COME LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
M U S I C
JOHN TABOR
L I V E
Achilles Wheel, Miners Foundry
By Jesse Locks
N
EVADA COUNTY FOLLOWS in the
footsteps of great music cities
such as Austin, Nashville, New
Orleans, Chicago, Seattle, and San
Francisco, with lively downtowns of bars,
nightclubs and coffeehouses; beautiful
grand historic theatres; modern performing arts centers; popular outdoor music
festivals, and a music scene as eclectic as
its audience.
On any given weekend, and sometimes
during the week, you can walk our historic downtown streets to see world-class
bands, renowned local musicians, and
emerging artists perform an array of
musical genres and styles. Sometimes
spontaneously, or because of a holiday or
summer street fair, it’s not uncommon for
music and dancing to spill into the
streets.
Paul Emery, Miners Foundry
Cultural Center, Haven Underground
and the Center for the Arts all treat visitors and locals to performances by
world-class artists. Throughout the year,
Emery presents Nevada City Live, the
popular series that showcases music
icons and local legends, at the historic
Nevada Theatre. The Miners Foundry
Cultural Center regularly welcomes
national touring acts such as the Red
Hot Chili Peppers, Richie Havens, The
Wailers, and The Devil Makes Three
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plus produces annual concerts such as
Jerry Bash, Fright N ight, Mardi Gras,
and New Year’s Eve. The Haven
Underground infuses the local scene
with a heavy dose of electronic, house,
and trance dance music.
The Center for the Arts is best known
for hosting a who’s who list that includes
the likes of Jackie Greene and Roger
McGuinn in their intimate 300-seat theatre and Art Garfunkel and Jewel in
the larger updated Veteran’s Memorial
Building. The Center also produces
California World Fest, the annual fourday outdoor music and arts festival in
July at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
This year’s lineup includes headliner Boz
Skaggs, reggae legends Third World,
and Delhi 2 Dublin.
Music in the Mountains and
InConcert Sierra both present exceptional classical and choral performances
throughout the year. Every June, Music
in the Mountains produces the outdoor
classical and pops festival SummerFest,
at the Fairgrounds and Western Gateway
Park Pavilion in Penn Valley.
Other notable outdoor festivals include
Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival and
Strawberry Music Festival both at the
Fairgrounds, plus Ridgefest Music &
Sustainability Festival at the North
Columbia Schoolhouse. All three towns
also host weekly arts, music, and food
events including Summer Nights and
First Friday Art Walk in Nevada City,
Thursday Night Market in Grass Valley,
Truckee Thursdays and Music in the
Park Wednesdays at the Truckee
Regional Park.
Nearly all of our local restaurants and
bars feature some kind of live music.
Beaucoup Chapeaux is the house
band, rarely missing a Friday night performance, at the Nevada City Classic
Café. Acoustic guitar and creative covers performed by Aaron Oropeza,
George Souza, Jonathan Meredith,
and Chris Crockett are staples at
Truckee Tavern & Grill, Friar Tucks
Restaurant & Bar, Matteo’s Public, The
Holbrooke Hotel and Moody’s Bistro.
Don’t miss “Acoustic Thursdays” at
the award-winning Cottonwood
Restaurant and enjoy the best in free
live acoustic musical entertainment.
Roots rock band Achilles Wheel along
with the Bob Woods Trio are favorites
at the Crazy Horse Saloon & Grill.
Bourgeois Gypsies and Rustler’s
Moon keep music lovers coming back
at the Bar of the America. Taylor Jean
& The Blackbird Vox along with Bob
Mora & The Third Degree pack the
house during their regular nights of
jazz and blues at the premier Golden
Era Lounge.
Local coffee shops and cafés The
Curly Wolf, Elixart, and Summer
Thymes Bakery all offer intimate live
events that include acoustic folk shows
to electronic dance sets.
If karaoke is more your style, check
out McGees, the National Hotel, and
Cooper’s Ale Works. Looking for an
exceptional Open Mic night? Tuesday
nights at the Ol’ Republic Brewery is
your best bet. If you are in search of
the ultimate local’s bar with local
bands, look no further than the
Pastime Club in Truckee.
Grab a friend and hit the streets,
you won’t be disappointed by what
you find!