Whales take center stage at the Arcata Theatre Lounge tonight for Ocean Night, a monthly, all-ages event hosted by Ocean Conservancy, Humboldt Surfrider and Humboldt Baykeeper. The night begins with an exploration into the life and work of whale biologist and activist Roger Payne in "A Life Among Whales." Payne's discovery in the early 1970s that whales sing "songs" helped ignite the modern day environmental movement and he continues to advance the boundaries of science and activism over the last four decades.
The film explores Payne's tireless and passionate fight to ban whaling -- a ban which today, 20 years after an international moratorium was imposed is threatened -- and follows him to his present day study of ocean pollution and his work with The Ocean Alliance. Note: Ocean Night is an all-ages event, but "A Life Among Whales" contains images which may disturb some people.
The evening includes Humboldt State University professor Dawn Goley presenting footage and discussion of the mother whale and calf that spent several weeks in the Klamath River.
Surf movies will run before and after.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., movies start at 7 p.m. and a raffle takes place after the second film.
Donations appreciated!