WEEKEND: American Legion hall to host artists after Upstage closure

Published 12:01 am Friday, July 19, 2013

NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” represent Friday, July 19; Saturday is July 20; Sunday is July 21.

PORT TOWNSEND — Two acts originally slated for The Upstage, the now-shuttered venue in downtown Port Townsend, will give concerts tonight and Saturday at the American Legion Hall instead.

Pearl Django, the acclaimed Gypsy jazz ensemble from Seattle, will arrive for a 7:30 show tonight at the American Legion, 209 Monroe St.

Tickets are $10 via The Upstage’s old phone number, 360-385-2216; any remaining will be sold at the door.

On Saturday night, young troubadour David Jacobs-Strain will bring his blistering blues to the hall.

The Eugene, Ore., prodigy has been all over the world, and is headed here for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. show.

“I’ll be there with a full band, including the great Bob Beach on harmonica,” Jacobs-Strain promised.

Tickets to this concert are $8.

Mark Cole, The Upstage’s owner, said he’s presenting these concerts at the American Legion in an effort “to take care of artists who have received short notice of [The] Upstage closing.”

The restaurant and concert space closed in June for repairs to the floor and the kitchen; Cole first said this was a temporary hiatus.

Then building owner Dave Peterson served him with an eviction notice June 28, and said water damage and dry rot made the building unsafe.

Cole, for his part, says he’s embarked on a search for other live-music venues.