UKIAH, CA., 5/21/25 — Couldn’t make it to see Bob Dylan perform live in Northern California last weekend at Outlaw Music Festival? Well, you’re in luck — a local Bob Dylan tribute concert is happening this weekend right in the heart of Ukiah.
The first annual “Forever Young Dylanfest” will be held at the Ukiah Playhouse on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. The event is organized by the Ukiah Players Theatre. The event will feature Dylan songs from the 1960s to the 80s and, according to the theatre’s social media page, is going to be a “community celebration of local musicians performing a selection of his repertoire.”
Stacey Sheldon, Dylanfest’s co-producer along with local musician and teacher Jean-Francois Buy, explained that Dylan is an inspiration to her as well as other artists in the community because of his constantly changing style of music.
“He was ever evolving, ever changing. He was so creative,” Sheldon said in an interview.
She also noted that Dylan’s body of work reminds listeners that the current state of the country is not so different from the political climate of the 1960s and ’70s.
“He is an iconic American singer-songwriter,” Sheldon added. “His songs are still iconic, and what we hope is that the audience sees that the times haven’t really changed.”
The first annual Dylanfest will begin with an open mic segment, where local musicians can perform a non-Dylan song of their choosing. At 7 p.m., singer-songwriters familiar with Dylan’s work will perform their own selections of his music. The event is free for all with wine and beer available for sale. The proceeds from the event will go to the Ukiah Players Theatre children’s summer camp.
If anyone knows a local musician who performs Bob Dylan songs, there are still open slots for those interested in playing at Dylanfest. For more information about the event or to inquire about performing, email boxoffice@ukiahplayerstheatre.org or call (707) 462-9226.