If you have not yet attended Trails & Vistas, I highly encourage you to purchase your tickets for this annual, sell-out event. You will be enchanted, entertained and moved by the incredible art presented in raw nature on this two-hour expedition.  If you would prefer to hike at a comfortable pace, Trails offers a leisure hike. Into finding your inner Zen? Sign-up for the meditative hike. And for the children, the family hike is the perfect option.

TRAILS & VISTAS ART HIKE ANNOUNCES ARTISTS AND TICKETS

Sept. 17 and 18, 2011 at Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park

Experience art and nature in a completely new way during the Trails and Vistas “Reflections and Rhythms” art hike on Sept. 17 or Sept. 18 at Spooner Lake in the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Tickets, offered at 2009 rates through Sept. 1, are now available at www.trailsandvistas.org. The cost is $30 for adults and $10 for children when purchased before Sept. 1, 2011.

Event details

• What: Guided 2.5 mile art hike
• When: Sept. 17 and 18, 2011
• Where: Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
• Tickets: $30 adults/$10 children available at www.trailsandvistas.org (prices increase Sept. 1)

Trails and Vistas Artistic Director, Nancy Tieken Lopez, explains, “The purpose of Trails and Vistas is to reestablish bonds between individuals and between individuals and nature. Nature belongs to all of us and putting art in this context changes the experience and the audience.” Musicians, poets, sculptors, dancers and performers interact with participants to create a cherished experience between people and between individuals and place. In “Reflections and Rhythms,” audience members will walk along a gentle two and a half mile single-track trail, with an experienced guide, pausing at creative, artistic expressions.

While earning her masters in fine arts degree at San Jose State University, Nancy Tieken Lopez thesis project was Spring Streams, an art hike held at Alum Rock State Park. Spring Streams evolved into the Truckee-based nonprofit organization now called Trails and Vistas. Today the art hike, in its’ eighth season, is collaboration between artists and nonprofit collaborators including the Truckee Donner Land Trust, InnerRhythms Dance Theatre and the KidZone Children’s Museum. Trails and Vistas 2011 sponsors include Christina and Kent Young of The Richardson House, For Goodness Sake, Cedar House Sport Hotel, and Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation.

Artist highlights

Since the beginning of Trails and Vistas, dancers from the InnerRhythms Dance Theatre have brought unforgettable performances to the art hike. Elizabeth Archer, Trails and Vistas’ co-director and the director of InnerRhythms Dance Theatre, hopes that the experience inspires audience members. “Discover your own rhythm. Trust that there is a rhythm inside of you. Once you discover it, you are completely loyal to it,” says Archer.

Award-Winning Children’s Artist and REMO Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator Norman Jones will perform this September. Jones is from The Rhythm Child Network, a group formed in 2003 that uses drums and movement to foster creativity. By using the drum as a vehicle for building confidence, communicating positive messages and encouraging group dynamics, Rhythm Child helps people connect with their inner rhythms. Visit www.rhythmchild.net to learn more about this art hike newcomer.

Famous for her magnificent egg art and inspirational storytelling, Cathee vanRossem-St.Clair, a Truckee resident, returns to Trails and Vistas. St. Clair’s painted eggs have earned national recognition. One of her eggs, The California Thrasher, created for the Whitehouse Christmas Tree, is now in the National Archives. “Like most artists, my creative journey began at an early age. Since I lifted that first crayon, storytelling and language – the language of birds, the language of the earth, and the silent language we humans use to interact with our inner and outer landscapes, have fed my art. Images from dreams, observations, and quirky musings push their way into my sketchbooks to this day,” shares St. Clair about the beginning of her artistic journey.

Another Tahoe-Truckee local resident, Emily Tessmer of Orenda Blu Music, will share sacred chants during the art hike. Tessmer explains the root of her inspiration and muse, “The river of music has carried me back to my ancestors…I feel the embrace of the divine like never before. The miracles are continually abounding in my life and my heart calls for the caress of my grandfathers and grandmothers in their wisdom.” She adds, “I am so grateful to be a part of Trails this year. Being a part of it last year was so inspiring and contributed to all that I envision for this year at Spooner Lake.”

By popular demand, Chief Red Hawk will return to Trails and Vistas. He uses stories to inspire people to reflect on the value of the land, and he shares wisdom about animals and the natural environment. He is the winner of two TELLY awards and performed at the Winter Olympics ceremonies in Utah. The most captivating aspects of Red Hawk’s storytelling are the stories of his Native American ancestors that he shares through music and song.

Angelika’s Healing Music is another returning artist. She is an internationally acclaimed performer, composer and recording artist whose main intention is to promote oneness, peace, healing and goodwill through music. Angelika sings ancient Sanskrit healing chants and mantras in different languages and performs original songs, sharing love and celebration accompanied by a handmade tamboura monochord and twelve-string guitar.

Angelique Benicio, an illustrator and sculptor, is driven to convey impressions of the living experience with a child’s sense of wonder. She is a published children’s book illustrator, has worked in France as a freelance illustrator and as a painter and sculptor for French cinema productions.

Visit Facebook and the Trails and Vistas web site at www.trailsandvistas.org for updates on artists and to purchase tickets for 2011.

SAVE THE DATE

Coast to Coast, photo compliments of the Truckee Donner Historical Society

• Event: Historical Haunted Walking Tour
• When: Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21
• Where: Begin at Moody’s Bistro & Lounge (10007 Bridge Street, Truckee, CA)
• Tickets: $30 includes lively tour, glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice
• Lodging: Special packages with The Richardson House and River Street Inn
• Contest: Costume Contest. Each night prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
• Details: Visit truckeehistorytour.org or call (530) 305-4231

Sunshine Tahoe is a proud supporter of this unforgettable evening in downtown Truckee on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21, 2011.

Old timers will tell historic tales of the Wild West, ladies of nocturnal delight will sing a tune and entertaining characters will share titillating folklore along the nearly two hour walk. Covering Truckee’s most historic sites, the tour will entertain guests from near and far with spooky legends and unsolved mysteries. Find out what loggers loved most about Jibboom Street, the first road built in the Truckee Basin. Learn how the Truckee Regulators administered justice years ago. Discover the never-told-before story of the world’s most famous Lilliputian in this old railroad town.

“Costumes were fantastic,” “enjoyed every stop and entertainer,” and “we can’t wait until next year,” commented past attendees. The Richardson House was a favorite site on the 2010 tour. Built by a lumber baron for his wife in the late 1880s, the house featured a performance by Maggie Richardson’s “ghost.” Maggie, the first wife of the house, was tormented by her son’s death, and her story, like each memorable performance along the guided tour, was captivating.

Spend the days fishing, hiking, savoring an afternoon sweet or dining at an award winning restaurant and then be immersed in Truckee’s fascinating and haunting past – all accessible from The Richardson House, a restored six bedroom Victorian vacation home that easily accommodates up to 12 people. Book two nights and enjoy 50% off your third night (10154 High Street, therichardsonhouse.com, (530) 563-6874). Or, stay at the River Street Inn for $130 a night (tax not included) (River Street Inn, 10009 East River Street, riverstreetinntruckee.com, (530) 550-9290).

100% of Tour proceeds benefit the Truckee Donner Historical Society and Trails & Vistas, two well-respected, Truckee-based nonprofit organizations.

Tickets go on sale in August and typically sell-out within a few weeks, please mark your calendar now.

A Truckee Regulator "Hassling" a Tour Attendee

I have so much to share with you in regard to the level of dedicated volunteers, amazing professional partners and incredible hosts.  Very soon I will recap the event within this blog and reiterated three important components for any successful event – a plan, tangible goals and my personal favorite, allowing your team to run with autonomy.

I hope you enjoy Amy’s article that appeared in Friday, Oct. 29, 2010 Sierra Sun.

Getting into character while tending to guests

Mysterious sightings, unusual happenings and historic tales come to life in Truckee’s 2nd Annual Historical Haunted Walking Tour on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22. Tour guides skillfully combine stories and legends with interesting facts in this “adults only” tour that begins with a complimentary glass of wine at Moody’s Bistro & Lounge and benefits two local non-profit organizations: Trails and Vistas and the Truckee Donner Historical Society.  Sunshine is happy, once again to produce this annual “sell-out” event, book tickets early at www.truckeehistorytour.com.

Home of the Truckee Hotel and this year's host - Moody's Bistro & Lounge

From July 1 Trails and Vistas Newsletter -

Buy your tickets online beginning July 1st for Trails and Vistas ”If Dreams were Clouds” Art Hike on September 11 & 12. The Art Hike has sold out for the past four years and we expect another sellout this year. Come join us for another wonderful experience of aerial dance, poets, music and installation art with stunning vistas at Squaw Valley USA.

This year’s Art Hike will involve a 1,000 foot elevation gain at high altitude at Shirley Canyon. Since this hike may pose a challenge to persons unconditioned for moderate to strenuous single-track trail hiking, we are also offering family hikes and leisure hikes for persons that need a shorter hike.

Launch times for your hike are available throughout both Saturday and Sunday, each group is limited to 30 and you can choose a time and style of hike that works best for you and yours if you purchase early. Visit Trails and Vistas 2010 for tickets and/or to preview an amazing video from Trails and Vistas 2009.

We Need Your Help

As a newly formed 501(c)(3) non-profit, Trails and Vistas needs your help to continue to offer this wonderful experience of art and culture in the Sierra. We’re very close to reaching our goal of raising $5,000 to receive a wonderfully generous matching contribution of $10,000 (Sky Sponsorship) from The Richardson House of Truckee! We need your helpto raise $685 more to reach our goal of $15,000. Can you support this fundraising endeavor by contributing $10, $25 or more?

We are so excited to have secured $4,315 with grants from the Lahontan Community Foundation, The Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, the Truckee Rotary, and generous donations from people like you.

Donations can also be sent via check to:
Trails and Vistas
10309 Cromley Square
Truckee, CA 96161

Would You Like to Become a Sponsor?

Trails and Vistas has two “Dream” sponsorships available for $1,500 each. Our “Dreamers” will receive 15 complimentary tickets (one half of a 30 person hike), the opportunity to promote your product or service at the end of your hike through one of our hike stewards and extensive recognition in all of our marketing and public relations collateral. This exclusive sponsorship opportunity truly is a dream.  Please contact Christina Stoever-Young at christina@trailsandvistas.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail this September.

Dancer in the Meadow