etc.
Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. Access Humboldt Community Media Center, Eureka High School, Eureka. Two-hour workshop offers insight on how to create different moods with light, including using backgrounds, understanding color temperature, and using different gear to create different effects. With cinematographer Landy Hardy. $20. www.accesshumboldt.net. 476-1798.
theater
Today, Friday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m. Ferndale Repertory Theatre, 447 Main Street. John Osborne’s sharply funny, fiercely honest exploration of political disillusionment and basic human yearning. Directed by John Heckel. $15/$13 students and seniors. ferndale-rep.org. 800-838-3006.
STAFF PICK / events
Today, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Blue Lake Casino. Get a tattoo from local and/or guest artists. www.bluelakecasino.com. 668-9770.
STAFF PICK / events, theater, music, dance, art, Comedy, sports, spoken word, lecture, etc.
Thursday, 9 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. Presenting a vaudevillian showcase of the county’s finest dancers, musicians, circus performers. Night ends with a dance party led by Arcata’s Small Axe Ensemble. Benefit for Six Rivers Planned Parenthood’s Spare Change. $7. E-mail humboldtvarietyville@yahoo.com. 408-515-2801.
What:
Remember when you and your buddies had that band back in high school? You had the ingredients for success: a (made in Mexico) Fender Stratocaster and a good reverb pedal. You played your junior prom. You had youth on your side and girls dug you. Now, you’d be the first to admit that you guys weren’t great, but you had passion. You’d tell yourself, “Hey, if Limp Bizkit can sell millions of albums, then why not us?” People will pay money to see you believe in yourself, right?
Right.
But then you turned 18. And the free rent stopped. And you had to get a job. Then, your girlfriend got pregnant. You find yourself saying, “Oh crap, college is expensive. Hey, why should my neighbor have a nicer car than I do? You know if I buy a house now, I’ll be smarter than all those suckers throwing money away paying rent.”
All the while, your reverb pedal gathered dust. And the dream slipped away.
Luckily, Humboldt County will always provide for an escapist. Every Monday, the Boiler Room hosts an Open Jam that anyone can play at. And I mean anyone (I’ve done it.) Guitars, bass, drums and a microphone are all provided for your convenience. Don’t worry if you think you’ll lack the confidence. It’s a bar. You’re drinking and they’re drinking. You’ll do fine.
King Bee leads the weekly musical circus and makes anyone brave enough to be part of the proceedings feel like family. For those of you with the moxie to jump on stage, he will be your biggest cheerleader. Want to play King Bee’s guitar? Just ask, man! If you’re good he’ll buy you a beer. If you suck, he’ll still pat you on the back and thank you for showing up.
Here’s a tip: King likes to sing “Bang a Gong.” It’s a pretty easy four-on-the-floor rock classic so at least do yourself a favor, get on the bass and give it a shot. The verse has a steady groove that alternates between an E and an A and the chorus goes “Get it on (G), Bang a gong (A), Get it on(E)!” There, now you have no excuse. Embrace your inner T. Rex.
Don’t let Limp Bizkit win. Anyone can play guitar. Get your ass to the Boiler Room.
-Andrew Goff
When/where:
| Dates | |
| Time | 8 p.m. |
| Venue | Boiler Room |
STAFF PICK / music, dance / 9-1:30 a.m. Jambalaya, 915 H St., Arcata. With DJ Gabe Pressure. $18. holdmyticket.com/event/34352. 822-4766.
