Port Ludlow Performing Arts took bold steps in selecting artists for its 2023-24 six-concert series. It paid off. Concerts are selling out.

On Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., Blue Moon Marquee, a Canadian band, will perform songs in a dazzlingly wide range of genres. Tickets may still remain for Blue Moon Marquee; they can be purchased online at www.portludlowperformingarts.com for $35 each, or ordered by mail to P.O. Box 65210, Port Ludlow, WA 98365.  

The following concert will feature Backtrack Vocals – all voices, no instruments – in a holiday show at the Bay Club on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.  

Backtrack Vocals is a five-person a cappella group from New York City with a versatile repertoire that includes Top 40, Motown, classical, show tunes, original music and more, but they are especially well-suited to perform a holiday show: They made their motion-picture debut in A Ring for Christmas, a made-for-TV movie released in December of 2020.

Backtrack Vocals got its start on YouTube in 2013, where the group has now amassed over 100,000 subscribers and 12 million views across their channel. They appeared on NBC, FOX, PBS, Steve Harvey's daytime show and Broadway's Kinky Boots. They also won New York's Got Talent Season 6 in 2019.

While it might seem a challenge to perform without any instrumental backup, the five singers are known for their abilities to infuse heart and humor into every performance, as well as their stunning harmonies and the beatboxing abilities of all members.

The group is comprised of Melissa Jordan, a singer, songwriter and managing member of Backtrack; Mike Hinkle, a former musical theater performer who studied at the Stella Adler Studio and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute; Chrissy Aloiso, Assistant Music Director and featured soloist of the group; Craig Simonetti, Backtrack's music director, chief arranger, beatboxer and former voice teacher at Berklee College of Music in Boston; and Xander Teplansky, who has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, among others.

PLPA’s board is a group of volunteers committed to bringing high-quality performers to Port Ludlow and is always looking for volunteers. Those attending any concert may get more information on volunteering by speaking with any of the board members at any concert, or ask where the volunteer signup sheet can be found at any of the concerts.

PLPA board member Gregg Patton was asked how Port Ludlow Performing Arts selects the artists they invite to become part of their annual six-concert season. He said it begins with a select committee that attends an annual event called the Arts Northwest Conference. This year’s conference was in Tacoma.

“Over three nights, about 30 different acts perform 15-minute sets for musical organizations like PLPA throughout the Pacific Northwest,” Patton said. “There also are numerous other acts who are available during the day to talk about themselves, maybe even give an impromptu sample of their work. Also, during the days, there are agents present to promote their performers, including acts that aren’t present at the conference. It’s a place where you can make initial contacts, check availability and even work with nearby venues to block-book an act.”

After the conference, the booking committee presents the performers they believe will appeal to Port Ludlow audiences to the PLPA Board of Directors for a final vote. Then the booking committee gets to work to book the performers for the new, six-concert season, beginning almost a year in advance.