One indication that Humboldt is getting back to normal is that things are getting weird again. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Kinetic Grand Championship is back for three days of racing on pavement, sand and water between Arcata and Ferndale. Rain be damned. Something, something glory.
In case you've forgotten how Day One of this thing works, the first and arguably best place to see the kinetic sculptures is the Arcata Plaza where racers will convene for brake checks in advance of the noon whistle that releases them onto the kinetic kourse. From there, they will make their way to Manila and into the dunes where they will risk life and limb barreling down Dead Man's Drop. Should they survive that peril, they will cross the Samoa Bridges and end their day at Eureka's Halvorsen Park. (Normally Day One ends with a rowdy beer garden there, but we are told that has been nixed this year -- we're still in a pandemic, after all.)
Anywho, that's how it goes. You are encouraged to go support your local art weirdos as this is essentially their Academy Awards. Or, if you just can't stomach it, you can find more Saturday stuff in your Lowdown below.
See Event Description
/ 1 a.m.
31 handcrafted ceramic wild duck teapots, made by Michael Harris in remembrance of his father, long-time HSU wildlife professor Stanley Harris, are up for bid.
info@arcatamarshfriends.org /
Web site
Bayshore Mall
/ 9-11 a.m.
/ Free
Please join the Redwood Region Audubon Society for a restoration workday on the bay trail. We meet directly behind Walmart at the Bayshore Mall where we'll be removing invasive plant species and trash.
214-605-7368 /
jeremy.cashen@yahoo.com /
Web site
See Event Description
/ 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
/ Free
The Arcata Plaza Farmers' Market is open every Saturday, year round, offering the freshest produce, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, bread, flowers, and more! Enjoy music and hot food vendors at this fun, family friendly event.
441-9999 /
info@northcoastgrowersassociation.org /
Web site
Arcata Plaza
/ 10 a.m.
Day 1 of the Kinetic Grand Championship starts on the Plaza in Arcata, California at the noon whistle every Memorial Day weekend. The racers take off to the Manila dunes, where they race through miles of sand to the great and inevitable "Deadman's Drop". Then on to Eureka's downtown gazebo.
Web site
Timber Heritage Samoa Shops
/ 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
/ $8
/ $7 Senior (62+)
/ $8 Adults (18-62)
/ $4 Children (2-17)
/ Free Children (0-2)
Take a ride on Humboldt’s historic rails with a scenic trip along the bay on Timber Heritage Association’s historic crew car rail speeder! Fun for the whole family! Near the Samoa Cookhouse.
443-2657 /
Web site
Arcata Redwood Park
/ 1-2:30 p.m.
/ Free
Learn traditional Dancehall styles with Hip Hop & R&B adaptions to all the best tunes, led by West Indi queen Mo Harper-Desir.
822-5951 /
Admin@Mohdcreates.com /
Web site
Mad River Brewery Tasting Room
/ 2-4 p.m.
Buddy Reed and the Rip it Ups will bring gutbucket blues to the Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake on a holiday Saturday afternoon. Buddy is authentic and the real thing, having spent his life playin and livin blues.
668-4151 /
lostmindranch@gmail.com /
Web site
Synapsis
/ 5:30 p.m.
/ $5
/ $20 sliding scale
An evening of art, poetry and dance by Humboldt creators of Indigenous, Pan-African, Latinx, Asian and mixed heritage.
616-3104 /
muppet33@gmail.com /
Web site
Arcata Theatre Lounge
/ 7 p.m.-midnight
/ $20
Brother Ali is a highly respected hip hop artist, speaker, and community leader from Minneapolis, MN. His two-decade resume includes eight critically-acclaimed albums, mentorships with iconic hip hop legends Chuck D and Rakim, and performances on late night shows.
616-3030 /
info@arcatatheatre.com /
Web site
Ferndale Repertory Theatre
/ 8-10 p.m.
/ $18
Come experience the cult classic rock musical! On a dark and stormy night, Brad and Janet find themselves seeking shelter at a mysterious old castle.
786-5483 /
info@ferndalerep.org /
Web site
Savage Henry Comedy Club
/ 9-11 p.m.
/ $15
/ 21+
Seth Milstein is a comedian and writer based in Eugene, OR. He has performed with Kyle Kinane, Maria Bamford, and Ron Funches to name a few.
845-8864 /
info@savahehenrycomedy.com /
Web site
Bear River Casino Resort
/ 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
/ Free
/ 21+
DJ Statik is back in our Thirsty Bear Lounge! Don't miss the hottest dance party in Humboldt county while DJ Statik plays the biggest hits.
733-9644 /
Web site
Savage Henry Comedy Club
/ 11:15 p.m.-1 a.m.
/ $5
/ Free those who attended 9 pm show
/ 18+
Local comedian Baseball Robby currates a line up of local and touring acts for a night cap of comedy after the headlining show.
845-8864 /
info@savagehenrycomedy.com /
Web site
