Gett'n Ready for Steve Miller and Peter Frampton!

Jake Owen, nice setup!

Tickets still available for tonight's show here. Go to ticketmaster.com or Ironstoneamphitheatre.net to purchase.

Gett'n Ready for Jake Owen tonight!

Unloading the vans

Feeding the stage crews plein air ... BBQ time!

Concert Season is upon us

Ironstone Amphitheater's 2017 Concert Season is now in full swing.

Last weekend, Toby Keith broke all records for attendance here at Ironstone. It was a large and wonderful crowd of concert goers. Bit cool, but lots of fun, singing and dancing all around.

Boston and Joan Jett brought the house down rock'n and roll'n. Fun night & a cold one.

Tonight John Mellancamp comes to visit with Emmylou Harris and Carlene Carter, followed on Sunday by the Moody Blues' 50th anniversary tour.  Can't wait for all to start.

Just a reminder to those of you purchasing tickets on line, please make sure the address you are purchasing from is the official "Ticket Master" website.  There are way too many sites out there selling 3rd party tickets for a much higher price than they sell for from ticket master. Do keep in mind that some of those third party ticket purchases may not be actual tickets and will not scan at the gate, leaving you outside with a very expensive piece of worthless paper.

Take care! Pay attention... See you tonight!

Meet Artist Connie Carson-Romano, Open Division

Connie Carson-Romano

O-122 Silhouette of an Iris by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  14x30  $195

   Art is an expression of the way the Artist views the world in which he lives. It is the sharing of a life experience by the artist whether in paint, the written word, a perfect garden, or in music.

O-121  Mountain Lake Sunrise by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $135

   I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not drawing, painting, or writing. Acrylic paint is my favored medium. I love the way it works and forms on the canvas. The colors that are present in nature are phenomenal and I love trying to create the same shades. Being raised in New Mexico I found myself immersed from an early age in the amazing palate of nature and the challenge of trying to recreate the colors and shapes of nature on canvas. As a resident of Northern California for the last 27 years I continue to be awed at the diversity of landscapes we live in.

O-119 Silhouette of a fruit bowl  by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $145

    In addition to my paintings I have found an expressive voice in the written word. in the 1990's I was published for 6 years in a local newspaper as the creator of the cartoon strip "Cody Coyote."  Cody is a fun combination of my drawings and verbal expression of the humorous side of life. Cody has returned to the stage with his own web page and can be visited at codycoyotesworld.com. My first book, The Other Side of the Gurney, was published in February of 2015 reaching the Amazon best seller list in category in June of that year.

O-121  Mountain Lake Sunrise by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $135

    I find it is amazing and exciting that so many different interpretations of the world around us are available through the eyes of Artists of all mediums. It is my pleasure that I am able to add my own personal expressions to this collection.

Spring Time Flowers galore!

Now is The time to visit Ironstone's spectacular Spring Flowerdisplay.

Meet Artist Susie Hoffman, OPEN Division Artist

Susie Hoffman

Fine Art 2017

Copperopolis, CA

susie@townhallarts.com

ateliersuse.patternbyetsy.com

    

O-018  Jumptime  by Susie Hoffman  oil  24x18  $600

       Susie took up art after she retired from teaching sixth grade English/history 14 years ago. She started in watercolor, but has branched into drawing, oils, pastels, collage, and acrylics.  She and her husband, Larry, created the art center Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis where she has enjoyed classes by many foothill artists over the last seven years. From pastel classes to mosaics, she is always eager to learn something new. She also teaches art and sells many of her photographs at Town Hall Arts.

O-020  Telegraphcity by Susie Hoffman  oil  12x9  $250

      Honors include awards at Delicato Vineyard Show (including 1st. place 2015, 2016, 2017): the Mother Lode Art Show (including 1st. place 2013, 2016); Valley Arts Show (including 1st. 2013), Oak Valley Art Show Best of Show Photography 2014, 15, & 16, People's Choice Award 2015 & 16, and eight 1st. place art awards 2015/16; Calaveras county Fair (including 10 best of division and 37 firt place awards in lat six years); Mother Lode Fair 2014 Best of Show, two best of divisions, five 1st. places ); and Oakdale Show 2013 (1st.).

O-019  Cloudsong by Susie Hoffman  oil  11x14  $300

      Susie's oil painting, "Simple Things", was on the cover of the September KVIE "OnSix" program guide to promote the 2015 auction on public television. Her watercolor portrait of Glenn Wasson as Black Bart appears in his recently published book, Too Much to Swallow. Her photograph, "On Your Mark", Division Winner from the Calaveras County Fair, was published in Mark Twain's 88 Days in the Mother Lode & Stories of the Gold Rush.  "Fifty Pounds of Love", a portrait of her Chocolate Lab pup, was featured in the window at Mistlin Gallery in Modesto as part of the Central California Art Showcase 2015. Two of her watercolors were published in Sierra Wonders, a book of visual and literary works honoring the Sierra Nevada. Two additional watercolors were published in Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate, a Taste of Literary Elegance.  Her graphite portrait, "I Hope You Dance", appeared on the 2012 program cover of the Ironstone Spring Obsession Show. Her art has been bell ringers at the KVIE auction, 2013-2016.

      Susie's artwork is displayed at Galerie Copper, Roaster's Coffee House, and Saddle Creek Resort in Copperopolis; Manzanita Arts Emporium in Angels Camp, Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas; carious venues in Sonora including Stage 3, and the Rabbask Gallery in Loveland, Colorado. She is currently Vice President of the Mother Lode Art Association.

Meet Open Division Artist, Juliana Tillman

O-131  All Gods Creatures  by Juliana  Tillman  wc  19x23  $750

Artist Juliana Tillman

Juliana Tillman was born and raised in Vacaville, California. In 2003 she moved with her family to the small town of Twain Harte in the Sierra Nevada's, whereupon she changed direction from working to raising her family and pursuing art. 

An interest in art and design has been there since her late teens though she was unable to make it a priority. 

O-130  My Girl  by Juliana Tillman  wc  19x23  $1800

Growing up in a family of antique and art collectors fostered her appreciation for fine arts. In the past five years she has increased her focus on art and the dream of being a professional painter. She is primarily self taught, with the exception of studying with local & nationally known artist through workshops and private classes. Juliana is an oil and watercolor painter with special focus in plein air and has won many awards in local art competitions. Juliana is a current member of the Mother Lode Arts Association.

O-132  Just Stopping By  by Juliana Tillman  11x13  wc  $1800

"My goal is to create a lasting impact through art that survives generations with the hope that it will evoke reminiscent feelings of moments captured in time."

Meet Artist Ann Nall theme Division accepted artist

Ann Nall

T-018  A Spring Hue By Ann Nall  wc  16x20  $250

Ann started painting in 1985 as a way to escape the pressures of work. Her first art teacher was in the basement of a small community center in Virginia.

Over time her hobby became her focus. On retirement, art became her career. She has been exhibited in many juried and one person shows throughout the country.

Painting primarily in watercolor, her work is characterized by soft, gentle colors. She has specialized in animal portraits and has been praised for infusing her animal paintings with life.

Ann says her art gives her life energy, focus and a sense of well-being. It is a gift she does not take for granted. 

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sue Smith

Sue Smith

T-011  Paperwhites by Susan Smith  oil 12x16 $250

  

T-010  Tulips & Daffys  by Susan Smith  oil 12x12 $200

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, received a great primary school art education and majored in Art at Ohio Wesleyan University. I moved to New York City after college and was surrounded by the "beat" scene. Lots of gallery shows, happenings, off off broadway shows, a rich time. Married and divorced with 2 young sons, I moved to California and lived on a commune. I always worked at my art projects. I moved to the Sierra foothills in 1976 and became an architectural drafter. I have concentrated much more on my drawing and painting after retiring from architecture. I am inspired by our beautiful Sierra foothills and the natural world around us.

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sandra Campbell

SANDRA CAMPBELL

T-016 Purple Parrots  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 9x15  $200

I love color and experimentation.  My subjects include landscapes, florals, still life and animals.  Initially, I worked only with soft pastels but since have branched out into collage and acrylics, often combining these into mixed media pieces.  Lately, I’ve created some abstract works, a complete departure for someone who used to produce only realistic art. 

For pastels, I like to work on sanded surfaces, which allow for more layers of color.  When people hear the word ‘pastel,’ they may think of soft colors.  But what attracts me to this medium is the possibility for vibrant oranges, brilliant yellows, and intense purples and reds.” 

T-015  Planting Time  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 12x15  $250

Mixed media pieces utilize traditional canvasses, canvas panels or illustration board.  Most of my collage pieces are fabricated from rice or similar-type papers, which come in a variety of textures.  Most recently, I’ve been working on 6 x 6-inch surfaces for both collage and acrylics. 

Landscapes are created both from my own photographs and by working plein air with fellow artists in an American Association of University Women’s art group.  Many of the finished products are featured at the art show during the AAUW annual home tour.  I also show my work during the local studio tour. 

Amador County is alive with artists who inspire me and support my efforts.  Periodically, I take a college class or an artist’s workshop which may send me in a new direction.  Membership in the Sierra Pastel Society, the Amador County Artists Association and Arts Council provides collegial support as does my AAUW art group.  My work is on display at the Sutter Creek Gallery at 35 Main Street, Sutter Creek.  

Meet Theme Division Accepted Artist Mary Ann Kash

Mary Ann Kash

T-006  Friends  by Mary Ann Kash  pencil  11x14  $450

I have enjoyed drawing from childhood to the present.  The intricacies of line and detail fascinate me and I have always been partial nature, trees and bark specifically.  One of my first accepted showings, as an art student, was a rendering of the bark of a section of a California Redwood.  I realized then that I was hooked on trees, vines and fence posts.

Drawing from nature is daunting, thus, I normally use photographs as my inspiration in order to capture the complexity my subject.  Photography is a hobby of mine which often turns into an art project.

Preparing my submission for the Ironstone 2017 Spring Obsession was great fun, although, it was hard to stop and call the drawing finished.  Working on vines or tree trunks can be addictive.   To me grape vines are masterpieces of design, swirls and curlicues, divots and flat planes.  

My favorite medium is graphite combined with colored pencil and water color.  I sell copies of my work at Farmers Markets in Tuolumne County.

Thank you for viewing my art, it has been my pleasure.

Mary Ann Kash

domedwellers3945@gmail.com

Meet Theme Division Accepted Artist Deborah Wright

Deborah Wright

View from the rabbit hole by Deborah Wright  acrylic 24x30 $1475  

I’m Deborah Wright and live in the beautiful mountains of northern California.  Nature has inspired my life and influences my art.  I'm a textile, mixed media and acrylic artist who loves bold, bright colors and texture.  Favorite mediums include acrylic paint, India ink and graphite pencil.

My work is abstract, non-objective and organic in style, as my approach is intuitive, loose and unstructured. I have received multiple awards at exhibits in Tuolumne and Amador counties.

Artists that have influenced my work include Alan Powell and Robert Burridge, both of California and Jane Davies of Vermont.

​I have been blessed with space for painting, collage, assemblage art and workshops.  My studio encompasses an eclectic gallery and is featured on the Amador County Art Association annual open studio tour in September.

Meet THEME Division Accepted Artist Vickie Chew

Ironstone presents our first Theme Division artist of 2017 ...

Sunset Dills by Vickie Chew  oil  12x16  $300  T-009

Vickie Chew Art

Painting for me is a joy, challenge and mental escape all in one. Most of us Artists fall in love with a scene for variety of reasons just as you may fall in love with a particular surrounding or place. The scene usually has some type of emotional connection that originally attracts you to it, maybe you spent time there as a child, a first kiss, family outings or you are just attracted to the beauty of the area. I love the challenge of trying to capture the essence of what is before me, whether it be a barn, trees, lakes or ocean, ther
e is something special that attracted me to the scene. It is all about recreating the image before me and capturing the light, character and personality of the scene, nothing else exists, as I lose myself to the painting zone, as the “zone” is total captivation!

I do Impressionistic paintings in Plein Air, Studio, Murals and Commissioned pieces. I use brush and palette knife and rarely use or mix my oils with other mediums. My work is always sealed with a varnish finish, signed and numbered on the back of the canvas. I can be contacted at 209-743-4126

Gift Baskets for Christmas and New Years now available!

Need a special gift basket for Christmas or a hostess gift?  Stop by our tasting room and check out our big selection, or call to have us make a special one for your needs or price range. 

Ironstone's Water Wheel is up and running!

After a brief hiatus, Ironstone Vineyard's historic water wheel is up and running again.  This beautiful water wheel was lovingly restored as part of Ironstone's outdoor mining museum.

Flumes carrying water gently flow from the top and turn the wheel.  with a series of pulleys, the wheel operates the stamp mill you see in the photo, crushing ore brought by ore cart from the mine shafts.

Don't miss seeing this historic example of a true mining operation here at Ironstone. Open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Holiday Traditions with the Kruchta Family

Last week we were visited by the Kruchta Family of Hollister, CA.  

The family have been coming to Ironstone Vineyards annually during Thanksgiving since the oldest son was a baby.  The boys, Alden and Anton asked to help decorate one of our many trees here in the tasting room.  

Even dad and their grandmother helped. Mom stayed back taking care of the newest boy in the family who will be helping to decorate in a couple of years. 

Thank you to the Krichta Family from everyone

in the tasting room for making our holiday more special. 

Black Friday Specials start today!

Collectable Dolls Super Sale  

From an outstanding Auction, owner Mr. John Kautz has found a plethora of collectible dolls that we are offering at huge discounts.  Original pricing of these dolls ranged from $25.00 to $400.00. 


 Ironstone is offering these dolls to you for prices ranging from $5.00 to $125.00.  


Perfect for those little girls on your list or the serious collector looking for that one missing doll. 

There are Christmas Angels, $5 baby dolls, limited edition "Erte" dolls.... quite a large inventory.

Most all of the dolls are in original boxes, most never having been removed from their containers, still wrapped and fully protected.

These are a must see and a great deal to add to your collection or just find the perfect $5 stocking stuffer.

Open 11:00 to 5:00 daily.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Call to Artists

Ironstone Vineyard’s 20^th Annual

Spring Obsession Art Show & Competition

DUE DATES:

·      * THEME Division entry due Friday, January 6, 2017

·      * OPEN Division entry due Saturday, January 28, 2017

PRIZES:

·      

   *THEME Division winner $500 with winning art piece reproduced as the promotional poster for Ironstone’s internationally acclaimed “Obsession Wine”. Full credit to winning artist.

·     * OPEN Division; 1^st place $1000, 2^nd place $500, 3^rd place $250.

·      Final OPEN Division judging by nationally acclaimed artists/art field representatives. To Be Announced.

·    

         Please see prospectus for complete details. Prospectus/entry forms available at Ironstone Vineyards Downloadable from www.ironstonevineyards.com and http://ironstonemuseum.blogspot.com

·   

         Or email click here w/ “ART ENTRY” in subject line.

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2017 “SPRING OBSESSION” Show Opening.

“Meet ‘n Greet” the accepted artists through their “Art in Action” demonstrations, plein air painting and more.

More details to follow.

Day of the Dead Celebration

Today here in Murphys we are celebrating the Day of the Dead.  

You will find alters throughout town as well as here at Ironstone honoring some very special people.




Ironstone has chosen George Wendt to honor.  Having a very special place in all our hearts, George was an amazing human being and very much missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

George doing what he loved most

“Wine on the River”

A collaboration of O.A.R.S. and Ironstone Vineyards

Stephen Kautz on a "Wine on the River" trip with OARS

 Story by Stephen Kautz:

"I have always had a love for the outdoors in any form. When I was a kid I got my first taste of rafting down the Stanislaus River with OARS in those early days before the dam was built. I kept that love of rivers and fishing in them, but had moved away from the rafting part. Then my grandmother (moms side) invited me to go on a rafting trip with her through OARS, down the Alsek River in the Canadian Yukon. Yes, the story is true, it was for her 80^th birthday.  Well, I was again hooked on rafting.  I came home and bought my own boat and started running rivers across the 11 western states. The only problem I had is a common one for rafting folks like me – work kept getting in the way.  I was doing a lot of winemaker dinners and tasting events across the country and one day was sharing that with George Wendt and his marketing guy Eric Grathwal, somewhat complaining that I wasn’t getting enough time on the river. They both looked at me and asked if I would do something like that on a river trip for OARS.  Let me see - wine, good food, river rafting and getting paid to do it!!!!!  YES, dream come true.

The first Wine on the River trip, started in 1997, was down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho through the Frank Church Wilderness area, one of the most beautiful trips you can take. I took along my executive chef a bunch of good Ironstone Wine and away we went.  Some of the best memories in my life have come during those trips.  I can remember 12 of our group huddled under a tarp, sitting in the raft on a beach in the pouring rain.  We were laughing at my description of our Symphony Wine when Chef Clyde pops underneath the tarp and starts passing out hot broth, asking what wine paired best with it….I think we tried them all.  The Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Main Salmon, The Rouge River, The American River, The Tuolumne River, or any river where you can enjoy nature, great food and wine and the experiences of life, that is what Wine on the River is all about."

Stephen Kautz

CALL to Artists! 20th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show

Entry Forms now available for Ironstone's 20th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show.

Ironstone's 20th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show is just around the corner. 

Entry deadlines are January 6, 2016 for the THEME Division and January 28, 2016 for the OPEN Division.

Entries will be juried. Notification will go out to artists of accepted art work 3 weeks prior to delivery dates.  All works must be original art completed by entering artists. 

Theme Division prize $500 with image recreated in Ironstone's 2017 Poster.

Open Division 1st. prize = $1000. 2nd prize = $500.  3rd. prize = $250.

This exhibit is not for photographs or digitally enhanced images nor 3 dimensional sculpture.

Please see complete rules and details on prospectus downloadable from this blog site.

You may download the prospectus/entry form from the pages on this blog or go to www.ironstonevineyards.com  to download from Ironstone's web page.

Should you wish to have the forms emailed, please Click Here
*place "Entry Form" in the subject matter 

Chris will respond to your email with the forms as attachments.  Be sure to mark the above email as NOT junk mail.

Stay tuned for more details!

Pumpkin Contest at the Silent Movie tonight!

If you are coming to Ironstone's "Phantom of the Opera" Silent Movie tonight or for the Matinee Saturday, you will be casting your vote for your favorite decorated pumpkin.

Ironstone Vineyards has a wonderful tradition of each department creating a pumpkin and submitting it to the guests at the Silent Movie night.  Guests vote for their favorite pumpkin. Next day, all the pumpkins go to the Tasting Room for display "while they last".

Here are a few images from past years.  Great fun for everyone!

This Saturday Ironstone is proud to be host for the annual Concours d'Elegance. Fundraising for the California 4H and FFA scholarship programs, this event has evolved into one of the United States #1 Classic Auto Shows.  With over 300 vehicles gracing the impecable lawns of Ironstone Vineyards, it is a site to behold. 

Quoting the foundation website, 

" Honored vehicle marques vary but this year include BMW, Corvette, Studebaker, Packard, Duesenberg, Pierce-Arrow, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Special classes spotlight early Fords, streamlined cars, sports cars, exotics, race cars, coachbuilt luxury marques, plus unrestored and original automobiles. " 


Joining the festivities this year is celebrity, Wayne Carini of "Chasing Classic Cars".  Wayne will be on site all day Saturday. 

My favorite part of Concours are the many tallented artists painting on site for the day.  This year, Charles Pyle, Director of the Illustration Department of the Academy of Art University of San Francisco will be amoung the artists along with several of his painting buddies.  Charles has graced Ironstone's Spring Obsession event many years as judge for the Open Division Art Show & Competition.

If you would like more information on the event itself, here is the link to their website.  

http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/

See you Saturday!

Last comments on Pokemon

This is my final word on the Pokemon.  Yes, it is fun to wander around town with my friends and play. I have learned something new about my home town that I didn't know before and met some new people who also play.  I will probably leave the game on my phone and play if I am out of town or in town walking, just to learn a bit more about where I am visiting.  I have also learned not to pay any attention to any of the pokemon advice you find on the internet.  Each person has to play their own game. (ie: the expert that said not to go into battle until you reach level 20, failed to mention by doing that, you fill your bag up with so many potions that there is no room for pokeballs!)

Anyway, enjoy the game, be careful and see you here at Ironstone when you come to take over one of the three towers here.

Bad Company coming

Bad Company is coming in on Sunday night along with Lou Gramm and The Voice of Foreigner.  Great concert for a holiday weekend.  Get your tickets at Ticket master only!  Best price you will find.

Weather is looking prefect for this one, nice cool evenings.  Great for Popcorn!  If you are here Sunday night, stop by the popcorn booth and say hello.  

Pokemon Part Two

The Great Adventure begins!  First step is to download PokemonGo to my phone. It's a free app and quickly moved me through the customization of my game personality, sex, hair color, eye color and a few selections of outfit colors.  Pretty basic options, nothing exciting there, and here I was ready for a magenta spike cut with a turquoise cape to charge right out on my new and educational adventure. Not happening here, maybe later?

Capturing Pokemon and checking out stops has been fun while on my walks in the mornings.  Actually learned a few things about the town I live in that I didn't know. The Pokestops normally are historic locations, public areas, plaques and such. The app gives you a nice description and history of the stop that you can read while spinning the photo for items you will need to continue the game.  

Leveling through to level 10 is fairly easy and quick. Then, I went on line and read all the "advice" posts on how to play... I don't need to go into all that here. Take my advice, there is a ton of information on this game on line. Lots of opinions on how to play a better game and earn more rankings, win at the battle towers ... 

The advice I found most useful,  between levels 10 and 20, just take your time, capture pokemon and enjoy the walks and pokestops.  This I can do.  Since I can't get out all that often as I live away from pokemon hot spots, I need to make an effort to get there and take walks around town. I've been walking more and meeting great people out there.

I have discovered you can fill your "bag" with so much stuff, you won't have room for the pokeballs that you need to capture the pokemon. I had to do some battles to use up the revive potions and wound potions to make more room... there is a limit on how much stuff you can have in your item bag.  Doing battle at this stage is a loosing proposition as none of my Pokemon are strong enough to win... just to lose and empty my "bag" of potions healing my failed pokemon.  Oh well, at least I am enjoying the walks and learning more about my community... 

I will touch back on this when I reach level 20 ... later

PokemonGo through the eyes of a novice.

After a weekend of random iphone incidents with Museum guests wandering seemingly aimlessly and blindly through the Museum without lifting eyes to the stunning displays, I had promised myself to expostulate the merits of PokemonGo here in our blog. 

Those of you unfamiliar with the term PokemonGo, it is a game you download to your phone, based on the ever popular classic role playing game developed in Japan in 1996. * http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/History_of_Pok%C3%A9mon

This new version is an interactive, location based reality game played on your phone.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Go

Here in the Museum, our first big rush of players happened on Wednesday, July 27th.  The day of the Sublime w/ Rome, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds and Bleeker Concert.  4 bands in one night all here early in the day to enjoy Ironstone and play PokemonGo. 

Between the bands and the stage crews, we had a constant flow of iphone engrossed figures checking into the Pokestops to stock up.
When I inquired as to what in heaven's name were they doing, I was deluged with excited exclamations of the importance of Ironstone, the variety of pokestops and the existence of two towers right here at Ironstone!  What?!?  But don't you know it's NOT REAL!  Look at the 44 pound gold piece!  Check out the meteorite slabs, how about that prehistoric cave bear?  LOOK UP!

Throughout the next few weeks, we witnessed a growing number of visitors with eyes glued to their phones. My immediate reaction was to clear all below eye level displays and post bright colored signs in attempts to avoid head on collisions with static posts and walls. This is ridiculous! I have to write something!  I kept muttering under my breath, "but it's not REAL, can't they see that?", "Oh Wait, no they can't cause its not on the screen!".

With a sigh of relief, most did take a moment up from the phone to examine the gold. Some even wandered through the store and checked out some of the art and jewelry. Take a deep breath ... 

Then came the first bend in my thought process... a family trio came in to the Museum, father, son and grandfather. Father & son were glued to their respective phones while grandfather browsed through the museum and shop. I approached him in my anti-pokemon mode, and asked if the other two were going to stop and look up.  His reply was "eventually ... want to know something?" 

Without waiting for my replay, he continued with a story of a household of strangers, father in front of a TV or off with friends and a son in his room on his computer with friends. Both in their own worlds, very much apart. Then along came PokemonGo... 

Grandfather explained to me how the game has brought them together into the same world.  They now travel, the three of them, to places he never imagined they would visit, conferring on their captures, the sights they see and the fun they are having. 

Time to start my research ... 

24 hours of lemons car rally coming through!

24 hours of lemons car rally coming through!  What a hoot.  With a toy in hand, each team is charging in for a photo shoot with the Gold Crystalline. As if Pokemon Go weren't enough, now we have a parking lot of clunkers and laughter.  And yes, some are also playing PokemonGo as well.  

As explained to me, signups are online, cars can't cost more than $500 and they earn points for photos of their "mascot" at designated side stops as well as a whole list of extra point items.  You really must check out their website. Pretty fun group.


https://www.24hoursoflemons.com/rally

Chris Young Concert Sunday night

Here we are already half way through our summer concert series. As they say, time flies when you're having fun!  And what a great season it has been so far. Off with a bang with Darius Rucker, Dan & Shay and Michael Ray.  Rocking the house.  Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul and Tribe Society had a great showing.. New to the venue this year were sounds and setup of Sublime with Rome, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds and Bleeker.  No reserve chairs on this concert. Everyone was on their feet and danc'n.  Despite the heat, opening bands put on a wonderful show.  However, contrary to popular belief, this was NOT a popcorn crowd.  Now, the brownies from the food court were a great hit I hear....
And last week Train with the English Beat.  Again, standing crowd only danc'n the night away, and, they love popcorn! We love the popcorn lov'n crowds.

Tomorrow night comes Chris Young, Jon Pardi & Tyler Rich.  Country swinging. Great people watching night too. Lots of wanna be cowgirls in sharp looking cowboy boots and hats. And the guys not looking too bad either.  Bring your sketch books, its gonna be a fun night.  It is going to be a warm one, so if you haven't got your ticket yet, I would recommend getting a reserved seat. This way you won't have to rush out in the heat of the afternoon to snag a good spot on the lawn. Mosy on in after the rush, hang back in the food court with friends and move into your seats at your leisure, no problemo.

Did I mention that the Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds and Bleeker introduced us to Pokeymon Go?  Yep, seems Ironstone is a hot spot for you pokeymon hunters.  Many of the band members are adament gamers and showed us here in the Museum what they found here. More on that later. 

See you tomorrow at the Chris Young Concert!

Spring Obsession 2017

2017 will mark the 20th Anniversary of Ironstone's Spring Obsession event.  Quite a wonderful history to this event.

Begun 1998, we were looking for a fun way to celebrate our Symphony Obsession Wine, Ironstone's number one best seller world wide.  Back then, the newest release came out right around spring time, perfect for a fun Spring Event.  Marketing joined in the planning and found many of the restaurants throughout the United States and Canada serving Ironstone's Obsession had outstanding chefs creating entres or deserts that were made with Obsession wine or paired with the wine.

Our first few years of the event included an International Chef Competition.  Chef's from all over the US and Canada submitted recipes for a main entree and or desert that was made with or paired with Ironstone's Obsession.  The two winning chefs were flown to Murphys for the Irish Days weekend where they presented free cooking demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday of the event.  That Saturday evening was an amazing Gala Dinner featuring the winning entree and winning desert, with both Chef's in attendance.  Ironstone's own executive chef prepared all the remaining dishes, all paired with the Obsession wine.  

Also as part of the Spring Obsession event we began an art competition with two divisions. The Open Division featured any subject matter - any media, excluding photography and digitally enhanced images.  (We plan on creating a photo exhibit in the near future.) Open Division awards cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes selected by some of Northern California's premier artists, educators and Fine Arts Museum Directors.

The Theme Division has featured daffodils with the winner featured on a limited edition poster that promotes the Obsession Wine. These posters feature the winning image and the winning artists name and are distributed by our marketing department throughout the US and abroad where Ironstone's Obsession wine is sold.  This winner is selected by the Kautz Family themselves and includes a cash award.

Past years, the Art Show featured a small reception for the artists on the Friday before opening weekend.  Always a fun intimate gathering in the early years, that recepting began to outgrow the Friday night spot and eventually took over the Saturday limelight when the Chef's competition was discontinuted.

Now one of the premier Art Competitions in Northern California, Ironstone's Spring Obsession Art Show is moving into it's 20th year in 2017!. 

Here at Ironstone, we are planning for a fun and exciting weekend of Fine Art and Artists!  Keep an eye here on this blog and on our Webpage for the official Art Prospectus / Entry Form which will be published for you to download.  Should be out early September.