The reverberations of the seizure of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Siemens Hall in solidarity with Palestinians will ring out for years in our community. As we’ve navigated a “hard-closed” campus, potential criminal charges against students and community members, and a dispersed Cal Poly Humboldt graduation with President Jackson wholly absent, it is worth thinking carefully about […]
Maxwell Schnurer
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Same Team
Many painful questions will be asked after the killing of black Humboldt State University student leader David Josiah Lawson. Was the killing motivated by racism? Were the responses of first responders biased? Do people of color experience differential treatment in this often-described liberal community? These are essential questions to ask and we must respond with […]
Posted inMusic
Rhymes and Resin
Potluck’s fourth studio album, Rhymes and Resin, released this summer, makes a strong case for independent Humboldt hip hop, showcasing good beats, talented rhymers and scorching guest verses to create a nicely evolved sound. 1Ton and Underrated make up Potluck — they support and complement each other. Underrated made most of the beats on the […]
Posted inMusic
Reggae on the River Goes International
Seun Kuti grew up in the liberated zone of Kalakuta in Nigeria. His father Fela Anikulapo Kuti had declared a small section of the city of Lagos to be an area where good music could be heard, cannabis could be smoked, dissident politics were welcome (so long as you didn’t criticize Fela), and sexuality wasn’t […]
Posted inMusic
Redwood Rollers vs. Emerald City Roller Girls
The women of roller derby are terrifying athletes. The bouts are frenzied rushes of skaters racing around a tight circular track. Pumping their bodies to speed on the quick straight-aways, the racers push and grease their way around defenders to score points as they pass opposing skaters. Last Saturday night at Redwood Acres, a packed […]
Posted inMusic
Humboldt Folklife Festival
The commitment to people’s music was evident in the layout and performers of the 2009 Humboldt Folklife Festival. The week-long series of folk concerts and dances culminated in a free Saturday festival in Blue Lake. Wandering musicians, vendors, workshops on musical techniques, dancing and singing fostered both appreciation and skill. Add in a staggering amount […]
Posted inMusic
Humboldt Crabs vs. Fairfield Indians
The 2009 Humboldt Crabs showcased a lot of pep and potential in their opening day victory against the Fairfield Indians. The Crabs are a summer ball league, made up of promising university students who commit to play baseball and represent this community. The Crabs had active bats and hustle on the offensive side. It is […]
Posted inMusic
Planet B-Boy
More nations compete in the breakdancing Battle of the Year than were participants in George Bush’s "coalition of the willing." The global nature of hip hop dancing is well documented by the 2008 film Planet B-Boy. Stunning images of fluid dancing are articulated by some of the most talented artists on the planet. The Battle […]
Posted inArts + Scene
The Dark Side
Jane Mayer has produced a terrible, wretched testament of United States policies on torture during the last seven years in her new book, The Dark Side. The text exposes for public reckoning the directives and specific cruelties exacted in the name of national security. It is a strangely dispassionate read given the subject. At moments […]
Posted inMusic
All Over The Map
The Delta Nationals are a talented quartet of local blues-rooted musicians whose second album, All Over the Map, emerged earlier this year. As the title suggests, the album is a diverse collection of toe-tapping music authored by the band members. The Delta Nationals have created a wonderful boogie sound on this album which should resonate […]
Posted inMusic
Reggae on the River 2008
July 19 at Benbow State Park In front of an adoring crowd, Culture’s lead singer Kenyatta Hill dedicated his performance at Reggae on the River to his deceased father, the roots star Joseph Hill. The senior Hill helped found the band and penned such esteemed roots classics as “Two Sevens Clash” and “Zion Gate.” Gigantic […]
Posted inMusic
Crabs vs. Steelheads
July 2, Crabs Stadium The Humboldt Crabs bested the Humboldt Steelheads in both games of a doubleheader Wednesday night. Despite the losses, the Steelheads are shaping up to be a strong baseball team – made up of local college students, the team is full of scrap and quickness. There were more than 1,000 appreciative fans […]