The Music Plays On: MIM Moves Its Family Music & Cultural Arts Fair Online

By Hilary Hodge for Music in the Mountains

On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Music in the Mountains (MIM) will be presenting a day of fun activities for children and families on their YouTube channel, which is available to the public at www.youtube.com/musicinthemountains.

The day starts at 10 AM with a beginning dance class presented by Sierra Dance Institute. The class is designed for dancers of all ages. So, push that coffee table aside and get moving. The dance class will be followed by MIM’s popular “Meet the Orchestra Concert” at 11 AM.

Fun for all ages, children are amazed when they see this concert. As Nevada City resident, Zane – age nine – exclaimed upon seeing a French Horn for the first time, “That’s crazy! How does the sound come out with his first jammed in there?”

At noon, local author, Alicia Frost will read children’s stories during the lunch break. After lunch, Nevada City School District’s Music Theater Enrichment Instructor, Kari Stehmeyer (stay-my-er), will banish away summer boredom with a prop-tactic puppet play to the Sound of Music’s Lonely Goatherd. Using items found around the house, children will be invited to play along. “My goal, as the wife of a healthcare worker, the mother of three, and a student teacher,” said Stehmeyer, “is for my time ‘on air’ to ignite a love for all things theatrical and artsy in the participants.”

The day will end with craft time starting at 2 PM. Kids will be encouraged to grab items from around their houses to make upcycled musical instruments.

“The original goal of this event was to bring children and families together to enjoy great music and learn about arts organizations in Nevada County,” said MIM Executive Director Jenny Darlington-Person. “When COVID-19 forced us to cancel the in-person music fair at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, we thought it was important to keep the spirit of the event alive, so we reached out to artists and teachers to create a virtual extravaganza. I think kids will have a blast with these activities and the programming will keep them busy during the heat of the day.”

For parents concerned about too much screen time, the activities are interactive and there will be substantial breaks between them allowing for movement and fun all day long. Parents are also encouraged to join us.

Music in the Mountains has been bringing live classical music to the Sierra Foothills, the Sacramento Metropolitan area, and surrounding communities for nearly 40 years. Navigating current state and local government health regulations for large event gatherings, MIM has moved their annual summer music festival, “Summerfest,” to online platforms for all to enjoy. The programs are presented on a “pay-what-you-can” basis and folks are encouraged to RSVP by going to the MIM website at www.musicinthemountains.org