Plumas Arts has been able to keep Plumas County rich in culturally diverse performing arts thanks to funding from the James Irvine Foundation. In 2008 Plumas Arts was awarded a two-year Creative Connections grant that has not only kept the shows coming, but also brought admission prices to all-time lows.
"When we wrote the grant, the primary focus was to expand our audience," said Plumas Arts Director Roxanne Valladao. "Little did we know that the economy would effect us such that this grant is now keeping our performing arts program alive."

Upcoming concerts supported by grant funds are the Hanneke Cassel concert Feb. 24, at the Town Hall Theatre and a dance concert event with The Blazers at the Quincy Vet's Hall Saturday, March 6.

Hanneke Cassel is the 1997 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, she holds a Bachelor's of Music in violin performance from Berklee College of Music, and she has performed and taught across North America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and China.

Her music reflects influences from Scotland to China, along with grooves and musical innovations from the hip Boston bluegrass/Americana scene.

Cassel fuses these together to create a uniquely American approach to Scottish music. She creates sounds on the cutting edge of acoustic music, while retaining the integrity and soul of the Scottish tradition.

The Blazers, hailing from East Los Angeles, play big-hearted Latino roots rock music that's soulful, surprising and always fun. Led by original member Ruben Guaderrama, the Blazers clearly demonstrate the breadth of their musical range: from searing blues to funky R&B grooves to up-tempo conjunto raves.

Combining electric guitars, bass and drums with traditional instruments such as the bajo sexto and button accordion, The Blazers make music which draws on the deep well of Mexican-American culture and life.

For more information about these concerts, or to purchase tickets, go online to plumasarts.org, call 283-3402, or stop by the Plumas Arts Gallery at 372 Main St. in Quincy.

Established in 1981, Plumas Arts is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, private public benefit corporation that serves as the local arts planning and programming agency for Plumas County.

Since its inception, Plumas Arts has been authorized by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to serve as the Plumas County representative to the California Arts Council's State-Local Partnership Program ranking consistently as one of California's model local arts agencies.

Plumas Arts has labored since its inception to provide art education programs in county schools. It also coordinates the Plumas County Arts and Events Calendar found on the web at plumasarts.org, also printed quarterly and mailed to members.

The organization manages the Town Hall Theatre, the county's only movie theatre and also serves as a professional-quality venue for live presentations by internationally renowned visiting artists and local artists and community groups.

Plumas Arts hosts Words & Music in Quincy, Chester and Portola; produces several prominent cultural festivals and events: the Lake Almanor Art Show, Mountain Harvest Festival and Taste of Plumas, in addition to providing support to countless others.

The office at 372 Main St., in Quincy, which has, for more than a decade, provided an exciting showcase for the fine work of regional artists.