Music and Theatre Schedule
There are surprisingly many performing arts groups on the Mendocino Coast. The Symphony of the Redwoods, directed by Alan Pollack, performs year-round, including the Mendocino Music Festival. There are 2 opera companies: Opera Fresca, performing classical operas, and Gloriana Musical Theatre, performing a variety of light operas. The Mendocino Theatre Company performs year-round at the theater located at the Mendocino Art Center. And there are countless other local musicians of all types.
Mendocino Music Festival: in July
The Mendocino Music Festival was established in 1986 as the dream of local musicians Walter Green and Allan Pollack. Now in its 22nd year, the Festival continues to delight audiences with a wide breadth of talent and cover a multitude of musical styles. Performances include the Festival Orchestra, the Big Band concert, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, and folk music. The Music Festival spans two weeks in July, and it includes a lot of related events during that time.
Mendocino Film Festival in May
The Mendocino Film Festival is dedicated to presenting quality, independent films, documentaries, foreign films, short films, and animation to audiences of all ages and cinematic tastes and to educate film and video students in the art of filmmaking and production.
The first festival, held in 2006, came out of a dream and the hardwork of a handful of film enthusiasts. Their ideas captured the attention of some heavy hitters from the very beginning. In 2006, Academy Award-winning director, producer, actor, and writer Sydney Pollack appeared as a special guest and participated in panels and open discussions. Pollack previously served as President of the jury at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. In 2007, the festival added legendary filmmaker, Albert Maysles, to their list of honored guests. Maysles entertained audiences during a Q&A following the screening of “What’s Happening: The Beatles First Tour of the US”. Actors Carl Lumbly (Alias) and Sharon Lawrence (Desperate Housewives) also charmed audiences during their appearances.
Juried contest winners are selected in documentary feature, mid-length and short films; films on the arts, narrative and short feature. Added to the 2008 program were: Films for Our Future – Changing the world, one film at a time; Films on the Arts - highlighting the life and work of outstanding artists, dancers and musicians; Reaching Out - a category devoted to special interest and ethnic groups. Once again the program will include panels & Q&A’s with filmmakers and special guests, allowing ample opportunity for film-goers to interact with screenwriters, directors, producers and celebrities from the industry.