Head-banging teens and BMX bike enthusiasts crowded South Auburn Street during the Thursday Night Market to enjoy the weekly entertainment hosted by NEO, the youth sector of the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County.
Kids and a sprinkling of parents enjoyed music by This Is Radiation and 2 Hot 3 Fast, as well as stunts performed by a group of BMX riders.
NEO works to create and support more youth-friendly areas and drug-free activities in the county, getting its start during the summer of 2008 because there was nothing for the community's youth to do.
The Thursday Night Market concerts came about because the downtown association wanted to give the community's youth a place to hang out, said NEO coordinator Lynn Skukrud.
"This was something fun and positive they could do," Skukrud said. "We've had two to three bands a week, and every night ends with a hip-hop dance performance. We also have DJs."
NEO hosted a BMX stunt demonstration Thu

Lou Douros wasn't interested in making another Greenpeace film.
The Grass Valley documentary filmmaker met a pitch from a couple of friends to do a documentary about humpback whales off the coast of Hawaii earlier this year with initial skepticism.
"All we need is another 'save the whales' story," Douros said.
But friends Mark DiOrio and Mara Kerr told him a compelling story earlier this year, Douros said. They encountered a group while vacationing in Hawaii that works at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Maui.
The group used whaling tactics to actually free whales from old fishing nets and other human garbage the large mammals become ensnared in over the course of their yearly Alaska-to-Hawaii migration.
"I thought, this is a story that's got to be told," Douros said.
Starting in May he began work on the film, shooting and editing it in less than 90 days. The 16-minute short, titled "In the Wake of Giants,&#

Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms
Sierra Stages, Miners Foundry Cultural Center and Nevada Theatre present the classic musical comedy by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. "Babes In Arms" centers on a group of overworked and underappreciated summer stock apprentices who hope to produce an original revue of songs, and features some of Rodgers and Hart's best known songs. Directed by Ken Getz and Dylan Hoy-Bianchi, and featuring a talented young adult cast. $25 at the door. 8 tonight, Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City. (530) 346-3210 ext. 3 or www.SierraStages.org

35th annual Grass Valley Sportsman's Barbecue
Featuring music by the Dyin' Breed and a raffle. $15; free for those not eating the steak dinner. 6 p.m. today, Nevada County Fairgrounds. (530) 273-7168.

Game night at the Sierra Center
Bring your favorite game (cards or board game) and a snack to share. Tea and coffee will be provided. All ages welcome. Love offering accepted. 7 to 9

Amigos & Co.,
Nevada City - (530) 265-6446
* Wednesday evening songwriter showcase from 6 to 9 p.m. No cover.

Brass Rail Tavern,
North San Juan - 292-3443
* Karaoke, 9 p.m. every Friday. No cover.

Broad Street Bistro and Gallery
- 265-4204
* Poetry & Writers Night, second and fourth Thursday of each month. No cover.
Cafe Mekka,
Nevada City - 478-1517
* Open Mic, 7 p.m. every Sunday

Chief Crazy Horse Inn,
Nevada City - 470-8443, www.chiefcrazyhorseinn.com
* 8 p.m. July 29, The Whiskey Avengers, (The Vast Majority of) The Power of 12, $5, www.myspace.com/whiskeyavengers
* 5 p.m. July 30, The Bob Woods Trio. 9 p.m. July 30, The Bluesbox Bayou Band, www.thebluesbox.net, $5
Noon to 10 p.m. July 31, The Crazy Horse Final Goodbye Potlack and Jam Session hosted by Josh Ford

Copper Top Lounge,
Grass Valley - 274-2260, coppertoplounge.com
* all music starts at 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Open Wednesd

The Chief Crazy Horse will be closing its doors at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

The Horse will open at noon Saturday for a final open jam. The structure will be similar to an open mic, with shorter time slots available for solo acts and longer time slots for established bands. Everyone is invited to bring cameras, instruments, and food to share.

The final full night will be this Friday. The Bob Woods Trio will be on stage at 5 p.m. for one last geezer gig, followed at 9 p.m. by Sonora's Bluesbox Bayou Band packing the dance floor with an up tempo mix of Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and American Roots.

Tonight will feature at least nine members of the Power of 12, including at least a four-piece brass section.

The Horse staff plan on going out in style, and look forward to seeing everyone once or twice more with your pretty clothes and your dancing shoes.