PORT TOWNSEND — The Concerts on the Dock series begins tonight, showcasing local bands to bring people downtown and, if residents are lucky, enjoy the warm weather.
“There are two reasons these concerts are special,” said Dominic Svornich, a Port Townsend Main Street board member who is part of the production crew.
“One is how they give local musicians a place to play for an all-ages crowd and actually get paid,” he said.
“The second is to get people to come downtown and enjoy the space that the city has provided.”
Tonight’s show features Tim Halpin and the Better Half performing funk rock and soul.
Eight concerts will take place through Sept. 6 on consecutive Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pope Marine Plaza-City Dock Civic Plaza across from City Hall.
Seating will open at
5 p.m.
Shows are free and open to all ages, though attendees must be 21 or older to enter the beer and wine garden.
Pope Marine Park was renovated as part of the city’s $5.1 million Civic District project.
More improvements are in the works. The space in front of the Wave Gallery is scheduled for paving this winter.
Svornich and Main Street Director Mari Mullen were determining a configuration of the stage and the beer and wine garden.
The goal was to situate the band so the audience is looking out toward the water during the performance, Mullen said.
The concerts will stagger its food vendor offerings.
“We want to keep it to one food vendor so they can actually make some money, but the problem with that is if they can’t make it, we are left high and dry,” Svornich said.
This year’s concerts also will be the first to include non-food vendors such as crafts or massage.
“We are going for a street fair feel,” Svornich said.
“We also don’t want to compete with the stores downtown. We want to bring people in and serve them appetizer food.
“Afterward, they can go out to dinner at one of the downtown restaurants.”
Svornich said the concerts will succeed through sponsorships and contributions, not the least of which is the use of city facilities.
Music is sponsored by local businesses, the Port Townsend Main Street Program, the city of Port Townsend and Puget Sound Energy, which is the lead event sponsor.
There are still a few beer/wine/cider garden sponsorship slots available in August. Those interested should phone 360-385-7911 for details.
The lineup for the rest of the season will be Locust Street Taxi, July 26; Lowire and MongoSmash, Aug. 2; Dana Lyons, Aug. 9; Chuck Easton Sextet, Aug. 16; The Blasted Kids and Lifestyles of the Poor and Unknown, Aug. 23; Shady Grove,
Aug. 30; and the Pitfalls and the Low Ones, Sept. 6.
For more information, visit www.ptmainstreet.org.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
