A+E Blog

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Lansing, Michigan, is in the house tonight, the house in question being the Outer Space. The Mid Michigan representatives tonight are Grey Matter — a hardcore jazz noise act — and She/her/hers an indie group which are self-described gender and genre destroyers and denyers. Local punk act Wet Spot provides regional flavor at 7 p.m. ($6-$20 sliding scale).

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Poetry duo Mercedez Holtry and Eva Marisol Crispin come to the Outer Space tonight on a trip from their native Albuquerque, New Mexico, on their Xicana Revolt tour. Joining in for a night of spoken word poetry and hip hop will be locals Rafi B and Alyx Muro, as well as anyone brave enough to try out the crowd during the introductory open mic. Presented by the good folks at Word Humboldt, this show has all the trimmings for all the kids who enjoy this this sort of thing ($6-$10).

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• Mariachi Herencia de México

As I have mentioned here before, for a guy named Collin, I have never had much use for this holiday. I'm not a huge fan of this bit of Irish-American culture, and I look at day drinking with the same attitude as sunbathing: A lot of people celebrate it but very few look good doing it and even fewer can handle the outcome with any grace. In my book, the gentleman's version of either activity ends with a discreet bar-tan and a pleasant night's rest in the comfort of one's own bed. I don't need an excuse to catch a buzz during the sunshine hours and I prefer to do it undercover and away from the madding crowd. So with that in mind, here's a delightful non-canonical event for all the Shamrock Shake Season Grinches like myself out there.

Mariachi Herencia de México is a large ensemble from Chicago comprised of teenagers who have assembled to express a collective love for all things relating to mariachi music. Join them tonight at 7 p.m. at the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts as they play a variety of tunes from their two albums — the first of which was nominated for a Latin Grammy — and various industry collaborations. Revel in the costumes, music and movement of these talented young ones ($29-$39).

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Rosewater is the only local Grateful Dead tribute act of any prominence that eschews the use of "Grateful" or "Dead" in its title and for that I applaud the group. Tonight the band will play three sets at The Jam (the first set's free, then it's $10 after 9:30 p.m.) of music by its spiritual masters. Layla Dias opens at 6 p.m.

Over at Humbrews at 9:30 p.m. you can catch local power trio Blacksage Runners as the boys roll through the hits. What hits? Why the ones from their sole album Takin' to the Road. For a mere $10 you can support a true blue local rock band in its element.

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• Humboldt Wine Festival

If you bleed red, white and rosé, you'll be among kindred spirits this weekend at the Humboldt Wine Festival. The anticipated event, now in its 11th year, pops off Saturday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room ($45).

Presented by Rotary Club of Arcata and North Bay Rotaract, the splashy soiree is a fabulous way to meet Humboldt and Trinity County wine and cider makers and sample their selections — all for a great cause. Raising funds for community service projects can be a pressing matter. Thankfully, proceeds from the wine festival's ticket and raffle sales support projects that help area schools, seniors, Rotary International polio eradication, CASA and more.

The evening includes wine-themed games, live music and a Wine Lover's raffle (grand prize is a complimentary flight and up to 10-night stay for two in New Zealand; second prize is $1,000 cash; and third prize is an "instant wine cellar"). There'll also be a Dutch raffle and wine pull.

Purchase your ticket at www.humboldtwinefest.com to enjoy unlimited tastings of hand-crafted wines and ciders, nosh on locally sourced gourmet sweet and savory treats, listen to music courtesy of Humboldt State University Music Department and love the wine you're with.

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• Samara Jade

"Philosopholk" artist Samara Jade brings her diverse tapestry of sounds — folk, jazz, soul, blues and Appalachian old-time — to Westhaven Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. ($5-$20 sliding). Earlier in the day, Jade and WCA musician-in-residence Rosalind Parducci offer a Newcomer-Musician's Workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. for those just starting out or established musicians interested in learning a new way to groove ($10 suggested donation).

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• The Horszowski Trio

Mieczysaw Horszowski was a physically diminutive Polish master pianist whose life and career literally spanned the entire 20th century. A last pupil of his, Rieko Aizawa, started The Horszowski Trio with violinist Jesse Mills and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan to honor the virtuoso's tonal vision. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the trio will appear at the Calvary Lutheran Church as a part of the Eureka Chamber Music Series. The program will include pieces by Schumann, Elliott Carter and Shostakovich's highly dissonant World War II masterpiece the Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 67. ($30, $10 seniors, $5 students).

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• St. Patrick's Celtic Barn Dance

Humboldt is known for its greenery: pines, pastures, politics, pot. And 'round St. Patrick's Day, things get a little greener. While many of the 21-and-up set will look to get lucky at nighttime establishments that serve green beer, Jameson and shenanigans, there are also sober options for celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. No, really. And don't call him Patty.

Get jiggy with the Humboldt Folklife Society at the St. Patrick's Celtic Barn Dance on Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. at Arcata Veterans Hall ($10, $5 society members, free for children under 12). Kick up your heels to live Celtic music by Covered with Moss and caller Summer McCall.

Here's something different. Raising Green For Eureka: A St Patrick's Day Block Party on Sunday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (free). Participating businesses along Fifth Street in Eureka (between E and G streets) are coming together to raise money for the city of Eureka with raffles, a costume contest, games, green-colored food and ice cream from Living the Dream.

What would the Feast of Saint Patrick be without a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner? Bring your appetite Sunday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m. and join the good folks at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Fortuna. They're dishing up a tasty corned beef and cabbage dinner, dessert and a beverage for just $10 adults, $5 kids 5 to 12.

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• Alice DiMicele plays the Arcata Playhouse on Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Pacific Northwest phenom Alice DiMicele has been playing activist-tinged acoustic music very well and on her own terms for the last three decades. Tonight she rolls a solo set out at the Arcata Playhouse for all of the folkies in the area at 7:30 p.m. (price TBA). Wunderkind Delaney Rose opens the night.

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• Savannah Fuentes

Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes returns to Humboldt with her new show, Luz, an Evening of Flamenco, on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. at HLOC's Space in Sunny Brae ($20 general, $34 VIP seating, $12 student, $8 child). Rounding out the performance ensemble are acclaimed Spanish-Romani guitarist Pedro Cortes and singer/percussionist/dancer Jose Moreno.