Author: Erin Newington President - Historic Colfax Downtown Assoc

A Night of World-Class Music for a Meaningful Cause

As part of Colfax Arts Month, the Historic Colfax Downtown Association (HCDA) is proud to highlight a very special event happening right in the heart of our city—inside the beautifully restored Historic Colfax Theatre. Don’t miss the Colfax Arts Month Richard Smith Concert, an event sure to impress.

“An Evening with Richard Smith”, a benefit concert presented by Care Sphere, brings internationally renowned guitar virtuoso Richard Smith to our Main Street stage for an unforgettable night of music, wine, and community. While this event is being organized by Care Sphere, HCDA is honored to be a major contributor and proud supporter of this effort—an inspiring example of what happens when local nonprofits, artists, and community leaders come together to uplift both the arts and those in need.

Bringing vibrant, high-quality events to downtown Colfax is one of our core initiatives, and we are especially grateful to Jason and the Care Sphere team for choosing our historic theater as the setting for this incredible evening. Their mission to support autism caregivers is one we deeply admire, and we are thrilled to see their passion and purpose come to life on Main Street.

🎸 An Evening with Richard Smith

A Fundraising Event for Autism Caregivers
Presented by Care Sphere

📍 Location: Colfax Historic Theatre– 49 S. Main Street, Colfax, CA
📅 Date: 4/26/25
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Wine Tasting, Hors d’Oeuvres, and Silent Auction
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Live Performance by Richard Smith

🎟 Tickets:

• $75 per person
• Only 120 tickets available
• Open seating – arrive early for the best spots 🎫 Get your tickets here
  

🎶 Spotlight on Richard Smith

Few guitarists in the world possess the extraordinary range, technique, and musicality of Richard Smith. Richard began playing guitar at just five years old. By eleven, he had already performed on stage with Chet Atkins, the legendary country guitarist who would later call Richard “the most amazing guy I know on the guitar.”

Smith is the 2001 National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion and a world-touring virtuoso known for blending classical, jazz, country, pop, gypsy, and ragtime styles seamlessly in a single performance. His unique ability to sound like an entire band—playing rhythm, melody, and bass simultaneously—has captivated audiences across the globe.

He has shared the stage with iconic musicians such as:

• Tommy Emmanuel
• Les Paul
• Suzy Bogguss
• John Jorgenson
• Martin Taylor

Richard Smith’s live shows are a masterclass in musical brilliance and storytelling, equally touching, funny, and jaw-droppingly impressive.

“He can play anything I know—only better.” – Chet Atkins
“If you like my playing, you should hear Richard Smith.” – Tommy Emmanuel

This performance at the Colfax Theater offers a rare opportunity to see a guitarist of this caliber up close in a beautifully restored venue.

💙 About CareSphere: Supporting the Unsung Heroes

CareSphere, based right here on Main Street in Colfax, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for severely developmentally disabled adults by providing comprehensive support to their caregivers and support networks.

Their mission is rooted in compassion and connection—acknowledging that those who provide care often do so under enormous stress, with limited resources, and little recognition. Care Sphere works to fill that gap.

Their cornerstone programs include:

• The GiveABreak™ Program – providing critical respite care and relief for caregivers.
• Targeted funding for caregiver essentials, training, and tools.
• Guidance and access to specialized products to support complex care needs.
• Emotional support and community building for care providers under ongoing pressure.

By investing in those who care for our most vulnerable, Care Sphere improves lives from the ground up—ensuring the caregivers are not forgotten and those they support receive better, more sustainable care.

🍷 What to Expect

This evening is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of community, compassion, and the arts, all within the historic heart of Colfax.

🍷 Wine Tasting
Enjoy a specially curated wine tasting from Montoliva Vineyard & Winery, a local favorite known for crafting rare Southern Italian varietals in the Sierra Foothills

🍽 Hors d’Oeuvres
Savor a variety of small bites and appetizers from The Wrecking Crew and Bakery.

🎁 Silent Auction
Place your bids on exclusive items from local artisans and businesses through a fully digital silent auction on Zeffy—easy, accessible, and for a great cause.

🎭 The Historic Colfax Theatre

Originally built in 1939, the Colfax Theatre is one of the city’s most treasured landmarks. Following a fire that destroyed the previous theater, the current art deco building rose in its place and has been lovingly restored in recent decades. Its classic Streamline Moderne architecture, warm acoustics, and cozy atmosphere make it an ideal venue for music, storytelling, and cultural events.

Bringing world-class performances like this one to the Colfax Theater is a key part of the Historic Colfax Downtown Association’s mission to revitalize Main Street and create a thriving arts and culture scene in our town.

✨ A Heartfelt Thanks to Jason and the CareSphere Team

We want to sincerely thank Jason, the driving force behind this event and founder of CareSphere. His vision for caregiver support is deeply needed, and his choice to invest that vision in downtown Colfax makes a meaningful impact not only on local families but on our entire community’s cultural life.

🎫 Get Your Tickets Now >>
Tickets are limited and moving fast. Be part of something truly special—support local caregivers, experience a once-in-a-lifetime performance, and celebrate what makes Colfax such a beautiful place to call home.
💬 Share the word. Invite a friend. Join us downtown.

Let the music play. Let the arts rise. Let Colfax shine.

As we celebrate Arts, Culture & Creativity Month, a statewide initiative led by the California Arts Council and supported locally by the Placer County Arts Council, events like “An Evening with Richard Smith” embody the spirit of this movement—bringing world-class art to rural communities, activating historic spaces, and supporting important local causes. Here in Colfax, we launched Colfax Arts Month to stand alongside and amplify these efforts, aligning with the statewide initiative to spotlight the transformative power of the arts and their role in shaping our identity, preserving our history, and strengthening our future.

At the Historic Colfax Downtown Association, we are committed to supporting and promoting artistic experiences that elevate our town and honor the cultural legacy of places like the Historic Colfax Theatre. We are proud to be a contributing partner in this event and in the broader effort to keep the arts alive in Colfax. Together—with local leaders, artists, nonprofits, and residents—we are creating a thriving, creative future for our community, one event at a time.