Gualala Arts Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961
Fringe Festival Events Where Art & Gardens Become One
In the tastiest event of the popular Whale & Jazz festival, local chefs & cooks vie for the title of “Best Mendonoma Coast Chowder” in the 14th Annual Chowder Challenge.
The Pier Chowder House and Tap Room is coming back to defend their title! Traditional and non-traditional chowders will be featured from professional and amateur chefs — anyone can win!
Defending Champion and 2016 winner, The Pier Chowder House & Tap Room, Point Arena.Sponsors and participating restaurants include: Anchor Bay Store, Arena Market & Café, Bird Café & Supper Club, Black Oak Catering, Cape Fear Café, Mendo Vine, Pier Chowder House & Tap Room, Russian House #1
Special thanks to additional sponsors and individuals: Chowder Chicks, Tuesday Guys, Maria Kostick, Terri Lyn Heath, Erin O’ Doyle & Gabe Forster.
As per previous years, two categories will be judged, Traditional New England-sty
le Clam Chowder and Open Class. Challenge attendees will vote for People’s Choice and Most Tasted awards.
Judges this year are Sheralyn Kirby, Darla Buechner, and George Marshall.
The Open Class includes but is not limited to Manhattan-style Clam, Crab, Shrimp, Scallop, Lobster, Abalone, Salmon, or any other seafood combination. Vegetarian Chowders such as corn or mushroom chowder are also eligible.
This year’s family-friendly midday event will have a Mardi Gras theme with beads, masks and celebrations! So, wear your Fat Tuesday attire and be ready for anything!
The Chowder Challenge is included as part of the Mendocino County Almost Fringe Festival this year, highlighting events and happenings throughout Mendocino County during the month of April. As part of the south coast happenings, Frog Song Farms at 40811 Eureka Hill Road and The Stone Foundation on Fish Rock Road will be hosting tours of their properties from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a $6 entry free at each location. Maps and information can be picked up at Gualala Arts Center (while you’re tasting the chowders and enjoying the band!).
A highlight each year is the concert of traditional New Orleans jazz, this year performed once again by the ever-popular “Barnebey’s Hot Four” of Sonoma County, returning to the Gualala Arts Center for the tenth straight year. The repertoire for the afternoon will include old favorites, the resurrection of some obscure musical gems from the golden age of jazz, and probably a few surprises for musicians and listeners alike, all in the tradition of the Big Easy. Those wanting to work off their chowder tasting with dancing will find themselves toe-tapping and boot-stomping as the infectious beats of New Orleans pushes them towards the dance floor!
Barnebey’s Hot Four
The Hot Four continue to be the band of choice at the Whale & Jazz Festival’s Chowder & Jazz event, having returned every year since 2006. They had also appeared for many years in Gualala sponsored by Gualala Lions Club with Barnebey’s former Jazz Salvation Co. band. Tom Barnebey has assembled a group of versatile jazz musicians well versed in a good time, swinging, improvisational style: Robert Young on reeds & cornet, Carl Lunsford on banjo & guitar and Marty Eggars on string bass.
Tom Barnebey, cornet & trombone
Tom has been in trad jazz since the 1960s, when he began playing banjo and piano in pizza parlors around the Los Angeles area, and cornet with the then newly formed Jelly Roll Jazz Band. After moving to Sonoma County, he led the well regarded Jazz Salvation Company for 20 years. A highlight on the JSC’s sch
edule in last nine of those years was the annual Dixieland by the Sea concert in Gualala.
Tom is the currently the cornetist with the Zenith Jazz Band, leads a Roaring Twenties style
quintet called “Beyond Salvation Jazz Band,” and fills in on various instruments with other trad bands in the Bay Area.
Sponsored by:
Lagunitas Brewing Company and North Coast Brewing Company
Additional sponsors:
Anchor Bay Store, Arena Market & Café, Bird Café & Supper Club, Black Oak Catering, Cape Fear Café, Mendo Vine, Pier Chowder House & Tap Room, Russian House #1, Chowder Chicks, and Tuesday Guys
Special thanks to Chowder Chicks and Tuesday Guys
2017 Chowder Contestants
Anchor Bay Store
Arena Market & Café
Bird Café & Supper Club
Black Oak Catering
Cape Fear Café
Mendo Vine
Pier Chowder House & Tap Room
Russian House #1
Chowder Chicks
Tuesday Guys
Consisting of 8 professionals, 2 amateurs, 4 Traditional Chowders, and 7 Open Class Chowders
11 Different Chowders, Bread, Beer & Wine, and Desserts
Tickets
Tickets are $20 in advance; $5 more day of the event and includes commemorative wine or beer glasses and 15 chowder-tasting tickets, complete with hot bread fresh out of the oven and beverages, including local fine wines and microbrews as well as soft beverages. Additional tasting tickets will be available onsite for $1 each. Free admission for music only.
For advance purchase, visit Brown Paper Tickets. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.