PORT ANGELES — Olympic Cellars will kick off its annual Saturday evening Summer Concert Series on Aug.1 — and this year, the series is giving to charity.
The band Fat Chance will rock the barn on U.S. Highway 101 between Port Angeles and Sequim in celebration of the winery’s 30th anniversary at 8 p.m.
Through August
The series will extend through August, with the Aug. 29 finale being the Working Girl No Labor Day Holiday Concert featuring Deadwood Revival.
The cover charge for each concert will be $5.
For the first time, the annual series will donate cover charge proceeds to nonprofit organizations in exchange for volunteer help in promoting and working the show.
The five nonprofits are Family Planning of Clallam County, Homeward Bound, Port Angeles Farmers Market, YMCA of Clallam County and BuiltGreen of Clallam County.
“Earlier this year, the winery was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the Top 25 Corporate Philanthropists in the small companies category,” said Kathy Charlton, co-owner of Olympic Cellars.
Holistic framework
At the awards luncheon celebrating the philanthropist companies, the winery owners learned about a “holistic framework” established by The Seattle Foundation, she said, adding that the foundation identifies seven elements needed for a healthy community and uses this framework in determining strategic approaches to giving.
“The healthy communities approach,” Charlton said, “was the impetus behind our partnership with the five nonprofit organizations. Each provides a service or ‘element’ that works together with the others to support a healthy community.”
“The partnership also combines aspects of the winery’s Charity of Choice and 2X Success initiatives. Working together presents a ‘triple win’ for the nonprofits, the winery and the community.”
Each of five concerts in the series has been paired with a nonprofit organization.
Dates, bands, charities
The concert dates, bands and nonprofits paired with them, are:
• Aug. 1, 8 p.m. — Barn dance with Fat Chance performing its own brand of classic rock.
Donated cover charges will go to the Gynocare Fund, administered by Family Planning of Clallam County, which provides financial assistance for diagnostic and clinical services to medically underserved women.
• Aug. 8, 7 p.m. — Haywire will perform dance music that is a mix of classic rock and country.
Donated proceeds go to Homeward Bound, which provides affordable home ownership opportunities for the families in Jefferson and Clallam County communities. The donated cover charge revenues will be used to continue education and counseling services for low- to moderate-income working families who are seeking secure, affordable housing.
• Aug. 15, 7 p.m. — The Senate Band will perform acoustic music.
Donated cover charges will go to the Port Angeles Farmers Market to pay for tables and chairs for the market and provide a gathering place for shoppers and visitors.
• Aug. 22, 7 p.m. — Kellee Bradley, a Seattle singer who has three albums, will perform.
Donated cover charge will go to the YMCA of Clallam County to fund a swimming field trip once every two weeks.
• Aug. 29, 8 p.m. — Deadwood Revival will perform its blend of old-time Appalachia, soulful American roots and a jam-band improvisation.
Donated proceeds will go to BuiltGreen of Clallam County for consumer education.
Charlton said the nonprofits represent five of The Seattle Foundation’s elements for a healthy community: health care, basic needs, neighborhood and communities, economy and education.
Charleton said the winery supports the other two elements needed for a healthy community — environment and arts and culture — through being a 2009 sponsor of StreamFest and the “Wine Barrels to Art Barrels” project.
For more information on the concert series, phone 360-452-0160 or visit www.olympiccellars.com/events root/wineryevents /2009/08/02/8/.
