The Annual Sonoma Mendocino Whale and Jazz Festival usually takes place during April, to coincide with the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month. Events are scheduled at multiple venues along the Mendonoma Coast.

This highly regarded festival, with music under the guidance of Fred Adler, and Gualala Arts captures inspired, original jazz art work, jazz films, poetry and jazz, an annual Chowder Challenge and tasting
and live music in atmospheric and beautiful settings, conducive to a special coastal experience. The venues include wineries and restaurants, inns, from Annapolis to Point Arena, a wine bar, the classically restored Arena Theater and the Gualala Arts Center nestled in the coastal redwoods.

Beginning in March, 2020 with the spread of Covid-19, Gualala Arts was forced to postpone and then cancel all of our live, in-person events, including the 2020 festival. (Some events in 2021 are still possible but not scheduled.) We have, however, carefully re-opened our galleries for viewing and retail sales and hope to return live music and other events to Gualala Arts in the near future. Thank you for your support. YOU make a difference.
Each of our program committees are working to create safe events to a device near you. Check our website for updates, or better yet, sign up for our weekly newsletter, eSketches.

Gualala Arts thanks our sponsors for making the prior Mendonoma Coast Whale & Jazz Festivals possible, and for keeping these Online! events happening. And we look forward to future Whale & Jazz events.
Fred Adler, Festival Music Coordinator
Sonoma ~ Mendocino Coast Whale & Jazz Festival Committee:
David “Sus” Susalla, Fred Adler, “Angel” Jan Harris