Although we are in workshop mode right now at the Port Townsend Country Blues Festival, we are getting close to our Friday and Saturday mainstage performances and club shows.

Over the next day or so, we’ll detail each mainstage performance, and share some ‘don’t miss’ moments in the clubs. There are still good seats available, and you can purchase tickets online. Tickets for Friday are $16, and remember–if you’re 18 and under, your seat is free!

Friday night’s 7:30pm mainstage show is a big, brawling blues dance in McCurdy Pavilion, the Fort’s WWI-era balloon hangar that was converted into a 1200-seat performance hall in the late 80s. We’ve blocked off a dance section off of stage left for some serious blues dancing, and of course, we’ll have all of the great seating you’d expect.

We’ll start the evening off with Del Rey and Craig Flory. Del is a favorite in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. She’s a fierce guitar/mando/uke player, and brings a stage presence that matches the size of the venue!

Following Del and Craig, we present a special treat–the Warner Williams Big Band. You’re reading this correctly–we’re going to pack the stage with an all-star collection of musicians alongside one of the truly great blues guitarists. Warner and his partner Jay Summerour took the train out from the D.C . area to be here, and as these jam videos show, they are inspired this week!

We’ll close the mainstage on Friday night with one of our favorites–Terry "Harmonica" Bean. Terry is a one-man band in his home state of Mississippi, but here in Port Townsend, he’s created his own all-star band to back him in this set. If you haven’t seen Terry live, you really must–he’s not only a great blues musician, he’s also one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet. Watch a video of him jamming this week, and listen to him explain where and how he learned the blues.

• Purchase tickets online.

After the mainstage show ends, join us downtown and uptown Port Townsend for Blues in the Clubs. $15 provides admission to all clubs, where you’ll hear the likes of the Gallus Brothers, Cooke & Taborn, the Rev. Robert Jones, J-Dog Paxton, and many many more. Get the complete list at our performance page.

Stay tuned for our next posts about the Saturday shows….