And this is just LoCO's opinion, here, but if there is one annual event on the Humboldt calendar that best gathers together all the ingredients that make our community super and duper -- from top-notch, multi-genre musical offerings, to colorful people and art, to unrivaled natural beauty -- it would have to be the Mateel Community Center's Summer Arts and Music Festival, which again goes down this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, at the Benbow State Recreation Area.
Now in its 42nd year, SAMF is packed with more performances, craft booths, food whimsy than you can feasibly be expected take in over its two days, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with this year's schedule. For you Lowdown clickers, though, we'll note that Saturday night's headliner is South African reggae star Nkulee Dube.
Sample Dube's spirit in the clip below and/or scroll the rest of Saturday's listings farther down. --AG
Benbow Lake State Rec. Area
/ 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
/ $25
/ $40 both days
Summer Arts and Music festival features over 70 performances, more than 150 handmade craft, food, and non-profit vendor booths, a Kid Zone with arts & crafts,dance and interactive light and sound experiences in the Generation Green Dome & Belly Dance Temple areas.
Web site
See Event Description
/ 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Weekend 1 of the 20th annual North Coast Open Studios! Artists all over Humboldt County open their studios to the public, sharing their inspiration (and creative messes).
McKinleyville
/ noon-4 p.m.
Pony Express Days is a town celebration that was established in 1968. Click for schedule of events.
The Sanctuary
/ 7-9:30 p.m.
/ $10
"For those unfamiliar with John's music, it is hilarious, touching, relatable, and political in a way that only a craftsperson such as John could pull off."
Arcata Ball Park
/ 7 p.m.
/ $9
/ $4 12 and under
/ $6 students/seniors
Your hometown heroes whoop up on some other lesser team. Peanuts, crackerjacks, etc.
Web site
North Coast Repertory Theatre
/ 8-10 p.m.
/ $18
/ $16 Students/Seniors
/ 18+
Called “The best rock musical ever,” by Rolling Stone, Hedwig tells the tale of genderqueer East German rock-and-roll singer Hedwig Robinson.
442-6278 /
northcoastrepertory@gmail.com /
Web site
Ferndale Repertory Theatre
/ 8 p.m.
/ $18
/ $10 5/3 preview
/ $16 students/seniors
"Winner of both the Tony Award for Best Revival and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Chicago is the bold, sexy musical about notoriety, celebrity, and human passion."
786-5483 /
info@ferndalerep.org /
Web site
Arcata Playhouse
/ 8-10:30 p.m.
/ $15
Fifteen of Humboldt's finest musicians paying tribute to one of their all-time favorites.
839-7063 /
joel@asis.com /
Web site
Halvorsen Park
/ 7 a.m.-noon
/ Free
Humboldt Bay Rowing Association is sponsoring a free Learn to Row event on Saturday, June 2.
RowHumboldtBay@gmail.com /
Web site
See Event Description
/ 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
/ $20
Trail shoots, also called field courses, are similar to golf courses: the archer walks the course with a group and the group shoots from a designated location at a 3D foam animal target.
humboldtarchers@gmail.com /
Web site
Center Activities, HSU Campus
/ 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
/ $85
/ $75 HSU Students
This course provides first responders and healthcare providers the requisite knowledge and skills to respond to patients who are experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest and/or airway obstruction.
826-3357 /
cntract@humboldt.edu /
Web site
HSU Natural History Museum
/ 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
/ $25
/ $15 HSU students
/ $15 seniors
/ $20 members
Treat yourself to a day in the field with wildlife biologist and professional tracker Phil Johnston.
826-4473 /
mjb11@humboldt.edu /
Web site
Eureka Waterfront
/ 9:30 a.m.-noon
/ Free
Join Redwood Region Audubon Society's Broom Brigade and help remove Scotch broom and clean up trash at the Wigi Wetlands along the waterfront trail behind the Bayshore Mall.
672-3346 /
Web site
Lanphere Dunes (HBNWR)
/ 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
/ Free
Celebrate National Trails Day on this family-friendly walk exploring the diverse (and fun!) landscape of the Lanphere Dunes.
444-1397 /
info@friendsofthedunes.org /
Web site
SCRAP Humboldt
/ 10-5 a.m.
/ Free
Stop by the SCRAP studio for reuse crafts galore! Every day will feature new and exciting crafts including, but not limited to origami boxes, bottle cap magnets, and bead making.
822-2452 /
education@scraphumboldt.org /
Web site
Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center
/ 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
/ $55
/ $45 HSU Students
This class covers the fundamentals of kayaking, including an orientation to kayaking equipment, paddling technique, and water safety.
443-4222 /
hbac@humboldt.edu /
Web site
Six Rivers Brewery
/ 10-11:30 a.m.
Fit Nor Cal Trainer Andy Salatnay will lead a 50 minute Boot Camp Class, followed by a post workout beer!
839-7580 /
friends@sixriversbrewery.com /
Web site
Arcata Library
/ 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friends of the Arcata Library (FOAL) monthly book sale. Come support your local library! Many hardcover and paperback books to choose from.
822-5954 /
Web site
Hospice of Humboldt
/ 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
/ Free
/ 18+
Would you like to make a difference in our community? Do you enjoy helping people? Becoming a volunteer at Hospice of Humboldt might be for you!
267-9813 /
dstone@hospiceofhumboldt.org /
Web site
See Event Description
/ noon-2:30 p.m.
/ Free
Rio Dell’s Health and Safety Fair will include a bike rodeo, vendors, games, raffles, and BBQ. This event is free and open to all ages.
764-5239 /
Tvelella@gmail.com /
MikkiMoves Real Estate, Inc
/ noon-1 p.m.
/ Free
*Real Estate Market Trends and Forecast* With Kimberly Keisling and special guest Ruthie Jones.
599-3788 /
kimberly@mikkimoves.com /
Web site
Center Activities, HSU Campus
/ 1-4 p.m.
/ $165
/ $150 HSU Students
In this class, students will bring in their own electric or acoustic guitar for set up.
826-3357 /
cntract@humboldt.edu /
Web site
Humboldt Cider Company Tap Room
/ 2-11 p.m.
/ Free
The Humboldt Cider Co. Tap Room will be featuring the talented Samantha Stone's artwork for your viewing pleasure.
497-6320 /
maricela@humboldtcidercompany.com /
Web site
Papa Wheelies Pub
/ 4 p.m.-midnight
Head on down to Papa Wheelies immediately after the end of McKinleyville's Annual Pony Express Days festival to keep the party going and bring it up a notch!
630-5084 /
papawheeliespub@gmail.com /
Web site
Morris Graves Museum of Art
/ 5-6 p.m.
/ Free
So you think you know Humboldt County? Local author, poet and educator Zev Levinson explores the colorful history, rich diversity, and stunning geography of the Humboldt Bay/Six Rivers region through a blend of lyrical poetry and archival photography in his new book.
442-0278 /
milenka@humboldtarts.org /
Web site
See Event Description
/ 5-8 p.m.
/ $48
/ $38 HSU Students
Come join us for this popular evening paddle and catch a peek of the evening skies from Humboldt Bay!
443-4222 /
hbac@humboldt.edu /
Web site
Eureka
/ 6 p.m.
/ Free
Eureka's monthly stab at getting everyone together! Opening receptions for artists, exhibits, and/or performances.
Eureka Books
/ 6-9 p.m.
/ Free
Writers on the Wall, an exhibition of works by well-known authors that are suitable for framing.
444-9593 /
info@eurekabooksellers.com /
Web site
The Black Faun Gallery
/ 6-9 p.m.
/ Free
The Call of Roots and Water utilizes photographic prints, printed silks, oil paintings, and video projected through a dive mask to convey the places on the planet outside of human habitation.
Web site
The Jam
/ 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
/ $5
/ 21+
Hip-hop comedy variety show.
822-5266 /
Web site
Logger Bar
/ 9-11:59 p.m.
/ Free
Humboldt County's preeminent prog-jug band play musics at the Logger Bar!
908-337-9921 /
jw2311@humboldt.edu /
Web site