This fall, beginning October 4 and running through November 23, Paul Emery, veteran promoter and showman will present “Nevada City Live” at the historic Nevada Theatre in downtown Nevada City. The eight-week series of live music, theatre, comedy and poetry features an all-star lineup of renowned local and regional storytellers, musicians, and thespians including Saul Rayo, Elena Powell, Mark Growden Quartet, Shay Dillon, Maggie McKaig, Will Durst, Molly Fisk, Paul Kamm, Jonny Mojo, Keith Greeniger, Slaid Cleaves, Stephen Holland, the cast of Synthetic Unlimited, and more. The 148-year old Nevada Theatre is the state’s oldest continuous-use theater. Mark Twain, Jack London and Motley Crue have all performed on the legendary stage.
The “Nevada City Live” series marks Emery’s 40th anniversary of producing concerts and gatherings that are known for creating unforgettable moments for both the performers and attendees. He has organized concerts for legendary artists such as Richie Havens and Johnny Winter along with supporting up and coming musicians including MaMuse and Mark Growden (who performs on October 12) and assembling local musicians for special one-night productions such as “A Thousands Kisses Deep the songs of Leonard Cohen” and benefit concerts for local non-profits and community causes like “A Night of Bob Dylan Music to support Divine Spark” on Friday, October 11.
“Like Bill Graham in San Francisco, Paul was never afraid to put a diverse line up of talent on the bill ever expanding the listener’s palate,” says producer and musician Paul Kraushaar, who will perform with Shay Dillon and friends on October 26.
Emery started producing concerts for his band at the Nevada Theatre in the early 70s. His productions continued throughout the 1980′s and included the North Columbia Folk Festival from 1986-1991. In between organizing and promoting concerts and festivals, Emery toured Europe four times and performed for the Queen of England when she visited Sacramento in 1983. In 1984 he opened Bennett House Recording Studio in Grass Valley and started a record label bearing the same name. During this time, Emery served as the engineer on two Jonathan Richman’s albums, “Jonathan Richman (S/T)” and “Jonathan Richman and Modern Lovers 88”, both recorded at Bennett House.
In 1996 Emery took over as Program Director at KVMR Radio and started the News Department. Emery became Executive Director at the Center for the Arts in 2000 and for eight years handled the booking and artistic direction of the Center. In 2008 he returned to KVMR and is currently the News Director. He has since produced shows at the Center for the Arts, Miners Foundry Cultural Center and Nevada Theatre. In 2012, Emery was awarded the prestigious Dr. Leland and Sally Lewis Performing Arts award by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for his contribution and support of the performing arts in Nevada County.
“Paul Emery is an extraordinary asset to our community. His past musical and theatrical productions speak for themselves, but what I appreciate most about Paul is that he is an extremely kind and considerate person, as well as being very professional and easy to work with. And believe me, those particular attributes don’t always show up together in event presenters,” says Maggie McKaig of Beaucoup Chapeaux, who will perform in Maggie McKaig’s Cumberland Suite on October 18.
For more information on the series go to www.paulemerymusic.com