El Dorado County Art, Culture & Media Digest

County arts agencies across California’s Upstate Region, led by Nevada County Arts Council, announced $3.38 million in grant awards to 27 partner agencies and 54 lead creative partners, with a total of 1,010 artists and culture bearers supporting initiatives serving California’s least represented peoples, and most vulnerable communities and environments.

With only $26 million in local assistance grants for close to 40 million people, California is 24th in the nation in per capita spending.

Jurassic World Live Tour, an exhilarating and unpredictable live, family entertainment experience that brings the wonder and thrills of Jurassic World to generations of fans, will be roaring into Sacramento for the first time this summer.

The Sacramento History Museum debuted “Meet May Woolsey,” an exhibit on the third floor in the Community Gallery that recounts a treasured story about a young Sacramento girl who passed away in September 1879.

Gold Country Artists Gallery, an award-winning artists’ cooperative in Placerville, is featuring the work of Kirk Neiberger, Trish Rickard and Nataly Tikhomirov in June.

The National Forest Foundation has launched the tour, which is available in English, Spanish, and Washoe, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the history, culture and natural environment of the Lake Tahoe region.

The concerts that have rocked the El Dorado Hills Town Center Steven Young Amphitheater for years are on hold due to the shopping center management’s alleged failure to comply with Department of Alcohol Beverage Control enforcement policies.

About 164 years ago, the first El Dorado County Fair was held in Coloma. The Fair moved around the county for a few years, setting up tents in Coloma, Diamond Springs and “downtown” Placerville.

From June 21 to Aug. 31, the Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom will host a special juried exhibit of plein air artwork by The Granite Group — one of the premier plein air groups in California.

The Holman Arts and Media Center invites artists of all skill levels to Lake Tahoe for its 39th season of the Summer Arts Workshops, beginning June 26.

What started as El Dorado Hills resident Sean Liu's attempt to bake the perfect macaron ended with the much-more-than-a-hobby baker a contestant on “The Great American Baking Show.”

The city of South Lake Tahoe Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission on awarded a total of $15,000 to four applicants for the inaugural Microgrant Program.

Twilight & Rust in South Lake Tahoe features a curated selection of contemporary art that explores the themes of twilight and rust.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will unveil its new gallery space, the Switchboard Gallery. Opening May 5 is “Antepasados: Those Unseen.” which features original works by local artists Sigrid Benson and Marisa Sayago.

A movie filmed in El Dorado Hills is finally available to audiences. Filmed in 2017, “Not Your Year” waited some time for its own year to come; it can be found now on Amazon, with Google Play, Tubi and Apple availability to come this summer.

Heather Freer, the recently hired drama teacher at Union Mine High School, sits down to discuss the theater program, her personal journey and the El Dorado County community. Freer started her educational career as an English teacher.

There’s a new art gallery in town, but Iron Willow Gallery is not Barbara and Tom Tankersley’s first rodeo. They have previously owned six art galleries in Placerville, with their earliest venture opening on Main Street in 1998.

With summer and rafting season on the horizon, area residents are discouraged by the news that the community will lose a family-friendly hot spot for tourists and locals.

After more than a year of renovations, the Amador County venue—home to the Feist Wines tasting room—celebrates its completion with a grand opening March 25-26.

Elizabeth Cameron, a coach for the Palisades Tahoe ski team five years ago, has documented the difficulties of finding places to live in the area.

The city of South Lake Tahoe has launched the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Microgrants Program, which will fund free local artistic projects and cultural events.

Smallertown Productions, based in Auburn, announced that its first film, "Follower," has been sold to streaming giant Tubi, and its second film will premiere at the Auburn State Theater.

Cal Orey, a South Lake Tahoe resident for the past 24 years, has produced about a dozen books—the latest titled “Soulmates With Paws.”

Placerville author Terol McCullar’s new book, “SICQ,” is a gripping tale about the breakdown and rebuilding of political lines in the face of aliens.

In the hierarchy of comedy, dad jokes are often seen as lesser, being greeted with eye rolls and groans. However, two South Lake Tahoe siblings have proven that dad jokes are loved.

From stained glass work to all-natural beauty products, the mountainous landscape continues to inspire today’s artisans across the region.

“Ski Patrol Pups’ follows the story of the author’s puppy, Walter, as he and his friends learn what it takes to become ski patrol dogs.

The South Yuba River Citizens League previews the 21st Wild and Scenic Film Festival on February 16-20, 2023, with a theme of “CommUNITY.” Next year marks the 40th anniversary of SYRCL, formed in 1983 to save the Yuba River watershed.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently joined the California Museum in announcing the 15th class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame. They join 138 Californians previously inducted for embodying the state’s innovative spirit.

Annie Walker is the artist behind “Sierra Juniper.” a new mural that’s being installed in midtown, on what once was the blank, white wall behind Blue Dog Pizza on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The piece was commissioned by the Tahoe Art League.

Over the next two weeks, tens of thousands will descend on Discovery Park for two big music events. The festivals are part of a concerted effort to boost tourism, to the tune of $1.5 million approved this year by the Sacramento City Council to support festivals and events.

Through a series of events Joe Carson was confronted with a unique opportunity. His story began when his mom was searching in the El Dorado Hills area for a theater company suited for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.