Pauline Yang

It was the collective dream shared by Allan Haley, Pawel Skrzypek, and me that helped to create the Gold Country Piano Institute in 1999.  Polish concert pianist Skrzypek had first come to Nevada County in 1990 to perform for Twin Concert Cities Association (now InConcert Sierra); it was then that we three began a wonderful musical friendship.  After several years of Pawel returning to concertize and teach, he invited me to attend his Warsaw Piano Workshop in Poland, which I found to be an amazingly challenging and positive experience.

I was so excited by the format of the workshop that I suggested to Pawel that we create the same kind of workshop back here in Nevada City where he could invite other master teachers to teach alongside him and offer their expertise to students who might not consider going abroad to study, but who could receive world-class instruction here in the States.

After a short 5-day experiment in the autumn of 1999, we were able to launch our 10-day Master Course in Interpretation at the Miners Foundry in June 2000. Over the next 9 years, Nevada County families opened their homes and hearts to over 100 students from 5 continents and 10 master teachers from Poland, England, Singapore, Canada and the U.S.  And our audiences were mesmerized by the talented young pianists who performed in the Stone Hall.

Now, after a 5-year hiatus, Julie Cobden, the Miners Foundry and I are so pleased to welcome back our alumni as part of GCPI: The Alumni Series.  We are thrilled to be able to present some of the students who have grown up before our eyes, and who are creating their own exciting professional careers.

Here’s to many years of presenting our delightful and talented GCPI Alumni!

Andrea Fox

Purchase Tickets Here

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Photos by Dee and Kris Photography

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We are taking applications for:
Food / Beverage, Designer Clothing, Handbags, Jewelry, Housewares, Knit Items, Paper Goods, Vintage, Patterns, Children’s Items, Ceramics, Bath Products, Artisan / Gourmet Food, Art / Prints, and Sewn Accessories.

The 2013 Nevada City Winter Craft Fair will be held on Sunday, December 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., in tandem with the first Victorian Christmas Sunday (1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)  The Miners Foundry will also be hosting a Children’s Holiday shopping event from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., so kids can shop while their parents shop!

Vendors will be contacted regarding their acceptance status by October 5, 2013.

Vendor Application

The Mission of the Miners Foundry Cultural Center is to preserve, enhance and utilize the historic Miners Foundry for cultural, educational and social activities.   The Foundry is a non profit organization.

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The Artisans Festival will be held Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.

Vendor Application

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Theater by the Book, 

“We kicked off the “Theater by the Book” series in April with a reading/singing of a children’s musical Stone Soup which has a musical score by Ken Hardin, Artistic Director of InConcert Sierra,” explains Peter Mason, board member of Sierra Stages. “We expected about fifty audience members, but had over one hundred and fifty in the attendance.  The feedback on the show was overwhelmingly positive.”

Sleuth has all the ingredients of a top-class thriller – a plot whose twists and turns are breathtakingly audacious and fiendishly cunning; suspense and excitement galore; and a brilliant parody of the Agatha Christie country-house thriller.  Written in 1970 by Anthony Shaffer the play is set in the English manor house of Andrew Wyke, an immensely successful mystery writer, played by Mason.  Wyke’s home reflects his obsession with the inventions and deceptions of fiction and his fascination with games and game-playing. He lures his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle played by McCammon, to the house and convinces him to stage a robbery of her jewelry, a proposal that sets off a chain of events that leaves the audience trying to decipher where Wyke’s imagination ends and reality begins.

“I love Sleuth.  It is fun, interesting, and rarely ever done because of the production challenges,” explains Susan on why she suggested the play for the series. “The play reads very well and I’m interested in the creative process of reworking a familiar play in a way that is new to me and the audience.  Plus it was a great opportunity to work with my husband again.”

Susan grew up in Grass Valley and met Jeffrey while performing in a production of Oliver! at the Nevada Theatre in 1976.  Since then the two have worked together in over thirty shows and lived throughout California and Oregon.  The Mason’s threw themselves back in to local theatre two years ago after Jeffrey retired from teaching theatre arts at the university level.  Most recently, Susan directed Assassins for Sierra Stages and Alice in Wonderland for Quest Theatreworks and acted in Sierra Stages’ production Death of a Salesman, while Jeffrey has directed The Music Man and Death of a Salesman for Sierra Stages. Both also participated in the popular 24 Hour Plays produced by Sands Hall at the Miners Foundry.

“My love of theatre comes from my love of dramatic literature,” explains Susan.  “There is so much good literature out there, you can’t run out of good material.  I also love watching the audience see something come alive in person.”

Also in the cast is seasoned actor Danny McCammon. McCammon has performed in numerous local productions, including Sierra Stages’ Assassins and CATS’ Journey to the West. He also performs in the Best Friends Club Sketch Comedy Group, and will be seen in Sierra Stages’ summer production of the musical Avenue Q at the Nevada Theatre.

The Theater By the Book readings are FREE (with a $10 suggested donation). Each reading is on a Wednesday evening – doors open at 7 and the reading begins at 7:30.

“We thought it was important that the play readings be free, but we are also asking for a suggested contribution of $10 to cover royalties for each play and the promotion and fixed costs for the Foundry,” says Peter Mason.  “Although not designed as a fund raising event (after all, admission is free), any proceeds from the series will go to the Miners Foundry and Sierra Stages, which are both 501(c)(3) organizations with a goal to provide cultural activities for our community.”

The rest of the play reading series will be entertaining as well, with a wide variety of plays: Sleuth will be followed with a comedy (Lettice and Lovage), a drama (The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds), a sprawling historical epic with music (Zoot Suit) and one reading to be announced. Jeffrey Mason will direct the Peter Shaffer comedy Lettice and Lovage the third installment of Theater By the Book on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Miners Foundry.

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The Board of Trustees and Staff are making some significant improvements and upgrades to the building, our offerings and your participation in supporting the Foundry.  YOU can help us decide what changes to make and let us know what you would like to see. CLICK HERE to Take Our Survey!

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Photos by Randy Jackson Photography

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Photo by Lisa Williams Photography

On Friday, April 19th, the Miners Foundry was proud to support NEO’s 2nd annual Fashion Runway Show.  NEO is a local non-profit that provides positive activities for youth in our community.  This years theme was BE UNIQUE!  This one-of-a-kind fashion event for young people was part of NEO’s Love Your Body Campaign, striving to inspire young people to love themselves for who they are, no matter what shape, size or color.  The show featured local youth designers, artists, and musicians as well as featured collections from local retailers.

The event was the fourth fundraiser the Foundry has worked with NEO to support.  The event was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Ghidotti Foundation which supports the Foundry’s Youth Arts and Education programming.

Other programs supported are 7-Hills Medieval Festival, Nevada Union Art Department Show, Nevada Union Great Gatsby Night.  As a non-profit community cultural center, the Foundry strives to support the work of fellow community non-profit organizations that help create the healthy and vibrant community we live in.

If you are interested in finding out more information about, volunteering or supporting our Youth Arts & Education Programming please contact the Foundry at 530-265-5040.

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Grammy Award winning western swing legends Asleep at the Wheel will perform at the Miners Foundry on Friday, August 2, 2013.  AATW will be joined by local favorites Cousin Cricket for an evening of dance and amazing performances.  A no host bar and refreshments will be available for purchase.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:30 p.m.  General Admission tickets are $40.00 in Advance and $45.00 at the door.  VIP tickets are available for $55.00 per person.  VIP tickets include a reserved table.  Minimum of 2 people per VIP ticket order.  Tickets are available online, in person at Briar Patch Co-Op, and in person or by phone at the Miners Foundry.

VIP

General Admission

For more than four decades, Asleep At The Wheel has driven the western swing genre to the edge, explored new territories, picked up new passengers along the way, and crisscrossed the country to the delight of fans and critics alike.  Beginning with the simple goal of playing and reviving American roots music, the musicianship of AATW has become the stuff of legends.  Reuter’s has described AATW as “one of the best live acts in the business”.  AATW bandleader Ray Benson fell in love with western swing because of its unique combination of elements of American blues, swing and traditional fiddling but also for its demanding musical chops.  Western swing is a thrill to hear live and has been described by Benson as “jazz with a cowboy hat”.  Asleep At The Wheel has garnered nine Grammy Awards and released more than 25 studio and live albums.

Asleep At The Wheel

Cousin Cricket ~ “Ridin’ The Rails to Reno”

Cousin Cricket, Northern CA’s premiere Western Swing  band has been delighting audiences throughout the west for over 30 years.  With their own take on classic country, swing, and rockabilly, Cousin Cricket continues to deliver top notch entertainment for discerning audiences.  With songs about gold miners, full moon boogies, star-crossed lovers, and pick up trucks, from steamy ballads to western swing (and even a polka!), Cousin Cricket’s original music reflects the band’s roots in western music and the rural California lifestyle.

Cousin Cricket

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Sacramento-based Tribe of the Red Horse celebrates the music of Neil Young and Crazy Horse by staying true to the music.  Their goal is to deliver guitar tone, raw energy, and a wall of sound full of electricity and passion.  The evening will feature a no host bar.  Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $18.00 in advance and $22.00 at the door, and are available online, by phone (530) 265-5040,  in person at the Miners Foundry, or at Briar Patch Co-Op.

Tickets

The Tribe of the Red Horse is Northern California’s Premier Neil Young Tribute Band.  The band is comprised of guitarist / vocalist Wayne “Tex” Whitzell, guitarist Frank Kenney, bass player Charles Williams, and drummer Ernie Belles.  Tex Whitzell has spent the last decade playing Texas blues and N’awlins funk with bands such as San Francisco’s Bodacious and Sacramento’s Cold Sweat.  An in demand acoustic player, Frank Kenney has a reputation for solid skills and a driving rhythm style.  Charles Williams is a full-fledged funk-punk cowboy who has the chops and the wardrobe to play almost any kind of music.  Ernie Belles keeps the rhythm seated and the groove groovin’, but his high vocal harmonies are what bring sweet texture to the Tribe of the Red Horse sound.

Tribe of the Red Horse

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