PORT TOWNSEND — Harpist David Michael and cellist Gwen Franz will give this month’s Candlelight Concert — in person, online and on the radio — at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Trinity United Methodist Church’s sanctuary at 609 Taylor St. is the setting, and in-person guests are invited to arrive starting at 6:30 p.m.
At the same time, the performance will be broadcast on KPTZ 91.9 FM and livestreamed at https://trinityumcpt.org. Admission is free while a suggested $10 donation, in person or via that website, is welcome.
Half the proceeds from the concert will go to Michael’s chosen charity, the Jefferson County Food Banks.
“David’s music is so calming. It’s just beautiful, and it’s intricate. It just calms you down,” said Franz, who also plays on Michael’s new album, “Skyburst.”
This Candlelight Concert, which until February had been only online and on the radio, “is a nice way to welcome people back to hearing live music,” she said.
“[Michael] is just really comfortable to work with. He’s really welcoming; he gives you lots of freedom,” added Franz, who is well-known as a violist but took up the cello a couple of years ago.
She moved to Port Townsend from Bainbridge Island five years ago; she has since performed in Grace Lutheran Church’s annual benefit concert for AIDS orphans in Uganda. She taught in the Youth Education in Arts (YEA) Music camp last summer.
Franz holds a doctorate in viola performance from the University of Washington and has performed as a soloist, orchestra member and chamber musician throughout the United States and Chile.
Michael, a Celtic harpist since 1983, is also a composer, producer and the author of “Busker: Tales of a Renegade Harpist.” His memoir is available at www.davidmichaelharp.com.
He’s lived in Port Townsend for more than three decades and operates his own recording label, Purnima Productions. Michael has made 26 CDs of original music as a solo artist and with collaborators such as Franz.
“Skyburst,” Michael’s 26th album released last winter, is available for pay-what-you-wish downloading on Michael’s website.
“I did replicate hard copies too for those folks like me who are old enough to still own CD players,” the 70-year-old harpist joked at the time.
Those CDs will be available at Thursday’s Candlelight Concert.
This performance, Franz said, is an opportunity to hear Michael’s distinctive style along with the deep voice of the cello.
“I’m having so much fun playing it. One bow stroke across the strings and the low note just fills the room,” she said.
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Jefferson County Senior Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.
Harpist David Michael will join Gwen Franz to give this month’s Candlelight Concert from Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Townsend on Thursday. (Jesse Allen)
