The Hill House Inn       Fine Lodging in Mendocino

May 17: Acoustic Kitchen presents “Steven Bates and Roger Fritz” Steven Bates fans are in for another acoustic treat. Like many of our local musicians, Steven loves collaborating and playing music with other musicians. When Mendocino Stories and Music Series offered him a choice to pick another musician to play with for Acoustic Kitchen, he chose Roger Fritz. Music starts at 7:30PM on Friday, May 17 at Community Center of Mendocino, 998 School St Mendocino. Steven Bates and Roger Fritz both started their musical careers at thirteen. That’s when Steven started playing music and school dances. Acoustically he delivers a fast-paced strumming technique that has a rock and roll vibe unto itself. Born in a guitar case at a VFW dance, Roger Fritz had built his first guitar by age thirteen. Another guitar soon followed and another and another. I guess you could say he is a natural born guitar savant. All ages welcome. Doors open at 7PM for snacks and beverages. $10 at the door, $5 for students. For more info on this event call Pattie at 937-1732 or visit www.mendocinostories.com/events.html.

May 18: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “The Sourdough Loafers” Mendocino Stories and Music Series will feature The Sourdough Loafers on Saturday May 18. With a mixture of Americana - Blues, Jug Band, Country, Jazz, Swing, and good old Cowboy music – the band will play in the Garden Room of the Mendocino Hotel. The band’s name came up when all members realized they each had sourdough starter in their refrigerators and all baked homemade sourdough bread. Music starts at 7:30PM. Band members are Frannie Leopold-vocalist and guitarist. This gal is a music addict - Peter Barg peripatetic acoustic bass man on tololoche and guitarron. - Chip Yerbic, guitar, mandolin, vocals - Lee Rider has been involved in music from a very early age and has played in various bluegrass, country, folk, rock and blues bands in California and Washington states. Plays dobro, pedal steel, lap steel as well as acoustic and electric guitars and can play some mandolin and banjo in a pinch. All Ages Welcome! Doors open at 6:30PM for bistro menu and full bar. Advanced tickets - Reserved table seating - $20, $15 general admission. For more info call Pattie at 707-937-1732. www.mendocinostories.com/events.html

May 18 at 7:30 pm: Motown Revue and R&B Boogie On Saturday, May 18, The Hill House of Mendocino welcomes the “Motown Revue and R&B Boogie” starring Schieve’s Soul Survivors. Dance, Listen and Groove to this great seven-piece band. Doors open 6PM, Music at 7:30. Tickets $15 at TANGENTS, Fort Bragg, OUT OF THIS WORLD, Mendocino or online at BrownPaperTickets.com. Full Bar, Fine Cuisine, Dance Floor.

May 19 at 3 pm: OPUS Chamber Music Series presents The Noyo Consort The OPUS Chamber Music Series on Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m. at Preston Hall (Mendocino) features The Noyo Consort, a violin, trombone, and piano trio. The group is headed by pianist Jason Kirkman, well-known locally as both a musician and a physician. Dr. Kirkman performs regularly as a pianist in chamber music recitals and plays keyboards and percussion with Symphony of the Redwoods and the Mendocino Music Festival orchestra. He is joined by violinist Philip Santos, concertmaster of the Fremont Symphony, assistant concertmaster of Marin Symphony and principal second violin of the California Symphony. Trombonist Don Benham completes the group. Mr. Benham is principal trombonist with the California Symphony, but he is best known locally as trombonist for the Music Festival and member of the ever popular Big Band.

This will be a most fascinating concert and should appeal to both classical and jazz enthusiasts. Each piece is completely different: Phillip Santos and Jason Kirkman will play a romantic violin-piano sonata brimming with melodies and dramatic musical gestures by Edvard Grieg. In contrast, they will also play a modern violin sonata full of humor and appealing melodies by local composer Jay Sydeman. The trombone shines in a Trombone Concerto by Jim Pugh, a delightfully rhythmic and jazzy piece, and the three will perform the Tilden Trio for violin, trombone, and piano by Sarn Oliver. The OPUS Chamber Music Series concerts are held at Preston Hall, Mendocino. Information: 707 937-1018. Tickets are $20 and are available at Harvest Market, Tangents, and Out of This World, online at www.SymphonyoftheRedwoods.org, and at the door.

May 24 and 25 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “Hit and Run Theater” Mendocino Stories and Music Series welcomes back Hit and Run Theater & Friends for two nights of improvised fun, games and stories. They will play at the Hill House of Mendocino on Friday & Saturday, May 24 and 25. The players are Jill Jahelka, Ken Krauss, Doug Nunn, Kathy O'Grady, Christine Samas, Dan Sullivan, and Steve Weingarten. Joshua Brody, "just maybe the greatest improv comedy keyboard accompanist", will join the gang for this weekend. The shows will start at 7:30PM. For the comedy weekend shows, doors open at 6:00 PM for dinner menu and drinks. Premier reserved seating at $20, $15 at the door. For more information about the shows and the workshop call Pattie at 707-937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

May 25 at 1 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “Song Improvisation Workshop” Mendocino Stories and Music Series will present a workshop on May 25, led by Joshua Brody - “SONG IMPROVISATION FOR BEGINNERS ... AND THE TERRIFIED! Joshua has been teaching song improvisation for over thirty years. The workshop will be held at the Hill House of Mendocino, from 1-4PM. Want to sing? Think you can't? Or do you just want to learn another way to make music? Starting with the very basics: breathing, ear training, and vocal production, and students are led gradually and painlessly through all the elements that go into making a song. The spring workshop was a great hit, with rave reviews.

Advance reservation required to guarantee a spot. Cost of the 3-hour workshop is $30, $40 at the door, if space available. For more information about the shows and the workshop call Pattie at 707-937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

May 26: A Taste of Chocolate, Wine and Ale The Mendocino Music Festival and the Mendocino Art Center present an enjoyable afternoon of exceptional food, wine and ale. There also will be a Silent Auction and a Raffle. All proceeds from this event will be used to support the Mendocino Art Center and the Mendocino Music Festival. Mendocino Art Center, 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino

May 31: Film Festival Opening Gala Opening Gala for the 6th year of the Mendocino Film Festival.

June 1-3: Mendocino Film Festival The 6th year of the Mendocino Film Festival.

June 21 at 7:30 pm: Acoustic Kitchen, part 6 Four women of music will be featured at “Acoustic Kitchen, part 6” when Mendocino Stories and Music Series hosts Sarah Wagner, Juliet Strong, and “Sweet Moments of Confusion”. Music starts at 7:30PM on Friday, June 21 at Community Center of Mendocino, 998 School St Mendocino. Sarah Wagner, a veteran of operas and musical theatre, fell in love with the sweet sound of a ukulele. She enjoys playing covers of every genre of music and has begun to write her own. As “Sweet Moments of Confusion”, cellist Myra Joy and accordionist Diana Strong perform original instrumental compositions inspired by folk traditions from many corners of the world, particularly Northern and Eastern Europe. With a voice like butter and an array of original, bluesy melodies, Juliet Strong touches audiences with her depth of sound, unparalleled musicality, and lilting lyrics. Juliet's high-energy fusion of folk and soul, accompanied by rhythmic piano and ukulele, provides a unique, and infectiously uplifting musical experience. All ages welcome. Doors open at 7PM for snacks and beverages. $10 at the door, $5 for students. For more info on this event call Pattie at 937-1732 or visit www.mendocinostories.com/events_info.html

June 22 at 8 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “The Mixed Nuts” With a collection of swing, as well as Latin, calypso, jazz, and popular tunes, The Mixed Nuts will be featured in the Mendocino Stories and Music Series on Saturday June 22. As a special offering, Sunshine Taylor and Glenn Rude, dancers extraordinaire and dance instructors, will teach a beginning swing dance class at 7:30PM followed by dance music at 8PM. This fun event will be held at the Hill House Inn of Mendocino. The Mixed Nuts, an off-shoot of Kevin and the Coconuts, was originally the brainchild of Dan Albrecht who, in this group, plays piano and sings. He is joined by Steve Paul on trumpet, vocals, steel pan, banjo and accordion; Paul Schulman on congas; Daney Dawson on acoustic upright bass; and special guest on drums and percussion. All ages and levels of interest are encouraged. Doors open at 6PM with dinner menu and full bar. $20 for reserved seating, $15 at the door - includes dance lesson. For more info on this event call Pattie at 937-1732 or visit www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

July 3 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “Good Job Honey” The stories of Mendocino are told through the lives of our residents and of our offspring. Celebrating the music of three Mendo High graduates, Mendocino Stories and Music Series is pleased to present “Good Job Honey” on the eve of Independence Day, Wednesday July 3. Music starts at 7:30PM at the Mendocino Hotel. With influences from (but hardly limited to) folk, rock, soul, blues, bossa nova, rhythm and blues, and country, Good Job Honey offers a lighthearted sound enjoyable to all walks of life and ages. The band hangs its hat in Ashland, Oregon. Band members are Sean Roberts (lead guitar, percussion, vocals), April Heckeroth (vocals, glockenspiel, frog), and Austin Roberts (guitar, ukulele, vocals). Good Job Honey has stated that its mission is “To inspire, evoke emotions and spread joy through music”. Doors open at 6:30PM with bistro menu and full bar. $20 for reserved seating, $15 at the door. For tickets and more info call Pattie at 707-937-1732 or visit www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

Fourth of July: Mendocino Fourth of July Parade This mix of small-town charm and eclectic visions draws 5000 people to watch the parade move down Main and Lansing Streets in Mendocino.

July 6: World's Largest Salmon BBQ This salmon dinner in Noyo Harbor draws thousands of people, and is followed by a fireworks display after dark.

July 13: Mendocino Art Center's 54th Annual Summer Arts & Crafts Fair Over 50 high quality juried artists and craftspeople from throughout Northern California showcase a wide array of unique handmade artwork. The Fair also includes food items and live local music. Free admission. Mendocino Art Center, 45200 Little Lake Street.

July 13-27: Mendocino Music Festival The 30th year of the Mendocino Film Festival.