Get ready for an incredible summer of performances at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA. Week after week, artists from around the nation flock to Washington’s Victorian Seaport and Arts community for concerts, dances, readings, and workshops.

Tickets to Centrum’s performances go on sale to donors April 15, 2014. (Become a member today!) Sales to the general public begin May 1, 2014.

Summer at a Glance

May: NANDA

May 31, 7pm – Centrum kicks off its 2014 Summer Season at with a special one-night-only event at McCurdy Pavilion for families in celebration of Centrum’s youth programs and the 10th anniversary of NANDA, Port Townsend’s, Acrobaticalist Ninja Theatre Troupe. Incorporating kung-faux fighting, dance, juggling, and acrobatics NANDA performances are known and loved for their mishmash of classic vaudeville, circus and theater innovations. Produced by Centrum and Thunderbull Productions, a portion of event proceeds will benefit Centrum’s youth programs. Learn more.

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June: Chamber Music & Voice Works

June 22, 2pm – City of Angels Ensemble. Centrum is honored to welcome four of the most heralded chamber musicians of Los Angeles for the closing performance of its 2013-14 Port Townsend Chamber Music Festival. Artistic Director and Vice Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, Lucinda Carver, has assembled a “dream team” of colleagues to comprise her “City of Angels Ensemble,” including leading members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Opera orchestra. (Tickets)

June 27, 7:30pm – Siblings in Harmony. Voice Works is Centrum’s gathering devoted to singing, and  on Friday night at the Wheeler Theater, we will present six pairs of siblings singing in harmony.Featuring Rhiannon Giddens and Lalenja Harrington; The Cactus Blossoms: Jack Torrey and Page Burkham; Greg and Jere Canote; Julie Barnes McHugh and Meg Barnes; Gabrielle and Joanna Macrae; …and secret surprise siblings! (Tickets)

June 28, 7:30pm – Honky-Tonk Polka Dot Dance & Concert. McCurdy Pavilion will get transformed into an old-time dance hall! We’ll open the night with a concert showcasing vintage jazz with Sylvia Herold Trio, and ballads by Tim Eriksen, before getting things all dotted up with a Honky Tonk dance featuring an all-star band comprising Bill Kirchen; Joel Savoy; Matt Weiner; Doug Warren; Laurel Bliss; The Little Horsefly Country Band; The Cactus Blossoms; Kelli Jones-Savoy and more! (Tickets)

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July: Fiddle Tunes, Writers’ Conference Readings, & Jazz Port Townsend

July 4, 1:3opm – Fiddles on the Fourth. One of the most popular concerts of the year, The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes gathers at McCurdy Pavilion to celebrate our nation’s musical heritage with a hugely entertaining collection of musicians. Featuring Dwayne Cote and Barbara MacDonald Magone (Cape Breton); Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich, and Alice Gerrard (Old Time); Bob McQuillen Tribute with the Rhythm Rollers – Cathie Whitesides, Bruce Reid, Laurie Andres; Walt Koken and Clare Milliner (Old-Time); and Nic Gareiss (Step Dance). (Tickets)

July 4, 7pm – Fiddles & Fireworks. Musical fireworks arrive at McCurdy Pavilion for a rousing show featuring high-energy musicians from around the continent. Featuring Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett (Missouri); Simon and Danny St. Pierre, Alain Philibert (Down East from Maine); Foghorn Stringband (Old Time); Dale Russ, Randal Bayes and friends (Irish); Blaine Sprouse, Peter Rowan, Patrick Sauber (Bluegrass). (Tickets)

July 5, 1:30pm – Fiddles Without Borders. Travel the world in this McCurdy Pavilion show featuring musicians from Europe, the Carribbean, Canada, and the U.S. Featuring Claude Méthé and Pascal Gemme with Mario Loiselle (Quebec); Alasdair Fraser (Scottish); Arto Järvelä (Finland); Betse Ellis (Ozarks); Manmay Lakay (St. Lucia); Sheryl and Russell Cormier, Courtney Granger, Christine Balfa, and friends (Cajun Dance Music). (Tickets)

July 10-20 – Readings from the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been since 1974 at the wild heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. With a focus on community and rigorous attention to craft, the Conference offers morning workshops, afternoon workshops, residencies, guided freewrites, and a vibrant readings and lectures series presented by vital, contemporary writers. Free readings are held every day during the Conference. (Schedule)

July 25, 7:30pm – Friday Evening Jazz Port Townsend Concert. Jazz Port Townsend’s mainstage concerts begin with two powerful ensembles curated by Artistic Director John Clayton: The Jensen Sisters – Ingrid Jensen, trumpet; Christine Jensen, alto sax; Geoffrey Keezer, piano; Martin Wind, bass; Jon Wikan, drums – and Wycliffe Gordon & Friends – Wycliffe Gordon, trombone; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Jeff Clayton, alto sax. (Tickets)

July 26, 1:30pm -Saturday Afternoon Jazz Port Townsend Concert. Arranger, band leader, and NEA Jazz Master Bill Holman leads the Jazz Port Townsend Festival All-Star Big Band on Saturday afternoon. In addition, Geoffrey Keezer will honor JPT favorite George Cables, and we’ll present a set that showcases the amazing vocal talents of Sachal Vasandani,  Johnaye Kendrick, and Dena DeRose.  (Tickets)

July 26, 7:30pm – Saturday Evening jazz Port Townsend Concert. We’ll close out the Jazz Port Townsend mainstage shows with two oustanding ensembles: The Benny Green Trio – Benny Green, piano; David Wong, bass; Rodney Green, drums –  and Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts Ensemble – Terell Stafford, trumpet; Taylor Eigsti, piano; Martin Wind, bass; Matt Wilson, drums. (Tickets)

July 24-26: Jazz in the Clubs Thursday, Friday & Saturday Nights. Perhaps the signature event of Jazz Port Townsend – experience jazz in intimate settings throughout Port Townsend. One club wristband gets you access to 6 venues, including: Public House, Point Hudson Marina Room, American Legion Hall, Manresa Castle, Khu Larb Thai, and The Rose Theater.  (Tickets)

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August: Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival

Centrum’s 2014 Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival headliners include Maria Muldaur, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Corey Ledet, Cedric Watson, Lightin’ Wells, and many more!  Mainstage shows at McCurdy Pavilion and Blues in the Clubs cap off a week-long workshop for nearly 250 passionate acoustic blues students taught by artists from across the country.

July 31, 7:30pm – Bluesiana Dance Party with Maria Muldaur and her Red Hot Bluesiana Band. Come with your dancing shoes and enjoy a raucous night of Blues dance music. we’ll be serving up a major gumbo & jambalaya dinner prior to the show out on the Littlefield Green next to McCurdy Pavilion starting at 6:00 p.m., so come early and make a night of it.  (Tickets)

August 2, 1:30pm – Acoustic Blues Showcase Concert. Walk through the roots and regions of traditional blues originating in the Southern USA. From the hallelujah of the gospel choir; to the intricate finger-style guitar of the Piedmont region; the fiery passion of the Delta blues; the foot stompin’ Mississippi Hill-Country blues; to Ragtime and its syncopated rhythms; Boogie-Woogie dance music; and the fast tempos of the Louisiana Creole’s Zydeco.  Featuring Ethel Caffie-Austin & Delnora Roberts – GospelChoir; Terry Harmonica Bean; Paul Geremiah; Alvin Youngblood Hart with special guest Maria Muldaur; Steve James; Mike Dowling with special guest Roger Edsell; Carl Sonny Leyland; Zydeco with Cedric Watson, Corey Ledet, Washboard Chaz & Mark Brooks. (Tickets)

August 1-2: Blues in the Clubs Friday & Saturday Nights. Head downtown as Port Townsend gets transformed into a mecca of country blues! Featuring: Terry Harmonica Bean; Mark Brooks; Daryl Davis; Rich DelGrosso; Wendy DeWitt; Sean Divine; Mike Dowling; Roger Edsall; Mary Flower; Paul Geremia; Alvin Youngblood Hart; Steve James; Orville Johnson; Judy LaPrade; Chaz Leary; Corey Ledet; Carl Sonny Leyland; Darren Loucas; John Miller; Dean Mueller; Mark Puryear; George Rezendes; Peter Madcat Ruth; Lauren Sheehan; Gayle Dean Wardlow; Cedric Watson; Lightnin’ Wells and more! (Tickets)