OCEANSIDE ---- Surf's up at the California Surf Museum, which this week hosts its second California Surf Festival, an expanded program of film screenings, an art exhibit, a concert, a lecture, parties and award ceremonies.
The Surf Festival debuted in November of last year to big crowds and international press attention thanks to its big draw of legendary surf filmmaker Bruce Brown and his son, Dale, and grandson, Wes, who are also filmmakers.
This year's festival ---- which grows from three days to four, and expands into multiple venues ---- is emphasizing the diversity of surf culture with a broad program of surf-themed events in multiple disciplines. The program will include screenings of 12 feature and 12 short films, a surf music concert, an exhibit of surf photography and a lecture by famous surfer Nat Young.
The festival opens Nov. 19 with a lecture/slide show by Young, the famous Australian big wave surfer who will host a reception, a "history of surfing" presentation and sign copies of his book from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Brooks Theater, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. Tickets cost $10 to $15.
On Nov. 20, evening programs are planned in three locations. From 6 to 7 p.m., ukulele musician Jake Shimabukuro will host a VIP reception at the California Surf Museum, 312 Pier View Way. He'll later perform in concert from 8 to 10 p.m. at Grace Chapel, 102 N. Freeman St. Before the concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Grace Chapel will also host a surf film screening (the short film "Madera" followed by the full-length feature "Shaped"). More films will be shown Friday night at the Sunshine Brooks Theater. Screenings are scheduled at 6 and 8 p.m. (features include "Dear & Yonder" and "Still Filthy").
On Nov. 21, continuous screenings are scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. at the Sunshine Brooks Theater, and from noon to 6:30 p.m. at Grace Chapel. Features include "Waveriders," "Sea of Darkness," "High Water," "Echo Beach," "The Drifter" and "Lost Prophets." There will be a break in the film screenings at the Brooks from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 for a champagne reception and exhibit of wave photography by surf photographer Clark Little. Tickets cost $15 to $20.
The festival's centerpiece in from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, the "Surfer Magazine 50 Year Anniversary Tribute" at Grace Chapel. The party will bring together generations of Surfer Magazine editors, publishers, photographers and surf pros to celebrate the magazine's half-century mark. Tickets cost $25-$35 (or $55-$75 with pre-show VIP reception). An after-party is also planned at Harney Sushi in downtown Oceanside.
The festival will close Nov. 22 with more screenings from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Brooks Theater. The festival's concluding event is an awards ceremony from 4:30-5:30 p.m., where the winner of the "Hot Groms" short film contest will be announced, and the festival's first "Silver Surfer Award" will be given to big wave rider and surfboard shaper Gary Linden. Tickets cost $10 to $15.
The public can buy a weekend screening pass for $40 to $60. Individual screening passes are $8 to $10.
Visit californiasurffestival.com or call 760-721-6876.
