Victorian Festival March 22-24, 2019
March 2, 2019 by bluegullinn
Please join March 22-24, 2019 in Port Townsend, WA for another delightful edition of the Victorian Heritage Festival
The Victorian Festival returns with new events, old favorites, and even more opportunities to experience a way of life that was. Join us among the beautiful Victorian architecture of Port Townsend as history lives again.
Watch this space for more information and ticket sales. We look forward to seeing you!
Arts & Entertainment in Port Townsend
February 28, 2019 by bluegullinn
Arts & Entertainment
Port Townsend, Arts & Entertainment
National Geographic calls Port Townsend “one of the most sophisticated places west of Seattle,” and arts and entertainment is a large part of the reason why.
For more than three decades, artists of all ages have flocked to Centrum, the nonprofit arts organization located at Fort Worden State Park, for artist residencies, workshops and performances. Centrum’s summer performance festivals in music and literature are national events, drawing thousands to the area.
Copper Canyon Press, also located at Fort Worden, is the nation’s premier poetry publishing house. Copper Canyon Press fosters the work of emerging, established, and world-renowned poets for an expanding audience.
Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend is a summer highlight
Located at the entrance to downtown, Northwinds Arts Center is a hub of visual arts and literary activity, producing educational programs, lectures, readings and workshops, and by providing juried and invitational venues for displaying the work of regional artists.
Key City Public Theatre is perhaps the most active and vital theater organization on the Olympic Peninsula. Their year-round slate of performances and workshops draws audiences from around the region.
Port Townsend’s location, coupled with its proximity to the Seattle/Vancouver/Portland metro areas, makes the town an attractive destination for national music acts and audiences looking for intimate performance experiences.
From music, to theater, to visual and performing arts, Port Townsend is a destination not to be missed. Be sure to visit PTGuide.com’s comprehensive arts and entertainment calendar to find out what’s happening in Port Townsend.
Enjoy Fort Worden State Park
February 27, 2019 by bluegullinn
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Olympic Peninsula Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour – Feb 9-10 & 16-18, 2019
February 5, 2019 by bluegullinn
Olympic Peninsula Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour – Feb 9-10 & 16-18, 2019
Red Wine, Cider & Chocolates
Olympic Peninsula Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour – Feb 9-10 & 16-18, 2019
Enjoy our annual Olympic Peninsula Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour! Let your temptations run wild with our unmatched extraordinary blends of Washington grapes, apples and pears – paired with decadent chocolate & local culinary fare. You’ll fall head over heels with Olympic Peninsula Wineries & Cideries, during the Olympic Peninsula Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour. This tour takes place over two scrumptious weekends to allow you to savor each venue’s offerings. Our new release varietals and culinary offerings will satisfy every palate and have you falling in love with every sip.
Tickets for this self guided tour are available on-line for $40 or $45 at the wineries or cideries and are non-refundable. These tickets include a souvenir wine glass, wine and cider tastings at each location as well as sensational chocolate pairings. Visitors who get their ticket stamped at all nine tasting rooms will be entered into a drawing for a love inspired gift basket. Purchase tickets here.
All venues will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day for the tour and some venues may have extended hours for non-tour visits. Tasting fees for those not participating in the ticketed event will be $10 per person at each winery or cidery.
The Olympic Peninsula Wineries encourage responsible wine touring and recommend that you have a designated driver in your group. Designated drivers do not need to purchase a ticket and are always welcome to taste the food. While children are allowed in the tasting rooms, you must be 21 or over to purchase tickets and/or participate in wine and cider tasting.
Eaglemount Winery & Cidery: Join Eaglemount with chocolate serenade, delicious caramel sauce paired with our lineup of ciders, wines and meads with the new release of Brambleberry Burn Cider and wine release of Tempranillo you’ll fall in love with Eaglemount again and again.
Harbinger Winery: Attention Wine Lovers and Chocoholics!
The Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate Tour is your ticket to unabashedly celebrate several great things at the same time; the survival of another cold, dark January, the anticipation of blooming romance, and the celebration of red wine, hard cider and gourmet chocolate. The Harbinger crew has been surfing through an ocean of wine and chocolate pairings and gleaning tattered and wine- stained notes to create the ultimate palatial experience for you on the subject.
Also in the works is the highly provocative VIP Reserve tasting for those daring enough to step behind the velvet curtains of the Kitty Kat Lounge. Sample Harbinger Winery’s gold medal and reserve wines with handmade aphrodisiac chocolates and prepare to have your preconceived beliefs warped with mind-bending creations.
We hope to see you at Harbinger Winery for this much anticipated, once-a-year chocolate extravaganza!
FairWinds Winery: visitors can have fun dipping tasty tidbits from salty pretzels to sweet strawberries in the chocolate fountain and discover a favorite pairing with our current wine releases, including the popular Port O’ Call.
Finnriver Farm & Cidery: At Finnriver, we will seek to delight the senses with tantalizing tastes of our decadent brandywines and our farm crafted ciders, including our orchard series Golden Russet Cider, botanical Solstice Saffron Cider, our beloved Raspberry Brandywine and newly released Chai Brandywine. Also enjoy samples of chocolate delights or purchase a hot meal from the Finnriver Kitchen or one of our wonderful weekend food vendors: Dented Buoy woodfired pizza or Hama Hama oysters and chowder! We will also have live music Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Marrowstone Vineyards: Marrowstone Vineyards is excited to share their red wine and chocolate offerings to help shake off those winter blues! For the wine, cider and chocolate experience we will be pouring our red wines with a taste of sweet as well as savory. Silverwater Café will be providing us with delectable turtle fudge, and some decadently rich chocolate mousse truffles. For our savory option they are preparing cacao spice rubbed lamb skewers. These tasty bites of sweet and savory, paired with our red wines is something you will absolutely not want to miss out on.
Wind Rose Cellars: Wind Rose Cellars plans an exciting and educational experience when you visit our tasting room.
We will pour some of our award-winning reds paired with local chocolatier Yvonne Yokota. Yvonne will also be on site with chocolate truffles along with her delicious chocolate bark.
We will pour the following wines: 2013 Primitivo, 2014 Field Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Nebbiolo, 2014 Bravo Rosso, 2015 Hunters Red and our ever so popular 2017 Muscato. We have some special sales going on as well. We also plan to have our VIP bar open pouring some of our rare and super limited produced wines.
We also have live music planned:
- February 8th “Dawn Martin” local keyboardist who really packs the house. 7-9pm
- February 9th Forest Beutel” regional one-man band that plays blues. 7-9 pm
- February 14th Blue Skyz Jazz local jazz Trio performing from 6-8pm
- February 15th “Tony Flaggs Band” local trio that plays a mixture of rock with a little bluegrass. 7-9pm
- February 16th “Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz” local jazz vocalist that will amaze you with her vocals. 7-9pm
Join us if you can. We’d love to show you our spin on Italian varietals grown in Washington State.
Camaraderie Cellars: we like to think that red wine and dark chocolate applied internally is just what the doctor orders to sustain your good health. Sips of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, as well as Bordeaux-styled blends will certainly fill the bill. Add to that, tasty bittersweet chocolate heart cookies and dark chocolate bark bites. And to highlight savory chocolate, the Cocoa Spiced pulled pork will be back by popular demand. Enjoy tastings in our new Ridge Room. Toasting good health for all! Great discounts will help add to your cellar.
Olympic Cellars: Olympic Cellars welcomes you. It is our 40th Anniversary and in celebration, we will release our first ever Pinot Noir with a special commemorative label.
We are really excited to have ‘We Do Fudge’ of Sequim back on-site pairing the perfect fudge flavors with two new limited-release wines.
Petite Sirah, 2015 -This is our first vintage of this delicious full-bodied, well-balanced wine which tastes of juicy plum and raspberry.
Petit Verdot, 2015 – The mouth feel is plush, and the taste is distinctive for the espresso, bitter chocolate overtones to its plump core of black currant and blueberry flavors.
Last year’s favorite pairing of White Port and carrot cake fudge will also be back. Yumm! As always, we will have a variety of red and white wines available to sample.
You will also enjoy sampling some fun nibbles in the cellar and taking advantage of special discounts to stock up your cellar.
Port Townsend Vineyards: Come visit us on the Red Wine, Cider & Chocolate tour and taste a sneak peak of our highly-anticipated Discovery Rosé! Attendees will receive the first tastes of this year’s vintage. We’ll also be pouring our 2017 Merlot and 2016 Pinot Noir, delightfully paired with truffles from Elevated Chocolate and other snacks. Come walk through the tank hall to view operations and settle in inside our heated Discovery Room Pavilion.
Party in Port Townsend
August 2, 2018 by bluegullinn
Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Workshop
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June in Port Townsend
June 4, 2018 by bluegullinn
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Spring into Fun
May 7, 2018 by bluegullinn
Enjoy PT
As April showers give way to May flowers, nothing takes center stage as eloquently here in Port Townsend as the Rhododendron, which you’ll see blooming prolifically around town. It’s not only Washington’s state flower, but it’s the star of the show this month as we celebrate our 83rd Rhododendron Festival, with activities and fun for the whole family…even your pet! Mark your calendars to join us May 16-20!
But that’s not all that’s coming your way in May. Read on to learn about more exciting events and activities for you to enjoy in Port Townsend this month!
Art Wave, May 1-31
You’ll be inspired by this colorful month-long exhibit of over 400 pieces of children’s artwork displayed in businesses in Uptown and Downtown, created by grades K-12 in the Port Townsend School District. Come to the historic districts for Art Walk on Saturday, May 5, from 5:30-7:30 pm and see the creativity of our children.
New this year, tap into your creativity at the ArtZone—a Paint n’ Sip Party on May 24 from 5-7 pm for adults 21+ to benefit Arts in the Port Townsend Public Schools. The class will be led by Jesse Watson, an award-winning local artist who’s known for his colorful landscapes and portraits. The $50 fee includes materials and refreshments. The art party will be held in the Kuhn Building at 1044 Water Street. Sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. http://ptmainstreet.org/may-is-art-wave/
Opening Day on the Bay, Saturday, May 5
Opening Day of the 2018 boating season is cause for celebration as the Port Townsend Yacht Club invites the public to view the waterfront parade. Watch the boats sail by from the Northwest Maritime Center Pier, Pope Marine Park or any other convenient location along Water Street. The parade will begin after the departure of the 12:30 pm ferry to Coupeville. Following the parade, there will be the traditional Blessing of the Fleet. www.PTYC.net
Gemboree, Saturday, May 5
The Port Townsend Rock Club is hosting their annual Gemboree showcase, including local experts demonstrating contemporary beading, jewelry bezel setting, stone sculpting and much more. The organization has been active for over 50 years in Port Townsend. Located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, the clubhouse hosts a complete studio, library and a cavalcade of people who love to work on and learn about gems, minerals and geology. Explore the possibilities at the Gemboree from 10 am to 2 pm. Free to the public. For more info, email porttownsendrockclub@gmail.com.
83rd Annual Rhododendron Festival and Rhody Run, May 16-20
Talk like a local and call it “Rhody!” For those of us in Port Townsend, this term encompasses anything going on during the week of the festival. We simply call all of it “Rhody.” Feel free to do so, too. Make plans to join us this year for Rhody and celebrate our Port Townsend “community holiday” with us. Here’s the scoop:
Wednesday, May 16
6pm Trike Race begins
Thursday, May 17
4:30pm Pet Parade begins and the Funtastic Carnival opens at Memorial Field
Friday, May 18
3:30pm Kiddies Parade begins and the Carnival is ongoing through the evening
6:30pm Bed Races begin
Saturday, May 19
1pm Rhody Festival Grand Parade with a Cake Picnic to follow
Sunday, May 20
11am 40th Annual Rhody Run begins
www.RhodyFestival.org or www.RhodyRun.com
The 5th Annual Artisan Food Festival is May 26 in Uptown Port Townsend with 70+ local farms, live music, artisan foods, craft beer, cider, wine, and arts and craft vendors including cheese pairings with Mt. Townsend Creamery and Port Townsend Vineyards. Chef demonstrations by Jefferson Healthcare’s Executive Chef, Arran Stark; Finistere’s Executive Chef and Co-owner Deborah Taylor; Jess Rose, Silverwater Café’s Executive Chef; and Denise Joy from Mountain Spirit Herbal Company. For a schedule of events, go to http://jcfmarkets.org/ptaff/.
Save the date for upcoming events in June:
June 1-3
Classic Mariners’ Regatta
Watch beautiful wooden boats and high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out.
www.nwmaritime.org/classic-mariners-regatta/
June 7
Port Townsend Main Street’s Taste of Port townsend
Sample. Sip. Mingle. It’s going to be delicious!
www.ptmainstreet.org/tastes-of-port-townsend-2/
June 8-10
The Brass Screw Confederacy – Steampunk Festival
Join us somewhere between 1891 and a time that yet may be…
www.brass-screw.org
June 13 and 14
Pre-Race Ruckus and Race to Alaska
No motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. Watch the race start in Port Townsend!
www.r2ak.com
June 17
Centrum’s Chamber Music Series
An afternoon concert by the Pacifica Quartet
www.centrum.org/port-townsend-chamber-music-festival/
June 27, 28 and 29
Centrum’s Voice Works Performances
Vocal Showcase #1 of music and dances, June 27, 7:30 pm
Boogie at the Honky Tonk Polka Dot Dance, June 28, 8 pm
Vocal Showcase #2 of music and dances, June 27, 7:30 pm
We can’t wait to welcome you to Port Townsend this month!
Happy Spring
April 3, 2018 by bluegullinn
Farmers Market Port Townsend
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Happy Valentines Day
February 4, 2018 by bluegullinn
Romantic visit to the Blue Gull Inn B&B
Happy Valentines Day
Red Wine in Port Townsend
February 3, 2018 by bluegullinn
Red Wine and Chocolates
Red Wine
Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just a few short weeks away. Escape with your sweetheart to Port Townsend for a romantic weekend getaway. We have a wide array of fantastic accommodations to suit your style. Click here for choices and to book your reservation. Many of our restaurants are offering Valentine’s specials too. For more details, contact our Visitor Information Center at info@jeffcountychamber.org or 360.385.2722.
Start your romantic celebration with Port Townsend as your home base and fall head over heels with the Olympic Peninsula Wineries and Cideries during their luscious Red Wine, Cider and Chocolate event over two scrumptious weekends: February 10-11 and 17-19, from 11 am to 5 pm. Let your quest for guilty pleasures run wild with the unmatched, extraordinary blends of Washington grapes, apples and pears—paired with decadent chocolates and local culinary fare. Enjoy a romantic drive through the scenic Olympic Peninsula!
The ticket and glass package entitles you to a special commemorative wine glass, complimentary wine/cider tasting and chocolate samples at the nine participating wineries and cideries. Book here for online tickets. www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org/redwinechocolate.php
What better place to celebrate love than Port Townsend? Over the years, our city has received many accolades from the media naming us the “best of….” Most recently, in 2017, we were named by Architectural Digest as “One of the 15 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America” and MSN named Port Townsend the “Prettiest Town in Washington.”
With that in mind, we welcome you to come downtown and show your love for our fair city by penning a Love Letter to Port Townsend. You can write a poem, a love letter, or simply list the three things you love most about Port Townsend. Select restaurants and coffee shops will have entry forms. Please enter by February 14 to win prizes.
Concierges are ready to assist you!
On Saturdays, Port Townsend have friendly “Celebrity Concierges” roaming Water Street, from 1-3 pm, offering suggestions for things to do and see, giving directions and answering questions. They’ll be providing coupon books and maps to help you get around downtown. Be sure to look for them!
From now through June, the “Believe It or Knot!” game will pique your interest in unbelievable facts (or fiction) about our salty seaport. From the 1890s Victorian seaport to modern day, the past and present of Port Townsend will have you questioning whether you believe it or “knot.”
Hidden throughout downtown are incredible facts (true or false!) about our city. Find 10 of them at participating businesses. Try your hand to see how well you know your facts about Port Townsend by completing the game to be entered in prize drawings–$100 in monthly gift certificates and a chance to win a grand prize of $500 in gift certificates to spend in downtown businesses. And be sure to tag any of your photos on Instagram or Facebook with #ILovePortTownsend!
Key City Playhouse
Key City Public Theatre will kick off its 60th anniversary season with the Northwest Premiere of the critically-acclaimed, one-woman play, “Spirit Awakening,” written, directed and performed by Akuyoe Graham, at the KCPT Playhouse February 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7 pm with Saturday matinees at 2 pm.
Capturing how Ms. Graham evolved as a human being and performer, an immigrants and a woman, this mythic story is effused with power and strength, sensitivity and emotion as the supremely skilled Graham creates 12 distinct personalities that segue into one another with seamless brilliance as her life takes her from Africa to London to Spanish Harlem and eventually Hollywood. Each step provokes new levels of personal assessment, raising complex questions of split loyalties and the difficulties of rediscovering one’s roots, unimpeded by dogma. One film/theatre critic described her as a “mystic in the theatre, a sage on the screen.”
To purchase tickets, go to www.keycitypublictheatre.org or call 360.385.5278.
Shipwrights
The sailboat racing season opens with the 27th Annual Port Townsend Shipwrights’ Regatta on February 24. Boats of all construction are welcome. As always, the race is open to folks who would like to try sailboat racing, but do not have a boat. Non-boat owners are encouraged to show up at the Skippers’ Meeting to be connected with skippers looking for crew.
The regatta is presented by the Northwest Maritime Center and the Port Townsend Sailing Association. www.nwmaritime.org/events/shipwrights-regatta/
Save the date for upcoming events in March and April:
March 2-11
22nd Annual Port Townsend PlayFest
Key City Public Theatre, Port Townsend
This is a theater lover’s feast offering 10 plays over two weekends, including six one-act plays by local writers and three full-length plays by regional and national playwrights.
March 23-25
Victorian Heritage Festival
Port Townsend
The theme is Victorian Dreams—from roots as traditional as tea and shortbread to the high-flying speculation of Jules Verne, there will be celebrations about all that was best in the hearts and minds of this time in history. Mark your calendar for a grand time for the entire family!
We look forward to welcoming you to Port Townsend!