the hum / By Bob Doran

Irie, or Not?

Last Boogie (for now) in SoHum Community Park, plus Trulio Disgracias and assorted hip hop

(Oct. 2, 2008)  If you don’t pay close attention to what’s going on in Southern Humboldt you may not have heard that there was some serious confusion last week regarding two SoHum events: last Saturday’s Humboldt Hoedown and this Saturday’s Irie Boogie. Both affairs were scheduled for Southern Humboldt Community Park, a lovely spot right outside of Garberville proper, both had been announced weeks if not months ago. On Tuesday (the day the Journal went to press) word went out that, in response to communication from the Humboldt County Community Development Services (aka Planning), neither event would take place at SHCP.

The park board sent out a press release saying in part, “Community Park was surprised early this week by a notification from the County Planning Division stating that two events scheduled to take place at the Community Park in the immediate future (the Humboldt Hoedown and the Irie Boogie) required special permits, as they went beyond activities allowable under the applicable zoning regulations.”

GALLERY >

The Mateel staff, organizers of the Hoedown, quickly made plans to move their all-day fest to the Mateel. The folks behind the Irie Boogie were still thinking about what they’d do when the county changed it mind on Wednesday and, realizing it was too late to stop people from showing up at the park, said they would not interfere with either event. The Hoedown went on at the park as planned and by all accounts was a success sans trouble.

This will be the Sixth Annual Irie Boogie, which grew from a little party at a cabin up on Bear Butte. It’s the third time the Boogie will be held at SHCP as a benefit for the park. “People have been throwing events there for years, kind of under the radar, and we never had a single complaint,” said I-Boogie organizer Joellen Clark-Peterson. That is, no complaints until this summer, when an August event called Outlawz and Angelz took thumping hip hop into the wee hours. The county heard from neighbors demanding action. Action followed, only to be modified. As it stands, the Boogie will be the last music event in the park until things are worked out between the park board and Planning. They’re meeting later this week; we’ll follow up with more on all this next week.

So what’s actually happening at this Irie Boogie? Festivities begin at noon Saturday with SoHum songstress Swamimomi. Arcata a cappella queens AkaBella, conscious folky Francine Allen, SoHum rockers NPK, dubwise roots band Woven Roots and soul/ska band Soulevity are among those playing until dusk. That’s when DJs and dancers take over the old barn, including DJ Touch from Deep Groove. Meanwhile outside it’s S.F. roots reggae rock by Native Elements followed by flamenco/folk-rock/son/reggae combo LoCura, also from Frisco.

LoCura explains that their name translates two ways: as one word it’s “madness,” however, “Separated into two, lo cura: It cures it. Two words found within one, the cure within the madness. The idea that beauty and love can blossom from chaos, bringing dreams to life where another world is possible. A remedy is found in the craziness of this life, allowing the possibility for change. Through their music LoCura hopes to provide a catalyst for transformation and healing.” Hmmm, that sounds appropriate.

The seriously nutty funkateers of Trulio Disgracias return to HumCo Friday for a party at Mazzotti’s. Led by Fishbone bassman Norwood Fisher, T.D. is a massive 10-20 member spin-off from F-bone and P-Funk. Aside from Norwood, it’s hard to say exactly who will be on this run, but the rotating cast includesDreGibson and John McNight from Fishbone, Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh, guitarist Rocky George from Suicidal Tendencies, rapper Myka 9, vocalist Kim Manning (last seen locally as part of P-Funk) and TheSkeletones horn section. SoHum’s NPK open the show.

William “Ill Bill” Braunstein, a Brooklyn-born rapper from the Non Phixion and La Coka Nostra hardcore hip hop crews hits town this week for three shows along with rapper Sean Price. Thursday at Mazzotti’s they’re joined by locals LCA. Friday the action moves to the Red Fox with support from Hiway and Jo-B1. Saturday Ill Bill and Sean P. headline the Sasquatch Stomp out 299 at the Willow Creek Community Commons Park with LCA, Jo-B1, White Trash Country Club and Republican Duck Hunters joining the fun. And, according to the poster, “Sasquatch sightings promised.”

1 2 NEXT PAGE >SHARE