It’s hard to perform without an audience. 

During the past several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, artists found themselves without places to present or people to entertain. In an effort to encourage local musicians and performing artists, the Port Townsend Main Street Program developed small, socially distant events around town throughout the end of summer.

The Port Townsend Safe and Sound busker series began July 2, with the first pop-up event at the Haller Fountain, featuring trumpeter Marge Rosen from the Port Townsend Summer Band and performers from the Key City Public Theater. Hula hoops and giant bubbles also filled the scene. 

Further events have been postponed until mid-July when the county might be able to move into Phase 3 of Washington’s “Safe Start” reopening plan, said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.

“We want to encourage people to come up and downtown but also be mindful of [Gov. Jay Inslee’s] guidelines,” Mullen explained.

The small-scale events are free to the public and held in accordance with social distancing requirements. Masks are required, and volunteers are standing by to distribute cloth masks to those who need them.

MUSIC IN TOWN

Normally, summertime in Port Townsend would come with large arts events like the Concerts on the Dock and the Uptown Street Fair and Parade. Mullen knew, however, that such gatherings couldn’t be held and still comply with the distancing requirements. 

There are typically up to 500 people at each of the Concerts on the Dock and a thousand at the Uptown Street Fair, Mullen said.

In a Zoom meeting with the Port Townsend Main Street Program board, volunteers, and community members, the events were deemed too risky and crowded to hold this year. 

The suggestion then arose for small music and arts experiences, and soon thereafter the idea of the Safe and Sound series.

Mullen arranged for about 30 performers to be sprinkled Downtown and Uptown, she said, including the Unexpected Brass Band and the winners of the Stars of Tomorrow talent show.

“Most of them have been doing nothing,” Mullen said. “The normal summer venues just aren’t coming through.”

The mini-performances are happening in tandem with the Open Streets Initiative, set in place May 22 to open up the streets of Port Townsend to dining and entertainment in order to “activate those spaces,” Mullen said.

“It’s everything from classical guitar to country music,” Mullen said.

PLAYING WITHOUT PEOPLE

George Radebaugh is a Port Townsend keyboard and accordion player. Although Radebaugh would normally be playing three to five nights a week, his instruments have been relatively quiet and gigs nonexistent during the lockdown. 

The past few months have brought some outdoor gigs and several Facebook livestreams, but they have been nothing like the cruise boats, jam sessions, restaurants, and bars that Radebaugh usually plays in.

However, Radebaugh was surprised to find himself enjoying the unexpected free time, instead of panicking like he thought he would.

“I’ve been running into these gigs like crazy for years,” Radebaugh explained. “It’s kind of fun to have some downtime.”

The downtime was interrupted by a call from Mullen, Radebaugh’s acquaintance of over 20 years, offering a spot in the Safe and Sound series.

“I’m not really trying to get any gigs right now, but I’ll always pick up my phone,” Radebaugh said.

Radebaugh plays in whatever style suits those around him, from jazz piano to polkas to Mexican folk music.

“Around here, one has to be flexible with styles,” he laughed.

The Safe and Sound series will also provide some much-needed social interaction. 

“I miss playing with people,” Radebaugh said. “It’s nice to even shake elbows at a distance to them.”

Playing outside with plenty of space, Radebaugh feels comfortable, but he said the jump to performing indoors would take much longer.

Radebaugh said that he is currently scheduled to play in a duo with a fiddler Aug. 6 on the Tyler Street Plaza, and solo Aug. 22 at the Uptown Courtyard. 

“It’s a tough way to make a living,” Radebaugh sympathized. “I’m older now, I have other income. But if you’re a younger musician and you’re depending on people, you’ve got to be hurting right now.”

FUTURE EVENTS

The Safe and Sound performances are scheduled to run from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays until Sept. 5, with all kinds of entertainment.

A full schedule of activities and locations will be available on a weekly basis, updated on the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Facebook page. 

The Safe and Sound series is sponsored by Homer Smith Insurance and the Law Offices of James A. Doros.