Noir at The Clarke
Join us at the Clarke Historical Museum for Noir at the Clarke, a 1920s-40s speakeasy-themed evening of fun, with wine and cocktails (password required!), hors d’oeuvres, live music, silent auction, and plenty of hardboiled entertainment!
The theme is the 1920s through the 40s—why choose one when all three decades are so rich with history, atmosphere, and epic fashion?—and guests are encouraged to dress up their favorite glad rags. We’re transforming our Weapons Room into a speakeasy—only the best hooch will be served, provided you have the password! We have some fantastic entertainment lined up, including live music from Swingo Domingo, local author James Arthur Donzella reading from his hard-boiled novel The Dead Don’t Pay, and actors performing short skits parodying classic film noir scenes. All of this will be topped off with mouth-watering appetizers from Lost Coast Catering (formerly Uniquely Yours)!
James Arthur Donzella with his Model-A and a gaggle of flappers!
James Arthur Donzella is an accomplished writer and active member of the UCLA Wordcommandos Creative Writing Workshop for Military Veterans. Based in Northern California, he has made significant contributions to various literary publications, including Every Day Fictions, The War Horse, The North Coast Journal, Military Experience and Line of Advance. Notably, he secured the second position in the College of the Redwoods’ 2022 Seven Gill Shark Review Creative Writing Competition.
James’ literary portfolio includes a diverse range of works, spanning short stories and novels. He has completed his first collection of short stories and authored the inaugural installment of the James Wolf P.I. for Hire Mystery series, The Dead Don’t Pay, released on July 4, 2025, adapted from his acclaimed short story “The Lady with Emerald Green Eyes,” originally published in the Hard Boiled and Loaded with Sin Anthology. His latest short story, “The Man With A Limp,” is featured in the Crimeucopia anthology released November 19th 2024 and it is nominated for the 2025 Shamus Award for short stories. He's worked as a screenwriter, ad copywriter and voice actor. His multifaceted career reflects his versatility and passion for storytelling across various mediums and is an active member of the Mystery Writers of America NOCAL Chapter. www.jamesdonzella.com 
In a city of shadows, one man walks the line between crime and justice…
San Francisco, 1948. The war is over, but for James Wolf, the battle’s just begun. Once a star inspector with the San Francisco PD, now a gumshoe scraping by on whiskey and regrets, Wolf prowls the alleys and avenues of a city that forgot how to sleep. When a routine case blows open like a shotgun blast--Corpses pile up, bullets fly, and everyone’s got something to hide—especially the client. Double-crosses, dirty money, and a city choking on its own secrets—the only thing sharper than Wolf's wit is the blade at his back. Wolf's in it up to his neck, and the only way out is through the blood and the lies... He’s got a .38 in his coat, a score to settle, and nothing left to lose. The city's about to learn: you don't corner a wounded Wolf. |
Flapper dresses from the museum’s collection will be on display the night of the event, along with a special pop-up exhibit on prohibition in Humboldt. Our gift shop and Cottage at the Clarke will have special merch themed to the occasion, and there'll be a silent auction.
Swing by the Blind Pig (our Weapons Room-turned-Speakeasy) for an era-appropriate cocktail, wine, or champagne. There's even a special mocktail (The Hatchet Granny) for designated drivers. Price of admission includes one free drink, with a no-host bar if you want more giggle juice.
A man behind the steel door of a speakeasy peers through the slide-opened peephole, c. 1920-1930. Source: The Mob Museum, Las Vegas
There will also be a vintage automobile or two in front of the museum to help set the mood!
Chuck Petty's 1930 Lincoln Model L sedan
Purchase Tickets Here!NOTE: This is a 21 & over event.
Member Tickets: $35
Non-Member Tickets: $45 Not a member? Click the button below to join and receive your discount immediately!
Swingo Domingo was forged from a deep, abiding love and appreciation for jazz and pop music. Humboldt's sauciest swing-pop duo has since amalgamated into a quartet!
Described as "reimagining nostalgia," the group reharmonizes hits from the 80's & 90's to fit a jazz aesthetic, adding eclectic flavors of swing, latin, and funk. Comprised of Ari Albirt on lead vocals and guitar, Ricardo Cueva on upright bass and vocals, Bill Moehnky on drums, and Henri Holbrook on saxophone, they're a blend of formally educated and self-taught musicians. The founding members, Ari and Ricardo started the group as a duo in 2020, after working many days together in a busy restaurant kitchen. As they shared playlists, it was clear they had a mutual appreciation for jazz and pop music. Ricardo's music theory background created the well-informed structure to hold Ari's improvisational and free-form style. Swingo Domingo is honored to share their tunes with our community. We care deeply for the people of Humboldt, social justice, and standing in solidarity with the marginalized in the spirit of jazz music as a form of rebellion.
|
