part --travel, the endless miles on a bus. There’s no dodging the wear and tear, and Little Feat has been playing for quite a while. With tongue stuck somewhat in cheek, Little Feat announces “The Last Farewell Tour,” which will begin in April 2026. It’s definitely not an absolute, never-gonna-play again statement. This wind-down will take several years to accomplish, and while it does, Feat will continue to perform and record as long as they are able. It’s a retirement from the travel of touring. Little Feat began in 1969 when Frank Zappa told Lowell George he should start his own band. As Lowell happened to have a pretty small shoe size, the name became obvious. He found a partner/keyboard player in Bill Payne and a drummer in Richie Hayward. After a few transitions, they added Kenny Gradney (bass), Sam Clayton (percussion), Paul Barrere (guitar) and eventually Fred Tackett (guitar), and began a now 56-year journey that has produced dozens of songs –“Dixie Chicken,” “Oh, Atlanta,” “Willin’,” “Fat Man in the Bathtub” –and a thousand memories. One result was one of the best live albums in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, Waiting for Columbus. The road (see above!) is hard, and it cost them first Lowell George in 1979, Richie Hayward in 2010, and Paul Barrere in 2019. The everlasting Little Feat groove demanded playing, and they added Scott Sharrard (guitar) and Tony Leone(drums), and may well be playing at the very height of their powers, recently releasing a well-received album of original material, Strike Up the Band. Their inimitable blend of rock, New Orleans swamp boogie, jazz, and blues is not only unique but an ongoing source of delight. Feat has an incredible legacy of music and the celebration that comes with it, and the near future will see them honoring their own past with more playing. But it’s time to give the trusty tour bus, however comfy, a rest.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Alternative Rock Drink The Sea began three years ago in 2022, when Alain and Barrett jammed at Barrett’s studio in Olympia, WA just to see what kind of magic they could conjure together. Two years later, Barrett and Duke toured together in England and Iceland, before recording additional songs in Reykjavik. After that, Barrett, Duke, and Peter met in Sao Paulo to record more songs, which continued with Alain joining them in Joshua Tree, and then some additional recording at Alain’s studio in Santiago, Chile. Final production happened at Barrett’s studio in Olympia, WA, and mixing took place in Barcelona, Spain. The two debut albums the band recorded were literally recorded around the world. Taking their name from a lyric that Duke wrote, the albums are produced and mixed by Barrett and Alain and reflect the members vast experience as songwriters, arrangers, and singers. It also shows a strong world music influence that permeates the music, because although the songs are built around traditional guitar, bass, and drums configurations, the songs also shimmer with the sounds of Arabic oud, Indian sitar, Indonesian gamelans, and various exotic percussions like Brazilian surdo, frame drum, vibraphone, marimba, and kalimba. The band will begin touring in October of 2025, and the first single will be released on May 23rd with new singles following every two weeks. The two albums will be released on September 19th and October 3rd, respectively.

The Center for the Arts

*Bar Cashiers Only Needed* This intimate Golden Era-inspired musical theater program showcases Omari Tau in a show he designed, joined by Graham Sobelman on the piano and Natalie Hagwood on the cello for a close-knit trio performing Tau’s favorites. A baritone singer of remarkable range with commanding stage presence and a gifted speaking voice, Tau brings warmth, dramatic flair, and deep personal connection to the music. With more than 30 years in the arts, the Sacramento native is known for his genre-defying career spanning opera, musical theater, jazz, and pop, making this performance both personal and theatrical.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Folk, Global Roots San Miguel Fraser is redefining folk music with a dynamic fusion of Castilian and Celtic traditions. The duo brings together María San Miguel — an Oviedo Conservatory graduate deeply rooted in the music of Castile — and Galen Fraser — a Berklee College of Music alumnus and son of legendary fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Together they blend heartfelt vocals, intricate string arrangements, and the lively charm of the cittern into a distinctive chamber-folk style that resonates with audiences worldwide. Their latest album, Dots of Light, showcases vibrant new compositions alongside imaginative reworkings of traditional tunes — praised as "much more than a debut" and "a statement of intent that opens new paths for the genre." The duo has performed at prestigious festivals and venues including Celtic Connections, Festival Internacional de Ortigueira, Sisters Folk Fest, KVMR Celtic Festival, and the Miguel Delibes Auditorium. Whether on intimate stages or grand ones, they bring a heartfelt connection and celebratory spirit to every performance — music that, as one critic put it, expresses "the joy, warmth, and beauty of our shared humanity."

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Genre: Blues, Rock Description Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitarist who helped revive modern blues in the 1990s. Since his breakthrough debut album Ledbetter Heights, Shepherd has built a career defined by fiery guitar work, soulful vocals, and high-powered live performances. With multiple Billboard No. 1 blues albums and a catalog that bridges traditional blues with arena-ready rock, he remains one of the genre’s most electrifying performers.

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Genre: Bluegrass / Jam The Infamous Stringdusters are a Grammy-winning quintet—Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Travis Book (bass), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), Andy Hall (dobro), and Andy Falco (guitar)—who came up in Nashville in the mid-2000s and have since become one of the most beloved touring acts in modern bluegrass. Alongside peers like Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Railroad Earth, they've helped push the genre into bold new territory while honoring its roots, fearlessly blurring the lines between bluegrass, Americana, country, and indie-folk. Their renowned live shows—powered by unmatched instrumental chemistry and joyous, high-energy picking have earned them a devoted national following. The September 15 performance comes on the heels of their landmark album 20/20, twenty original songs marking twenty years together, which the band calls the fullest expression of two decades of collaborative exploration!

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Comedy Before Robin Williams was Robin Williams, he came in second place. The San Francisco Comedy Competition — the 50-year-old independent stand-up contest that helped launch Williams, Dana Carvey, and Marsha Warfield — comes to The Center for the Arts on Thursday, September 17. Here's what makes this different from any other comedy show: you're not just watching. The audience scores the comedians. Your reaction in the room determines who advances.

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Genre: Americana, Bluegrass, Roots Michael Cleveland, widely regarded as the defining bluegrass fiddler of his generation, began performing professionally after high school with Dale Ann Bradley and Rhonda Vincent before forming his own band, Flamekeeper, in 2006—now a seven-time recipient of the IBMA’s Instrumental Group of the Year award. In 2026, he is featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents: State of the Music exhibit, recognizing his ongoing impact on the genre. A twelve-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and 2018 National Fiddlers Hall of Fame inductee, Cleveland has toured and recorded with legendary artists including Béla Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, and Vince Gill. He is a four-time GRAMMY® nominee, including a nomination this year for Best Bluegrass Album with Jason Carter for their collaboration Carter & Cleveland, which also won IBMA’s Album of the Year and Song of the Year (“Outrun the Rain”) at this year’s awards. Cleveland previously won a GRAMMY® for Best Bluegrass Album in 2019 for Tall Fiddler, the same year his inspiring journey was chronicled in the documentary Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. A recipient of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship, he continues to expand his artistic reach—his masterful fiddle playing can even be heard in the newest season of King of the Hill.

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Genre: Jazz-Rock Fusion Al Di Meola will bring The Guitarchitect to the Center, pairing acoustic performance with multimedia visuals and personal narrative drawn from Di Meola's five-decade career. Di Meola first rose to prominence as a member of Return to Forever, the ensemble led by Chick Corea, in the mid-1970s. His solo catalog includes landmark recordings such as Elegant Gypsy, Casino, and Splendido Hotel. His acoustic collaboration with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin produced Friday Night in San Francisco, one of the best-selling instrumental albums of all time. He is a GRAMMY Award winner, a seven-time recipient of Guitar Player Magazine's Best Guitarist award, and the recipient of both the Miles Davis Lifetime Achievement Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Center for the Arts

Genre: Blues Samantha Fish has emerged as one of the most dynamic guitarists of her generation,celebrated for fearless songwriting, emotional firepower, and explosive live shows. Hersecond GRAMMY nomination recognized PaperDoll, an album of nine powerful, defiantsongs. On Paper Doll Live, Fish bottles the grit and intensity of the stage—the place whereher music hits hardest. Opening the night, Zach Schulze gang is a dynamic, UK-based blues rock trio that has rapidly become a major force in the European and international blues scenes. Their explosive stage presence is deeply reminiscent of legacy icons like Rory Gallagher, Dr. Feelgood, and Thin Lizzy.

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Genre: Americana, Folk, Jazz One of America's most celebrated guitarists and composers, Bill Frisell brings his newly assembled "Harmony Five" ensemble to the Center for the Arts in a concert celebrating his 75th birthday. Frisell's new album In My Dreams (Blue Note Records, 2026) captures the spirit of this rare gathering - a reunion of his closest long-time collaborators, including cellist Hank Roberts, with whom he shares nearly 50 years of musical history. Rounding out the ensemble are vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Petra Haden (daughter of jazz legend Charlie Haden), guitarist/bassist Luke Bergman, and drummer Timothy Angulo - together bringing a remarkable depth of jazz, Americana, and adventurous improvisation to the stage. "A family gathering. A reunion. That's what it feels like getting together with my closest friends. There's still much unfinished business. We're just getting started." - Bill Frisell

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Genre: Blues, Folk, Rock Jorma Kaukonen is one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and rock — a career spanning more than half a century. A founding member of Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna, he was at the forefront of the San Francisco sound and a progenitor of Psychedelic Rock. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient, Jorma's legacy was further honored in 2016 when he, Jack Casady, and the other members of Jefferson Airplane received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to American music. Across decades of recording and touring, Jorma Kaukonen has remained one of the finest singer-songwriters in his field — bringing his unique styling to old blues tunes while presenting new songs of weight and dimension. His music is spontaneous and unfiltered, driven by an individual expression of personality that has made him a legend in American music.