PORT TOWNSEND — For people thirsty for live music — people like Centrum’s Gregg Miller — this coming Saturday is “like an oasis in the desert.”
Jazz on Littlefield Green, the in-person concert starring a big house band of players from across the country, will bring some 700 people inside the fence at Fort Worden State Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“Tickets are selling very well,” Miller, jazz program manager, said Friday.
How well? Just 10 were left.
For this first Fort Worden jazz extravaganza in about two years, Centrum.org is the site for the $25 tickets, sold via the “Performance tickets” link at the top of the page.
Patrons can also use 800-746-1982 to purchase by phone.
The lineup of jazz players to take the McCurdy Pavilion stage — facing grassy, fenced Littlefield Green — includes the Centrum jazz faculty who are about to spend five days with Jazz Port Townsend workshop participants.
The workshop sessions will be all online this Monday through Friday — and there’s still room, with registration information at centrum.org/jazz-port-townsend-the-workshop.
Terell Stafford is among the players to appear in the Jazz on Littlefield Green concert next Saturday. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
On guitar is Miles Okazaki, the New York City-based performer and teacher who grew up in Port Townsend.
This open-air concert will bring music to a fort campus that has been mostly bereft of it — and yes, Miller said, people without tickets can come by and listen.
“It’s a state park. It’s open to the public,” he said.
As for the jazz lovers inside the fence, safety protocols will be practiced.
“We want to make sure people have room to spread out and be comfortable,” Miller said.
Normally McCurdy Pavilion events accommodate some 1,100 attendees. Capping Saturday’s concert at 700 affords space between parties, all of whom are urged to bring their own blankets and low-back chairs.
Umbrellas and tents aren’t allowed, while shade hats and drinking water are encouraged. Beer, wine, soft drinks and light snacks will be available.
One more summer concert is on Centrum’s 2021 agenda: Acoustic Blues on Littlefield Green at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 7.
Information about the show is found at centrum.org via “Performance Tickets” while registration information for the all-online Acoustic Blues Workshop awaits at centrum.org/port-townsend-acoustic-blues-festival-workshop.
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladaily news.com.
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