Mendocino County Cultural Activities

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While Mendocino is generally known for its natural beauty, the area is gaining a reputation as a wonderful cultural region as well. Mendocino County cultural activities are many and varied and a trip to a number of the towns located within the county will provide visitors with several arts opportunities.

If you enjoy theater, the village of Mendocino has an excellent theater company that produces shows year-round. The Mendocino Theatre Company presents 20th century favorites - such as works by Neil Simon, Edward Albee, or Tennessee Williams - and new, cutting-edge plays by up-and-coming playwrights.

The inland town of Willits also has its own company. The Willits Community Theatre presents comedy, drama, music, and workshops all year long. The Ukiah Players does Shakespeare in the summer and also presents a number of world premieres.

Fort Bragg is home to the Symphony of the Redwoods, an excellent orchestra of 27 musicians established in 1983. They present 3 to 4 concerts each year and tackle ambitious repertoire. They also sponsor a chamber music series.

Mendocino's Opera Fresca doesn't perform traditional opera but does present wonderful music of various sorts all year long. Similarly, Fort Bragg's Gloriana Opera Company performs light fare from musicals to cabaret-style shows.

Throughout the year, but especially during the summer months, Mendocino plays host to a number of cultural festivities. The Mendocino Music Festival takes place each July and offers visitors a menu of both classical and contemporary music. The Wild Iris Festival in Boonville attracts world-class folk artists as does the Caspar World Folk Festival.