The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes 2008: Day One

I'm going to be spending a LOT of time at Fort Worden here in my town of Port Townsend, Washington this week. I'll be attending "Fiddle Tunes"--the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, sponsored by the Centrum Foundation, an arts organization. This is a 7-day crash course in many styles of folk music. During the weekdays we (numbering in the hundreds) will be attending classes in the morning given by renowned, experienced musicians of many different folk music traditions. Afternoons will be spent learning tunes with the band lab of one's choice (to perform at the end of the week for the participant's concert), or attending more classes or workshops. Evenings will include performances and dances, and jams into the wee hours. Though I live close by, for one reason or another I haven't been a full participant since 1996, when I put my three boys in summer daycare to attend. Hubby and I have gone to dances and jams at night.

This afternoon I went over to register at Centrum. I ran into a few friends, and took some photos of buildings where we will be hanging out. Later I'll post some more shots of the fort and some action shots. I went back for the evening demonstrations of the musicians in residence, where my hubby joined me. T-Dawg was there also, as he is helping out in the fiddle tunes store this week. Each musician or featured band was introduced and played one of their tunes or medleys, or sang a song with accompaniment. I had thought I had it all figured out what I was going to do this week, but now I am befuddled, as there are too many options I want to follow up. That Cape Breton music sure sounds lively, as well as the Quebecois. Cajun? Now might be my big chance. The Latin American music was fabulous. James Bryan played a smooth tune, as did Irish Fiddler Paul Bradley. David Kaynor will be teaching New England dancing and music, and I KNOW he plays Scandinavian music. And then there's old time music...... What to do, what to do...?

Fiddle Tunes participants register at the Centrum Building




The schoolhouse, where many classes will take place




The Fiddle Tunes Store, where you may buy CD's, t-shirts, music and folklore and poetry books, and maybe some batteries, a fiddle shoulder rest, or a guitar....John will be happy to help you!




The 204 Building, where you will jam on the first floor and porches, and dance on the second floor




The rear of the 204 Building




From the rear of 204, you will cross a parking lot to eat at the Fort Worden Commons, if you signed up for meals. Where the elite meet to eat......Here we also had our orientation and music sampler




Walk on over to the Theater, where you will see performances and perhaps have a class in the lobby



I hope you enjoyed this little tour of a beautiful fort and park and the home of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes....thanks for stopping by!