Grand Opening of the Marian E. Gallaher M.D. Amphitheater

NEVADA CITY, Calif. June 12, 2017 – The Grand Opening of the Marian E. Gallaher M.D. Amphitheater at the Madelyn Helling Library took place today. The amphitheater is located next to the county’s main library and henceforth Musical Mondays at Madelyn’s will be part of the library’s summer offerings.

Built in large part thanks to a generous donation to the  Friends of the Nevada County Libraries by longtime volunteer and library supporter Jacquelyn Wilson, the venue is named after her friend, the late Dr. Marian E. Gallaher, a renowned pediatric cardiologist.

“Dr. Gallaher lived in Nevada County from 1984 until her death in 2013. She served on the board of directors of Music in the Mountains and sang in the Festival Chorale. Dr. Gallaher also held leadership roles with the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County. As an expert in diagnosing heart defects in small children, Dr. Gallaher cared deeply for children, who are anticipated to be the primary users of the amphitheater. She also cared deeply for Nevada County and for the arts, as evidenced by her participation in the fabric of our community. She is a worthy namesake for the amphitheater. This resolution will honor her service and legacy, as well as Ms. Wilson’s request,” the 2017 BOS resolution naming the amphitheater reads.

The traditional ribbon cutting was performed by Jackie Wilson, Supervisor Heidi Hall, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, InConcert Sierra and Nevada County Library staff and representatives.

Then, Nevada County Poet Laureate Molly Fisk read “Surrounding: A Rogue Sonnet”  – a poem she composed for the occasion.

An ancient shape, a partial bowl to hold
the sound of words and notes a moment

before releasing them past attending ears
into a wider circle of pines and oaks

and cedars, sound borne on the wind,
over Hirschman’s Pond, the hills: Cement

and Wet, the little mountains: Round and Banner,
and then higher into Sierra crags and the flyway

traced by Sandhill Cranes yet at the same time
lower, skimming the rivulets and creek beds,

finding the river, dropping into hidden tunnels
and mining shafts where history’s buried

next to luck, the song now echoing so faintly only
the earth’s bones and the closest stars can hear it.

– Molly Fisk

Preschoolers and grownups alike were treated to a live performance by local band Beaucoup Chapeaux, the first in the concert series. Upcoming concerts include:

June 19th – Harpist Sage Po
June 26th – Clarion Quartet and the Magic Flutes
July 10th – Windjammers Woodwind Quintet
July 17th – The Heart Strings
July 24th – Papa Oom Papa
July 31st – Blended Metal Saxophones

All concerts are from 11 am to noon in the amphitheater. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, and snacks. If any accommodations are needed, please contact Kathy Miller at 530-265-1407. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 3 days prior to the scheduled event.