Ned Luce

Pandemic, shamdemic. 

Hey, I don’t mean to make light of the COVID. In fact, I am really wary of it, just like I am wary of Vladimir Putin. I actually don’t want anything to do with either one of them. In fact, I understand there is only one place in the Western World they are both welcome: Mar-a-Lago, Florida. 

Last weekend was one for some live music hereabouts. 

Saturday evening held the next offering from the Port Ludlow Performing Arts. The performance at the Bay Club was provided by Jason Lyle Black who claims to be known as “The Backwards Piano Player.” 

He is indeed as he demonstrated on a couple of different numbers. He mostly provided medleys of songs from various genres like theme songs from 1960s TV shows, music from Broadway shows, or movies. 

He also claimed to have never spent a minute practicing that he didn’t enjoy. Try to tell that to 90 percent of the 8-year-olds you know whose parents are shelling out $40/week for piano lessons. The PLPA arranged for him to provide a performance at Chimacum High School on Monday to show his talent to the students. 

Sunday afternoon we went to Chimacum High for a concert by the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra. The principal cellist for the PTSO is Quilcene resident Pam Roberts. She performed the cello solo in “Le Grand Tango” with an awesome encore. It was more proof of the talent we have in the neighborhood.

One thing both of these events have in common is that seating is limited by the pandemic as masking and proof of vaccination are required. All those requirements will slowly dissipate, but the fact is that they are here now. 

On the subject of talent, I again contend there is much around here. In addition, there are many local people volunteering their talents to support efforts making the area better. They apply those talents to one or more of the various organizations in which they participate. These organizations range from boards like the Port Ludlow Village Council to the South Bay Community Association to the Ludlow Maintenance Commission. 

In addition, there are also opportunities for helping local groups like the East Jefferson Rotary Club, the food bank and more. These groups make your life better in Eastern Jefferson County and they need your help. There seems to be several newer and/or younger families in the area, probably uprooted by the pandemic. However, the rate of volunteerism seems to be eroding. 

Now these activities probably don’t have any opportunities for meeting fun or interesting people. I mean these groups have people like Mike Nilsson or Terry Umbreit or BJ or others of that stripe. Baloney. These folks are a traveling party. We just need more folks to share the bar bill and bring streamers. Please join in the effort to make the place better.

Upcoming events include, for the first time in over two years, the Port Ludlow Village Players as they bring lively and timely community theatre back to the local stage. 

The spring production is “The Outsider” by Paul Slade Smith. The performances will be at the Bay Club March 11 through March 13 and March 18 through March 20. The Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets or at the Bay Club. 

And, since you asked, audience members will need to wear face masks, plus the other stuff.

I was particularly moved at the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra concert when Tigran Arakelyan, the conductor, announced that one of the members had provided 16 measures of the national anthem of Ukraine. Without any practice they performed the piece perfectly. At least I thought so. 

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week! 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive, Port Ludlow resident and wandering minstrel. Contact Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)