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Lighting-Thunder-Hail-Waterspouts… Wow, Humboldt. It’s been a real intense week on the North Coast. Spring is still doing its thing, and it’s starting to feel like pre-pandemic times for lots of event goers. There are so many special community events, that there really is no shortage of opportunity to get out there and enjoy the huge variety of happenings that Humboldt has to offer.
Special Events This Weekend…
Friday 4/21
COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS PLANT SALE
10A-5:30P Annuals, perennials, vegetables, succulents, culinary herbs, houseplants, native plants and landscape plants propagated and grown by students are available. Funds raised support the greenhouse operation and the agriculture program. At the CR greenhouse.
LEAUGE OF WOMEN VOTERS STATE OF THE COMMUNITY LUNCHEON
11:30A-1:30P Time to get tickets for the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County’s annual State of the Community Luncheon, to be held at the Adorni Center Friday, April 21. The luncheon is the LWV’s major fundraiser as well as a time to be inspired and informed. The keynote speaker will be Joseph James, Yurok Tribal Chair. Honorees are the Humboldt County Children’s Author Festive and Jim Glover, community volunteer with the Civil Grand Jury and the Human Rights Commission. Steve Madrone, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, will provide an update on County issues. To find out more and purchase tickets see the LWV’s website: my.lwv.org/california/humboldt-county
6:30-9P $6 adult, $5 for ages 17 and under. All ages. First-come, first-served. No pre-registration needed. Maximum of 75 skaters. At the Eureka Municipal Auditorium.
PAYAPA LOUNGE RUMBLE ROYALE II: SLOPPY SECONDS
6P What is the Rumble Royale? It’s the most ruckus of smackdowns rolled up like a weird lil’ sausage encased in a live show where “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” meets “Absolutely Fabulous”. You might know The Papaya Lounge as a fresh, innovative, and blatantly naughty cabaret. The annual sold-out Papaya shows feature some of Humboldt’s finest performers and guest artists from around the world. During the Rumble, The Papaya Lounge takes over Septentrio and the audience is invited to partake in bizarre and, let’s use the word “titillating”, games. The ultimate winner takes home the Rumble trophy and the rest of the losers have glorious memories that will last for the rest of their loser lifetimes. The sparkling evening of entertainment is led by three wickedly vivacious nonconformists; Velvet Q. Jones (Sarah McKinney), her non-sexual life partner Nancy Schmitkey (Alyssa Hughlett), and personal Bartender, Musty Beaver (Glitter Gizzard). Come and sideline while sipping vino or release your inner gladiating glory-holiness in a night that promises to be unlike anything you’ve likely seen. Doors at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 pm with pre-show prancin’ at 6:30 pm with DJ Dry Hump. Ages 21 and up.
THE HUMBOLDT CIRCUS PRESENTS CLOWNSPIRACY
7:47P $10, $8 student. Three nights of clowny cryptids, big top bigfoots and entertaining extraterrestrials. Be hypnotized by jugglers and flow artists alike in a looking glass landscape. For audiences age 18 and over. Tickets available at the door. Cash only. Receive a $1 discount with a costume or handbill.
8-10:30P Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges and the women behind them, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, The Book of Will finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know. PLAYING THROUGH 5/5/23 At The Redwood Curtain Theater.
HUMBOLDT INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
4/21-4/23 Three nights of original short films from all over the world in animation, documentary, experimental and narrative categories. Plus, visiting artist talks and workshops.
Saturday 4/22
COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS PLANT SALE
10A-2P Annuals, perennials, vegetables, succulents, culinary herbs, houseplants, native plants and landscape plants propagated and grown by students are available. Funds raised support the greenhouse operation and the agriculture program. At the CR greenhouse.
10A-12N Learn about climate justice at local, state and national levels. Presentations by Congressman Jared Huffman, Northcoast Environmental Center and 350.org/Th!rd Act. Also, local environmental activities, free continental breakfast and more. For more info or to RSVP, call Kathryn Donahue at (707) 834-2194. Sponsored by California Alliance for Retired Americans.
HUMBOLDT ORCHID SOCIETY SPRING SHOW
10A-5P Orchids in bloom and on display at the Humboldt Orchid Society Spring Show. If you love orchids or are just curious about what species orchids might look like, visit and make a day of it with your family. There will be beautifully exhibited orchids competing for your camera. An American Orchid Society affiliated show, we look forward to sharing the experience with all our fellow orchid enthusiasts. Information at humboldtorchids.org and facebook.com/Humboldt.Orchid.Society. Free/donation. 707-677-2115.
EUREKA NATURAL FOODS EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
11A-3P Free samples, Earth Day deals, live music, raffles and much more! Over 30 vendors will be tabling, sampling their products, handing out information and showing you how they are sustainable! Mad River Brewery, Clay on Herbs, Friends of the Eel River, Brio Breadworks, Zero Waste Humboldt, Foggy Bottom Boys, Ghee Well, Mckinleyville Land Trust, Los Bagels, Dick Taylor Chocolate, Redwood Coast Energy Authority… Happening at the Eureka location on Saturday and Mckinleyville on Sunday.
11A-6P We are hosting our 1st annual “Maker Faire Skill Share!” Please mark your calendars and join us for a day of art, crafting, skill sharing, food, music, kids crafts, and community coming together! Humboldt County is home to many artists, crafts people, and the DIY lifestyle. This event allows our artists to leave their studios to have an exchange with the community and gives people the opportunity to learn how to make beauty with their hands. There will be workshops throughout the day. Pre-register if you would like to reserve a spot in a particular class or sign-up day off.
“WELCOME TO PARADISE” – A GREEN DAY DRAG AND BURLESQUE TRIBUTE SHOW BRUNCH ONLINE REPLAY
11A – Tortured Angels Revue presents a love letter to Green Day. This is the part 2 – Virtual counterpart to the in person event taking place in Eureka! Do you love GREEN DAY?? Do we have a show for you! This event will be a Brunch special hosted by Fannie Sinclair as we take you on a journey of Virtual Pre-Recorded acts created all to the musical talents of the band Green Day. Fun surprises throughout the event including a LIVE cameo by one or more of the performers presented, a VIRTUAL LIVE performance by our host, and acts that you will love streaming from ANYWHERE in the world. Plus GREEN DAY TRIVIA!!! Watch with your out of town friends, join in the chat, it’s truly the best way to spend a Saturday Morning Brunch!
SPRING GUIDED WALKS AT FOUNDERS GROVE
2-3P Learn about the park’s cultural and natural history while being in it. This walk is 0.6 miles long on a flat ADA trail. Meet at the Founders Grove picnic area/parking lot. Free. Happening again 4/29.
3-8P Join us in-person on Earth Day at Pierson Park in McKinleyville. The Decolonizing Economics Summit will conclude with a family-friendly event with keynote speakers Kamau Franklin and Edget Betru (Stop Cop City from Atlanta) and Kali Akuno (Cooperation Jackson), a raffle from local artisans and organizations, a bike ride from Arcata to Mckinleyville hosted by CRTP and Critical Mass Arcata, food from Los Giles and Fry Bread Love, music from Good Shield and 7th Generation Rise, tabling, a bouncy house, face painting, jugglers, temporary tattoos, hula hoops, and more! RSVP for this celebration today!
5-9P Trinidad School is seeking talented acts from all corners of the county. Do you have what it takes to win our talent show? The winning act will get a $100 cash prize! If you’d rather, just join the crowd to be entertained by local musicians, poets, artists, comedians, and dancers. Food and beverages (non alcoholic as well as beer, wine, and cider) will be available for purchase. All money raised from this event will benefit the school’s music, art, gardening, and theater programs. Tickets are available online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5829642
BLACK HUMBOLDT 5TH ANNIVERSARY GALA & DINNER
5:30P – We’ve been building community for 5 years, help us sustain our vision of creating and sustaining opportunities, resources and safe spaces for the Black & Brown communities of Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. Each ticket will include 1 drink ticket – alcoholic or nonalcoholic, access to the event and the 3 course meal. During the event you can expect performances, speakers and an amazing locally curated silent auction! All proceeds will go directly to capacity building for Black Humboldt. 21 + event. If you are able, we are looking for folx who are able to sponsor tickets, so that price isn’t prohibiting our community from joining the celebration
PAYAPA LOUNGE RUMBLE ROYALE II: SLOPPY SECONDS
6P What is the Rumble Royale? It’s the most ruckus of smackdowns rolled up like a weird lil’ sausage encased in a live show where “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” meets “Absolutely Fabulous”. You might know The Papaya Lounge as a fresh, innovative, and blatantly naughty cabaret. The annual sold-out Papaya shows feature some of Humboldt’s finest performers and guest artists from around the world. During the Rumble, The Papaya Lounge takes over Septentrio and the audience is invited to partake in bizarre and, let’s use the word “titillating”, games. The ultimate winner takes home the Rumble trophy and the rest of the losers have glorious memories that will last for the rest of their loser lifetimes. The sparkling evening of entertainment is led by three wickedly vivacious nonconformists; Velvet Q. Jones (Sarah McKinney), her non-sexual life partner Nancy Schmitkey (Alyssa Hughlett), and personal Bartender, Musty Beaver (Glitter Gizzard). Come and sideline while sipping vino or release your inner gladiating glory-holiness in a night that promises to be unlike anything you’ve likely seen. Doors at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 pm with pre-show prancin’ at 6:30 pm with DJ Dry Hump. Ages 21 and up.
THE HUMBOLDT CIRCUS PRESENTS CLOWNSPIRACY
7:47P $10, $8 student. Three nights of clowny cryptids, big top bigfoots and entertaining extraterrestrials. Be hypnotized by jugglers and flow artists alike in a looking glass landscape. For audiences age 18 and over. Tickets available at the door. Cash only. Receive a $1 discount with a costume or handbill.
Sunday 4/23
TRINIDAD HEAD BREEDING GULL FIELD TRIP
9-11A Join Cal Poly Humboldt Wildlife Graduate student Lila Bowen and Redwood Region Audubon Society for a field trip focused on the breeding gulls and seabirds nesting on the rocks off of Trinidad Head. Lila’s studies focus on gull breeding behavior and nest fate and she surveyed these nesting colonies through the Summer of 2022, so join her for this seabird-focused walk and enjoy one of Humboldt’s gorgeous coastal habitats. Meet at the Trinidad State Beach parking lot at the end of Lighthouse Road and bring a scope if you have one. VISIT the link in the title for the full calendar of outings and events by the Redwood Region Audubon Society – happening WEEKLY!
11A-3P Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying volunteers to install free smoke alarms, as part of our nationwide Sound the Alarm events. This spring we’ll install free smoke alarms and share safety information in at-risk communities. Join us! Enter your zip code at soundthealarm.org for this and other events!
NATIVE PLANT AND POLLINATOR GARDEN TOUR
1P-2:30P Join us at the Arcata Community Center Native Plant Garden for a Spring Garden Tour with Pete Haggard, author of “Insects of the Pacific Northwest”.
Let’s take a tour of the garden as it starts to wake up in the warmer weather. We’ll talk about Humboldt native plants and the pollinators that depend on them. The ACC garden is located beside the Arcata Health Sport along the hill and bike path. It’s a small triangle of land that originally began as a construction fill site. Lovingly adopted and tended, hundreds of native plants and bees now make their home in this little unassuming plot of land. It’s a beaming example of how native plants and wildlife can coexist in urban settings. Wouldn’t you love a city with less concrete and more of this?? Stop by for the plant and pollinator information – stay for the story of hope and inspiration!
“NEXT UP” 2023 ANNUAL REDWOOD POETRY FESTIVAL
6-9P Enjoy this curated poetry show of young poets, the next generation of poetry. Part of the 2023 Annual Redwood Poetry Festival and organized by Word Humboldt. Look out for the many poetry shows, workshops, and more from April 23rd and April 30th! Visit @redwoodpoetryfestival on Instagram and wordhumboldt.com for more information
MONDAY 4/24
5:30P Nilsen Co invites you to join us for a FREE Poultry Care Seminar at our Eureka Store Barn. This is a wonderful opportunity for first time chicken owners and backyard farmers-great for kids & the whole family too! Come learn about the basic care, nutritional feed requirements, first aid and maintenance, egg production and more! Discussion time, Q & A and Raffles Questions? call #(707) 442-3741
LIVE MUSIC/ETC/COMEDY/THEATER
Looking for a live show? We’re updating this page constantly, trying to include all of the local venues we can find, with their latest events listed in an easy-to-read way. There continues to be more and more happenings throughout Humboldt including a huge variety of music, comedy, open mics, outdoor venues, trivia and more.
JUST FOR KIDS
This list of ideas of ways to keep your kids happy includes a wide variety of options all over Humboldt.
ONGOING EVENTS
Ongoing events are the backbone of our community’s offerings. Click through to find the list broken down by each town/city and see what kind of ongoing happenings, workshops, classes, etc are in the works where you live.
STAY BUSY, LEARN A SKILL, MEET SOMEONE NEW!
VOLUNTEER/DONATE
Our amazing local non-profits are always hosting an array of events that benefit the people and land of our community. We’re lucky to have so many powerful and supportive groups that keep the backbone of Humboldt alive and well. Consider offering a few hours of your time, donating cash or goods or participating in a fundraiser for any number of our community organizations.
This newsletter is a free weekly offering to our Humboldt Community! We hope you love it. If you’d like to add an event, or if you have pictures to share, or feedback to offer, we’re all ears – our email is [email protected] and we want to know what you think.
