It doesn't matter if you prefer comedies, dramas, westerns or horror, if you're a HumCo film fan, you have a lot to look forward to this summer. In addition to the new releases hitting theaters over the next few months, you also have three film series to choose from, plus the normal (normal?) selection of cult favorites at the Arcata Theatre Lounge.
The Eureka Theater presents Fourth Friday Flix ($5), screening classic or cult films dirt cheap. The summer season kicks off with George Cukor's 1939 comedy, The Women, on June 27 at 7:30 p.m. Joan Crawford leads the all-female cast in a film about gossip, glamour, manicures and man trouble.
Los Bagels in Arcata invites you to bring a comfy chair and a blanket for its Movies Under the Mural series on the last Saturday of every month. The series starts with a showing of Disney's Frozen on Saturday, June 28 at 9 p.m. There doesn't seem to be a kid alive who doesn't love this movie and its addictive soundtrack, so grab the little ones and head down for a movie and some free popcorn.
The Arcata Theatre Lounge continues to be a go-to for film buffs and movie nerds alike. How strong is your kung fu? Enter the Dragon, starring the sinewy Bruce Lee plays Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. ($5). If you were a child of the '80s and '90s, you'll want to head to there on Sunday, June 29 at 6 p.m. for the screening of Goonies ($5). If corny sci-fi is more your thing, then be there Wednesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m., when Sci Fi Pint & Pizza Night features the 1979 space thriller The Alpha Incident (free with $5 purchase). Netflix be damned, you've got other plans.
It's hard to describe Dell'Arte to people who aren't from around these parts. There are clowns and theater and giant, costumed people on stilts, but none of those encapsulate the essence of Dell'Arte. It's the sort of thing you just have to see to understand. The Mad River Festival is the perfect way to introduce new people to the talent and oddity of Dell'Arte. The festival runs from June 19 to August 3 with an eclectic mix of performances.
Start with some classic circus skills at Taken Away ($12, $10 students, $8 kids) at the Carlo Theatre. The showcase of acrobatic talents plays Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m., Thursday, June 26 at 10:30 p.m. and Friday, June 27 at 10:30 p.m.
If you're looking for something more interactive, head to Dell'Arte's Big Top Tent on Sunday, June 29. The Center of the Universe Party (free) starts at 3:30 p.m. Patronus will provide live music while you interact with clowns, acrobats and more. This is definitely somewhere you need to take your non-coulrophobic (clown-fearing) kids. They might also enjoy Clowns Without Borders at 2p.m. in the Big Top ($10, $5 kids).
There's more festival clownery and tomfoolery coming in July, so check back in at northcoastjournal.com for more information.
They say there are more grains of sand on Earth than there are stars in the sky. Besides, stars are great to gaze at, but you can't really do much with them. Sand, on the other hand, can be made into art! The 19th Annual Sand Sculpture Festival takes to the beach on Saturday, June 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manila Dunes Recreation Area (free to watch, $10-15 to register).
Sand castles are great, but why limit yourself to something so traditional? This is a sand sculpture after all; it's time to get creative. Put together your own team (at least two participants), grab a few supplies (pastry knife, paint brush, some sort of digging implement, etc.) and ignite that creative spark! You can build pretty much anything you want, but keep it clean — there will be kids roaming around. The categories for prizes include Best of Show, Most Imaginative, Best Youth Sculpture, the Golden Shovel Award and many more.
This event is pretty damn popular, so parking can be an issue. Never fear, Friends of the Dunes is providing a free shuttle service from Manila Park to the Manila Community Center from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. You'll have to walk in the sand for about half a mile to get to the festival proper, so be prepared to carry any weary toddlers. Friends of the Dunes recommends that spectators show up between noon and 2 p.m. for the best view of the sculptures. Here's sand in yer eye!
Thursday nights are coming alive in Old Town, Eureka. From June 19 through Aug. 21, the boardwalk at the foot of C Street will be taken over by musicians for Eureka Main Street's Summer Concert Series (free). An eclectic mix of musicians and bands are scheduled to play every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The series kicks off on June 19 with some classic rock and roll from Rockin' Down the Hiway. The month of June is closed out with some country from McKenna Faith on June 26. The summer-long series includes country, rock, funk, jazz, blues and more, so check out the Journal's weekly calendar or see full line-up at www.eurekamainstreet.org.