Port Townsend is all abuzz with excitement about super-cool events this month. We’re serving up something for every appetite—with a cycling ride of the Tour de Forts, to the Brass Screw Confederacy Steampunk Hootenanny, to the Taste of Port Townsend event for foodies, and music galore with Centrum. We know you’ll love the adventure of surprise and delight when you join the fun!
And for those of you who love all things water, June is Orca Month and we’re celebrating to the max with events throughout the month. Catch your breath when the wind fills the sails of the stunning wooden boats in the Classic Mariners’ Regatta and be part of the exhilarating send-off of the participants in the incredible 3rd Annual Race to Alaska!
Port Townsend is one of the best places in the country to see whales, and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, along with Puget Sound Express and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Orca Month with free public events during the Port Townsend Orca Festival, June 3 – June 24. Hang out with whale experts, educators, tribal representatives and artists, for educational and fun-filled days of exploration around the area’s orca population and the broader whale ecosystem in the Salish Sea. Learn more and see full schedule at http://ptorcafest.com.
Photo by Ashlyn E. Brown
The 34th Classic Mariners’ Regatta, June 2-4, brings beautiful wooden boats, high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out, and a friendly atmosphere that is more pot luck than yacht club. Since 1984, the Classic Mariners’ Regatta has animated Port Townsend Bay with the wooden boat spirit that is quintessentially Port Townsend. This event draws classic wooden boats from across the state to race, and celebrate the beauty of these classic vessels. The weekend kicks off with a welcoming gathering on Friday night. Saturday brings two races, the first starting at noon and the second one commencing immediately after. The final sailboat race will start at noon on Sunday and the weekend concludes with an awards ceremony at 5pm. www.nwmaritime.org/events/classic-mariners-regatta/
Nanda returns on June 3 for OMDIGHABEN, at the McCurdy Pavilion for a 7 pm show of dauntless kung-faux, acrobatics, juggling and other amenable mayhem. This carefully orchestrated typhoon of Acrobaticalist Ninja Theatre is the first brand new, feature-length, all-Nanda show since 2010. If you’re a long-time fan of acrobaticalism, you won’t want to miss the birth of OMDIGHABEN. To purchase tickets, go to http://buytickets.at/thunderbull/96744/r/fb.
Tour de Forts 2017 is a stunning ride on June 4, beginning at 8 am, that takes cyclists of all ages and abilities on a scenic and historic trip around the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula. Along the way, water and snack stops allow cyclists to enjoy the view from three old seaside forts that have been converted to beautiful state parks. Routes include a 62-mile, 35-mile, 15-mile and 11-mile options. To register, go to www.tourdeforts.org.
The Race to Alaska (R2AK) was born in the spirit of tradition, exploration and the lawless self-reliance that defines the sea-faring journey through the Inside Passage. 750 miles. No motors. No support. All the way to Alaska. R2AK is the first of its kind and North America’s longest human and wind-powered race. First place is $10,000 and second place is a set of steak knives.
The race starting horn blares at 5 am on Thursday, June 8, with public viewing areas open at the Northwest Maritime Center. R2AK is like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, or being run down by a freighter, or being swallowed by a whirlpool. There are squalls, killer whales and tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour. There’s also some of the most beautiful scenery on earth—as well as a wicked block party to kick this insanity off!
The R2AK Pre-Race Ruckus is Wednesday, June 7, from 3-8 pm. It’s the start of crazy and it’s free for everyone. Beyond great food and drinks, dance it up with Uncle Funk and the Dope 6. Oh, and don’t forget to check out all the amazing race boats! To join the fun and track the boats once they’re en route, go to www.r2ak.com.
Key City Public Theatre presents Murder Ballad, a sexy, explosive new rock opera that explores the complications of love, the compromises we make, and the betrayals that can ultimately undo us. The show runs Thursday through Sunday from June 8 through July 2. With a title like Murder Ballad, it’s no surprise that this is a treacherous love triangle destined for tragedy. A torrid affair with vibrant music, see this hit show at KCPT in one of its first West Coast productions.
It premiered Off-Broadway in 2012, where it was a New York Times Critic’s Pick. Ben Brantley said the play was “a small, but savvy musical that panders in style to those of us who lap up febrile accounts of fatale attractions.” For more info and to purchase tickets, go to www.keycitypublictheatre.org.
The Brass Screw Confederacy, Port Townsend’s Steampunk Festival, is June 9-11, and it aims to rock you back on your heels and steam up your goggles with a weekend of costume-clad piratical adventure. The event brings together the region’s finest Steampunk artists and entertainers for a weekend of authors, panels, music, art, gritty history and whimsical flights of fantasy.
This year’s event features New Jersey Steampunk duo Frenchy and the Punk and the World Premiere of BRASS Bolts: Dollymops and French Apaches, a Steampunk short film. Don’t miss the swashbuckling adventures of BOOM! (Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries) with their piratical percussive presentation.
On Friday night, belly up to the bar of the Steampunk Saloon to catch the return of Hot Damn Scandal, joined by The Crow Quill Night Owls and Rogues End. Saturday evening, join the Steampunk Hootenanny with Frenchy and the Punk and Nathaniel Johnstone Band. Tickets available at the 607 Water Street. See www.brass-screw.org for a list of times, locations and schedule of events.
Photo by Elizabeth Becker/Seaport Photography
The Port Townsend Main Street Program celebrates the Tastes of Port Townsend on June 15 from 5-8 pm at the Northwest Maritime Center. Foodies will enjoy delicious samples from 13 restaurants and dessert spots, two breweries, two wineries, three cideries, plus tea and coffee.
“We are showcasing the fantastic flavors of Port Townsend celebrating our exciting culinary scene—complemented by hand-crafted, artisan beverages,” says Sandy Spencer, board member of the Port Townsend Main Street Program. From savory salmon bites, wood-fired pizza, lamb meatballs, chili coconut boil, salad, sushi and scrumptious desserts, the many tastes will delight your palate. This event is a fundraiser for the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to the historic districts Uptown and Downtown. This is a 21+ event, please bring valid ID. For more info and to purchase tickets, go to www.ptmainstreet.org.
Get your dancin’ shoes on and polka dot attire ready for Centrum’s Honky-Tonk Polka Dot Dance featuring Courtney Granger and Luke Bell on Friday, June 30 at 8 pm at the USO Building at Fort Worden. Tickets are $15 sold at the door only.
A Few Upcoming Events this Summer—Save the Dates!
The 3rd Annual “Old School” 4th of July at Fort Worden
The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, public concerts July 4, 7 and 8
Concerts on the Dock, July 13-August 31, every Thursday from 5-7pm downtown
Jazz Port Townsend, July 23-30
Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival, July 30-August 6
Olympic Music Festival at Fort Worden, July 15 & 16, August 12-September 10
Key City Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, Henry IV—Part 1, August4-27
We can’t wait to welcome you to Port Townsend this summer!