PORT TOWNSEND — This summer’s Concerts on the Dock series kicks off Thursday.
The free concerts are an essential part of Port Townsend’s summer social season, said Mari Mullen, Port Townsend Main Street executive director.
“There are a lot of people who look forward to these shows every week over the summer,” Mullen said.
“People love to see the community getting together. It’s a good place to hear music and be with your friends in a beautiful setting.”
Eight concerts are scheduled on consecutive Thursdays through Aug. 20 at Pope Marine Plaza in a setting with Port Townsend Bay as a backdrop.
Seating opens at 4:30 p.m., with the music following from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Alcoholic refreshments, food and vendors are available.
This year’s kickoff show features Marley’s Ghost, a California-based Americana band that was in town for Centrum’s Festival of American Fiddle Tunes and recently recorded an album in Woodstock, N.Y.
The band has played in Port Townsend before, but this is its first Concerts on the Dock performance, according to guitarist Mike Phelan.
“People seem a lot happier here than a lot of other places we play, maybe because the setting is so beautiful and the weather is great,” Phelan said.
“People here respond to our music as long as it is done with passion.
“If we enjoy it, they enjoy it, too.”
The schedule includes Trenary and the Coal Miners on July 9, Locust Street Taxi on July 16, T.S. Fisher and the Smooth Operators on July 23, Hot Damn Scandal on July 30, the Stacy Jones Band on Aug. 6, the Solvents on Aug. 13 and Kevin Mason and the Yacht Club on Aug. 20.
Dominic Svornich, a Main Street board member who books the bands, said the selection has been fine-tuned over the years.
“What gets the best response is upbeat music that will get the audience up and moving,” Svornich said.
“Through the years, we’ve tried to present varying genres, but as much as I personally love hard rock and jazz, it doesn’t capture the crowd in the same way,” he added.
The mission, according to Svornich, is to “stick with danceable, high-energy, positive, engaging music.”
Svornich begins booking the bands in February. He said he usually gets about 40 inquiries but that there are always last-minute cancellations.
One of these was Brother Townsend, scheduled for July 9, but the band had some personnel changes, and Trenary and the Coal Miners, featuring high-energy singer Megan Trenary, stepped in.
Trenary and the Coal Miners, which played a sold-out show at the Uptown Pub in May, will give its second Port Townsend performance.
“They got a really good reaction to their first show and are now looking to get out and play for more people,” Svornich said.
“They play a nice mix of country, soul, rock and blues that will really speak to the people who come out to this event.”
On a sunny evening, as many as 400 people can crowd the plaza, which is divided into zones where alcohol is permitted and others that are alcohol-free, with adjacent dance areas.
Alcoholic beverages are locally grown, with beer from the Port Townsend Brewing Co. and cider from Eaglemount Wine & Cider and Finnriver Farm & Cidery alternating for a month each.
Food vendors will alternate between Olgita’s and Dented Buoy Pizza.
Daily Bird Pottery, James Jackson Massage, Magical Henna and Java Gypsy will be at every show.
Every show has a stage sponsor and beer garden sponsor.
A “new” old stage will be used to replace one that “has gotten a lot of wear and tear over the last few years,” Mullen said.
For more information or to volunteer, call 360-385-7911.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
