• Friction Quartet. Submitted

The coastal town of Trinidad draws and inspires artists of all types to its rugged cliffs and shimmering waters. Look around town and you'll find art galleries, gift shops, a museum and library all housing some of the inspiration found here. And for spectacular landscape, you are surrounded as far as the eye can see — sweeping vistas of Trinidad Bay and the Pacific Ocean, flowered trails, wind-shaped trees, beaches and state parks.

It is the perfect setting for a music festival offering some of the finest musical talent in the world. The Trinidad Bay Art and Music Festival, or TBAM, now in its second year, brings internationally renowned classical musicians to intimate venues in town to perform for the next two weekends, Aug. 10-12 and Aug. 17-19.

All 30 of the musicians have Humboldt connections. They were either born here, lived here or reside here now. There's the Friction Quartet, featuring Kevin Rogers and Otis Harriel on violin, Taija Warbelow on viola and Doug Machiz on cello. Solo stars include pianist Daniela Mineva, cellist Peter Kibbe, violinist Ann Morris and marimbist Christina Cheon, and soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon performs with her spouse, pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough. Wind Energy features Jill Petricca on flute, Michael Kibbe on oboe, Paul Cummings on clarinet, Aaron Lopez on bassoon and Anwyn Hallidayon horn. And violinist Terrie Baune, cellist Carol Jacobson and pianist John Chernoff come together to form Temporary Resonance Piano Trio.

Individual shows are $30 but full-festival passes are available, too. For all the performances, see the Calendar or get a full rundown, including composers, pieces and ticket information, at www.tbamfest.com.