The Yokels are providing the rockabilly soul soundtrack to your beer drinking this evening at 6 p.m. at the Mad River Brewery in Blue Lake for free. If you're not too tipsy after this one, you can catch locals Diggin' Dirt wrapping up their album release tour at The Jam around 9 p.m. They've been touring up and down the West Coast and are home now to party it up with their home crew, so welcome them back. The Apiary will be opening up this $10 show.
Not to be confused with another local band with a similar name — no cease and desist letters have been sent out from what I know — Orick's Redwood Ramblers are coming down south to the Mad River Brewery at 6 p.m. to play their classic country tunes for you. Again, this one's free, but you could always help them out with some gas money. Squeezebug returns to Cafe Mokka tonight at 8 p.m., doing its according + guitar thing for free. It's all ages so bring the kiddos along. The Detours (the artists formerly known as The Honky Tonk Detours) are at the Palm Lounge in the Eureka Inn at 9 p.m. for a free show. Sure, they'll play some honk and some tonk for you, but they dip into many different genres, which is why I'm guessing the name change. So slap some duct tape over the "Honky Tonk" on your band shirt and go groove it up on the dance floor. Around the same time at the Siren's Song Tavern is Everyone is Dirty, which is not only a spot-on moral observation of humanity, but also a good band name. A blending of "electric-violin sorcery" with "pawn shop guitar crunch" melded with powerful bass and explosive drumming will take over the tavern. Locals The Monster Women and newish band Melrose Place open up this free show. For you James Brown fans — which, honestly, is everyone right? — head on down to The Jam tonight for Soul Power: A Tribute to James Brown. At the moment I'm not exactly clear which musicians will be paying tribute to the Godfather but it doesn't really matter does it? At 9:30 p.m. get on your good foot and celebrate the man and his music (and don't forget his hard working band behind him). No word yet on the ticket price but don't let that stop you from going.
Get your taste buds hoppin' and enjoy some homegrown brews at the Humboldt Homebrew Festival this Saturday, April 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center. Taste over 90 homebrewed creations, paired with Blackberry Bramble BBQ and live local music. It's a time to remember (if you don't get too buzzed from the drinks).
While getting a taste of the DIY brews from local and visiting beer makers, enjoy music from local artist's such as Lovebush, Irie Rockers, Striped Pig String Band and Anna Hamilton. Then cast your vote on the coveted title of best homebrew. This seventh annual festival features a silent auction and raffle, as if almost a hundred beers wasn't enough to lure you. All proceeds go to supporting The North Coast Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
Tickets are available at Wildberries and Arcata Scrap & Salvage for $40 presale and $45 at the door. Visit www.HumboldtHomebrewfest.com for more information. And make sure you've got a sober ride home.
For its 11th annual fundraiser, Trinidad School Education Foundation hosts Havana Nights on Saturday, April 1 from 5 p.m. to midnight. It's an evening full of dancing, music, auctions and "a mouth-watering Cuban menu" at Trinidad Town Hall ($50).
Some swing jazz is on the menu this evening at the Mad River Brewery Tasting Room at 6 p.m. for free with regulars Fred & Jr. Don't bother asking if they're related (they're not). For something a bit more rockin', head down to the Redwood Curtain Brewery in Arcata for some rock/blues from locals The Movers and The Shakers who are also playing for free and starting things up around 8 p.m.
Get ready to ruuuummmmbbblllle! The Arcata Playhouse brings you four teams locked in a fierce competition of creative critical problem solving in the Rebel Craft Rumble going down on Saturday, April 1 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 to see the live art competition, where the winner is named Ultimate Supreme Craft Master.
Check out California native dances and songs and, meet tribal leaders from all over the state and learn about tribal diversity at the California Big Time and Social Gathering this weekend.
The annual event by Humboldt State students in the Native American Center for Academic Excellence is in its 10th year. Its purpose is to celebrate the diversity of California Native American culture so students are inviting tribal members from each end of the state's border, bringing awareness and honoring Native Americans of today through song, dances and arts and crafts.
You can join in on Sat., April 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Humboldt State University's West Gym (free).
The event is open to the public, which makes it a rare opportunity for everyone to learn more about indigenous cultures and see a Flower Dance demonstration, Northern California Brush Dances, Southern California Inter-Tribal Bird Singers and more. Don't miss it.
"It's an important opportunity for people to honor Native Americans in California," says Paula Tripp of the Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program. For more information visit online or call the ITEPP center at 826-3672.
The Paula Jones Band comprised of Ken Lawrence, Tim Randles, Mike LaBolle, Don Baraka and Mrs. Jones will be playing up at the Mad River Brewery at 6 p.m. for free. I got a nice email — with photos! — from Brian Netzley of L.A.-based band The Black Market Trust, which plays The Arcata Playhouse at 8 p.m. Brian's also a member of the Gonzalo Bergara Quartet (along with guitarist Jeffrey Radaich) so you can expect some killer Gypsy jazz from this group, but he tells me they also mix in some "Rat Pack-era Sinatra, The Beatles, and Beach Boys," so this sounds like a pretty intriguing blend of tunes. Welcome them to Arcata with $15.
Fat Tuesday ain't got nothing on the last Thursday in March. A Taste of Main Street, one of Humboldt's most anticipated nights of food and fun, rolls around Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. With 22 participating restaurants and food producers, it's your opportunity to see what the 'Boldt's been cooking. Try something from that new restaurant in town or see what's so hot about everyone's favorite dipping sauce. Get your ticket book from Eureka Main Street ($25, 442-9054) and lace up your walking shoes (maybe grab your umbrella, too) for the three-hour tour through the streets of Eureka. But don't let that daunt you — the ticket book has a handy map so you can plan your attack. Swing by all the savory spots first, leaving room (ha!) for desserts later, or make an efficient beeline around downtown and old town for the all-ticket challenge and hit every one. Whatever your strategy, come hungry. Those ample samples add up.
The annual fundraiser for Eureka Main Street helps put on other events such as Arts Alive!, the Summer Concert Series, 4th of July Festival and holiday festivities. "A Taste of Main Street is a way to fill your belly with a variety of tasty morsels while supporting future Eureka Main Street community events," Eureka Main Street's Amanda Kruschke says. "Think of it as having your cake and eating it, too." And fear not, full friends. There's a free shuttle around town to help you out.
Following A Taste of Main Street is the Redwood Coast Music Festival's Kick Off Dance at the Adorni Center ($10) featuring the music of Stompy Jones — so you can dance it all off. For more on that, call 445-3378.
Jump in the swing of things with live music all weekend at Redwood Coast Music Festival. On March 30-April 2, get your groove on to some jazz and blues all over the City of Eureka. For special pricing and other information visit www.redwoodjazz.org. Or give them a call at 445-3378.