Saturday, May 16
SATURDAY LOWDOWN: Like, What Even Is a Rutabaga Queen?
Lucy Lips, the 2025 Rutabaga Queen, is (begrudgingly) ready to relinquish her crown.
We invite those seeking joy and community to scroll your Saturday Lowdown below, where you’ll find no shortage of weekend rewards. However, we don’t want to make the mistake of assuming everyone is just hip to the lore behind, inarguably, the most oddly named event listed down there.
Yes, the 2026 kinetic season kicks off this weekend with the return of the Rutabaga Ball at the Eureka Theatre. We get it. Not everyone has spent their lives in Humboldt. You may be wondering, what the hell is that? We shall be brief.
Since 1978, the annually crowned “Rutabaga Queen” has served as the public face of the Kinetic Grand Championship, which takes place Memorial Day weekend. The Queen acts as the ambassador for the kinetic kraziness and is responsible for overseeing and promoting the race and ensuring high levels of mirth among its spectators. Queens are traditionally big time extroverted. Deal with them.
But not just anyone can be “once a Queen, always a Queen.” In order to achieve immortal royalty, contestants kompete at the aforementioned wacky ball. In an attempt to explain the process, some past winners of the event rolled through KHUM this week to hype up proceedings. Tune in to that below, if you dare.
Top Events!
(Look ahead!)
Backyard Bazaar
See Event Description
/ 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
/ Free
1335 Williams Street, Eureka. The Backyard Bazaar is an annual event held in Jenna (from Pen+Pine’s) Eureka garden. Shop from a selection of talented makers (leather goods, woodworking, herbal remedies, ceramics, and more!) while listening to live music from Revelers Three.
/ Web site
Mudstock: KMUD’s Annual Block Party
KMUD - Redwood Community Radio, Inc.
/ noon-10 p.m.
/ Free
Live music by Irie Rockers, Makenu, 3D Man, the Funnicators and more. Plus: Kids’ Zone, local artisans, food vendors and more.
/ Web site
2026 Rutabaga Ball
Eureka Theater
/ 6 p.m.
A night of over-the-top performances, questionable pageantry, and all out GLORY, the Rutabaga Royal Family will gather at the historic Eureka Theater to crown the next reigning Queen in a spectacle of pure kinetic chaos.
/ Web site
40 Years of F**kin’ Up
The Miniplex at Richards’ Goat Tavern
/ 8:45 p.m.
/ $20
/ $60 the FULL FATTY swag bundle
/ $40 with poster
/ 21+
“Never Streaming! Only in Theaters!” Film about the infamous, fairly un-famous, and beloved punk rock band NOFX.
/ Web site
Arcane Artists: Underground Honors
The Basement
/ 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
/ $10
/ $15 Door - GA
/ 21+
“We are bringing 2025 Northern Nights standout Ekonovah all the way from Arizona to headline this high energy event.”
/ Web site
Gimme Gimme Disco
Arcata Theatre Lounge
/ 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
/ $21
/ $18 Advance
/ 18+
“We are a DJ-based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80’s.”
/ Web site
40 Years of F**kin’ Up
The Miniplex at Richards’ Goat Tavern
/ 10:45 p.m.
/ $20
/ $60 the FULL FATTY swag bundle
/ $40 with poster
/ 21+
“Never Streaming! Only in Theaters!” Film about the infamous, fairly un-famous, and beloved punk rock band NOFX.
/ Web site
All Events!
5-Week Nutrition Program
Liberty Fitness
/ 1:15-2:45 a.m.
/ $150
/ 18+
Weekly weekend sessions in a supportive environment.
/ Web site
Adorni Fitness Classes
Adorni Center
/ 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
/ $7 Adults
/ $4 Senior
Zumba! Yoga! Self defense! More!
/ Web site
Arcata Farmers’ Market
Arcata Plaza
/ 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
/ $None All Ages
Enjoy live music by Blue Rhythm Revue! Produce, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, bread, flowers, and more!
/ Web site
Humboldt Bay Trail, Arcata-Eureka, Community Clean-up Event
See Event Description
/ 9 a.m.-noon
/ Free
The community is invited to participate in the first-ever Community Clean-up Event along the recently opened section of the Humboldt Bay Trail connecting Arcata to Eureka.
Good Neighbor Day Volunteer Event
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
/ 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
/ Free
Join this volunteer event to help beautify the Elk Prairie Campground by picking up trash, etc.
Rooted & Wellness Health Summit
Sequoia Conference Center
/ 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“This event will center the Black and Brown experience and expertise but we invite all identities to attend and propose workshops and offerings.”
Bicycle Celebration
Jefferson Community Center
/ 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
/ Free
Bicycling and trail-related info from community organizations, free helmet and fittings for kids ages 7-14, free mini tune-ups, youth bike skills course, bicycle gear swap, live music and more.
/ Web site
Self Defense Classes
See Event Description
/ 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
/ Free
Free. Non sport combat self defense.
/ Web site
Secrets Exposed
See Event Description
/ noon-3:30 p.m.
/ Free
“There are indeed some sports martial arts that can be sufficient for self-defense after many years of training, especially if you are a young, athletic male.”
/ Web site
Compost Mountain Boys
Fieldbrook Winery
/ noon-5 p.m.
/ Free
The Compost Mountain Boys have been performing traditional bluegrass music in Humboldt County since 1991.
/ Web site
Day Party Brunch w/DJ Pressure
The Local Cider Bar
/ noon-3:30 p.m.
/ Free
Food With Hoy and the signature sounds of DJ Gabe Pressure setting the tone for the perfect afternoon escape.
/ Web site
Personas Multilngual Creative Writing Journal Reading and Release event
Morris Graves Museum of Art
/ 2-4 p.m.
/ Free
/ Free na
Support multilingualism in your community and enjoy food, and readings in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
/ Web site
Flow - A Fashion Runway Event
Arcata High School
/ 2-3:30 p.m.
/ $20 General Admission
/ $15 Students/Seniors
/ Web site
Alchemy Distillery Pop Up
Alchemy Distillery
/ 4-8 p.m.
/ Free
/ 21+
Birdie’s Eats will be serving up delicious Korean cuisine. This is a two-day kitchen takeover.
/ Web site
Beer Scouts
Mad River Brewery Tasting Room
/ 5:30-7:30 p.m.
/ Free
Northern California power trio that defines raw rock & roll.
/ Web site
Sip & Paint
Clarke Historical Museum
/ 6-8 p.m.
/ $35
/ $25 Members of the Clarke
Guided by local artist Elaine Leon, participants will paint artifacts from our collections while enjoying light snacks and a glass or two of wine!
/ Web site
Connection Club Speed Dating (Ages 38–55ish)
Phatsy Kline’s Parlor Lounge
/ 6-8:30 p.m.
/ $24.25
/ 21+
“A series of guided, one-on-one conversations designed to feel natural, engaging, and actually enjoyable.”
/ Web site
May Skate Nights
Eureka Municipal Auditorium
/ 6:30-9 p.m.
ooking for a groovy way to spend your Friday night? Skate!
/ Web site
BRANCHES album release
The Epitome Gallery
/ 6:30-9:30 p.m.
/ $5
/ Web site
Ponies of Harmony Concert
Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
/ 7 p.m.
/ $25
Performing original music and choice classics with sweet vocal harmonies, tasteful and swinging trombone, B flat and bass clarinets, and guitars.
/ Web site
Soleil Faye
Phatsy Kline’s Parlor Lounge
/ 7-9 p.m.
/ Free
“Folk-Americana music sensation.”
/ Web site
Flow - A Fashion Runway Event
Arcata High School
/ 7-8:30 p.m.
/ $20 General Admission
/ $15 Students/Seniors
/ Web site
Metal Saturday
Savage Henry Comedy Club
/ 7 p.m.
/ $10
/ Web site
Avenue Army- Amateur Cadaver- Cheshire High
The Siren’s Song Tavern
/ 7:30 p.m.
/ $10
/ Web site
Noir
Blue Lake Casino Hotel
/ 8 p.m.
/ Free
/ 21+
. A strong rhythm section lays down a foundation for vocalist Christina D’Alessandro and guitarist Andy Widman to do what they do best.
/ Web site
Thumb Leader
Communicakes, The Automatist
Kaptain’s Quarters
/ 8 p.m.
/ Free
Bringing the dub, techno, world, lounge vibe
/ Web site
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