This Friday and Saturday, not only will a 299 river venture reward you with warmer temperatures, you'll also get a load of local live music in your ear. For 'tis the return of Mad River SummerFest, which will take over Christie Ranch near Blue Lake for two nights and one day of bands, booths and booze. Hell, for a paltry $15 you can even set up camp. Who's playing? Let the Lowdown inform you who's gonna be onstage when:
Humboldt County Fairgrounds
/ 9 a.m.
This year is the 117th annual event. Features live and satellite horse racing, mule racing, carnival rides and games, death defying stunts, live entertainment, competitive exhibits, livestock events, great fair-time foods and special programs.
Web site
Christie Ranch
/ 5 p.m.-midnight
/ $5
/ $15 w/camping
With performances by Earl Thomas, Steve Culture and Ishi Dube, Motherlode, The Fickle Hillbillies, Lord Ellis, No Good Redwood Ramblers and many more. Proceeds benefit Mad River Alliance.
Web site
Clarke Historical Museum
/ 6-8 p.m.
/ Free
Authors Garret Root and Rand Herbert of JRP Historical, Inc. and Humboldt Bay Generating Station plant managers Loren Sharp and Mark Smith will be providing a panel discussion on the past, present, and future of electricity in Humboldt County.
443-1947 /
clarkehistorical@att.net /
Web site
Redwood Park
/ 7 p.m.
Part of Plays in the Park. Mary finds herself caught between her childhood sweetheart Crick, and the cowboy Red. As Crick pulls her in with marriage and a baby, Red gives her the freedom of the open fields and friendship.
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North Coast Repertory Theatre
/ 8 p.m.
/ $15
/ $12 students/seniors
Follows the story of Marjorie Taub, the wife of a philanthropic allergist, who is engulfed in a life crisis of Medea-like proportions.
442-6278 /
Web site
Northtown Books
/ 9 p.m.
Arcata Eye editor Kevin Hoover presents his new book, plus the Nite Pie ladies (featured on the book's cover) return that evening with some delicious pies for you to sample.
822-2834 /
info@northtownbooks.com /
Web site
Arcata High School
/ 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
/ $160
Week long day camp for percussion, brass, and winds students.
273-7091 /
joshkey1@gmail.com /
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Humboldt Baykeeper
/ 9 a.m.
Humboldt Baykeeper offers free natural history boat tours of the north Humboldt Bay at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Call for details.
268-8897 /
Angelina Inn
/ 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Local singer/songwriter/storyteller gets to know you.
725-5200 /
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Larrupin Cafe
/ 6-9 p.m.
/ Free
Jazz on the patio! Wheeeeeee...
677-0230 /
davewilsonguitarist@yahoo.com /
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Van Duzer Theater
/ 7:30 p.m.
/ $19
/ $13 balcony
Humboldt Light Opera Company (HLOC) presents flying dragons, catchy tunes, flashy dance numbers, irreverent romance, and dozens of your favorite fairytale creatures together on stage
445-4310 /
Web site
Arcata Theatre Lounge
/ 8 p.m.
/ $5
They’re down on their luck and up to their necks In senoritas, margaritas, banditos and bullets!
613-3030 /
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The Ritz
/ 9 p.m.
City Lights dance night.
The Siren's Song Tavern
/ 9 p.m.
Poet and singer/songwriter from San Francisco who now resides in Minneapolis.
442-8778 /
thesirenssongtavern@gmail.com /
Web site
The Jam
/ 9:30 p.m.
/ 21+
Crown City Rockers MC takes the stage at the Jam.
822-5266 /
Web site