Mar 28 Thursday
Mondays 6:00pm-9:00pm
707-964-9132362 N. Franklin St, Fort Bragg CA 95437
Mendocino Coast Jazz Society Jam Sessions Monday evenings, at the “Tall Guy Brewery” in Fort Bragg. The new brewery / brew pub is located on Franklin Street, across from City Hall in the old Sears Bld.
The proceedings begin at 5:00, with a dance lesson with Al, Mary, Sunshine and Glenn, for those so inclined.At 6:00 we start the live music, and play till 9:00. The brew pub has beer, wine and bar bites. All ages are welcome, and admission will be free.
The Jazz Society will make sure we have a swingin’ rhythm section, and we will be collecting donations to defray the cost.
Hope to see you there!
On March 28, Writers Read will present a selection from "Dear Human at the Edge of Time: Poems on Climate Change in the United States," a work that grew out of the Academy of American Poets Laureate Civic Projects. Over 70 poets are represented in the collection, published in September 2023, including our current US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón (originally from Santa Rosa!).
Our featured reader this evening will be Aileen Cassineto, San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita, and one of the book's contributing poets.
Writers Read, held at Grace Hudson Museum on the last Thursday of almost every month, is an opportunity for local poets and authors to present live readings of their work. Sessions are two hours (7:00-9:00 pm), with the first hour devoted to a featured reader and the second to an open mic. Refreshments will be available during the break. Writers Read events are always free, but a donation is requested.
Mar 29 Friday
Willits Center for the Arts brings Richard Weiss 3-D paintings and Susie Racecar’s amazing art. The show opens Saturday, March 2nd, between 6 and 9 pm.
Susie Racecar, a Vallejo, CA native, spent her formative years in the picturesque enclave of Fairfield, nestled atop a hill with sweeping views of Green Valley. Today, she resides in an even more secluded locale, nestled within the forested outskirts of Laytonville. Despite her bucolic surroundings, Racecar's passion for painting is evident, though she laments that the demands of farm chores often limit her artistic pursuits. Indeed, securing a steady supply of canvas presents a significant challenge for her. Beyond her dedication to painting, Racecar is a founding member of The Pagan Racecars, a musical ensemble currently immersed in the recording studio, diligently crafting their next release. Despite her artistic and musical commitments, Racecar still finds time each week to indulge in the time-honored tradition of baking a pie.
Richard Weiss, a French native and California painter, has established his home on the captivating Mendocino coast, where he has honed his craft in creating mesmerizing 3D optical illusion paintings. Infused with vibrant hues and intricate details, his whimsical Pop Art style exudes a sense of joy while subtly poking fun at societal quirks and addressing pressing social and cultural concerns. Weiss cleverly juxtaposes icons, symbols, and elements of popular culture in unexpected settings, inviting viewers to partake in a playful exploration of his compositions. With a desire to surprise and engage his audience, Weiss cultivates an experience that transcends age barriers, delighting both adults and children alike with his imaginative creations.
The March show will open March 2nd at 6:30 and run through March 31st. 71 E. Commercial St. Willits, 95490For more information call 707-459-1726www.willitscenterforthearts.org or contact Gary Martin, curator at gtm1950@gmail.com
Few people know that the Mendocino Whale Festival started not as a party, but as a war: the Mendocino Whale War. In 1975, when Greenpeace captured footage of a Russian vessel slaughtering whales off Cape Mendocino, it prompted a small group of concerned citizens to launch a dramatic anti-whaling campaign off the coast. The first Whale Festival was held in March, 1976 to educate the public about the plight of the endangered whales and to raise money for the campaign. Visit the Kelley House Museum during March to view posters, photographs, and news clippings in the exhibit. “The Boy Who Talks to Whales,” a film based loosely on one of the festival founders, will be viewable at the Kelley House Museum during March. Gowan’s Cider and cookies will be served on March 2, 1pm-3pm, during the Mendocino Whale Festival. Photo by Nicholas Wilson.
Partners GalleryOldies and GoodiesMarch 7 – April 8Second Saturday Meet the Artists March 9, 5-7pm
In March Partners is showing a collection of past creations from the archives.They may reflect works in different media or subject matter. Earlier works often offer different perspectives by the artist and this is a chance to enjoy a few of them.There are pieces in a variety of media including drawing, painting, etchings, mixed media and sculpture.
Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday 11-5pm
Nathaniel Smith arrived in Mendocino County in the 1850s and is believed to be the first African American to settle on the coast. His life story is revealed through photos, clippings, and artifacts in this Kelley House Museum exhibit. Smith was at one time “known to every man, woman and child on the coast.” This exhibition presents details of Nathaniel Smith's life set against the history of California’s treatment of people of color. Besides the exhibit, which is open ever week, we are hosting a special event on March 23 at 4pm with guest presentations from Susan Anderson, Curator at the California African American Museum and Alexander Wood, Guest Curator. Purchase advance tickets.This project was made possible with support from California Humanities.
The Digital Sea is a Mixed Media piece by scientist and visual artist Robert Spies, sharing his concern for and creating aware -ness of our Oceans’ conditions. He will be at the gallery Second Saturday, 4-7 to discuss this piece, featured during Marine month of March. Info@artcoopmendocino.com
The Fort Bragg Certified Farmers Market is open every Wednesday year round. We are outdoors on the 400 block of North Franklin. In very wet weather we will be inside the Old Rec Center Gym- right behind city hall, entrance is on Laurel. Our hours are 2:30-4:30. Every vendor grows or produces the products they offer locally. You will find Produce, Microgreens, Beef, Lamb, Pork, Eggs, Chicken, Fermented Food, Olive Oil, infused Basalmic Vinegar, Chocolates, Bakeries- regular and gluten free- with bread, croissants, foccaccia, pizza dough, cookies, and more. Hot fresh Tamales and Soup, body products and more. Your EBT dollar is doubled up to $30. per week. Please bring shopping bags. No dogs or smoking within the market. Eat Local, save your world!
Mar 30 Saturday
Come get your Easter baked goods at the annual Redwood Valley Easter Bake Sale. This year we're teaming up with the Inland Humane Society. The sale will start at the Grange from 9-11am. Then it will move to the Inland Humane Society from 11:30am-1pm during their Easter Egg Hunt. Come join the fun, either place. For more information contact Marlene, 707-485-0791, 707-272-7473, marleneandbruce@yahoo.com