Arcata Theater Lounge

Why You Should Visit Humboldt County

/ N.Pearson / 3 Comments

Humboldt County is a wonderful place to visit because of its rich history, abundant wildlife, artists, cannabis industry, casinos, and community. After taking the 101 or 299 into Humboldt from San Francisco, or Reno, the drive during the day can relax the mind with picturesque rolling mountains, lakes, and deep forests. Don’t forget to stop by the Legend of Bigfoot to get the gist of the lore or Confusion Hill where things go up when they should go down. When coming from Oregon or Crescent City down the 101 you might find Humboldt a change of pace, an exciting city life, or maybe you decide to take the off-the-grid paths to Shelter Cove or King Range Wilderness to hike the PCT. You may pass by a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox at the Mystery of Trees. And Eris, forbid, you took a flight in and you find your next flight weeks out or canceled due to bad weather, then you have plenty of time to view the amazing art displayed in the ACV (Arcata Aiport).

Humboldt Country is home to the Redwood trees, some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. Hiking through the Emerald Triangle includes trails in Trinity, Avenue of the Giants, and Fern Canyon. These trails will bring you to the brink of the otherworld where magical creatures wander and you find the little lost forest, feeling in unity and in tune with nature. Fishing in the Eel River or the Mad may take some experience but they are frequently replenished with fish. Ocean fishing is also a sport that can be done by the daring. Don’t forget to get your California fishing license and read up on the laws. Hiking the Headwaters Reserve or Manila trails you will find an array of mushroom species and moss-hung trees. Make sure to not pick the mushrooms without identifying them first and only as many as you need. Canoe down the rivers and enjoy your time basking in the sun during the summer months. 

Eureka and Arcata are abundant in night light. Arts Alive fills the street with music, art, and vendors. Friday markets in Eureka and Saturday Markets in Arcata. Irish punk shows at the Shanty, and Fetish Nights at Sirens Song. The Jam hosts headliners like local DJ Ahee and the Arcata Theater Lounge recently featured Mike Love. There is endless music, art, and craft beer for those who know where to find it. Music Festivals like Northern Nights, Hog Farm, and Festival of Dreams bring the fairies and elves out of the woods. For a good laugh check out Savage Henry’s Comedy Club or for symphonies, opera and plays at the Eureka Theater. 

Cal Poly Humboldt has exceptional forestry, social work, nursing, basketball team, and ceramics programs for BA. While College of the Redwoods offers general ed, creative writing, volleyball, and an amazing art department. What you really want to take advantage of is the great classes and gatherings hosted at businesses like Erica Brook’s Paint Out at the Winery, High Body Pole Dance workouts, Joe’s veteran ceramic class at CR, Bella Vita Fire spinning, Belly Dancing by Zeta Fusion, The Thing’s Ecstatic Dance, and Life Drawing at the RAA.

Humboldt has a long history of outlawed cannabis growers and the infamous Murder Mountain. You can find your leafy greens at dispensaries and smoke lounges on many street corners. Hit the gravity bong at EcoCann or if you’re in a rush drive through Humboldt Premium. Maybe you are further south and want to check out Cookie’s Lounge or for a nightlife environment there is Crisp! in Eureka! Live rosin cartridges, edibles, bubble hash, and premium cannabis are on the shelves, calling all adults. For an overnight experience check out Riverbar Pharms for good food and cannabis-friendly rooms.

The casinos are popular stops for great music, drinks, food, card games, and slot machines. Bear River Casino is located in Loleta and is a Rohnerville Rancheria to the Mattole and Wiyot Tribes, as well as other surrounding tribes. Blue Lake Casino is a Rancheria to the Wiyot tribe and is notarized by the white house as the “Climate Action Champion.” To learn more about the native tribes visit Clarke Museum currently showcasing a history of the Wigi, also known as the Humboldt Bay. Or you can stop in at the NCIDC American Indian Art and Gift Shop to see the beautiful Native art displayed.

It is impossible for me to list all the amazing things to do in Humboldt County, but I welcome you to come visit and check out the festivities happening in my town!

Mike Love 2022 at the Arcata Theater Lounge

/ N.Pearson / 1 Comment

May 31, 2022, at the Arcata Theater Lounge- Mike Love played reggae-styled jam music with a crowd full of loyal fans. His music was inspiring, and the attendees were ecstatic to dance to such a fruitful message. 

Mike Love shared a deep appreciation for Groundation, a band he opened up for when he first hit the road in 2013. While Mike Love’s band members had to take a step away from the road, he introduces his fill-in Ryan Newman, Groundation bass guitarist, who grew up in Arcata, CA, and Groundation drummer Paul Spina from Santa Rosa. His band also includes a trombone, saxophone, and keyboard player. They played songs from his newest album, a collaboration with Rising Tide, called Together.   

Play full screen for best video quality.

Mike Love is a vocalist and guitarist from Hawaii. He is known for creating unique harmonic noises from his diaphragm that have not been heard in mainstream productions prior. His looper, analog delay, and barefoot buttons also contribute to his branded sound. 

Renascence Festival Pre-Party

/ N.Pearson / 1 Comment

[Contains Adult Content] 

May 21, 2022- Arcata Theater Lounge hosts the Renascence Festival pre-party/ Mad Hatter Tea Party. With room to breathe, festy goers mingled and got down to dirty bass music. Headliner Ahee, known for his dubstep and 90’s smash mixes, drew in an eccentric crowd of all ages. Jewelry, merchandise, and crystal vendors lined the walls: local artist Joe Mallory painted acrylic on canvas with abstract surrealism concepts that opened the viewer’s third eye. Fire dancers and performers set the stage for theater doll Tori Love as Alice, who took away the show. Despite the teenyboppers, this was an adult party, and we can expect the Laytonville music festival to live up to this raunchy dance hall. 

Arcata Theater Lounge

Arcata Theater Lounge was opened in 1938, showing six films at a given time. Since then, the theater has expanded its offerings to include concerts and other events but still cherishes its vintage form. Drinks are affordable. Three levels from the stage allow for a pit, a dance floor with high chair seating, and a top-level for vending and coat check. The theater’s sound is crisp, without reverb despite the heavy bass. A comfy bean bag in the VIP lounge for the festy snoots. 

Ahee!

I was honored to speak with Chris Adams, a.k.a. Ahee, who has performed at music festivals like Infrasound, Excision, and Lucidity. His particular style could be categorized as “Alien Music.” While he makes the booties on the dance floor drop, he explores mixing his tunes with songs such as Eiffel 65’s Blue (Da Ba Dee) and All-Star by Smash Mouth. Besides his dirty bass and dubstep tunes. You can also find psytrance tracks and collaborations on Soundcloud. This DJ stands out for his relationship with his audience, feeling the crowd and recognizing them in his Facebook posts, never missing a group photo. Ahee creates tutorials on youtube so that you, too, can become a dubstep DJ with wubby bass. A lot of respect goes out to Ahee for being personal. When I asked him where he was from, it wasn’t a surprise that he answered, “I’m from here [Arcata, CA.]” Aliens like this come from out of the redwoods. 

Live artist Joe Mallory is nothing close to ordinary, inspired by psychedelic art and surreal nature. When asked, “What is this all about?” He replies, “Psychedelics play a big part but, as of recently, so does past life regression.” He explains to me that we come to this earth to experience and how each lifetime, we learn something new through life and death. He continued to share his past lives with me as a ceramics artist and his death by scooter. When asked how I could tap into past life regression, he replied to find an excellent psychic or look further into past life regression with a combination of psychedelics. Joe paints redwood trees, snowy mountains, and ocean landscapes with “moai” statues, oceans, and sacred geometry patterns. You can find Joe Mallory vending on the streets of Arts Alive in Eureka frequently. 

What would a Mad Hatter Tea Party be without Alice? And what better Alice than burlesque dancer Tori Love. Along with juggler Wiley, poi performer FigBungus and a fire spinning duet couple, these performers took the stage! Tori’s specialty twerk made this a randy R-rated performance! We can thank these performers for bringing the audience onto the stage for a costume contest. The winner, Mr.Komboujia, aroused the audience with his goldilocks wig and renaissance dress sporting and supporting Humboldt’s LGBTQ community. Also in the crowd were Little Lost Forest top hats that will be set up at a DIY station at the Mateel’s Summer Arts and Music festival. 

Are you dying to see more of the Renascence’s Crew? The festival will be held in Laytonville on June 10-12. Initially postponed due to COVID, Renascence’s team has been working hard to bring you a spiritually enlightening experience. We can expect to dance under the stars along with, aerial arts, amazing DJs, and vendors at this exquisite northern California event. Headliners include but are not limited to An-ten-nae, Mimosa, Atyya, Suds, and Beat Kitty.

600+ acres, fifteen minutes from downtown Laytonville. They encourage carpooling for parking is limited. Camping and glamping on site. They are still accepting vendor and volunteer applications. 

See you there!