PORT TOWNSEND — Former ferry harpist David Michael won’t be participating in Washington State Ferries’ Bainbridge-Seattle ferry musicians pilot program, but he sees it as a step in the right direction — one that might benefit ferry buskers past and present.
“I think that’s progress,” Michael said after the pilot program was launched Saturday.
The pilot program and a survey to gather ferry riders’ opinions on ferry musicians will run for three months, at which time state ferries officials will review the results and perhaps make a decision on the future of on-board performers.
Lots of opinions
“I think they have almost as many opinions on how much they want music as they don’t want it,” said Marta Coursey, ferry spokeswoman.
Michael, part of the impetus behind the pilot program and survey, had no choice but to discontinue more than 17 years of ferry performances on the Klickitat between Port Townsend and Keystone on Aug. 13, 2007, after passenger complaints led ferry officials to require that the Port Townsend musician be treated like any other passenger under tightened security requirements.
That meant Michael, then 55 and suffering from back trouble, had to lug his 30-pound harp and pack CDs on and off each of eight departures and arrivals at the Port Townsend and Keystone terminals.
Furthermore, he was no longer allowed to sell his CDs aboard the ferry because such sales are against Washington State Ferries policy without a permit.
That led to a hue and cry among regional bloggers, and on radio and TV talk shows.
Selling CDs
Michael said key to making it worthwhile for many buskers to perform on ferries is the ability to sell their CDs or downloads on board.
He said he will not participate in the pilot program because selling CDs or downloads was prohibited and he hopes to resolve the issue with state ferries officials, including Assistant Transportation Secretary for Ferries David Moseley.
Michael was last told that by paying $200 a day in advance — plus the ferry fare when first boarding and showing proper identification — he could remain on board with his harp and other items during the ferry’s security sweep between runs.
The ferry system is partnering with the Seattle entertainment venue, the Triple Door, to provide live entertainment on the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry route.
The Triple Door promoted Seattle-based folk and blues artist Stanislove for the first ferry performance and will continue to provide music aboard the 11:25 a.m. sailing from Seattle to Bainbridge, concluding it aboard the 12:20 p.m. return trip from Bainbridge Island to Seattle.
Two time slots
The entertainment is limited to one of two time slots aboard either of the two vessels serving the route from 11:a.m.-3:30 p.m. or 3:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
The survey questions:
• Do you enjoy listening to live music on the vessels?
• Do you have a preference for time of day or day of the week when musicians can perform on the vessels?
• Do you have a preference for where on the vessel a musician can perform?
• What is your opinion about musicians selling their wares on the vessels?
• Is there a type of live music you would prefer to hear on the vessels?
The survey can be found on the Bainbridge ferries or at http://tinyurl.com/ferrypoll.
Negatively worded
Michael said he believes the survey was negatively worded but he thought it would generate documented support for ferry buskers
“What it has done is actually get a conversation going again,” he said of media coverage in the region.
While he will not participate in the pilot program, Michael said: “I would certainly welcome the opportunity to go down to Bainbridge and perform.”
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com