Fifth Annual Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival Whales: An Unforgettable Journey Gualala Community Center Saturday, April 7, 2007 3:00 p.m.

This beautiful film was originally shot for IMAX.

The photography is breathtaking, with fascinating underwater shots and fantastic aerial footage. There is rare footage of blue whales, along with a few shots of killer whales and the smallest "toothed whales", a.k.a. dolphins and porpoises.

It's also a film rich in historical and scientific data. Over the course of eight years of research (two devoted to filming), the moviemakers joined the Whale Conservation Institute's research vessel, Odyssey, on whale-sighting trips to Alaska, Newfoundland, California, Patagonia, Hawaii, and Columbia. It is a wonderful experience for whale lovers of all ages.

Sponsored by the Alliance for Democracy and the Mendocino Coast Peace and Justice Center. A small donation is requested.

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.