
Port Townsend Film Festival 2016
February 8, 2016 by bluegullinn
February 2, 2016
•First Tuesday Salon, Carol, Feb. 2, Rose Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
with special guest, Kate Reavey, poet and Peninsula College professor
•The Mask You Live In, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. Wheeler Theatre, Fort Worden, FREE!
•PTFF Great Big Gala, Sun., Feb 28, with radio host Luke Burbank, NW Maritime Center
First Tuesday Salon, Carol
“American-born English playwright Phyllis Nagy wrote the first draft of the script in 1996. Almost 20 years and many drafts later, we have Todd Haynes’ immaculate, dream-like Carol–in which Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara take us inside a passionate story of desire and retribution that’s both satisfying and disturbing.” Paul Byrnes, Sydney Morning Herald. Read more HERE.
Join us for a conversation with poet and professor Kate Reavey, following the screening. Kate’s work as a poet has taken her around the world, with a fellowship to study in Florence as she pursues her doctorate in literature. Her work at Peninsula College helps other poets find and refine their voices.
The film, Carol, is based on the novel, The Price of Salt. Author Patricia Highsmith became well known for her “poison pen” with disdain for Jews, blacks and homosexuals. The novel was written in her early career, and thought to be autobiographical.
Watch the trailer: HERE.
The Mask You Live In, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Wheeler Theatre, Fort Worden
FREE, only 260 seats available.
Doors open at 5:45, tickets issued at the door.
Back by popular demand from PTFF’s screening at the 2015 Festival! In collaboration with The Jefferson County Community Foundation Fund for Women & Girls, join us for a public screening of the film, The Mask You Live In, followed by a panel discussion. Details HERE.

Port Townsend Film Festival 2016
Kinetic Skulpture Race – 2016 – In search of the Holy Gear
February 6, 2016 by bluegullinn
Kinetic Skulpture Race – 2016 – In search of the Holy Gear
What Is A Kinetic Skulpture Race?
Kinetic Skulpture Race – 2016 – In search of the Holy Gear
Kinetic Skulpture Race – 2016 – In search of the Holy Gear. A Kinetic Skulpture is a human powered, artistically enhanced vehicle that must go through sand (Kwick Sand), mud (The Dismal Bog), float on water (The Great Bay), and transverse hilly, silly neighborhoods. Some skulptures are engineering marvels while most are a mixture of bicycle parts, styrofoam, duct tape, imagination and prayers. Awards are given to each racer whether they want it or not, but the most highly prized award is the “Mediocrity Award”, the skulpture that finishes in the middle of the pack. Kinetic racers as well as glorious spectators must be kapable of having fun without taking the event too seriously.
Saturday’s festivities start at Low Noon beginning with a parade downtown, followed by a break test, and then the water portion of the race! At 8:00pm there will be a Koronation Ball where a new Rose Hips Kween will be chosen, an unbelievable display of talent, jokes and recipes will help the crowd choose the winning kontestant! Live music will be played by a live band to keep everyone dancing well into the night.
Sunday the race continues, but first, in front of City Hall, the racers will be required to sing their way into the hearts of the krowd, and perform a sobriety test to prove that the Ball libations did not dull their senses. The racers begin pedaling at Low Noon, Kinetic Kops will issue citations, kontrolling khaos and konfusion at the event, while the glorious judges look on to find their favorites. Bribes given freely may help to keep the judges marking you high and help persuade the kops to ignore felonious indiscretions, and bribing the Kinetic Konsortium is always wise. Racers complete the route around 5pm if they are lucky, and arrive at the awards ceremony muddy, sore, and yet brimming with well earned Glory!
Port Townsend Acoustic Blues and Jazz Festival – 2015
May 6, 2015 by bluegullinn
Port Townsend Acoustic Blues and Jazz Festival – 2015
Centrum is honored to welcome vocalist, teacher, lyricist, Grammy-nominated arranger, and Grammy award-winning ensemble singer, Kim Nazarian to our 2015 Jazz Port Townsend festival and workshop! Just try and fit a ball of positive energy like Kim into a category and you will break the box!
Kim Nazarian is the soprano and one of the founding members of the New York Voices, the only vocal group in recent memory to win two Grammys for live concert recordings (one of Brazilian music with Paquito D’Rivera, the other for Big Band Jazz with the Count Basie Orchestra). She has recorded, performed and toured the world with this outstanding vocal ensemble for the past twenty years. Her voice is featured on several MCG Jazz releases (mcgjazz.org), among them “Afternoon In Rio” with Joe Negri, (yes, Mr. Rogers’ Handyman Negri!) “The 21st Century Swing Band,” the highly acclaimed “A Nancy Wilson Christmas,” and “Long Ago and Far Away,” her original, interactive children’s concert, which has grown into a radio show now available on CD through MCG Jazz.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND.
Aside from her work with MCG, Kim was a featured vocalist alongside Ray Brown and Stanley Turrentine in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s production of “Indigo In Motion” and has appeared with the Pittsburgh Children’s Festival Chorus. She has taught at Duquesne University and the Ellis School, recorded with the Big-Band at Slippery Rock University and continues a busy schedule in her private teaching at home in PA. Kim has also recorded “Red Dragonfly in New York” for JVC in Japan. The album contains Japanese folk songs translated into English and western musical contexts. As a singer and lyricist for such artists as Masahiko Osaka her work has won the “seal of approval” by Japan’s Swing Journal.
Always passionate for Latin Music, Kim performs and records with Boston-based El Eco, whose album “Two Worlds” was recently featured on NPR’s JazzSet. Other collaborations include her work performing and recording with Mark Shilansky, her vocals featured extensively on his most recent recording “Join the Club.”
A more recent recording opportunity for Kim was her work on Bobby McFerrin’s critically acclaimed Vocabularies
Classic Mariners’ Regatta
June 1, 2014 by bluegullinn
For those interested in wooden boats or just spending time outside on our beautiful waterfront, the Classic Mariners’ Regatta is taking place in Port Townsend June 6th-8th. Hosted by the Maritime Center/Wooden Boat Foundation and the Port Townsend Sailing Association. This event is for wooden boats and will be wonderful to watch from a higher vantage point, just ask the innkeepers where to go. Also, be sure to check out the NW Maritime Center and browse through The Chandlery to pick up a nautical souvenir.
Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine
May 28, 2014 by bluegullinn
When travelling to Port Townsend it is easy to be overwhelmed by restaurant choices. For Japanese food my pick is Ichikawa. My personal favorites are the daily Bento box or Chef’s choice combos (always good and allows me to try something new). There are options for the no-raw-fish eaters as well, their tempura udon is very good. You don’t have to take my word for it, check out the reviews on Yelp or Tripadvisor. They are located downtown, across from the Port Townsend Ferry Dock. This is a smaller establishment and can get very busy on the weekends, I recommend making a reservation. If you are with a group of 8 or more, reserving the Tatami room is fun and a little more private.
Memorial Day Weekend
May 21, 2014 by bluegullinn
We welcome not only an extended weekend but the unofficial start to summer. The weather has been wonderful lately and will hopefully hold out through Monday. Regardless of what Mother Nature decides to throw our way us Washingtonians won’t let a little rain spoil our good time. There is the Shrimp Fest going on in Brinnon, WA the 24th & 25th. If you are looking for live music stop by the Quimper Grange to hear Portland’s New Iberians play Zydeco, Blues, Soul, & New Orleans Rock’n’Roll; you can even join in a dance lesson. Getting hungry? The 1st Annual Port Townsend Artisan Food Festival sounds delicious and interesting!
Valentine’s Day in Port Townsend
January 24, 2013 by bluegullinn
Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift? Surprise that special someone with a weekend getaway to Port Townsend. Jewelry is nice but why not give them an experience they will remember forever? I would suggest a nice bottle of wine from The Wine Seller, chocolates from Elevated Ice Cream and some beautiful fresh flowers from Petals in Uptown Port Townsend. Treat them to a romantic dinner at one of the delicious local restaurants and there is no going wrong.
Holiday Shopping in Port Townsend
November 14, 2012 by bluegullinn
What a better excuse to come to Port Townsend than to do a little holiday shopping? With so many wonderful and unique shops in our downtown area you are sure to find that perfect gift for anyone. Forget the mall….browse through local stores with a beautiful waterfront view. Some fantastic places to stop in are Wandering Angus, The Green Eyeshade, Henery Garden Center, Maestrale, Forest Gems Gallery and Tickled Pink. After a day of shopping be sure to check out The Undertown for a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Summer in Port Townsend
August 21, 2012 by bluegullinn
With a little under two weeks until Labor Day weekend it is a great time to get over to Port Townsend to enjoy the last of the summer weather. The dahlias are blooming and just strolling through the Uptown neighborhood can offer some lovely views of water, gardens and Victorian homes. The weather this time of year is perfect for a weekend getaway… so why not plan one?