Zero To Fierce Festival returns
The Zero To Fierce Festival, also called 02F, runs this year from March 3 to 12, and is a celebration of creative women in the community.
This year’s seventh annual festival is full of daily events, including the Lunchbox Series from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays, which includes soup and salad and a presentation by guest speakers for $10. Every evening at the Playhouse is also packed full of events, featuring The Tiptons, Jenny Scheinman, Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas and the Convivial Symposium, a catered women and non-binary people only dinner. Many events are free and by donation, so check out the website at www.zerotofierce.org to see the full schedule and ticket prices.
The 02F Festival kicks off at 8 p.m. March 3 and 4 with an all-female sax quartet, The Tiptons. Their material ranges from micro-Big Band to gospel, bluegrass to Balkan, from whimsical chamber jazz to nocturnal funk and free jazz improvisation.
At 6 p.m. March 5, there will be an art show opening, two local punk bands, Think Tank and Heart Eyes, and dancing outside under the stars around the fire. There will also be vendors selling their art and a Buzzin’ Braids hairdresser booth.
From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. March 6, Laura Muñoz will lead a nature walk to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. The Lunchbox at noon is presented by Women In The Arts, and artists from various disciplines will present and discuss their work in an open forum.
At 7 p.m., Redwood Jazz Alliance presents a collective quintet specializing in cinematic soundscapes, earthy grooves, lyrical counterpoint and ravishing guitars, featuring Jenny Scheinman, Scott Amendola, Todd Sickafoose, John Schott and Will Bernard.
On March 7, the Lunchbox presentation at noon is called “Doula Care” by Tykeshia Leschke, who will be discussing the importance of having a doula, especially for Black and brown birthers. At 7 p.m., Playhouse Arts and Humboldt Hot Air will present “Humboldt Women In Radio” for a free panel discussion. Representatives from some of the county’s radio stations will share experiences, challenges and ideas. Panelists include Alison Kolb (KMUD), Carlina Grillo (KRFH), Greta Stockwell (KHUM), Neroli Devaney (Humboldt Hot Air), Sabina Gallier (KSLG) and Talvi Fried (KZZH).
On March 8, Brenda Perez of Centro Del Pueblo will present the Lunchbox at noon. “Maternity Stories of Migrant Indigenous Women In Times of COVID-19” will focus on the challenges faced by women migrating to Humboldt County and experiencing motherhood for the first time. At 6 p.m., celebrate International Women’s Day with “Women In Leadership for Peace and Freedom.” Panelists include Brenda Perez from Centro del Pueblo, Kimberly White from the Arcata City Council, Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes and Humboldt County Supervisor Natalie Arroyo. The evening will also include the Raging Grannies, an opening by Yurok tribal member Daisy Smith and a singalong with Jan Bramlett and Leslie Quinn.
On March 9, Haley Davis presents “Queerstories” for the Lunchbox at noon and will be reading from the nonfiction science book “Queer Ducks (and other animals).” The evening event offers a free somatic movement experience from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Playhouse, for a gentle, grounded and fun movement practice facilitated by Laura Muñoz.
On March 10 is the final Lunchbox panel. Indigenous women will discuss personal experiences, local actions and legislation centered on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples. At 6 p.m., the Arcata Playhouse hosts a Convivial Symposium, a women and non-binary people only event, for a casual evening of lively conversation with good food and drinks, catered by Mama Yen’s.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11, CUNA and Playhouse Arts will host a Tianguis in Redwood Raks next door to the Arcata Playhouse. There will be a colorful market with food, handicrafts, secondhand and new clothes and musical performances. At 3 p.m., EXIT Theatre will present “How to Catch a Karen,” with Sabrina Wenske. The theater is at 890 G St, Arcata. At 4 p.m., the Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas, an all-woman mariachi band from Boyle Heights will facilitate a free discussion and talk back about their skill as musicians, such as playing the trumpet while pregnant, and their goal of bringing Mariachi music to the world while empowering women and having fun in the process. At 8 p.m., the Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas will take the stage at the Arcata Playhouse.
On March 12 beer tasting is back at the Arcata Playhouse, hosted by Sarah McKinney and Johanna Nagan from 3 to 6 p.m. At 6 p.m., there will be a community barbecue and potluck in front of the Playhouse. Bring some meat or veggies to throw on the grill, and gather with friends old and new as the festival wraps up.