Sutter Creek Gallery

by Writers Workshop

Sutter Creek Gallery’s June show will highlight ceramic artist Marcus Tikotsky and his daughter Chelsea who paints abstract oils and watercolor pet portraits. The opening reception will take place Saturday, June 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. We hope you can join us for this distinctive exhibition.

News Release

PRESS RELEASE FROM SUTTER CREEK GALLERY

Artists Marcus and Chelsea Tikotsky come from the same family but their creativity takes very different paths. Marcus works in ceramics, both functional and decorative, and daughter Chelsea is a painter. The artistic twosome will be Sutter Creek Gallery’s featured artists in June with an opening reception on June 4 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Marcus was introduced to ceramics in high school, resulting in the artform becoming an outlet for creativity and a lifelong passion. He earned a Bachelor of Art from Sonoma State University and later served in the U.S. Air Force where he taught recreational pottery. Currently, Marcus volunteers at the pottery studio at Chabot Community College in Hayward, providing background support and assisting students in developing their throwing skills. His decorative vessels feature patterned surfaces and are often topped with a hand-formed deer antler. Functional pieces include bowls in a variety of sizes, casseroles, and mugs, all of which are safe not only for food, but can also be placed in the dishwasher, microwave and oven. Marcus pays close attention to form, fit and function, striving for balance and beauty in simple forms and shapes. “I focus on the little details that most might not notice, always striving for perfection.”

Chelsea’s love for art started at a young age growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her parents’ recognition and encouragement of this passion is what led her to pursue her creative and artistic side. She graduated from California State University, San Francisco, with a Batchelor of Art in studio art, emphasizing painting. During her university years, Chelsea studied abroad in Florence, Italy, at the California State University of Florence and the Accademia di Belle Arti. It was a unique experience that enabled her to travel and explore a variety of art and cultures throughout Europe. Chelsea’s abstract waterscapes and landscapes in oils employ vibrant colors and strong contrasts. “My work reflects fluidity and motion through different brush strokes, textures, and colors.” Lately she has been working on commissioned pet portrait in watercolors and prints of these will be included in the exhibition.

Sutter Creek Gallery is open Thursday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 40 Main Street, Sutter Creek. In addition to artwork created by 20 local artists, the gallery offers a diverse array of frame styles and a large variety of mat colors for all your framing needs.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Chrismas With SRT!

by Writers Workshop

COLUMBIA, CALIFORNIA –

SRT is delighted to ring in the holidays with Meet Me in S

Louis: A Live Radio Play. This musical includes the best-loved songs from the film, plus

additional Martin and Blane songs written specially for the stage production. Memorable

musical numbers include "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door,"

and "The Trolley Song". Though it began its life as a film, the story and the music were

adapted for the Broadway stage in 1989, then again as a radio play, a commission for the

Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania, which was first presented in 2013.

Set in 1903, the play takes a nostalgic look at the early 20th century through the eyes of

the Smith family—parents Alonzo and Anna, and their five children—in a yearlong series

of vignettes ending with the opening of the World’s Fair in St. Louis in May 1904. Inspired

by “The Kensington Stories” by Sally Benson, the 1944 film was directed by Vincente

Minnelli and starred Judy Garland, who a year later became Minnelli’s wife.

The musical film was a box office hit, coming, as it did, at a time when the United States

was deeply entrenched in World War II, both in Europe and the Pacific, and no doubt

lifted the spirits of audiences in need of relief from the news of the day.

Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play will ring in the holiday season at the Fallon House

Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park. “We love building our Christmas shows” says

SRT’s Producing Artistic Director Scott Viets. “It’s our favorite season here at SRT and it

always shows. Our holiday shows mean a huge deal to us because we bring in so many

families. For a lot of young people, this production will be their first ever live theatre

experience and it has to be excellent!”

The show stars a slew of SRT favorites including Lauren Hawk who SRT audiences will

remember as Dorothy Gale in 2019’s The Wizard of Oz. Also starring Chris Vettel (Church

Basement Ladies), Brenda O’Brien (SRT’s Mamma Mia!), Emily Gatesman (SRT’s Cabaret, A

Chorus Line), Gabriel Rodrigues (SRT’s Ripcord), Justin Lang (SRT’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A

Live Radio Play).

The production is directed and choreographed by Scott Viets, with music direction and

accompaniment by Brian Allan Hobbs. Scenic design by Deb Malcom, costume design by

Diana Newington, lighting design by Marcella Barbeau, sound design by TatianaPage 2 of 2

Sierra Repertory Theatre

Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play

Covington-Parra, and hair and make-up design by Brenda O’Brien. Tickets have been

selling fast so call or visit online to buy your tickets now!

Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play runs one hour and thirty minutes with no

intermission. Recommended for the entire family.

Audiences should take note that SRT has adjusted Wednesday matinee curtain times to

12pm.

COVID REQUIREMENTS: Continuing at both East Sonora and Fallon House theatres until

further notice, all audience members, regardless of their age, will be asked to do the

following:

All ticketholders, regardless of age, must show proof of full vaccination or a negative

COVID test within the previous 72 hours when entering the theatre.

Wear a mask at all times within the theatre building regardless of vaccination status—

this includes the entire duration of the performance.

For more information about Sierra Repertory Theatre, please visit www.SierraRep.org or

call the Box Office at (209) 532-3120. Follow Sierra Repertory Theatre on Instagram at

@SierraRep; and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SierraRep.

Gold Country Gallery | Featured artists at the gallery

by Writers Workshop

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.

The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival

by Writers Workshop

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.

Mariposa Museum | The best little museum in the Sierra

by Writers Workshop

Mariposa Musem History Center

Mariposa Museum & History Center
The Best Little Museum in the Sierra

Founded in 1957, the Mariposa Museum & History Center houses a large array of exhibits interpreting Native American, Spanish Settlement, California Gold Rush, Yosemite, and Mariposa County History. Our World-Class Vault contains a large archive of photographs and special collections.

Our volunteers and staff are ready to show you why we've been deemed "The Best Little Museum of its Size West of the Mississippi" by the Smithsonian Institute!

The museum also has a large collection of DVDs & photos of early California. You will find children's toys, maps, and handmade gifts for all ages at this museum. In addition, they have a blacksmith shop with lots of items from early California. At his museum, you will also find jewelry and other souvenirs to suit all ages. When in Mariposa, do not miss the Mariposa Museum & History Center.

For more information, contact the museum direct. Please give us a call or email us if you have any questions. The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. They represent the history of Mariposa and the gold rush life and times of early California.

Grape Days of Summer | A two-day wine tasting event

by Writers Workshop

Grape Days of Summer
August 07 - 08, 2021 - 12:00 pm -5:00 pm

Grape Days of Summer is an annual Placer County Wine Trail is a two-day event and is an open-house event hosted by Placer County Vintners Association. Enjoy wine tasting, food, music, and educational experiences at participating wineries along the trail.

Celebrate local wine, local food and local agriculture! Take a self-guided tour of the Placer Wine Trail, taste foothill wines and small bites of food and enjoy a unique and educational experience at each stop on the Placer Wine Trail. For more information, contact the Placer County Wine Trail Associations.

Barbera Festival 2023 | Return to Amador County

by Writers Workshop

Amador Vintner Association Event

The Annual Barbera Festival
Saturday, September, 9th, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Barbera Festival is scheduled to return to Amador County and announced by the Amador Vintner Association. The festival is one of the top five wine festivals in California. As a result, the festival has cultivated newfound Barbera devotees from all over the world. They are passionate about Barbera and appreciate how well it pairs with a variety of foods.

At the 2023 Barbera Festival, top-area restaurants and caterers will present the perfect culinary pairings while local musicians fill the air with live music.

General admission tickets include wine tasting with Barbera producers, live music from multiple artists, interactive experiences and entertainment, more than 20 local artisans to shop with, and a commemorative wine glass to take home! Food is available for purchase separately using “Barbera Bucks”. *(Barbera Bucks are scripts you purchase at the event.)

For more information, contact the Amador Vintner Assocation.

Featured Wineries

Mountain Home Gifts | Gifts for your cabin and mountain life

by Writers Workshop

The Crest Café & Catering | A love for great food and catering

by Writers Workshop

The Crest Café & Catering
"A love for great food"

If you are looking for a unique restaurant just off Highway 89 visit The Crest Café & Catering. Located on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe and overlooking the Truckee River their friendly staff will greet you and provide a backdrop for mouth-watering food and atmosphere.

The Crest Cafe offers fresh baked muffins & croissants, egg sandwiches & burritos, lunch menu items that include paninis, quesadillas, personal pizzas, salads and more. Have a hankering for sushi? Take advantage of “Sushi Thursday” by pre-ordering prior to 1pm each Thursday and pick up your order between 3:30 and 7pm. They also provide take-out meals (ready in 24-48 hours) and full service catering.

In additional to their delicious food, The Crest also has an assortment of beers on tap, in cans & in bottles, along with wine by the glass, half bottle and full bottle.

Need some eggs, coffee, beverages or other grocery items for your stay in the area? The Crest has a small mini market as well.

Currently open daily between 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Thursdays for Sushi pre-orders between 3:30-7PM. Call to place orders at 530-581-3037. For catering questions please email [email protected].

Butterfly Festival | For the entire family

by Writers Workshop

Monarch Butterfly

Mariposa Butterfly Festival
Feathered Events and more at this years

The Mariposa Butterfly Festival is on is on May 4th & 5th, 2024. The festivities begin Saturday morning with a patriotic parade through downtown Mariposa at 10:oo am for the parade. Following the parade, you may wish to stroll through historic downtown to shop or dine, take a walk over to the courthouse built-in 1850, or check out the Mariposa Museum and History Center just a few blocks away.

The gates at the fairground will open at 10:00 am for the long-awaited Mariposa Butterfly Festival. The the festival has become so large that it was moved to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds just down the road on California Highway 49 where a lot of activities are being planned for you.

There will be food, music, a car show, butterfly releases rides ad much much more. Four thousand butterflies will be handed out to guests on orange slices so they may get to know their very own butterfly. The Annual Mariposa Butterfly Festival Classic Car Show are to taking place on the Front Lawn of the festival from 12 noon to 3 PM on Saturday.

The Lions Club is hosting the "Big Cornhole Competition" on both days of the festival. Films will be playing on video walls in the Virtual Zone building. Children, through the magic of film, will be able to take home a video flying around the world on a butterfly. Pony rides, a bounce house, a rock wall, and a water slide will keep the kids busy and a little damp on a warm day.

Over ninety artisans will show off their creations for sale and California Mining and Mineral Museum is open in the Fairgrounds. Here you can watch and dance to the best of Mariposa bands at the Amigo Stage. You can try your very popular Indian Taco made by Mariposa’s very own Southern Sierra Miwok Tribe.

Walk along Habitat Row where you can learn the importance of butterflies to our ecosystem. There will be a beer and wine garden with music for adults only to enjoy some calm time. And lastly, take advantage of our free busses between downtown Mariposa and the Fairgrounds on Saturday.

You can leave the car at the Fairgrounds, take the bus to downtown for dinner and shopping, return for the music and dancing in the evening. The dates and hours for the Mariposa Butterfly Festival are Saturday, July 3 for the parade that is scheduled to start at 9:15 AM. The Festival will start at noon and run until 8 PM. Sunday, July 4th, the gates open at 10 AM and run until 4 PM. Parking is $5, but the festival is free. Contact Mariposabutterflyfestival.net for more information.