Events Search and Views Navigation
Bring Us Home
April 25th – May 31st
Join, renew or upgrade your membership to support the launch of Nevada County’s first ever 500-seat premier performing arts venue! Our members are center stage – you truly are the key to our success. Your generosity builds value in our community.
Annual Meeting & Season Preview
2018 was an incredible year for The Center! We started renovating our Main Stage Theater, created The Center OnTheGo programming series and expanded our Youth Arts Education programs through community partnerships.
Won’t you join us for our Annual Meeting and Season Preview? It will be an evening filled great music, comedy and our guests will be the first to hear our plans for our Grand Opening!
Dichotomic Views
May 7th – May 31st, 2019
Gallery Hours: 12-5PM (Tue - Fri)“Dichotomic Views” exhibit is an exploration of dichotomies: public vs. private, surrealism vs. realism, and nature vs. society in a wide variety of large-scale acrylic and oil paintings.
Mother’s Day Comedy Special
Laurie Kilmartin has been doing standup since 1987 and has appeared on CONAN, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central.
Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche
Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche have been touring together for a few years now. The mother/daughter show is a fun-filled evening of smart, thoughtful songs with plenty of familial harmonies.
Subtle Divination
- Opening: June 7th | 7 – 9 PM | $10 at door
- Art Exhibition: June 4th – July 12th | Free
Enjoy a night of art and live music at The Plaza Gallery!
Keith Greeninger with Dayan Kai
Keith Greeninger returns to the Center For The Arts on Sunday June 9, 7:30PM, presented at the Foothills Events Center. Joining Keith will be long time musical partner Dayan Kai and percussionist Jim Norris. Keith will have a special pre-release version of the new CD available at the event. Opening the show will be local favorites Achilles Wheel Trio Quartet, a Northern California Roots and World music/Rock and Roll jam band.
Find out more »
Circus Camp SOLD OUT
- Taught by Izzi Tooinsky, Libby Woods & Nick Fedoroff!
Week-Long Sessions (M-F)
June 10th – August 2nd, 2019
Full- & Half-Day, Ages 8-14
2019 Summer Camps: Five sessions, each offering two or more programs, from June 10th through August 2nd. At Circus Camp, students learn the entertaining arts of the circus, such as juggling, stilt-walking, clowning, magic, hula-hooping, and more. Developed for students ages 8–14, taught at Nevada City School of Arts.
Paint Like the Masters SOLD OUT
- Taught by Denise Wey, Eileen Blodgett, and Nancy Schaefer
Weeklong Sessions (M-F)
June 10 – 14 & July 29 – August 2
9am – 3pm, Ages 8-14
2019 Summer Camps: Five sessions, each offering two or more programs, from June 10th through August 2nd. At Paint Like The Masters Camp budding young artists paint in acrylics on canvas, recreating their own versions of the works of great masters such as Van Gogh, Monet & Picasso! Developed for students ages 8–14, taught at Nevada City School of Arts.
Rupa and the April Fishes
Friday, June 14th • 7:30pm
Join us for a night under the stars at North Star House. Rupa and the April Fishes has a NEW RELEASE! Opening: Grease Grit and Grime
The Curious Forge
- Taught by Professional Artists
Week-Long Sessions (M-F)
June 17th – August 2nd, 2019
Full Day, Youth Ages (8-11) & Teens (12-17)
2019 Summer Camps: Five sessions, each offering two or more programs, from June 10th through August 2nd. At Curious Forge Camp students receive hands-on instruction from professional artists in one or more of the “maker” arts, including Fiber Arts, Metal Arts, Found Objects Art, Jewelry Making, Laser Cutting, Ceramics, Glass Fusing, Woodworking, and Textiles. Divided for Age Groups: Youth (8-11), Teens (12-17), taught at Curious Forge Makerspace.
Misha Rauchwerger Photography Exhibit
- Opening: July 20 | 2 PM – 4 PM
- Exhibition: July 17 – August 24
- Artist Talk: August 14 | 7 PM
“Misha has been fascinated with photography since the day his Dad gave him an all manual Czech viewfinder camera as a child, and was able to use a dark room at summer camp. This quickly blossomed into a full-on hobby, making his own 4×5 pinhole camera…”
Squirrel Nut Zippers
Between 1995-2000 the Squirrel Nut Zippers sold over three million albums. Old world jazz mixed with Klezmer, Blues, Americana and random bits of contemporary music became the band’s signature style…
!mindparade
Thursday, August 15 at 7:30PM
Join us at The Plaza for !mindparade, an American experimental pop project based in Portland, Oregon. Opening is My Dallas Teens.
2019/20 Membership Drive
Join, Renew Early or Upgrade!
EXTENDED to 9/30
Join, renew or upgrade your membership to help us set the stage at The New Center! Members make it possible to bring world class artists to Nevada County – you truly are the key to our success. Your generosity builds value for our community.
Tyler Rich
Friday, August 23rd, 8PM
California-born country singer and songwriter with a knack for full-bodied songs about love. Opening: Temecula Road, named one of Radio Disney’s NEXT BIG THING artists.
Crystal Bowersox
Sunday, August 25th, 8PM
Crystal has “a voice like dirt and diamonds.” Her music is intended to bring a positive message of love and light to the world – things that folks will be able to take with them on their own journey, so that they, too, can feel truly alive.
No Other Way
The Center for the Arts and Goodtimes Boardshop have partnered with Skate MD for a fundraiser and skateboarding event. Local band Cherry Rats performs at 8pm.
44th Annual San Francisco Comedy Competition
Friday, September 13th, 2019
Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pmThe San Francisco Comedy Competition is an annual, multi-week, judged, stand-up comedy contest. Over thirty comedians, out of hundreds who apply, perform in shows held in comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, casinos and theaters in San Francisco and around the Bay Area.
Golden Shoulders – Album Release: Could This Be the End
Saturday, September 14th
Album release show for Golden Shoulders. Could This Be the End is as upbeat and positive as the title suggests. Local band Big Whoop opens the show.
Cancelled: Jim Kweskin & Meredith Axelrod
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jim Kweskin & Meredith Axelrod on September 19th, 2019, has been cancelled. There is no reschedule date at this time.
Volunteer Training
Thursday, October 3rd 5pm – 8pm
Saturday, October 5th 12pm – 3pm
We value and appreciate each of our volunteers, as The Center would not be able to bring the quality and variety of performances to Nevada County without them.
Interested in volunteering to help with events at The New Center? Sign up for an information and training session.
2019 Gala: Cirque au Centre
Friday, October 11 at 5:30pm
Fundraiser for The Center for the Arts. An evening of spectacular big top entertainment!
SOLD OUT! Michael Franti & Spearhead
Tuesday, October 15
Michael Franti believes that there is a great battle taking place in the world today between cynicism and optimism, so he made his most recent album, Stay Human Vol. II, to remind himself and anyone else who’s listening, that there is still good in the world and that it is worth fighting for.
FREE: Family Fun Day
Sat. October 26, 10am – 2pm
Offered four times a year, these are free all-day events geared toward families and introduces many young children in our community to their first-ever arts experience. We offer families the opportunity to participate in healthy art-based activities together, such as face painting, crafts, and a balloon artist and other fun entertainment.
Rodney Crowell
Saturday, November 9
Doors 7PM | Show 8PMJoin us for The Center OnTheGo Series presenting Rodney Crowell. The revelations are in the reveling, and in Crowell’s joyful ownership of songs that have become dear companions. We arrive as honored guests, here to listen to an artist’s true self.
Free Show to Support Veterans
Sunday, November 10th
Doors 3:00 pm | Show 4:00 pm | Free ShowKeith Greeninger calls attention to suicide rates among veterans; performs free show on November 10th in Grass Valley.
Chris Perondi’s STUNT DOG EXPERIENCE
Friday, November 22, 2019
Matinee 1:00pm | Evening Show 7:00 PMAmazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs, and athletic feats. It is the most entertaining show of its kind!
Giving Tuesday 2019
Everyone's heard of Black Friday, but did you know that Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) celebrates the beginning of the charitable gift season? It's a time for you to make your 2019 tax-deductible donations and a critical time for non-profits to secure funding for the New Year.
Find out more »
Storm Large
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Doors 6:30 PM | Show 7:30 PMStorm Large is a musician, actor, playwright, and author with ties to San Francisco and Portland, OR. She was also a 2006 finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova. $30-$40 Members, $35-$45 Regular, $60-$65 Table Seating
Mark O’Connor Band
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pmGrammy winner Mark O’Connor blends American fiddling with French jazz into a new American classical music. An Appalachian Christmas is a wondrous mixture of Christmas carols, fiddling, bluegrass and other traditional music.
New Box Office Location
Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
128 E. Main St. Grass Valley, CA 95945Looking for tickets to upcoming shows? Stop by our new box office at the Grass Valley Chamber & Visitors Center. 128 E. Main St. Grass Valley. Just 2 blocks from the theater.
Open Tuesday – Friday | 11am – 4pm
Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pmWill Ackerman, Barbara Higbie and Todd Boston celebrate the 35th anniversary of Windham Hill Records’ Winter Solstice acoustic album series.
Irish Christmas in America
Friday, December 20, 2019
Doors 12:00pm | Show 1:00pmIn its 14th season, the Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in history, humour and boundless energy. $35-$45 Members, $40-$50 Regular
John McEuen & The String Wizards Present: Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Saturday, January 25, 2020
8:00pm, doors open at 7John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, best known for its evergreen bestselling album Will the Circle Be Unbroken and for its version of the song “Mr. Bojangles.” McEuen is one of the seminal figures who conceived and originated the fusion of folk, rock and country, a unique sound still hugely popular today.
Mark Vieaux
Sunday, January 26
4:30 pm, doors at 4Vieaux will be performing songs from the album on Sunday Jan. 26 at 4 p.m., at an album release party (benefitting Hospitality House) at the Center for the Arts Brunswick Basin facility, 998 Plaza Drive in Grass Valley. One song, “Lotta Ways to Love” was directly inspired by the guests at Hospitality House, where Vieaux entertains regularly.
SOLD OUT: After School Theater Program
- Tuesdays, 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM
- 9 Sessions: 2/04 – 3/31/2020
$195 includes all nine sessions.
SOLD OUT! THANK YOU! All theatre, all the time! Singing, dancing, active and improv. Beginning – advanced students are all accommodated and challenged at their level.
SOLD OUT! Riders in the Sky
Thursday, February 13, 2020
7:30pm, doors open at 6:30Purveyors of “Comedy & Western!” For more than thirty years Riders In The Sky have been revitalizing Western music, while branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit.
Winter Family Fun Day
- Free Event
- RSVP ON FACEBOOK
A FREE quarterly event. Fun for the whole family!
SOLD OUT! Paula Poundstone
Saturday, February 15th
8:00pm, doors open at 7Known for her smart, observational humor and legendary spontaneous wit, Paula is recognized in innumerable lists, documentaries, and literary compendiums noting influential standup comedians of our time.
SOLD OUT! Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
7:30pm, doors open at 6:30As South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World, Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings of peace, of love and for people to live in harmony. The Tony Nominated and Grammy winning group was featured on Paul Simon’s “Graceland’ among many other film and music projects.
SOLD OUT! Sonny Landreth & Marcia Ball
Saturday, February 22, 2020
8:00pm, doors open at 7Two American blues greats, Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth, come together for a double bill of Southern-fried electric blues, roadhouse R&B, and rockin’ boogie-woogie.
David Bromberg Quintet
Sunday, February 23, 2020
7:30pm, doors open at 6:30David Bromberg is a musician’s musician, a master of guitar, fiddle, Dobro, and the mandolin, in multiple styles. He’s been referred to as an American Icon and co-invented the NewGrass genre but it all began with the blues.
An Evening with Leo Kottke
Friday, March 6, 2020
8:00pm, doors open at 7Grammy nominated acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11. Influences range from the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps.
Tinsley Ellis
Friday, March 13, 2020
7:00 PM Doors | 8:00 PM ShowFeral blues guitar with Southern roots and British Invasion inspiration. Tinsley Ellis always digs deep and plays as if his life depends on it.
Postponed: B – The Underwater Bubble Show
- This show has been postponed
- For Center updates on coronavirus precautions please click here.
Inspired by “Cirque du Soleil”, the show is rich in stage effects including soap bubbles to bring to life a performance of drama, dance and magic.
Postponed: Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition
- This show has been postponed
- For Center updates on coronavirus precautions please click here.
This multimedia theatrical presentation features Jack London’s classic story of the legendary sled dog Buck and is uniquely designed to encourage audience participation through imagination as the story unfolds on stage.
Postponed: The Second City
- This show has been postponed
- For Center updates on coronavirus precautions please click here.
The Second City is Laughing For all the Wrong Reasons. Here to break all the comedy rules they made famous in an all-new, all-hilarious revue that will leave you hysterical.
Postponed: Masters of Hawaiian Music
- This show has been postponed
- For Center updates on coronavirus precautions please click here.
Three Masters, featured regularly at Maui’s renowned “Slack Key Show®” share Hawai’i’s unique guitar styles, with origins in paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture. $30-$40 Members | $35-$45 Regular
