PORT TOWNSEND — A festival highlighting Port Townsend musicians, artists and performers begins Friday.
Soundcheck was originally conceived in 2019 as a warm-up for the inaugural THING festival, the three-day outdoor celebration of music produced by the Seattle Theatre Group at Fort Worden which, this year, will be from Aug. 26-28.
Soundcheck has since morphed into a week-long celebration of locals in venues all over Port Townsend that will continue through Aug. 25.
It was created for two reasons, said Gage Pacifera, co-chair along with Dominic Svornich, in a press release: “To celebrate our local artists and performers and to give early-arriving THING attendees a proper introduction to the wealth of talent and culture here in Port Townsend.”
During the week will be live music by local bands, an instructor-led swing dance, a burlesque performance, informal artist demos, an outdoor movie, a craft beverage tour and a late night after-party, among other entertainment, Pacifera said.
“To date, Soundcheck is the only festival focused on showcasing all of our local artists in our favorite local venues,” Pacifera said.
“I saw a void of organizing where a locally focused festival should be, and I decided to step in,” he added.
Featured events, all free except for the burlesque show, include:
Friday
• Soundcheck Kickoff Party with Uncle Funk and the Dope 6 at The Castle at 7 p.m.
• Band-o-rama! at multiple venues, 5 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday
• Uptown Street Fair from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Movie at the Library: “Encanto” at Port Townsend Library at 6 p.m.
Sunday
• Community Dance with Jonathan Doyle and Friends at Tyler Plaza from noon to 3 p.m.
• Art Day at Pope Marine Park from noon to 4 p.m.
• Gallery Walk downtown and uptown from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Indigo Sky Productions presents: “The Dark Walk” a Bridgerton-inspired burlesque and variety show with the Sky Dancers from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Key City Theatre. General admission is $25 while premium tickets are $40.
Monday
• Vibin’ at the Bishop with Abakis and 3 Wheels Turning at the Bishop Hotel from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• An Evening With Rikki Ducornet at The Castle at 7:30 p.m. Only 21 and older.
Tuesday
• Jazz Night with WEPA and Jim Nyby and F Street Band at Vintage from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Only 21 and older.
• Shattering glass: A Provocative Poetry Interlude at Key City Public Theatre Outdoors from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Mature audiences.
• Filmmaker Showcase at Key City Public Theatre Outdoors from 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• Post-Show Wind-Down with Silace Amaro at Key City Theatre Outdoors from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday
• Songwriter Showcase at Tyler Plaza from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie: “Hook” at Key City Theatre Outdoors at 8:30 p.m.
Thursday
• Concerts on the Dock with Kevin Mason, The Black Chevys, Jason Serinus, Mia Torres, Kit Stovepipe/Karla Boyett and Silace Amaro at Pope Marine Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Craft Beverage Tour, a bus tour for 21 and older from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Soundcheck Bus will travel all over from 2 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
• DJ Showcase featuring Mark Hardy, Johan, Adaptogen and special guests at the Cotton Building at Pope Marine Park from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Only 21 and older.
Pacifera said in 2019, he and a group of volunteers took on the task of introducing early-arriving THING-goers to the Port Townsend arts scene.
The festival focused on local music in local venues, featured a songwriter showcase and a bus that shuttled THING campers and locals between venues.
“The Songwriter Showcase was a joyous and uplifting celebration of our town’s up-and-coming musicians. The bus was a hit and was enjoyed by hundreds of people,” he said.
Along with Pacifera and Svornich, first-year organizers included Nate Malgrem, Owan Katz, Lauren and Matt of the now-defunct Phosphene, Frank DePalma, Sindi Pladsen, Sam Maynard, Chen Pollina and Kiyota Sage.
For a full schedule, and other information, see ptsoundcheck.com.
