The 54th Bear Valley Music Festival kicks off on Friday, July 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 7th. With concerts tucked inside a large tent that holds 500, this iconic annual event is a wonderful way to escape the heat and enjoy some music and fresh mountain air in the outdoor wonderland of Bear Valley, CA.
Opening night on July 22nd features Tennessee River, a band that pays tribute to one of the most influential and vocally dynamic country bands of our time – Alabama. While Saturday night’s original Jefferson Starship show is sold out, Sunday afternoon is a perfect time to head to the mountains to beat the midday heat and hear the T Sisters, a crowd-favorite indie/folk Americana band. For an evening of soulful blues, don’t miss Chris Cain on Thursday night, August 4th.
The 58-musician symphony orchestra kicks off the classical portion of the Festival on Thursday, July 28th. This will be the first season for the festival’s new Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate, a worldrenowned conductor succeeding the festival’s long-time Music Director Michael Morgan, who tragically passed away last August. Mickelthwate is bringing a wide variety of music to the festival including blockbuster classical favorites like the Tchaikovsky violin concerto and Beethoven’s 7th, Broadway favorites from Sondheim to Gershwin, and California themed music from Mason Bates and John Williams.
Kids and classics fans alike will enjoy the Family Fusion concert, where youth 17 and under are free, and there are still opportunities for volunteer ushers at all shows.
Board of Directors president Julia Mee said, “Our main goal as a non-profit music festival is to build community and create concert events the entire highway 4 community will enjoy. From Jefferson Starship to Beethoven, we’ve got something for everyone. This is an historic year as we welcome only the fourth Music Director in 54 years and it’s going to be an experience not to be missed.”
Food is available to order for pre-concert dining under a shaded picnic area, and shuttle rides are available for purchase with stops from Murphys to Bear Valley for each Friday and Saturday night concert. For the full concert line-up, tickets, and other details visit bearvalleymusicfestival.org or phone the music festival office at 209-588-7344.
History
The inaugural concert at the Bear Valley Music Festival saw a 38-person orchestra brimming out of Bear Valley Lodge’s Cathedral Lounge. Residents opened their homes to musicians, served family-style meals in the Lodge Dining Room, and the lounge was packed to the balconies that flank the central room. During those humble beginnings, John Gosling shared his time between Bear Valley and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Gosling and a dedicated group of founders, musicians, and volunteers continued to make music in a variety of venues – the Lodge, under the open skies, and finally in a large circus tent. The repertoire expanded to include: Broadway show tunes, opera, chamber music, educational programs, and guest artists from around the world.
As the Festival grew, the classical music was supplemented with opera, Broadway show tunes, and opening weekend acts of contemporary and country music.
Teresa's PlaceTeresa's Place takes its name from Grandma Teresa Bassignani who immigrated to the United States as a young bride in 1913. She and her first husband settled in Amador City where he worked in the local mines and Teresa took her first job cooking. Her wages were room and board for the young couple.
In 1921 Teresa again came to Amador County working as a cook for a mining companies hotel making meals for hungry miners, she moved to the present location and opened Teresa's Place. It was originally opened as a boarding house for miners and she continued to cook.
In 1928, Teresa married a second time to Giuseppe Giuliani, they had a son land named him Paolo. Paolo was an integral part of the restaurant that is today. The tradition of serving fine homemade food is carried on by the family.
The Lion in Winter
SUTTER CREEK GALLERY PRESENTS JOHN PECK
John Peck has been a professional artist since 2018 and has painted and sketched as a hobby since childhood. The self-taught artist has felt a passion for self-expression, art, and oil painting throughout his life. Peck will be the featured artist at Sutter Creek Gallery during the month of oil painter John Peck will be featured at Sutter Creek Gallery in October with a reception on Saturday, October 7, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Peck enjoys experimenting with new ideas and forms. He will take an online class and immediately apply learned techniques to something original. When an idea catches his imagination, he will explore it in a series such as portraits of his grandchildren or historical figures or scenes from a vacation spot. Another aspect that sets him apart is his attention to detail, whether it is the bark on a tree, fall leaves skittering along a pathway, or ripples in a stream.
Inspiration for his work comes from John Singer Sargent as well as Impressionists Monet, Manet, Morisot, and others. Peck is presently inspired by current artists such as Michael James Smith, Mark Carder, and Scott Waddell. As a lifelong backpacker and nature enthusiast, Peck captures his experiences in oil through interpretive work with light and perspective in his landscapes. In addition to portraits and landscapes, the versatile artist produces paintings depicting still life, animals, and seascapes. In 2019, he was awarded, in the professional division, first place in oil landscapes at the Amador County Fair.
We invite to you to meet John Peck at his reception on July 2 where you can view his oil paintings and enjoy refreshments. He is one of twenty local artists exhibiting at the gallery located in the heart of Sutter Creek at 35 Main Street. Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers numerous affordable items including prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, sculptures, and gourds. Framing and layaway services are also available. The gallery is open Thursday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 209-267-0228, email [email protected], or visit www.suttercreekgallery.com.
Pumpkin
Moondance
Bueger & Beer
Sierra Stream
Tuolumne County Masters Gardeners
The UCCE Tuolumne County Master Gardeners will be holding an Open Garden Day at the Demonstration Garden on Saturday, June 4, from 10AM – 1PM. The Demonstration Garden is located at 251 S. Barretta Street in Sonora, (Cassina High School Campus.) Open Garden Days are held on the first Saturday of the month, from February through November, rain or shine.
Join us this month for our annual Kids’ Day in the Garden, featuring all kinds of FREE activities for the kids. The activities include: Mason Bee Houses - Make and Learn about Ladybugs - Plant a Sunflower - Bug and Bug Catchers - Make a Garden Lantern - Egg Carton Creatures and many more. Activities are for all age levels and ABSOLUTELY FREE!! - Activities begin at 10:30am
(Topics Subject to Change and it will be held rain or shine)
Find answers to your home gardening questions, including plant and pest problems. When the garden is not open, home gardening assistance is offered by UCCE Master Gardeners through the help line at: 209-533-5912. The public may leave a message regarding a problem and a UCCE Master Gardener will return the call. You can also fill out our “Ask a Master Gardener” online form at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=7269, or email your question to us at [email protected].
The Demonstration Garden is a project of the UCCE Tuolumne County Master Gardeners, whose primary goal is to educate the public about home gardening. Proceeds from plant sales support the UCCE Master Gardeners’ education programs and maintenance of the Demonstration Garden. For additional details contact the UC Cooperative Extension office at (209) 533-5695 or visit the UC Cooperative Extension website: http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/
It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/215244.pdf ) Inquiries regarding ANR’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to John I. Sims, Affirmative Action Compliance Officer/Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750- 1397.
Carol’s love of art has been present since childhood and one of her earliest memories is from kindergarten while standing in front of a large easel, pots of paint and a large piece of paper awaiting her touch.” It was and still is an exciting feeling to begin another painting”, she says. Her kindergarten report card states”we’ve tried to interest Carol in numbers but she would rather paint.”
Throughout her school years and into college, she took many art classes and continued to paint. She secured her first gallery representation in her early 20’s with Gallery Fair in Mendocino, California. Carol did many paintings of the local landscape and coastline that were well received. With marriage, career and raising a family she had to take a hiatus from her art until around 2004. Since then she has passionately pursued her art and has studied with such notable artists as Anita Wolfe, Kathleen Dunphy, Mike Bagdonas, Craig Nelson and Ned Mueller. “Each of these artists have challenged me to take my art to the next level and I will never stop learning and challenging myself,” she states.
Carol’s Work
Bev Austin – Born and raised in Southern California, Beverly Austin has spent a lifetime in the arts with an appreciation for all that California has to offer to an artist. She is an accomplished designer in a variety of mediums and has worked professionally as an interior and web designer for a number of individual, corporate and non-profit clients.
In 1995, Beverly moved to the Sierra Foothills in Northern California and began to focus on her first love of design, acrylic and oil painting. She works primarily from drawings, sketches, plein-air, and photographs.
Grape Harvest Festival
The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival
Friday, October, 01st – Sunday, October, 03rd 10: 30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Amador County Vintners Association is celebrating the grape harvest by inviting you to join their member wineries and get in on this most exciting time of year. Visit each of their participating wineries and see the scenic foothills of Amador Wine Country.
The BIG CRUSH Weekend is a grand time to see the harvest in action and this year will be no exception. This event is scheduled on Friday, October 1st to Sunday, October 3rd, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See the Crush in full swing that will include scenes of teeming vineyards, trudging tractors, and bustling crush pads accompanied by incomparable Amador Wine Country hospitality. Food and wine pairing will be offered with a variety of live music and, harvest activities will be presented.
We are thrilled to be back in
person for 2021
and can’t wait to see you.
Produced By
Avio Vineyards - The Avio wine estate is reminiscent of a traditional Tuscan farmstead. Our wines reflect the true essence of winemaking. We believe that wine (is meant to be enjoyed) with friends and family. Avio Vineyards is a destination that embodies the spirit of Northern Italy. Our picturesque tasting room is open Friday through Sunday from 1-5 PM. Visit our Website at AvioWines.Com
Helwig Winery is a state-of-the-art winery located in the heart of the picturesque Shenandoah Valley. With our award-winning wines, unique wine cave, unparalleled hospitality, and miles of spanning views. For more information and to schedule your appointment, visit us at Helwigwinery.com
Convergence Vineyards - Our wines are highly touted and award winning. We are always eager to share our passion and enthusiasm for winemaking and grape growing with you. During the Big Crush weekend, stop by and sample our wines. For more information, please contact us at (209) 245-36 or send us an email at [email protected]
Scott Harvey Wines - WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, OUR APPROACHABLE BALANCED WINES WILL COMPLEMENT ANY MEAL. While we're very serious about making great wine, in our tasting rooms we're all about showing our visitors a great time. Join us for the Big Crush and find out!
