Festival Orchestra 1

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Maestro Allan Pollack will open the Festival with The Phoenix, his new composition that celebrates the victory of life over death and hope over despair. Yevgeny Kutik will solo in Prokofiev’s ethereal Violin Concerto No. 1. The concert will conclude with Beethoven’s rhythmic and lively Symphony No. 7.

$15 – $35

Hills to Hollers

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Super-group Hills to Hollers (Barbara Higbie, Vicki Randle, Laurie Lewis) explores the rich history and intertwined roots of the African-American and white musical traditions of the American south. Vicki Randle, of Mavis Staples, “Tonight Show” and Skip the Needle fame joins Laurie Lewis, two-time bluegrass female vocalist of the year and Barbara Higbie, a Grammy-nominated, ...

$15 – $35
Event Series Breakfast with Chou-Chou

Breakfast with Chou-Chou

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Join Debussy at the breakfast table with his wife and beloved daughter, Chou-Chou, as his imagination is stirred by the toys in the nursery, the paintings on the wall, and fantasies of sunlit ancient Greece. Susan Waterfall will play the “Children’s Corner” suite, Eric Kritz will join her on the Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano, and Daniel Lockert will team up with her on Six Épigraphes Antiques. Two sonatas will round out the petit-déjeuner: the darkly humorous Sonata for Cello and Piano, and the magical Sonata for Flute, Harp and Viola.

$15 – $30
Event Series Business Casual

Business Casual

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Bay Area vocal band Business Casual explores a wide range of genres including pop, jazz, soul, folk and swing to produce fresh a cappella versions of vintage chart toppers, today's top 40 hits, and award-winning original songs. In 2020, their album, Voices Only Volume 2, hit the airwaves and in 2021, Business Casual won a ...

Piano Series: Spencer Myer

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Audience favorite Spencer Myer returns to play Beethoven Sonata No. 27, Op. 90; Debussy’s Pour le Piano; and Chopin’s “The Four Impromptus.” Two pieces from Enrique Granados’ Goyescas suite—inspired by Goya’s paintings—will complete the program: Los requeibros and El amor y la muerte. CHOOSE SEATS AND BUY

$15 – $35

Piano Series: Spencer Myer

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Audience favorite Spencer Myer returns to play Beethoven Sonata No. 27, Op. 90; Debussy’s Pour le Piano; and Chopin’s “The Four Impromptus.” Two pieces from Enrique Granados’ Goyescas suite—inspired by Goya’s paintings—will complete the program: Los requeibros and El amor y la muerte. CHOOSE SEATS AND BUY

$15 – $35
Event Series Bululú

Bululú

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

The vernacular Venezuelan term, bululú, means “a gathering of people with excitement.” The San Francisco Bay Area band launched by Venezuelan-born percussionist Lali Mejia and Mexican string expert and vocalist Jose Roberto Hernandez manifests kindred cultural streams flowing together harmoniously. The nine-piece combo of veteran performers draws on folkloric styles from Venezuelan, Colombian, Chilean, Cuban ...

The StepCrew

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Created by Cara Butler and Jon and Nathan Pilatzke (longtime touring members of The Chieftains), The StepCrew combines Irish, Tap and Ottawa Valley Step dancing, music, and song. The virtuosic cast of 11 dancers and musician, made up of leading performers in today’s Celtic music scene, has appeared on the stages of Celtic festivals all ...

$15 – $35

Festival Orchestra 2

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Debussy’s symphonic poem, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, will take us into Debussy’s charming orchestral music. The mood will change with Mozart’s first orchestral masterpiece, Symphony No. 29. Jennifer Cho and Jonah Kim will be featured in Brahms’ last work for orchestra, the Concerto for Violin and Cello.

$15 – $35

Calder Quartet 2022

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Back for a tenth year of sensitive and eloquent playing, the Calder Quartet will perform the Beethoven Quartet Op.18, No. 3, and the Debussy G-minor Quartet for Strings. In addition to these audience favorites we’ll hear the world premiere of Paul Wiancko’s “Climb,” written especially for Calder Quartet. The players…are particularly good at producing a ...

$15 – $35

Las Cafeteras

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

A Chicano band from East Los Angeles, Las Cafeteras are known for their infectious live performances and music that fuses word and folk music with traditional Son Jarocho, Afro-Mexican music, and zapateado dancing. Remixing roots music and telling modern stories, Las Cafeteras create a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East LA sound. Crossing genres ...

$15 – $35
Event Series Jackie Gage

Jackie Gage

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Jackie Gage is a jazz singer whose velvety voice, relaxed piano playing, and uplifting songwriting straddle the worlds of jazz, folk, and R&B. Born in San Jose, she relocated to New York City for a few years to immerse herself in a different music scene, and has returned to the Bay Area. A pearlescent, cool-toned ...

L’apero at Ledford House

Ledford House Restaurant 3000 CA-1, Albion, CA, United States

Featured wines at this event When there is nothing left to do besides have good food and wine with friends, L’apéro is the part of the day when the French pause and convene for a drink over small plates; after work, before a concert or whatever the evening's activity might be. For many years owners ...

$75
Event Series Sounds and Perfumes of Evening

Sounds and Perfumes of Evening

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Debussy was interested in writing music that evoked feelings in listeners and in himself, and these pieces showcase his ability to conjure the mysterious atmosphere of night, moonlight, and erotic love, as well as the darker emotions of war and conflict. In this elegant soiree, Susan Waterfall will play two preludes and a waltz, Carolyn ...

$15 – $30
Event Series Ralph Humphrey and Summit

Ralph Humphrey and Summit

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Summit is a group of accomplished musicians playing together for the first time to make music that includes original compositions and classic standards from the Great American Songbook. Legendary drummer Ralph Humphrey will be joined by Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Jerrold Watts Jr. on bass, and Dmitris Mahlis on guitars. Each artist has performed with ...

Event Series Piano Series: Gloria Cheng

Piano Series: Gloria Cheng

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

The Washington Post called Gloria Cheng “one of the most adventurous interpreters of contemporary music around." Among the pieces she will play this year are “32 Garlands for Steven Stucky,” tributes by a number of composers to their colleague and much-beloved professor/composer, who died unexpectedly in 2016. Stephen Andrew Taylor’s “Seven Memorials” was inspired by ...

$15 – $35

Festival Chorale, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

The first part of this concert, “All Creatures Great and Small” will feature the Festival Chamber Chorale, directed by Jenny Matteucci, singing a menagerie of music from Renaissance to Contemporary, celebrating our beloved four-legged and winged friends. Includes Rutter’s “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” Tavener’s  “The Lamb,” and Copland’s “I Bought Me a Cat.” After a brief ...

$15 – $35

Emerging Artists Concert

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

The annual concert by the wonderfully talented young string players from the Festival’s Emerging Artists Program is anticipated by all who love hearing accomplished musicians interpret chamber music classics. CHOOSE SEATS AND BUY

$15 – $30

Festival Big Band, featuring Kim Nalley

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "Kim Nalley is a vocal powerhouse with pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it." Put her in front of the seasoned Festival Big Band musicians and you have an evening of red-hot jazz, steamy blues, and sexy swing.

$15 – $35

Festival Chorale: All Creatures Great and Small (Preston Hall)

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Classical composers have always been inspired by animals. Think of orchestral works like Carnival of the Animals by St. Saens or Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev. In the field of vocal music, the great lieder composers found inspiration in bird flight, the galloping of horses, or the tranquility of the gazelle. The Italian madrigal, ...

$20

Event Series Masterclass (4th Mondays, January–April)

Masterclass (4th Mondays, January–April)

Preston Hall 44867 Main St., Mendocino, CA, United States

The Masterclass returns with a once-a-month “open mic” concept. Class participants can bring in music to sing in front of class with a live pianist. Jenny and Daniel will provide feedback and suggestions in musicality, performance techniques, repertoire, and more. Classical, Musical Theater, and Standards are encouraged for this class. Previous masterclass students can bring ...

$20 – $40

Festival Chorale: A Jubilant Song

Preston Hall 44867 Main St., Mendocino, CA, United States

The Mendocino Music Festival Chorale will perform a concert celebrating American composers, including music by Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Gwyneth Walker, and the lovely Frostiana by Randall Thompson. This concert was originally scheduled for 2020 but was cancelled by the pandemic, so the Festival Chorale is particularly excited (one might even say "jubilant") to ...

$20

Maurizio! The Life and Times of Maurice Ravel

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

In-person film premier with Susan Waterfall. You’ve heard music by Ravel and probably loved it. You’ve heard random gossip about this secretive composer. Now’s your chance to experience Ravel’s life and music in its historic context. With contemporary art and photographs, and 26 musical excerpts...

$20

Celebration Toast and Dinner

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Celebration! Toast to the Tent We hope you can join us as we return to our Tent Concert Hall. It’s time to joyfully celebrate our amazing Festival community and the transformational power of live music in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Enjoy sparkling wine from Scharffenberger Cellars, and delicious hors d’oeuvres provided ...

$25 – $125

CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

CJ Chenier, “The Crown Prince of Zydeco,” was born into an indigenous American culture with a distinctive language and music. The Creole son of Clifton Chenier, he started playing in his father’s band shortly before Clifton died. CJ delivers soulful vocals along with masterful accordion-driven Zydeco and blues. A Grammy-nominated musician and recording artist, CJ ...

$15 – $55

Festival Orchestra 1, with soloists Jessica Fellowes and Katie Kadarauch

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

To begin the classical Festival, Maestro Allan Pollack will lead the orchestra in Shostakovich’s Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96, an appropriately effervescent opening. Mozart’s joyful Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major for violin and viola will feature soloists Fellowes and Kadarauch. The partnership and equality shared by the soloists creates a searingly beautiful sound ...

$15 – $45

The Steel Wheels

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

From their base in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, this acoustic roots music collective has played the most prestigious festivals, listening rooms, and clubs in the world, cementing a reputation as one of the top independent bands. The Steel Wheels give folk, folk rock and Appalachian roots music a modern twist. Their records and performances are ...

$15 – $45
Event Series Foxglove, with Gwyneth Moreland

Foxglove, with Gwyneth Moreland

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Over the past 20 years, Foxglove has established itself as a Mendocino County favorite. The band’s selection of heartfelt originals and carefully curated covers have featured tight harmonies and tasty string-band instrumentation. Gwyneth Moreland, a Mendocino County native, was a teenager when the band was formed. She was immediately adored by Foxglove fans for her ...

$15 – $30

Ravel: The Lure of the Exotic, featuring Susan Waterfall

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Susan Waterfall will play Pavane pour un infante défunte, Oiseaux tristes, and Un barque sur l'ocean. She will be joined by Julian Pollack on “Mother Goose Suite.” Jenny Matteucci, soprano, accompanied by Daniel Lockert on piano, will present Cinq mélodies populaires grecques. The Piano Trio in A minor will close out the concert, with Sam ...

$15 – $30

Blind Boys of Alabama

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

The Blind Boys of Alabama have the rare distinction of being recognized around the world as both living legends and modern-day innovators. They are not just gospel singers borrowing from old traditions; the group helped to define those traditions in 20th century and almost single-handedly created a new gospel sound for the 21st. Since the ...

$15 – $45
Event Series Mads Tolling

Mads Tolling, with pianist John R. Burr

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

An internationally renowned violinist and composer originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Mads Tolling now calls San Francisco home. As a former nine-year member of both bassist Stanley Clarke’s band and the celebrated Turtle Island Quartet, Mads won two Grammy Awards, and he was nominated for a third Grammy in 2015. He was the 2016 winner of ...

$15 – $30

Piano Series: Jeffrey LaDeur, with Kindra Scharich

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Jeffrey LaDeur is known for his rare blend of insight, spontaneity, and approachable, communicative stage presence. He is the founder and artistic director of the San Francisco International Piano Festival and president of the American Liszt Society, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich has been praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for her ...

$15 – $30

Otis Taylor

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, blues singer/composer Otis Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist whose talents include vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and harmonic. Capable of exploring any musical mood at any given time, Taylor lets his audience experience the unexpected. While his music, an amalgamation of root styles in their rawest form, discusses heavyweight issues like murder, homelessness, ...

$15 – $45

Kalil Amar Wilson

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Kalil Wilson’s bright re-imaginings of jazz standards and originals are informed by the rich history of great jazz singing and meld with their heartfelt, eclectic stylings. An Oakland native, they are the offsping of Nigerian bassist/bandleader Babá Ken Okulolo and an American mom with a record collection of vintage jazz, African, R&B, and salsa. Mentored ...

$15 – $30

Festival Orchestra 2, The Barber of Seville (concert version)

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Concert Version; Guest Conductor Ryan Murray The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution, is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini. Musicologists believe that the music was composed in just under three weeks, although the famous overture was actually recycled from two earlier Rossini operas. Nonetheless, The Barber has proven to be ...

$15 – $55

Piano Series: Ralph Van Raat and Heather Pinkham, duo pianos

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

The artists will play John Adams’ Hallelujah Junction for two pianos, named after a small truck stop on US 395 near the California–Nevada border. Pinkham’s Mechanical Transcendence for two pianos tells the story of an android that wishes to become human. Joep Franssens’ Old Songs, New Songs for two pianos will be followed by another ...

$15 – $30

Festival Big Band, featuring Maiya Sykes

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

This year the big band musicians are going to find their groove with Maiya Sykes, a former back-up singer whose rendition of “Stay with Me” on The Voice in 2014 catapulted her to lead singer fame. Based in Los Angeles, Sykes is a classically trained musician who graduated from Yale and studied with Betty Carter ...

$15 – $55

Calder Quartet 2023

Cotton Auditorium 500 N Harold Street, Fort Bragg, CA, United States

Hailed as “imaginative, skillful creators” by the New York Times, the Calder Quartet captivates audiences with its explorations of a broad repertoire, always striving to fulfill the composer’s vision in their performances. The group’s distinctive artistry is exemplified by the musical curiosity they bring to everything they perform. This concert will feature Ravel’s String Quartet ...

$14 – $45

Tierney Sutton

Tent Concert Hall 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Julian Pollack, along with bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker, will begin the evening with jazz standards beautifully and inventively performed. Tierney Sutton will join the band for the second half in a tribute to the great drummer Ralph Humphrey. A fabulous singer with a gorgeous trio—who could ask for more? Sutton is not ...

$15 – $45

Ledford House: the Iconic Festival Dinner Party 2023

Ledford House Restaurant 3000 CA-1, Albion, CA, United States

Enjoy a delightful evening of gourmet food and music at one of the area’s leading restaurants, with premium wines generously supplied by Husch Vineyards. Located seven miles south of Mendocino on the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) in Albion, California, its bluff-top location on the Albion headlands allows panoramic views of the Pacific and breathtaking sunsets.

$100
Event Series Sam Reider

Sam Reider, with Jorge Glem

Preston Hall 44867 Main Street, Mendocino, CA, United States

Pianist, accordionist, composer, and educator from San Francisco, Reider brings together various streams of American music, from jazz and folk tunes to popular song and contemporary composition. He has appeared as a bandleader and soloist at major festivals and venues around the world, and his performances and original compositions have been featured on NPR, PBS ...

$15 – $30