Now - Accepting ......
Nominations for Awards
Sponsors for support
Volunteers for staffing
Instruments for Kids
email: creativecopperopolis@gmail.com
or call 209-881-7676
Tickets
CAMS Press Release #2, August 15, 2023 Murphys, CA
Save the date! Saturday, January 20 in Murphys. CAMS, the Calaveras Arts and Music Show, formerly known as the “Cammies,” celebrates the artists and actors of our MotherLode area with recognition awards for their outstanding service in performing, rehearsing, recording, promoting, producing, and entertaining within our community this past year. These recognition awards have become the pinnacle of pride, and the honor has shown up in bios, press releases, and promotional material of the past winners. This year, the event has been moved to Murphys, the Queen of the Sierra, to the coveted and upscale Murphys Creek Theater. The awards will include accomplishments in music, dance and theater. There will be a star performance from each category backed up by our house band leader, Rod Harris. The presentation is created by entertainment veterans teamed up with CCTV to produce a TV show for our public broadcast stations. Audio will be broadcast live on the internet radio station, Copperopolis.rocks, and there is a plan to gain commercial TV news coverage.
The Murphys Hotel will host a pre-show green room press conference in their ballroom for nominee and guest celebrity interviews, inviting journalists to gather for the hospitality. Before entering the theater, there will be a Red Carpet photo opportunity. Seats are limited to 100 and will be sold in three blocks: first block will be offered to the artist; second block to the sponsors; and third block to the general public. Tickets will be offered through Eventbrite once released.
Sponsors are being sought through participating Business Associations, making this a full-scale community event supported by business association members, neighboring businesses, and by community Artists themselves. Several local establishments will be hosting pre-party concerts, including a special star-studded exclusive performance at the Murphys Irish Pub.
An important part of this event is the inclusion of the annual “Kids Looking for Unwanted Instruments” campaign where neighbors find their unused instruments for donation to the Murphy School of Music. Those valued instruments will be endowed during the show by the school to individual deserving students interested in pursuing their own future in music.
Each year, a theme song is attached to our message. Last year, it was “Peace, Love and Understanding” by Nick Lowe. This year, the song is “Everybody Get Together” by The Youngbloods. This finale song will be performed by an onstage assembly of award winners.
We are currently compiling nominations for the 49 Award winners. We are also looking for a few good volunteers to help and to offer up their great ideas, and we are seeking members of the Public who are like-minded in our endeavor willing to Donate to keep our mission alive.
Contact us at creativecopperopolis.com. Check our website. And kindly Share this information.
Question:
What do you get with the CAMS?
Calaveras Arts & Music Show
–CAMS–
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49 Recognition Awards:
in Arts/Music/Dance/Theater
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Industry & Community Presenters
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Famed Murphys Creek Theatre
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Taped for Community TV Show - CCTV
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Red Carpet Photo Affair
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Art Community Press Conference
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“Kids Need Unwanted Instruments” Program
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New! “The Long Way Around” Award #49
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Business Associations, Neighbors, Community Network
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Supporting and recognizing diversity in the Arts.
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Bringing together a community-based annual event.
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Fancy program and displays for Sponsors.
Richard Varrasso of Copperopolis is passionate about music and the arts, bringing his decades of experience to create CAMS, the Calaveras Arts and Music Show, to celebrate and honor artists of the Mother Lode.
Richard has worn many hats during his lifetime including musician, chef, recording company producer, broadcaster, marketing director, digital business leader, associate at Beserkley Records Corp., associate for the Tina Turner Tour and manager of the Greg Kihn Band. He also trained as a real estate appraiser and owned The Sonora Grille. He is current executive director of the Copperopolis Area Business Association.
Richard was born and raised in Fremont. “I grew up in a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ neighborhood,” he recalled. “My aunt gave me a guitar when I was about seven years old, which I painted iridescent and added hippie peace signs. It was so cool!”
Right out of high school he took over live gigs at the mansion of Weibel Winery, organizing big music festivals with such greats at Quicksilver and Elvin Bishop. At Beserkley Records he wrangled bands together and scheduled entertainment at Bill Graham clubs. He continues to perform in his own band, The Famous Hits Band.
“Richard is a creative, high energy marketing rock star in the world of sales and promotion no matter what product or concept he is involved with,” said Deborah Barron, a lawyer for Sacramento Entertainment Law who worked with Richard. “A great team leader, whether it’s managing a sales team or a production crew for major events, Richard’s varied experience in business project management will make it all happen.”
Richard moved to Copperopolis to raise his son in retirement. But, as he said, “I couldn’t retire because of my music addiction, and I’d been coming to Lake Tulloch since I was 14.” In 2015 he started the nonprofit – Creative Copperopolis, which produces events, concerts and the annual CAMS awards.
Set your calendars for Saturday, January 20, 2024 for the next award ceremony, this year changing the venue to Murphys Creek Theatre. Formerly known as the “Cammies,” CAMS celebrates the artists and actors with recognition awards for their outstanding service in performing, rehearsing, recording, promoting, producing and entertaining within local communities in the past year. The awards will include accomplishments in music, dance and theater. There will be a star performance from each category backed up by house band leader, Rod Harris. Calaveras Community Television will produce a TV show for local public broadcast stations. Audio will be broadcast live on Richard’s internet radio station, Copperopolis.rocks. Tickets will be offered through Eventbrite once released.
Sponsors are being sought through business associations, neighboring businesses and by community artists themselves. Several local establishments will be hosting after-party concerts, including a special star-studded exclusive performance at the Murphys Irish Pub at midnight.
An important part of this event is the inclusion of the annual Kids Looking for Unwanted Instruments campaign where neighbors donate their unused instruments to the Murphy School of Music. Those valued instruments will be endowed during the show by the school to deserving students interested in pursuing their own future in music. “Everybody Get Together” by The Youngbloods will be performed by an onstage assembly of award winners during the finale.
Also new this year, the 49th award will be named “The Long Way Around,” honoring a musician who has experienced a disability but has risen to the occasion.
“We are currently compiling nominations for the 49 Award winners,” Richard said. “We are also looking for a few good volunteers to offer up their great ideas and are seeking members of the public who are like-minded in our endeavor, willing to donate to keep our mission alive.”
“I want us all to come and work together,” he added. “We need to prophesize this for the benefit of all to show recognition to these artists. We’ve got so much good stuff happening here, amid what’s happening in the world.”
For more information, visit creativecopperopolis.com Jan Hovey lives near Vallecito and can be reached at the CALAVERAS ENTERPRISE
PRESS RELEASE
Copperopolis 9/01/2023
Kids Looking for Unwanted Instruments
THE CAMS–Calaveras Arts & Music Show–(formerly the Cammies)--recognizes the talent and efforts of our local entertainers and producers in our community.
A major part of this program is sponsored by the Murphys School of Music, a nonprofit organization that supports and nurtures young talent and aspiring artists. Each year, we have reached out to the public for donations of their musical instruments no longer being used. At our prior events, a trombone, a piano, and two electric guitars were donated to the school. Your donations of unwanted musical instruments will provide an opportunity to inspire an enthusiastic student to pursue a future in music. The instruments will be presented to the school on the night of the show and will be part of the broadcast on CCTV. If you have an instrument not being used, please consider giving it to a deserving music student. Your generosity will be deeply appreciated. Donations are tax-deductible.
The show will be taped and televised on community television in Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolumne Counties and also on YouTube. There will be a Red Carpet reception for press and photo opportunities. There will be limited reserve seating for the general public based on a first come, first serve availability.
More information is available at creativecopperopolis.com.
Please save the date, Saturday, January 20, 2024. The Murphys Creek Theater,.580 S. Algiers Street, Murphys.
White Paper - What is the CAMS? - Why do I do this?
The Calaveras Arts and Music Show - CAMS - was the brainchild of artist manager Richard Varrasso. Out of the Bay Area music scene, he became an accomplished music executive, musician, and promoter. He is eager to lend his knowledge to make this event everlasting. His many years of industry experience has led him through the complex channels of award shows and celebration ceremonies. He helped the Bammies in San Francisco for over two decades. He worked with Dick Clark, who produces the AMAs and American Bandstand. With the perspective of fiscal design and quarterly expectations, the annual awards show is the anticipated climax of the year’s work. A place to network, perceive, and advance one’s expectations for the coming year. A focus point to nurture everyone’s interest towards the Arts. Typically, the community gets to enjoy the ceremony and party alongside the performers and presenters in a manner that is warmer than that of a concert format. The show is captured for broadcast to include a wider audience, and it spreads the communication of equity within the Arts Community. There are no boundaries within the Arts and the community it serves. The California Arts Council/CAC has a mission to find activity directly related to the arch that supports culture and social justice within our State, specifically for the lower HPI/ Healthy Places Index areas. Their grant funding can strengthen and preserve our traditions in art culture while reinforcing the curation of new vital creations. To gain this funding, an artist must be aware, ready to apply and function academically within their specific art form. We help folks get grants.
Creative Copperopolis was created as a nonprofit organization to bring along the intense knowledge-base of its founders along with the equipment and tools to serve the Motherlode community of Artists and bands. We support in-service logistics around live events, radio broadcasts, record label production, and Artist promotion and management. Direct engagement.
Entertainment is our passion. Enriching the youth interested in their art is one of our goals.
The CAMS gives out 49 Recognition Awards each year in January for the previous year’s work and accomplishments. Folks from all Art persuasions, nominated by community and entertainment industry leaders in Calaveras County and its nearby neighbors attend.
These coveted awards have led to major recording contracts, great live appearance bookings, and high-level press coverage. These awards are earned, not granted by competition or poll.
There is a Red Carpet walkway leading to the seated theater for a spectacular photo opportunity in front of the full length banner of sponsor logos. A professional photographer is capturing.
Every year a “Kids Looking For Unwanted Instruments’ program is included for donations of an unwanted instrument in your attic are presented directly to children via the Murphy School of Music. We’re always looking around for donations of unwanted instruments for our kids.
There are live performances of music, theater, and dance on the big stage under lights. Preshow hospitality for press and a surprise pre-show party featuring the most famous artists will take place at nearby establishments. It will be a night to remember in Calaveras County and airs on CCTV at a later date as the Annual CAMS Community TV presentation. Remember, the Wizard of Oz gave out a diploma, a metal and the testimonial was “A heart is not judged by how much you love but by how much you are loved by others”. We all need recognition and gratitude.
Nominations, ideas, or volunteers are always welcomed as communication and service is key.
Go to www.creativecopperopolis.com or email richard@varrasso.com. ##### rev230930