The Mendocino Music Festival was the dream of founding Artistic Director Allan Pollack in 1986. So Allan Pollack and pianist Susan Waterfall and bassoonist Walter Green initiated a series of meetings with other musicians and music lovers along the northern coast. Out of their commitment and effort, the Mendocino Music Festival was born.

From the humble beginnings of July 1987, with the cooperation of the California State Parks and the support of our community, the first Mendocino Music Festival was presented in a circus-stripped yellow and blue tent which only held about 400 people and the orchestra consisted of 56 musicians. There were four orchestra and four chamber concerts presented the first year, which is still held on the Mendocino Headlands State Park next to the Ford House Museum and Visitor Center.

Now music lovers can enjoy a beautiful 16,000 sq. ft. tent concert hall overlooking the Pacific Ocean that can house a full Symphony Orchestra and seat more than 840 music lovers.

With a national and international reputation as a respected music festival has helped establish Mendocino’s cultural identity. With a  year-round presence in the town of Mendocino and there office in the Old Bank Building on the corner of Main and Kasten Streets, they have developed a large volunteer network of more than 250 people that help out at the Music Festival and at our year round events.

Enjoy music on the edge of the world, July 9-23

DAY TIME CONCERTS

Village Chamber Concerts – 3 pm

Mike Ehlers, Singer/Songwriter – July11

Eclectica, Acapella Quartet – July 13

Real Vocal String Quartet – July 16

John Gilmore Jazz – July 18

PIANO SERIES

All Lecture/Recitals at 3 pm at Preston Hall

Paul Hersh – Sunday – July 10

Spencer Myer – Tuesday – July 12

Robert Schwartz – Friday – July 15

Sarah Cahill – Wednesday – July 20

JAZZ SERIES – all concerts at 3 pm

Dave Scott Quartet – Thursday – July 14

New West (Guitar Trio) – Friday – July 22

Becca Stevens, vocals & Taylor Eigsti, piano – Saturday – July 23

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Opening Night – The Festival Orchestra – Saturday, July 9 @ 8  pm

Kevin Eubanks – Sunday, July 10 @ 8 pm

An Evening of Bernstein on Broadway – Monday, July 11 @ 8 pm

The Travelin’ McCourys – Tuesday, July 12 @ 8 pm

Irresistible Grooves – Thursday, July 14 @ 8 pm

Operafest – Friday, July 15 @ 8 pm

Big Band – Saturday, July 16 @ 8 pm

Emerging Artists Chamber Concert – Sunday, July 17 @ 2 pm

Julian Waterfall Pollack Trio Sunday, July 17 @ 8 pm

San Jose Taiko – Tuesday, July 19 @ 8 pm

The Festival Orchestra – Wednesday, July 20 @ 8 pm

Festival Chamber Orchestra – Thursday, July 21 @ 8 pm

Bettye Lavette – Friday, July 22 @ 8 pm

Closing Night – The Festival Orchestra & Chorus – Saturday, July 23 @ 8 pm