North Coast & Inland: Arcata, Blue Lake, Crescent City, Eureka, Ferndale, Fort Bragg, Fortuna, Mendocino, Point Arena, Ukiah
Arcata Playhouse - Arcata
Location: 1215 Ninth Street, Arcata
Why Go There? Offers community theater plays, presentations, other entertainment in small intimate space
Access: Drive, street parking
More Information: Arcata Playhouse
Humboldt State University Arts Center - Arcata
September-April (see website for schedule)
Locations: Van Duzer Theatre, Humboldt State University Campus, (two story white building directly across from the library); Fulkerson Recital Hall
Why Go There? Venue hosts top name musicians, dance performers, variety of genres; most Humboldt State University music department choir, jazz orchestra, opera, music recitals, wind ensemble concerts held in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
Access: Free parking Friday after 5 p.m. and all day Saturday-Sunday. Advance parking permits ($3.50) available for Monday- Thursday performances, or pay upon arrival.
More Information: Humboldt Arts Center Events + Humbolt Music
Dell'Arte International Mad River Festival - Blue Lake
June-July
Location: 131 H Street (Dell'Arte headquarters)
Why Go There? 27+ years unique festival is a colorful, casual outdoor celebration of comedic theater, dance, music and community engagement; hosted by internationally attended Dell'Arte school in small historic town. Many other Dell'Arte events take place throughout the year, different locations.
More Information: Dell’Arte Events
Mad River Brewery Music Nights- Blue Lake
Location: 101 Taylor Way
Why Go There? Casual taproom/eatery with award winning beers features evening live music (weather permitting outside on the patio) including bluegrass, swing, jazz
More Information: Mad River Brewing
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center - Cloverdale
Location: 209 North Cloverdale Boulevard
Why Go There? Community theater company offers season of plays; community events, performances; some events are no cost (donations welcome)
More Information: Cloverdale Performing Arts
Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness (DNACA) - Crescent City
September-April, Friday-Saturday 7:00pm
Location: 994 G Street (Crescent Elks Auditorium)
Why Go There? Arts organization offers annual five concert series; senior, student discounts
More Information: Facebook
Arkley Center for the Performing Arts - Eureka
Location: 412 G Street (downtown)
Why Go There? Opened 1920 as a movie theater, renovated/restored abandoned building re-opened in 2007 as a performing arts center; venue for Eureka Symphony concerts, North Coast Dance performances
More Information: ACPA + Facebook
Eureka Concert and Film Center - Eureka
See website for schedule
Location: 612 F Street
Why Go There? While the historic 1930's theater is being restored by volunteers, scheduled events include first Saturday free film screenings and other activities
Access: Drive, street parking
More Information: The Eureka Theater
Eureka Symphony - Eureka
October – May
Location: 412 G Street: Arkley Center for the Performing Arts
Why Go There? Five seasonal concerts plus special events; pre-season gala dinner, auction; chamber music benefit concert; pre-concert talks; discounted main floor tickets
Access: Drive, street parking
More Information: Eureka Symphony
Minor Theatre - Eureka
See website for schedule, varies
Location: 1001 H Street
Why Go There? Venue for HD Live Metropolitan Opera, independent films, events; historic renovated building opened as a movie theater in 1914, reported to be California's oldest theater built specifically as a movie theater; concessions include local adult beverages, specialty treats
More Information: Minor Theatre
North Coast Repertory Theater - Eureka
Year-round (shows start September, end mid-August)
Location: 300 Fifth Street/D Street
Why Go There? Long standing community theater company offers six main stage plays, musicals per season; refreshments; senior discounts
More Information: NCRT
Redwood Coast Music Festival - Eureka
May
Location: Five venues, downtown
Why Go There? 28+ year festival features local, regional, nationally known musical artists offering traditional jazz, blues, swing and zydeco music. Festival includes special events: Taste of Main Street, Wine & Jazz, Blues nights, Dance contests; free community concert.
More Information: Redwood Jazz
Redwood Curtain Theatre - Eureka
February-November
Location: 220 First Street
Why Go There? Offers several professionally driven plays; theater lobby hosts changing local artist works; participates in Arts!Alive first Saturday evenings
More Information: Redwood Curtain + Facebook
Summer Concert Series - Eureka
June-August 6:00-8:00pm (see website for schedule)
Location: C Street Market Square (foot of C Street)
Why Go There? Free outdoor concerts featuring blues, country, rock, funk
Access: Drive, street parking
More Information: Eureka Main Street
Ferndale Repertory Theatre - Ferndale
September-April, Thursday-Saturday evening, Sunday matinee
Location: 447 Main Street
Why Go There? Community theater company offers seasonal plays, musicals, affordable
More Information: Ferndale Rep
Gloriana Musical Theater - Fort Bragg
Location: 210 North Corry at Alder: Eagles Hall Theatre
Why Go There? 32+ year community based musical theater (formerly named Gloriana Opera Company) offers engaging seasonal performances; preview, senior, student discounts
More Information: Gloriana
Headlands Coffee House - Fort Bragg
Daily opens at 7:00am (music starts 7:00pm, Sunday afternoons 2:00pm)
Location: 110 Laurel Street
Why Go There? Low key, popular local spot open all day offers nightly jazz, acoustic music (tip jar) from local/visiting musicians; simple meals, coffee drinks, craft beer, wine
More Information: Headlands Coffee House
Symphony of the Redwoods - Fort Bragg
Fall, Winter, Spring Symphony Concerts Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2:00pm
Location: 500 North Harold Street (Cotton Auditorium)
Why Go There? 35+ years, 45-50 member orchestra (amateur and professional musicians) offer quality classical music in Mendocino County; guest artists; chamber series (see Symphony of the Redwoods Opus Chamber Series - Mendocino); fundraiser events
More Information: Symphony of the Redwoods + Facebook
Fortuna Concert Series - Fortuna
September-May, Saturday Evenings
Location: 610 Main Street (Fortuna Monday Club)
Why Go There? Professional music concert series (eight concerts) includes classical, jazz, folk, ethnic, vocal and instrumental music from talented local groups, individuals, nationally and internationally known performers; venue built in 1920's as a comfortable performance space; affordable prices
More Information: Fortuna Concert Series
Mendocino Music Festival - Mendocino
July
Location: Various venues
Why Go There? 31+ years of daytime, evening performances: orchestra concerts, Big Band, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass, popular contemporary, lectures/recitals at the Piano Series, Emerging Artists Program performance; small intimate venue concerts throughout town; fundraiser dinner hosted at a local restaurant
More Information: Mendocino Music
Mendocino Theatre Company - Mendocino
March – December Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees
Location: Mendocino Arts Center campus Northeast, 45200 Little Lake Street/ Kasten Street
Why Go There? Established in 1976, local company offers range of classics, cutting-edge plays, musicals; intimate 75 seat venue (Helen Schoeni Theatre); refreshments, full bar, locally made treats. Discounts: First Thursday, Friday performances of each play (previews); students under 21.
More Information: Mendocino Theatre
Symphony of the Redwoods Opus Chamber Series - Mendocino
October-April Sunday 3:00pm
Location: 44867 Main Street (Preston Hall) - Mendocino
Why Go There? 30+ years of high quality classical music guest artists perform eight concert season
More Information: Symphony of the Redwoods
Arena Theater - Point Arena
Daily year-round
Location: 214 Main Street
Why Go There? Art Deco restored 1920's vaudeville theater hosts mainstream and art films, touring and local music concerts, dance performances, community events
More Information: Arena Theater
Ukiah Players Theatre - Ukiah
May-August evenings, matinees
Location: 1041 Low Gap Road: Ukiah Playhouse
Why Go There? Community theater company resident in Ukiah Playhouse offers seasonal productions of new and classical plays, musicals
More Information: Ukiah Players Theatre
Additional Resources
Redwood Park - Arcata
Summer Shakespeare play (Friday, Saturday evenings August)
Cloverdale Arts Alliance - Cloverdale
Summer Friday evenings street fair/live music (June-August); other music events
Cloverdale Arts Alliance - Cloverdale
Summer Friday evenings street fair/live music (June-August)
Third Sunday - Eureka
Afternoon jazz performances, Morris Graves Art Museum
The Old Steeple - Ferndale
Venue hosts guest artist music events
Footlighters - Fort Bragg
Small community theater features melodrama, comedy; 248 East Laurel Street
Whale and Jazz Festival - Gualala
Annual multi-week jazz festival (also see Gualala arts center listing)
Mendocino Arts - Mendocino
Art, music, film, theater events throughout the county; searchable by date, category
Occidental Center for the Arts - Occidental
Occidental Center for the Arts hosts year-round performances, literary arts (see listing under Arts for art gallery), 3850 Doris Murphy Court
Mendocino College Theater Arts - Ukiah
Theatre Arts Department offers plays, dance, collaborations with other local groups
Ukiah Symphony - Ukiah
50 piece orchestra offer a four program season (September-May; spring, summer fundraisers)
Willits Theatre - Willits
40 year community theater company offers four productions, and venue for guest musical artists, other performances. (April-November)