Some New Orleans musical royalty comes to the university tonight at 8 p.m. when drummer and vibes player Jason Marsalis performs with the Humboldt Jazz Orchestra in a program directed by CPH music professor Dan Aldag. The gig’s at Fulkerson Hall, which, while spacious, has limited seating for such an occasion, and it might be wise to grab your $50 ticket early if you are inclined to go. Also at 8 p.m. is a killer show with the new venue alert siren blaring — for this column anyway. Moss Oak Commons at 1905 Alliance Road in Arcata is hosting Opening Head Records’ Freq Night, a venue fundraiser and monthly underground music series with a $5-$10 suggested donation but with no transactional obligation to hear the music. Luke Aronie from Open Head
Records and Sean Casement from Blackplate will be debuting their drone music collaboration Headroom at the end of the evening, following sets by The Idyllic Sun Toy, jackspydersparks, sew and godzdog, all fantastic bands, I have been informed by trusted sources. Roll through and celebrate the brilliance of your enduring, evolving scene.
This article appears in Summer of Fun 2025.