The Foundry Sings! “Jolene” at Miners Foundry on April 17

Nevada City, CA – In celebration of Spring the community is invited to come together to sing another song and fill the beautiful 160-year old Stone Hall at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center.

“The Foundry Sings!” returns  April 17 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Doors and Bar open at 5:30 p.m. and the singing begins at 6 p.m. The Foundry Sings! is open to everyone, regardless of experience, and is a fun way to give back to the historic Miners Foundry Cultural Center.

This month, singers will give voice to “Jolene,” the most-covered song by country music superstar Dolly Parton. It’s the 50th anniversary of the song that has enduring appeal among diverse cultures and is covered in multiple languages around the globe. The mega hit transcends time and speaks to each new generation of music lovers. Beyoncé recently covered it on her 2024 album “Cowboy Carter.”

People have been known to travel from Truckee, Sacramento, Auburn and Elk Grove to join The Foundry Sings! and other singers in Nevada City. For new arrivals to Nevada County, it’s a chance to meet new friends.

“It feeds your soul, it feels good inside. It makes you feel like you are part of something,” said Cathy S. who moved to Grass Valley two and a half years ago and has participated in seven or eight singalongs. Growing up on music, Cathy always sang at home but now feels confident to sing in public. She also has new friends and feels a connection with her new community.

“I love the people, they are so nice and generous. They make it safe. They say, ‘If you can’t sing, don’t worry about it, come anyway. They really put the emphasis on having fun and community.”

The song will be led under the direction of Rod Baggett, with musical assistance by Jonathan Meredith.

This is Baggett’s 28th year as choir director and guitar instructor at Nevada Union High School. He has led the songs for The Foundry Sings! since the program began. His father Don Baggett served as choir director at NUHS for 36 years.

“It’s definitely a community building event,” said Rod Baggett. “To be able to sing and enjoy singing is something I think every human being should experience. It’s the one instrument we all have,” he said.

The Foundry Sings started back in 2017, when former Miners Foundry Board Member, Pamela Meek, brought the idea forward as a tribute to her mother who loved to sing.

The event was also inspired by “Choir! Choir! Choir” – the internationally acclaimed Canadian-based drop-in singing event open to all that now fills concert halls and attracts big names like David Byrne and Patti Smith.

The Foundry Sings! is a unique countywide experience designed to gather people together of all ages and singing levels under one roof to share in the power of song. Beginners are welcome and attendees are not required to know how to read music. In a couple of hours they will learn musical harmonies and vocal arrangement well enough to perform and record a song together. The video will be posted to YouTube. 

“I go for the way it makes me feel. When I leave I’m lighter and happier and playing more music at home,” said Cathy S.

The Foundry Sings takes! place quarterly and is an important fundraiser for the Miners Foundry Cultural Center’s building improvement fund. This event is sponsored by Dignity Health.

Learn more about upcoming events at:  www.miners foundry.org.

Questions? Please contact the Miners Foundry Box Office at info@minersfoundry.org

The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is a living historic treasure serving Nevada County as a cultural art and community events center producing 400 events annually. More than a venue, the nonprofit’s mission is to preserve, enhance and utilize the historic Miners Foundry for cultural, educational and social activities in Nevada County. It is a symbol of California’s rich historical heritage, providing an educational and social bridge from our past to the present and future. Membership supports ongoing events at Miners Foundry such as these and many others.