Blues at Centrum

2008 Blues Information

As September draws to a close, we want to make sure you know a few things about items close to the Blues universe at Centrum in 2008:

1. Dates for the Port Townsend Country Blues Festival are July 27-August 3, 2008.
2. We'll begin taking workshop registrations for the Festival in about a month (October/November).
3. We'll be doing a serious Bottleneck Slide Intensive with Orville Johnson, Steve James, and Mike Dowling, January 31-February 3, 2008. You can register for that today.
4. We'll also be doing Dobro and Lap Slide Intensives in the summer and fall of 2008. Stay tuned.

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Instrument Rentals for Music Workshops

Centrum is pleased to announce that Port Townsend’s independent music store, Crossroads Music, is providing rental instruments for use at selected Centrum music workshops. Rentals are perfect for those who are traveling by plane and don’t wish to risk damaging their own instruments, or for those who just want to try something new. Visit Centrum's Information Center for more information.

Fundraiser for Country Blues Festival

Barbara Hammerman and Raymond Lavine are inviting the Centrum community to their home in Gig Harbor to hear some fine music, have some great fun, and raise money for the Port Townsend Country Blues Festival's scholarship program.

The private concert will be held inside the beautiful Mighty Wurlitzer music room in Barbara and Raymond's home, and is produced by Amanda Gresham's Delta Music Experience.

The fundraiser will take place on Sunday, June 17, from 2-6 pm and will feature three musicians: Alice Stuart, Lloyd Jones, and Eric Taylor.

Barbara, Raymond, and Amanda will underwrite all costs so that every contributed dime supports the Country Blues Festival's workshop. a $20 donation is requested, as is a dish to share. For further information, reservations, address, and directions, please contact Barbara at 253.858.4435.

Mainstage Performance Schedule

Get ready to take a musical journey August 3-4, 2007.

At it's core, The Port Townsend Country Blues Festival is a weeklong workshop where people from all over the world come to live and learn with the finest blues musicians this planet has to offer. On the weekend, we turn on the lights and the renowned artist/faculty take to the stage for mainstage performances in Fort Worden State Park's WWI-era McCurdy Pavilion, and for club performances in Port Townsend's historic downtown and uptown districts.

Now in its 15th year, the Port Townsend Country Blues Festival is one of the few gatherings in the U.S. whose focus is on acoustic, pre-war blues. Thanks to the guidance and artistic direction of harmonica legend Phil Wiggins, we’ve assembled a truly outstanding lineup of internationally known performers along with the finest blues artists in the Northwest.

Friday, August 3, 7:30 pm
McCurdy Pavilion
Reserved seats $16 (kids free)
Purchase tickets (sales begin May 1)

National Heritage Fellow Concert:
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the National Heritage Award
1) Eddie Pennington 2) Henry Gray 3) John Cephas and Phil Wiggins

Saturday, August 4, 1:30 pm
McCurdy Pavilion
Reserved seats $20
Purchase tickets (sales begin May 1)

Club Sampler Set--one tune each by:
1) Steve James 2) Lauren Sheehan 3) Eric Freeman 4) John Miller 5) Eleanor Ellis 6) Terry "Harmonica" Bean 7) Allen Holmes 8) Andra Faye 9) Elijah Wald 10) Del Rey 11) Lightnin' Wells 12) Erwin Helfer

Plus Full Sets by:
1) Shirley Powell 2) Cheick Hamala Diabate 3) Paul Rishell and Annie Raines 4) Gaye Adegbalola 5) Robert "Wolfman" Belfour

FAQ

1. Who should come?
   YOU! Playing professionals, ensembles, aspiring musicians, beginners, lovers of acoustic blues--all are welcome.
   
   Blues at Centrum is not just about learning a song. It's about experiencing in a meaningful way the sounds, the stories, the laughter and the pain--indeed the lives--of the faculty and participants at the gathering. It's about making cultural and musical connections. And it's about finding your own voice.
   
   The workshop is a living community with players jamming, sharing and learning. All ages, all abilities--if you're into the blues, you'll do fine here, finding plenty of challenges and opportunities.
       
   
2. What is the cost?
   Adult tuition for the week is $440.
   Room and board costs range from $200-$380.
   SPECIAL: If you are a returning participant and refer a FIRST-TIME participant, we'll take $100 off of your tution.
   
3. How old must I be?
   All ages are welcome, but if you are under 18, you must be with a registered adult participant. Tuition includes admission to all performances.
      
   
4. Where do we stay?
   Your home for the week is historic Fort Worden State Park, a turn-of-the-20th century fort that overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with expansive views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Meals are served in Fort Worden Commons--the park's conference center dining facility.

Workshop schedule

First Sunday

• 3:30-5:30 check-in
• 7:00 welcome session

Monday-Friday workshops

• 10:00 am
• 1:30 pm
• 3:30 pm
• 7:30 pm

Friday & Saturday
Public performances and Blues in the clubs

Meals
Breakfast    8:30
Lunch        noon
Dinner        5:30

Last Sunday, check out by 11am