PORT TOWNSEND — Capping off Blues Week at Centrum will be Free Fridays at the Fort. Blues in the Clubs on Friday and Saturday, and an Acoustic Blues Showcase on Saturday.
The 2023 Acoustic Blues Workshop offered instruction in traditional acoustic blues, its history, songs and styles as well as technical skills from Monday through this coming Sunday. The public portion of Blues Week included a solo concert by special guest Bobby Rush on Wednesday. Rush, who has made records for nearly 70 years, is a two-time Grammy-winner, Blues Hall of Famer, six-time Grammy nominee and 14-time Blues Music Award winner.
Public concerts continue at noon Friday with Centrum’s annual Free Fridays at the Fort concert series showcasing jazz, blues and fiddle and tunes performers among others on the lawn of the Nora Porter Commons.
Blues in the Clubs
Friday Blues in the Clubs and Saturday Blues in the Clubs will each begin at 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Blues faculty and participants will perform in such Fort Worden venues as The Commons and Building 204.
Wristbands are $25 and can be purchased online or in person at The Commons Building starting at 6:30 p.m.
Performing artists will include Andrew Alli, Benjamin Hunter, Chaz Leary, Corey Ledet, Dave Steele, Ethan Leinwand, George Aschmann, Hubby Jenkins, Ian Walters, Jayy Hopp, Jerron Paxton, Jon Atkinson, Justin Golden, Lloyd Buchanan, Mark Puryear, Mary Flower, Nick Pence, Phil Wiggins, Reverend Robert Jones, Rodrigo Mantovani, Shari Kane and Jontavious Willis.
Blues Showcase
On Saturday, Centrum also will host the Acoustic Blues Showcase, created by artistic director Willis, at 1:30 p.m. in the McCurdy Pavilion at 200 Battery Way at Fort Worden.
Tickets can be purchased at https://centrum.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/14917.
More than 20 artists from across the nation perform. Artists include Andrew Alli, Benjamin Hunter, Chaz Leary, Corey Ledet, Dave Steele, Ethan Leinwand, George Aschmann, Hubby Jenkins, Ian Walters, Jayy Hopp, Jerron Paxton, Jon Atkinson, Justin Golden, Lloyd Buchanan, Mark Puryear, Mary Flower, Nick Pence, Pamela English, Phil Wiggins, Reverend Robert Jones, Rodrigo Mantovani, Shari Kane, Shirley Smith and Willis.
Centrum also will offer information at a booth at the Port Townsend Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Tyler Street. For more information, see https://centrum.org/events-calendar.
