Music on the Green Revival planned for May 15 at GHS
Music on the Green Revival! Let’s come together and enjoy music and community. Sponsored by Plumas Arts, this May 15 event from 2 to 5 p.m. on the Greenville High School (GHS) quad brings music, fellowship and healing to communities affected by the Dixie fire. Reviving a tradition initiated for many years by Jim Norman, retired GHS music director, it celebrates the strength and resilience of the Indian Valley community.
The family event will include local musicians, several Greenville High School alumni, and will feature Norman as music director and keyboard artist.
“We’re reprising Norman’s tradition, right where he began it: on the grand lawn behind the music room and gym,” says Hank Alrich, who organized and recruited the musicians.
For GHS returning musicians, Music on the Green Revival is a way to give back to their home-town community and to Norman as well. All got their start in high school and credit him with launching their careers as music teachers, performing artists and bass/guitar builders.
“He always makes the players around him sound better through his performance,” says Michael Porter, one of the hottest trumpet players to grace the GHS stage who has performed with Rich Little and teaches at Admiral Akers School in central California. Besides, “He’s a ripping musician and has been a role model for me since I met him 37 years ago,” adds Johnny Leal, a pre-kindergarten through high school music teacher in western Oregon.
Other performing musicians include Hank Alrich, a Greenville musician who has played in venues from Nashville and Austin to Lake Almanor. Among the local artist are Joe Tomaselli, Levi Mullen, Ken Cawley and the Taylorsville Elementary School Band. Other former GHS musicians nurtured by Norman and returning on Sunday include Jimmy Leal and Jerome Little. For a complete list of musicians, go to the Plumas Arts announcement on their website.
Along with music, all ages are invited to help complete a collaborative mural by painting a small canvas with a specific pattern designed by Trixie Hollyhox, a local artist and muralist. Ranging from one solid color to more complex designs, the images on the canvases will fill in blank sections to make the entire 8×4 foot mural emerge for the first time at this event. Be sure to come paint a canvas and add your touch to this collaborative mural! The mural will be on display around Indian Valley following this event.
The afternoon event, co-sponsored by Plumas Unified School District and the Dixie Fire Collaborative, will offer free snacks for all kids, generously donated by The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment. Julie Hatzell with Plumas Rural Services will offer on site support and therapeutic insight with the restorative and inspiring art happening at this event.
Mary’s German Grill and Region Burgers will be offering food to purchase from their mobile kitchens in the parking lot. Be sure to plan to purchase a nice meal from one of these local businesses.
Bring a chair or blanket and come join in the fun. For more information, please call (530) 283-3402, or visitplumasarts.org for info about this event.
