The Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites       Fine Lodging and Dining in Mendocino

All Month: Whale Migration Has Started! In late December, the first of the California Gray Whales started their annual migration south from Alaska to Baja. You can see whale spouts from everywhere along the coast—you can even see them from the balcony at the Mendocino Hotel! Gray whales are passing by the coast through April.

All of January: Crab & Wine Festival Local Dungeness Crab paired with Mendocino Wines.

January 27 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents The Groovinators Mendocino Stories and Music Series features The Groovinators at 7:30PM on Friday, January 27 at 7:30 PM at the Mendocino Hotel. The Groovinators consists of a core trio featuring Earl Oliver on guitar and vocals; drummer, Tom Rickard, a veteran jazz player; and stand-up bassist, John Smith. The trio plays a potent combination of original and traditional blues, jazz, and swing rendered into their own inimitable style. All ages welcome! Bistro menu and libations are available as soon as the doors open at 6:30 pm. Sliding scale $10-15 as you can afford. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

January 28 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents PURA VIDA Mendocino Stories & Music Series presents salsa band PURA VIDA on Saturday, January 28 at the Hill House of Mendocino. PURA VIDA (PURE LIFE!) is Mendocino County’s original Latin inspired dance band. Music starts at 7:30PM. This is an all-ages dance party with music from Cuba, Brazil, Spain, and beyond. Join Mendocino residents and PURA VIDA founders Jorge Gomez and percussionist and singer Margi Gomez. More than a salsa band, PURA VIDA relies on master percussionist Amunka Davila for authentic interpretations of a wide variety of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Bistro menu and libations are available as soon as the doors open at 6:30 pm. Sliding scale $10-15. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

February 4 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents MUSE Benefit with Alex de Grassi Mendocino Stories and Music Series proudly presents a benefit event for Mendocino Unified School Enrichment (MUSE). On Saturday at Crown Hall in Mendocino, the evening will showcase student programs that have flourished because of MUSE. Special guest guitarist Alex de Grassi will perform. Art auction viewing begins at 6:30PM, performances at 7:30PM. Mark Oatney, K-8 art teacher, will display 14 student art pieces available as silent auction items. Improv Comedy, featuring high school improv club members coached by Doug Nunn, and choral presentations by Kim Bratton’s choral groups will start out the evening’s entertainment. As a bonus highlight to the evening, Alex de Grassi will be performing his New York Guitar Festival (2010) commissioned solo guitar score for Chaplin’s classic black and white skating film THE RINK (1916).

All ages welcome! Advance tickets will be available at Out of this World in Mendocino, Cheshire Books in Fort Bragg, and by calling 937-1732. $20 in advance, $25 at the door and special Patron tickets for $75. Discounted prices for students and their families at the door. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

February 18 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “Night Club Nightrdquo; Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “Night Club Nightrdquo; at the Hill House Inn with the “Braet and Brown Duo” on Saturday, February 18. Make this your Date Night. Bring your partner some flowers and come on down for fine dining and cool jazz. David and Jack have played together as a duo for over a decade, and currently in David Brown & The Krewe of Sound, an avant-garde jazz-rock fusion band playing originals, funk, rock and fun. Music starts at 7:30PM. Everyone is welcome, whether to dine, dance or just to listen. Doors open at 6:30 PM with a dinner prepared by Executive Chef, Robert. Full bar. $10 - $15 at the door. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

February 17 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents CD Release show for Antonia Lamb Mendocino Stories and Music Series will host a CD Release show for Songwriter/Astrologer Antonia Lamb on Friday, February 17. “Carry Me Away” was co-created by Antonia and musical cohort Jon Faurot and was recorded and mastered by Peter Temple in Albion. Music starts at 7:30PM at the Mendocino Hotel. Since the late 60s Antonia has performed in many major and minor venues. Her songs have been sung and recorded by the Byrds, Judy Mayhan, Bob Gibson and others. The co-players on her previous five CDs include Judy Mayhan, Gene Parsons, Meridian Green, Lenny Laks, John Chamberlin, Roy Michael, to name a few. Despite his guitar, piano & vocal skills, the bass is what led Jon Faurot from Chicago to England and Mendocino, onto stages with bands and artists including the Buckinghams, B.B. King, John Mayall, and George Thorogood. All ages welcome! Bistro menu and libations are available as soon as the doors open at 6:30 pm. Sliding scale $10-15. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

February 25 at 7:30 pm: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents The Blue Dudes Band Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents Blue Dudes Band at the Hill House on Saturday, February 25. “Steeped in the depths of God’s country, those Dudes are rubbed (like a good tri-tip) with ingredients to bring out the best.” Tasty guitar licks, fat bass lines, soulful harp, and deep groove drums make their music irresistible and delectable. Music starts at 7:30PM. All ages welcome! Bistro menu and libations are available as soon as the doors open at 6:30 pm. Sliding scale $10-15. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

March 3-4: Mendocino Whale Festival 30-year celebration of Migrating Whales and Mendocino Wines.

March 10-11: Little River Whale Festival 30-year celebration of Migrating Whales and Mendocino Wines.

March 17-18: Fort Bragg Whale Festival 30-year celebration of Migrating Whales and Mendocino Wines.

July 7-21: Mendocino Music Festival over 20 years of music on the Mendocino Headlands.