Fifth Annual Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival Chowder Challenge with traditional New Orleans jazz by Barnebey's Hot Four Gualala Arts Center Saturday, April 7, 2007 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.

Gualala Arts Center will host the fifth Annual Chowder Challenge along with wine and microbrew tasting on Saturday, April 7 from noon to 3:00 p.m. The afternoon will also include New Orleans Traditional Jazz by Barnebey's Hot Four.

Saturday's fun begins with the seafood Chowder Challenge, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Gualala Arts Center. This event is geared to all ages as local restaurant and amateur chefs vie for the title of "Best Chowder" in two categories (Traditional New England Clam and a "Seafood Open" Class) with judging by a "celebrity" panel as well as a "People's Choice" vote and award for "Most Chowder Served." Along with the chowders, there will also be a tasting of Mendocino and Sonoma County wines and Microbrews.   [Cooks: download an application form]

Tom Barnebey

Traditional New Orleans jazz will be performed by Barnebey's Hot Four of Sonoma County. This formidable combo consists of Tom Barnebey, cornet and trombone; Carl Lunsford, banjo and guitar (formerly with Turk Murphy's famous S.F. band); Marty Eggers, string bass and ragtime piano, and Robert Young on reeds and cornet. Barnebey had appeared for many years in Gualala with his former Jazz Salvation Co. band, sponsored by Gualala Lions Club. The Hot Four perform free to the public from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. during the tastings and is great for New Orleans traditional dancing!

The $20 admission includes a commemorative Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival beer or wine glass, plus 15 tickets that can be used for the chowder tasting, the wine and microbrew tasting, fresh-baked breads from local bakeries and other soft beverages. Patrons may purchase tickets for just the Chowder tasting alone, or additional tickets at $1 each.

Fred Adler from KTDE, 100.5 FM is music coordinator of the event.

The Wine & Microbrew Tasting will include a variety of both Mendocino and Sonoma County wines and microbrews.

Wine from: Annapolis Winery Esterlina Vineyards Fort Ross Vineyards Hamel Winery (Healdsburg) Steve Campbell (The Campbell Ranch) Husch Vineyards Thurow Vineyards John Mika, The Wine Guy at Surf Supermarket

Microbrews from: Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Bear Republic Brewing Co. Butte Creek Brewing Co. Lagunitas Brewing Co. Mendocino Brewing Co. North Coast Brewing Co.

On Saturday evening, the Main Event Jazz Concert at Gualala Arts Center features the Montclair Women's Jazz Ensemble, with vocalist Rhonda Benin selected from the Montclair Women's Big Band, and 11-year-old jazz flute sensation, Elena Pinderhughes.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for beer, wine and a martini bar along with savory and sweet tapas plates available for purchase. Limited open cabaret seating at 7:00 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 if purchased in advance or $35 the day of the event. Call Gualala Arts at (707) 884-1138 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Visa and MC accepted.

The Redwood Coast Whale and Jazz Festival runs four days and kicks off Thursday, April 5 evening at Point Arena CityArt for Poetry & Jazz, with a jazz ensemble accompanying both local and guest artist poets. The Dinner & Jazz, Brunch & Jazz and Sunset & Jazz events hosted by local restaurants are returning by popular demand, along with Chowder & Jazz and the Whale and Jazz Festival Main Event, both at the Gualala Arts Center.

And what about the whales? There will be plenty of opportunities around the jazz events to observe the gray whale migration that passes Gualala heading north at this time of year. Point Arena Lighthouse offers exceptional spots to view the whales, as does Gualala Point Regional Park, and the film, Whales: An Unforgettable Journey, will be shown on Saturday, April 7.

The Whale and Jazz Festival is produced by Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce and Gualala Arts, Inc. More information about festival events is available in Gualala Arts' monthly newsletter, Sketches, and at whaleandjazzfestival.com.

Check out the new Whale and Jazz Tote Bag, now available at Gualala Arts.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.