How good are you at multi-tasking? Because a lot is happening at once at the Humboldt Arts Festival over in Arcata's Creamery District (Eighth and L streets) on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. The newly resurrected art, music and dance spectacle is packed to the rafters with stages and performers. Try to keep up.
On Saturday, starting at 11 a.m., the acoustic stage hosts 11 acts, from Jeff Krider to Gunsafe to Caitlin Jemma and the Long Gone Stringband. The Tomas Field stage will have Lizzy & the Moonbeams, Jah Sun and Absynth Quintet. At noon, West African Percussion starts things off with a bang on the performance stage, followed by 10 more acts like Humboldt Capoeira, the fearless Circus of the Elements and innovative dancers from the Upper Studio. The playhouse stage, meanwhile, starts with Kindred Spirits at noon, then five more bands, including Swownd and Meskalito. Take a break and fuel up with some vittles from the local vendors. At 9 p.m. it's the after party at the Arcata Playhouse with Samba Quente, Cyclops & the Owl (probably not literal, don't set yourself up for disappointment) and more ($5).
Sleep in on Sunday, but not too late. The fun starts again at 11 a.m. on the acoustic stage with half a dozen bands, including Kitty Glitter (again, probably not literal), La Musique Diabolique and Canary and the Vamp (that could actually happen). At the same time on the Tomas Field stage, there's Sierra Rose, UFO8, Farmhouse Oddyssey and HSU Calypso. Or do you need to be over at the playhouse for the Alegria Parade, Orquestra del Ritmo, Small Axe and Space Biscuit? Don't answer yet, because there's more dance at 12:45 p.m. on the performance stage with Hoaloha Pumehanda, Tango Del Sol, Redwood Rings Hoop Dance and others. Keep in mind you'll also want to peruse the painting, photography, illustration and sculpture in every nook and cranny of the place.