By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – Field Arts and Events Hall on the waterfront in Port Angeles will begin hosting concerts in the first week in July, and ticket sales will begin on Friday, May 5.
Executive director Steve Raider-Ginsburg stopped by KONP Tuesday to drop the news about who will be the first artists to perform in the brand new venue, and what’s planned for the Grand Opening weekend.
There will be some world-class performances presented in early July before the Grand Opening, beginning with the Brubeck Brothers Jazz Quartet on July 6, followed by Classical Pianist Katya Grineva on July 16.
Raider-Ginsburg says the weekend before the Grand Opening will feature a free event for the whole community.
“And then as we get closer to our Grand Opening, we have an opening of the space. That opening is called Community Days Celebration. It’s on Saturday, Sunday, July 22nd and 23rd. Those are two themed days. One is electric and one is unplugged. So if you come on Saturday the 22nd, and these are free, no charge admission, it’s a festival of, really, our local talent. And really, showcasing off what our local talent sounds like, looks like, in Field Hall, now that we’ve built this place.”
The following weekend, it’s the big one, the official Grand Opening. Headlining on Saturday, July 29 will be the Bandaloop Vertical Dance Company, which features performers who dance outdoors on the sides of buildings.
“I work for the Board of Directors for the Field Arts and Events Hall, and they charged me with creating “wow”. So, that’s how we got to these vertical dancers, outside the building. And they really bring climbing technology, and turn the dance floor on its side. So, they’re going to be out there for three 20-minute performances throughout the day, with an outdoor stage where we can have a few thousand people watching.”
Inside, Saturday will feature Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, and Washington native, Diane Schuur.
“She grew up in Auburn, and she’s had two top-charting albums. One she recorded with BB King, and one with the Count Basie Orchestra. And what’s cool about that, is that she is turning 70, and she is doing a 70th Birthday Tour. So that kicks off in Port Angeles.”
Schuur will be followed by a high energy band from Charleston, North Carolina called Ranky Tanky.
“Which sounds a bit like New Orleans Jazz sprinkled with some funk. Put in some delta blues and you get some deep, spiritual numbers, you get what they call joyful celebration play songs, and everything in-between.”
Sunday is Family Day at the Grand Opening, featuring a raucous Japanese Taiko Drumming troupe with two big shows.
Find out more, including everything else that will be happening inside and out at Field Hall over the Grand Opening weekend, by going to the website at fieldhallevents.org.
(Photo: Diane Schuur)