WORDS & MUSIC has been connecting artists and audiences in Plumas County since 1989. What began as a poetry series supported by the California Arts Council has grown into one of Plumas Arts’ most enduring and beloved programs—rooted in place, shaped by community, and fueled by creative exchange.
The series launched as a monthly poetry reading at Patti’s Thunder Cafe in Quincy, paired with a strong commitment to literary publishing and regional storytelling. Early on, Plumas Arts published Northern Contours, a literary and visual arts journal highlighting artists from Northern California and Western Nevada, and later produced an annual Art & Literary Calendar (2000–2019) featuring local poets, writers, and visual artists. These efforts reflect a long-standing dedication to uplifting regional voices and making creative work visible and accessible.
As the poetry readings evolved, musicians naturally found their way into the open mic. In response, Plumas Arts introduced a companion acoustic music series. For a time, spoken word and music lived separately—but community energy ultimately brought them back together. The result is the WORDS & MUSIC series audiences know today: an intimate, welcoming gathering where poetry, prose, and music share equal space.
At its core, WORDS & MUSIC is about belonging. The program offers artists a supportive place to try new work, encourages attentive listening, and builds confidence through shared experience. Over the years, many audience members have become regular contributors, and first-time performers have grown into confident voices within the community—again and again highlighting the remarkable depth of talent found right here in Plumas County.
The strength of WORDS & MUSIC has allowed the program to expand beyond its original home. Events have taken place in Greenville, Crescent Mills, Chester, Portola, and Sierra Valley, with the model inspiring similar grassroots programming in neighboring Lassen County. Today, the series continues to evolve—appearing in cafés, galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and through close partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
NEW IN 2026: WORDS, ART & MUSIC (WAM)
In 2026, Plumas Arts will launch WORDS, MUSIC & ART, an expanded version of the program designed specifically for regional communities. This evolution introduces a pop-up gallery at each event, creating space not only for performance, but also for visual art to be shared, experienced, and celebrated.
2026 Locations (check back for confirmed date and location of other planed days)
Regular WORDS & MUSIC gatherings will continue at Patti’s Thunder Cafe in Quincy on second Thursdays from October through May, honoring the series’ original home while allowing it to grow outward across the county.
Interested in participating?
If you’d like to sign up to be a featured performing artist or featured visual artist, please click below to complete the application.
The series launched as a monthly poetry reading at Patti’s Thunder Cafe in Quincy, paired with a strong commitment to literary publishing and regional storytelling. Early on, Plumas Arts published Northern Contours, a literary and visual arts journal highlighting artists from Northern California and Western Nevada, and later produced an annual Art & Literary Calendar (2000–2019) featuring local poets, writers, and visual artists. These efforts reflect a long-standing dedication to uplifting regional voices and making creative work visible and accessible.
As the poetry readings evolved, musicians naturally found their way into the open mic. In response, Plumas Arts introduced a companion acoustic music series. For a time, spoken word and music lived separately—but community energy ultimately brought them back together. The result is the WORDS & MUSIC series audiences know today: an intimate, welcoming gathering where poetry, prose, and music share equal space.
At its core, WORDS & MUSIC is about belonging. The program offers artists a supportive place to try new work, encourages attentive listening, and builds confidence through shared experience. Over the years, many audience members have become regular contributors, and first-time performers have grown into confident voices within the community—again and again highlighting the remarkable depth of talent found right here in Plumas County.
The strength of WORDS & MUSIC has allowed the program to expand beyond its original home. Events have taken place in Greenville, Crescent Mills, Chester, Portola, and Sierra Valley, with the model inspiring similar grassroots programming in neighboring Lassen County. Today, the series continues to evolve—appearing in cafés, galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and through close partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
NEW IN 2026: WORDS, ART & MUSIC (WAM)
In 2026, Plumas Arts will launch WORDS, MUSIC & ART, an expanded version of the program designed specifically for regional communities. This evolution introduces a pop-up gallery at each event, creating space not only for performance, but also for visual art to be shared, experienced, and celebrated.
2026 Locations (check back for confirmed date and location of other planed days)
- Chester: April TBA, June TBA October TBA
- Indian Valley: May 7th (Crescent Store), July TBA, September TBA
- Sierra Valley Nature Preserve: February 27th, May, July, September
- Portola, TBA
Regular WORDS & MUSIC gatherings will continue at Patti’s Thunder Cafe in Quincy on second Thursdays from October through May, honoring the series’ original home while allowing it to grow outward across the county.
Interested in participating?
If you’d like to sign up to be a featured performing artist or featured visual artist, please click below to complete the application.
UP COMING WORDS & MUSIC
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