PORT ANGELES — Soul, rock’n’roll, swing, blues, ballet, flamenco, Shakespeare, psychedelic folk, classic hits, a street fair full of food and art: That’s the 30th anniversary Juan de Fuca Festival.
The full lineup has been unveiled for the three-day celebration to take place on multiple stages in the Port Angeles city center May 26-28.
“We’re so proud to have made it into our third decade. We’re getting ready for a memorable festival,” said Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts Executive Director Kyle LeMaire.
“We’re jumping into the ’90s mood to celebrate our 1993 roots, so you should expect some ‘totally tubular’ experiences this year. We’re asking every performer to include one ’90s cover in their set, and we’ll have festival-goers vote on their favorites.”
The detailed schedule of performances during the Memorial Day weekend event has been posted at JFFA.org.
It covers the main stage at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., as well as the adjacent Chamber Stage, the Masonic Temple at Seventh and Lincoln streets, the Naval Elks Ballroom downtown, and the outdoor space on the grass near the Vern Burton entrance.
More information is available at the Juan de Fuca Foundation office at 360-457-5411 and contact@jffa.org.
“The festival is about roaming around, seeing performers you might have never heard of before and discovering your next festival favorites,” LeMaire said.
“We’ve also invited back many performers who’ve wowed us at festivals past,” he added.
Among those making their debut this year are the swing-boogie-jazz act Blue Moon Marquee; world-music duo Honey of the Heart; storyteller Kim Weitkamp; the Americana-folk rock band Goodnight, Texas; and Peninsula College talent show winner Hermit Mabon.
Returning acts include Rose’s Pawn Shop, The Sam Chase & the Untraditional, indie folk rocker Maiah Wynne, the MarchFourth brass band, comic juggler Henrik Bothe and the dancers of Ballet Victoria.
Lee Oskar & Friends, the Stacy Jones Band, blueswoman Anni Piper and the Seattle Shakespeare Company are also coming to the festival, along with well-known local performers.
Those include Joy in Mudville of Port Angeles, Abakis of Port Townsend, the Jean Lenke Rose Quintet from Sequim, Kozmopolis from Port Townsend and Clallam County-based Black Diamond Junction.
The local contingent also includes the Port Angeles Symphony’s Valhalla Brass Quintet; the duo of Jory Noble and Morgan Bartholick; and the Blue Hole Iguanas, featuring past JFFA director Dan Maguire.
Passes on sale
Three-day Juan de Fuca Festival passes are on sale now, with significant discounts for students and youngsters. Free admission for young people in the past has covered kids 12 and younger, but this year the festival is free for those age 17 and younger.
Students ages 18 to 21 with ID can purchase a full festival pass for $50 while the general adult price is $100. All passes cover some 50 performances through the weekend.
Single-day tickets will become available May 1, depending on capacity remaining after three-day pass sales. Single-day prices will be $30 for Friday, $55 for Saturday and $50 for Sunday.
Admission is free to the festival street fair of some 60 curated artisan vendors and food trucks.
“New this year: We are adding booths for new artisans. These are part of a partnership with local merchant MOSS and the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship,” LeMaire said. “This includes marketing and sales training for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“We’re also still accepting applications for our new Corporate Corner booths,” he added.
The outdoor revelry during this year’s Juan de Fuca Festival includes daily performances at the free Community Stage, morning yoga classes — also free — and kids’ activities at the Community Tent.
As in previous years, a wine and beer garden will be open.
All of this happens outside the Vern Burton Community Center, LeMaire noted.
“We’re a community that loves music and the rest of the arts,” he said.
“This festival has grown up, but it’s still an event that’s free of the steep ticket prices and intense crowds of others around the region,” LeMaire added.
“Our goal is to make the arts more accessible,” LeMaire said.
