If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time in Butte County, it’s that there is never a shortage of events in the world of arts and entertainment.
The aim of this new weekly column will be to let you know about those events — while also offering my insights into the world of entertainment, both locally and on the global scale. You might even say it’s a passion of mine.
For starters, I love theater and perform in shows myself (one recent example being “Fiddler On the Roof” at the Chico Theater Company last year; I was Shaindel). There are many other great theaters in this area I’m looking forward to writing about, and there never seems to be a shortage of plays.
One example of this is “Fools,” a comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by Jennifer Beers, which will be at the Birdcage Theater in Oroville on March 21-23 and March 29-30 at 7:30 p.m., and March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. The theatre is located at 1740 Bird St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors or students. Visit www.birdcagetheatre.org for more info and for tickets.
I will also write about art and focus attention on all of the great museums and galleries in the area, such as the Museum of Northern California Art and the Chico History Museum. We just had a great event Feb. 24-25 with Explore Butte County, where admission is free for the whole weekend once a year at museums and galleries.
And then there’s music, with a number of great bands continuing Butte County’s rich tradition of live performances. From Laxson Auditorium performances at Chico State to coffee shop/venue The Naked Lounge to the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., there’s almost always great sounds coming out of downtown Chico and the surrounding areas, and I’m looking forward to reporting on more of those.
Elsewhere, just for starters, the Decades band is continuing its era-bending repertoire with a show March 9 from 10:15 p.m. to midnight at Feather Falls Brewing Co. You’ll hear everything from “In the Mood” to today’s music such as Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” Seating starts at 10 p.m.
Also, the Butte Baroque Spring Concert is being held March 16 at noon. This is a spring chamber music concert featuring baroque and baroque inspired works for strings, organ and oboe. Featured composers include Bach, Vivaldi, Buxtehude, Johann Ludwig Krebs, Ethel Smyth and Walter Piston. This concert will be held at newly-remodeled St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 435 Chestnut St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students/children: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6246197.
I’m also a big fan of stand-up comedy, and have attended shows at Gnarly Deli and the El Rey and at Sierra Nevada, so I will preview (and maybe review) those comedy shows. Comedy at the Station, with a lineup of comedians, occurs March 17 at Mulberry Station Brewing Co. at 175 East 20th St. from 8-10 p.m.
Again, that’s all just for starters. If you have any suggestions on something to write about, please email me at jblevins@chicoer.com.
But first? It’s time for the Academy Awards! I’ll be back with my Oscar predictions in a week, and I’ll invite you to submit yours as well before the ceremony March 10.
Got a suggestion about something to cover on the local arts and entertainment scene? You can email Jennie Blevins at jblevins@chicoer.com.
