2019-2020 Nevada County Gold Digital Edition

A DIVERSE CULTURAL SCENE
C U L T U R A L D I S T R I C T S
SUBMITTED PHOTO
A Rich
Cultural
Tradition
LeGacy
Productions
SUBMITTED PHOTO
DAVID WONG
Community
Asian
Theatre
(CATS)
Music In The Mountains (MIM)
Lotta
Crabtree
IN 2017, the California Arts Council
selected 14 California Cultural
Districts. Two are in Nevada
County–Grass Valley/Nevada City
and Truckee.
Between them Grass Valley and
Nevada City have more than 100
arts-related organizations producing
some 1,000 events a year–many with
a long history. Among these
organizations is The Center for the
Arts which provides a diverse array of
programming featuring nationally recognized
artists, as well as local talent.
Over the years Truckee has attracted
and grown a vibrant artistic
community. This has resulted in over
a dozen art galleries and exhibition
spaces, created year-round cultural
events and inspired many public
art pieces.
Nevada County has a cultural
tradition. As early as 1852, Nevada
City, Grass Valley and Rough & Ready
had theatres. Some of the best
entertainers of the time graced their
stages. By the late 1880s, Grass Valley
had an opera house. And don’t
forget the Nevada Theatre which
opened in 1865 and is still going
strong in Nevada City.
Two very talented women had
ties to Nevada County. Lotta
Crabtree was the wealthiest
and most beloved American
entertainer in the late 1880s.
At age five, she moved to Grass
Valley where her talents were
cultivated.
Emma Nevada was born in the
county in 1859 and spent her
early years in Nevada City where
she made her singing debut at
age three. She went on to become a
famous operatic soprano spending
much of her 30 year career
touring Europe.
InConcert Sierra
LOTTA CRABTREE PHOTO COURTESY OF SEARLS HISTORICAL LIBRARY
SUBMITTED PHOTO
NEVADACOUNTYGOLD.com 81