NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Dec. 6.
PORT TOWNSEND — The first-ever Vaudeville Hootenanny, a show and dance party with two bands, treats and magic tricks, will take over the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St., tonight.
The New Old Time Chautauqua vaudeville circus troupe is collaborating with a bunch of Port Townsend friends to put on the hootenanny, aka the biggest winter party of the Scottish calendar.
“Wear your plaid,” said Joey Pipia, the magician — and self-described “delusionist” — who will cohost the 7 p.m. show.
Joining him will be two bands of jugglers: the Flying Karamazov Brothers and Nanda, a comedy-circus troupe.
Together, they will leave no juggled object on the floor, Pipia promised.
In addition to the Karamazov-Nanda spectacle, performers Sadie LeDonna and Judith-Kate Friedman, poet Kevin Murphy and the Fighting Instruments of Karma band will play and sing.
And Pipia plans to debut a new effect involving a blindfold and three squeaking mice.
Tickets are $15, or $10 for students and seniors, and those prices include the traditional Scottish shortbread, which Sarah Spaeth of the Jefferson Land Trust will bake and deliver to the hootenanny.
Dance music
Next comes the kick-up-the-heels portion of the evening, as the Toolshed Trio and Unexpected Brass Band play dance music till around 11 p.m.
This New Old Time Chautauqua-and-friends event raises money for and awareness of the chautauqua mission: to bring world-class live entertainment and free circus workshops to rural American communities.
Founded in 1981 by the Flying Karamazov Brothers and Dr. Patch Adams, this group of professional performers and educators remains one of the only touring chautauquas in the United States.
For tickets to tonight’s show, visit the Port Townsend Food Co-op at 414 Kearney St., Sideshow Variety at 630 Water St. or www.brownpapertickets.com.
Remaining seats will be sold at the door.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
