The past year has been a long one, but a full one.
Full of uncertainty, full of distance and isolation, and in turn, a year absent of the many things that we used to live for.
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The past year has been a long one, but a full one.
Full of uncertainty, full of distance and isolation, and in turn, a year absent of the many things that we used to live for.
One of those things was live music which became non-existent as the world shifted. Haunted by the sounds that used to reverberate through their framework, concert halls and live music venues were mausoleums, entombing our favorite memories.
The pandemic took a lot from all of us. But after more than a year without live music, can you almost hear again the buzz of guitar strings and the throb of a kick drum?
Thanks to the Port Townsend Main Street Program, live music and in-person fun is coming back to the town’s historic streets. Working with local musicians and performing artists, the new “Buskers on the Block” series is a part of the program’s “Love Where You Live” campaign.
In April and May, the performances are set to begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. They will be free to the public, taking place at Tyler Street Plaza, Haller Fountain and other locations which are to be announced.
“We look forward to hiring performers for these free outdoor performances in the historic districts. We have so many talented performers in town, and they are excited to be part of the series. Grab a lunch or coffee and come hear some great music and support local businesses in Phase 3,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
Introduced as a “songslinger and strum for hire in the Pacific Northwest,” one of thebuskers entertaining the block will be multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jack Dwyer.
“One of the sets is going to be mostly guitar, original bluegrass, and classic country,” Dwyer said of his upcoming performance Saturday, April 24.
He will return Saturday, May 8 to play more of his traditional American repertoire with his unique spin.
“The other set is probably going to be all banjo. I have sort of a separate banjo act that’s more bluegrass, old-time music, and some original tunes and songs, as well.”
“It feels really good,” he said about getting to play live again. “It’s really nice to be putting stuff on the calendar instead of taking it off.”
While live music has been in limbo, Dwyer has spent his time playing and writing music, teaching online lessons, and doing a lot of waiting for shows to come back.
Like other musicians during this time, he’s been able to quench the thirst to perform through the internet.
“I’ve been streaming shows through my website every week,” he explained.
Dwyer has stuck to a weekly streaming schedule, playing all things mandolin on “Mandolin Mondays”; performing classic country and western swing for “Honky Tonk Tuesdays”; plucking banjo on Wednesday’s “Five String Feature”; and unplugging for “Acoustic Thursdays.”
He said he is looking forward to seeing people out at the shows.
“I missed everybody,” Dwyer said.
Earlier in April, the series has already been host to the musical stylings of multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Doyle and musician Buck Ellard, along with performances from the Key City Public Theatre.
Here is what to look forward to for the rest of this month:
April 15 and April 17, Christian Powers, accompanied by a bandmate, will present a set of his originals, filled with elements of psych rock, modern indie, 1960s and ’70s pop.
A mix of blues, jazz, and soft rock songs, Flugelhorn Phil will play a variety on April 22.
On April 24 and May 8, mark your calendar for Dwyer’s performances.
Saxophonist, clarinetist, jug blower, Jonathan Doyle will once again show off his chops on April 29.
May will be just as fun-filled with the following performances:
Joe Euro, owner of the Wineseller, will perform classical guitar tunes on May 1 and May 22.
May 6, take a journey with the whimsical, sweet, and sorrowful stylings of singer/songwriter Kristin Myers.
On May 13 and 20, hear the classically trained vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Phina Pippia’s rich vocals and inventive lyrics.
Buck Ellard will be back with more traditional country, classic rock, blues, and original songs on May 15.
George Radebaugh and Peter Evasick, two members of the Delta Rays, will play Cajun and Zydeco music on May 27.
On May 29, a local favorite New Orleans-style brass ensemble, the Unexpected Brass Band, will perform.
Corinne Adams will play the Celtic fiddle on May 31.
And singer/songwriter/guitarist Micaela Kingslight will feature sounds of Americana, blues, folk, funk, indie, and rock on May 31.
Sponsors of the “Love Where You Live” campaign include the First Federal Community Foundation, the Port of Port Townsend, and Windermere Real Estate; the media sponsors are KPTZ 91.9 FM and The Port Townsend Leader.
Find more information at iLovePortTownsend.com.
