It is the lack of any large cities nearby where such events normally take place that led to the creation of these artistic, musical, dramatic and cultural extravaganzas worthy of the international acclaim many of them have attained.
Residents and visitors alike- with many visitors returning year after year from all over the country and even from abroad- are not lacking any of the opportunities to view great art, hear outstanding music, and see professional quality theatrical productions, dancers, and other performing artists.
The cultural scene also extends to painting, sculpture, photography, woodcarving, and other crafts of gallery quality.
In addition to exhibits in the Mateel Art Gallery, a collective enterprise that offers the most extensive variety of local art, many local businesses feature paintings, watercolors, acrylics and other art forms in local restaurants and other business places.
The Mateel Gallery is located in Jacob Garber Square in downtown Garberville. It showcases not only the work of the painters and
While some of the larger events that draw massive audiences are held outdoors against the backdrop of the area ‘s natural beauty, many of the musical, theatrical, and dance productions are held at the Mateel Community Center in Redway, up the hill on Rusk Lane off Redwood Drive. ‘”Mateel” is a coined name that refers to the area within the watersheds of the Mattole and Eel Rivers.
Following is a brief summary of some of the events visitors may want to consider attending.
June
May 31-June 1- Summer Arts and Music Festival at Benbow Lake. Offering a little something for everyone, this festival features over 100 diverse acts on four stages, 130 handmade craft, food, and information booths, an all-media fine arts showcase and art glass exhibit, and kid ‘s activities. Tickets are sliding scale, $12 and up per day or $20 and up for a two-day pass, kids 10 and under free. Call 923-3368 for more information or check out www.mateel.org.
7- Sum Funk, a one-day funk music festival featuring George Clinton and P-Funk, Fishbone, and more, at Benbow Lake. Go to www.mateel.org or call 707-923- 3368 for more information.
13-14-15- The 29th Annual Redwood Run in Piercy. Thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts convene for three days of fun activities, including two nights of music featuring some of the nation ‘s top performers.
13-14-15- Garberville ‘s Rodeo in the Redwoods. Rodeo events are at Graycliff Acres in Benbow (two miles south of Garberville on Highway 101, take Benbow exit east and follow the rodeo signs). Friday events include a Bull-o-Rama followed by a dance in Garberville. Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. in front of the Redwood Mall, followed by the crowning of the Rodeo Queen and Princess at 10 a.m. and a parade at 11 a.m.; kids games at the rodeo grounds starting after the parade; barbecue dinner at 4:30 and professional rodeo from 4:30 till finished.
July
3-4-5- Feet First Dancers will present a new show, at the Mateel Community Center in Redway. Go to www.mateel.org or call 707-923- 3368 for more information.
4- Fourth of July Family Picnic and Fireworks. This event, sponsored by the Garberville-Redway Area Chamber of Commerce at Benbow Lake State Recreation area (two miles south of Garberville on 101, take Benbow exit west) begins at noon and continues into the evening when a spectacular fireworks display will light the skies. Bring a picnic lunch or buy food from a number of vendors on site. Games, nature walks, music, dancing, swimming in the lake and other activities continue throughout the afternoon.
5- Hospice Barnyard Brew and Barbecue. This is the third year for this event, which features microbrew tasting, a tri-tip barbecue, and auction. Held at the Southern Humboldt Community Park, one-half mile west of Garberville on Sprowel Creek Road. Fundraiser for Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice, which provides free medical services to terminal and chronically ill residents.
19- Reggae on the River returns! Katchafire, Wailing Souls, Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill, Warrior King, Sister I-Live and more. At Benbow Lake. Go to www.mateel.org or call 707-923- 3368 for more information.
26- San Francisco Mime Troupe returns to the Mateel Community Center in Redway. Call 707-923-3368 to confirm date and for more information or check out www.mateel.org.
August
1-2-3- Reggae Rising Music Festival. A three-day reggae music festival, held at the Dimmick Ranch, near Piercy (8 miles south of Garberville). Go to www.reggaerising. com for more information. Tickets available locally at Wild Horse Records, 760 Redwood Dr., Garberville.
7-17- Humboldt County Fair. Short 45-minute drive up Highway 101 from Garberville to Ferndale exit. Carnival, games, horse racing, competitive agricultural and livestock exhibits. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
15-17- Redwood Summer Games. This is the 15th annual edition of a well-attended sports event for persons with disabilities. The games and campout take place at the Redwood Area SDA Camp near Founders Grove, 23 miles north of Garberville on Highway 101. Take the South Fork/Honeydew exit and continue past Founder ‘s Grove. For additional details contact the sponsor, Community Cornerstone, at 923- 9248 or www.communitycornerstone. org.
30- Taste of the Cove- This annual barbecue at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove is another fundraiser for Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice, featuring barbecued wild-caught salmon and local music in a picnic atmosphere overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 31- Willie Nelson- The country singer will perform at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, two miles south of Garberville. Call 707- 923-4599 for more information.
September
6- Second annual Pipejam, a celebration of all things skateboard, at the Southern Humboldt Community Park. Go to www.mateel.org or call 707-923-3368 for more information.
27- Humboldt Hills Hoedown, a down-home celebration of bluegrass and bluegrass-influenced music, showcasing world-class bluegrass talent alongside the best local and regional string bands on two stages. At the Southern Humboldt Community Park. Call 923-3368 or go to www.mateel.org for more information.
October
4-5- Annual Fiber Fair- This event, featuring creative use of materials made from fibers, will be held during the day and early evening at the Mateel Community Center in Redway. To confirm date and for more information, call 923-3368 or go to www.mateel.org.
19- Humboldt Redwoods Marathon sponsored by Six Rivers Running Club. For more information go to www.6rrc.com.
November
1- Annual Civil Liberties Monitoring Project forum at the Mateel Community Center in Redway.
8- Hemp Fest- This annual event focusing on all things made from hemp will be held all day to early evening at the Mateel community Center in Redway. Call 923-3368 to confirm date and for additional information or check out www.mateel.org.
22- KMUD radio ‘s Battle of the Rock Bands, at the Mateel Community Center.
29- Give Thanks, a California reggae showcase, at the Mateel Community Center. Go to www.mateel.org or call 707-923- 3368 for more information.
December
4-5-6- Recycled Youth- There will be a series of performances of plays, skits and other displays of dramatic talent by this gifted group of local young people who do the writing and staging of the productions, as well as the acting. The event will be at Mateel Community Center in Redway. To confirm date and for more information, call 923-3368 or go to www.mateel.org.
13-14- Winter Arts Faire- This season marks the 32nd year for this multi-faceted event that features an array of high-quality handcrafted items, delicious food and festivity. There will be singers, magicians, dancers, instrumental musicians and puppeteers to liven up the Mateel Community Center in Redway all day long. There also will be frequent appearances by Santa Claus, usually surrounded by hosts of children. The Winter Arts Faire is known by locals for its Christmas shopping opportunities for unusual and unique gifts, guaranteed to satisfy even the most finicky Scrooge on the gift list. Visitors are welcome to get in on the fun. Call 923-3368 for more information or check out www.mateel.org.
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