Summer is Sizzlin’ in Port Townsend!
July 2, 2017 by bluegullinn
Happy 4th of July
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Love from Japan
June 1, 2017 by bluegullinn
Love from Japan
Love from Japan! We receive many comments from our guest over the past 2o years. Here is just one example from a Mom and Daughter that stayed with us just yesterday. In each guest room we have a diary book for guest to make write comments in. Over the years we have seen many comments in these books. Everything from how great their stay at our in was, to great places to dine and what to see and do in the area. We hope you can visit the Blue Gull Inn Bed & Breakfast and share your comments in our diary. You can make a reservation right on line at www.bluegullinn.com or just give us a call at 360-379-3241. Port Townsend is known for great dining, shopping and FUN. For a list of things to see and do in Port Townsend, WA. Check out www.enjoypt.com.
Thank you so much for staying with us and your nice comments!
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your visit.
The ND Hill House is also the Blue Gull Inn B&B
Nathaniel D. Hill House
Built: 1868
Location: 1310 Clay Street Uptown Port Townsend, WA
The ND Hill House was built by the Hill Family in 1868. It is one of the first homes built in Port Townsend, WA. Port Townsend was incorporated in 1851 and is one of the oldest cities in Washington State. Dr. Hill was the local Pharmacist, owning the ND Hill & Sons Pharmacy. He had locations in both downtown and at one point in Uptown as well. Keep in mind that in that time period a pharmacy would also sell what we call hardware today. The ND Hill building still stands today on the corner of Water and Quincy streets, in downtown Port Townsend, WA. ND Hill became one of the most successful and well-respected men to live in what was the Washington Territory. He was the first manufacturer of medicinal drugs. ND Hill was a very hard working businessman and became in many commercial businesses. For example, banking, railroads, saw mills, hardware, and telegraph companies. He was a territorial representative and County Commissioner. He became one of the leaders in the drive for Statehood in Washington.
ND Hill came to Port Townsend in 1868 with his wife, Sallie Hazeltine Haddock Hill and their two sons, Robert Crosby Hill and Howard Hazeltine Hill.
It is hard to imagine the ND Hill House was built 3 years after the end of the Civil War in the United States.
The Hill Family resided in the home at 1310 Clay Street for 90 years until 1958. At that time the house was sold by Hill’s granddaughter, Sally Hill. She was the last family member to live in the house. She was an elderly woman by that time, who had returned to Port Townsend to care for her father, Howard Hill who was 90 years old. No longer able to climb stairs, he slept on a day bed in the dining room.
Old School 4th of July in Port Townsend
May 31, 2017 by bluegullinn
Fireworks on the Beach
Old School 4th of July in Port Townsend
Old School 4th of July in Port Townsend
Fireworks off the Beach at Fort Worden State Park – 10 pm
Bring the family, enjoy the show!!!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!
Get ready for the biggest and best party of the year!
The “Old School” 4th of July is coming back for a 3rd round of community collaboration and celebration!
4PM – 10PM Fort Worden State Park
200 Battery Way, in Port Townsend, WA
Featuring live entertainment, food vendors, beer garden, hot air balloon, field games,
free root beer floats, miniature golf, tug of war and a glorious display of fireworks!
It takes a community to pull off a party like this and it can’t happen without your help
There are tons of ways to get involved
An “Old School 4th of July” is the theme of a big celebration this year at Fort Worden State Park featuring music, games, pie-eating and tug-of-war contests, and a free firework display.
The event is sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Thunderball Productions and Centrum’s Festival of American Fiddle Tunes.
People are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, blankets, games and anything else they want to share.
The Fort Worden Parade Grounds are open for free parking starting at 3:30 p.m. on July 4; all other parking requires a Discover Pass, available at the park for $30 for a year, $10 for a day.
The sign-up for the pie-eating contest, $20, begins at 4 p.m., with apple pies made by artisan baker Meredith Hotchkiss. The first 12 people to sign up are to compete.
At 6:30 p.m., a flock of bird-shaped piñatas are ready to release candy from Elevated Ice Cream Co. and dental hygiene products donated by David Chuljian, DDS. Free root beer floats are to be served to the first 1,000 people in attendance starting at 7 p.m.
There also is still time to sign up for the Old School 4th of July tug-of-war contest with a $1,000 grand prize. Deadline is at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2 at Pope Marine Park. Additional activities include, but are not limited to, a display of “old school” cars by the Rakers Car Club, boffing with Wildwise Adventure School, henna art by Sacred Skin Henna, a miniature golf course and a PT Village Building Convergence art installation.
Most importantly: Be there! Party with us on the parade grounds at Fort Worden Tuesday, July 4th
June Events in Port Townsend
May 31, 2017 by bluegullinn
June Events in Port Townsend
Whale Watching
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May Events in Port Townsend, WA
May 1, 2017 by bluegullinn
May Events in Port Townsend, WA. 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 82nd Rhododendron Festival, with activities and fun for the whole family…even your pet! Mark your calendars to join us May 15-21!
But that’s not all that’s coming your way in May. Read on to learn about more exciting events 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 6, from 5:30-7:30pm and see the creativity of our children. Sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. www.PTMainStreet.org
Opening Day on the Bay, Saturday, May 6
Opening Day of the 2017 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
KPTZ Two Tribute Concerts Celebrating the Music of the Beatles, May 6 and 7
As KPTZ, Port Townsend’s local community radio station, marks its sixth year of serving Port Townsend and its surrounding communities, the station will host two special Beatles tribute concerts at the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden on Saturday, May 6 at 7 pm and Sunday, May 7 at 2 pm. Produced by KPTZ staff and volunteers, this year’s events follow the success of last year’s sold-out Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert. All proceeds will help to support and sustain the station’s ongoing operating expenses.
Advance tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets and at the KPTZ station, at Mountain View Commons. For more information: visit www.kptz.org, email accounts@kptz.org, or call 360-379-6886.
82nd Annual Rhododendron Festival, May 15-21
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 17
6pm Trike Race begins
Thursday, May 18
4:30pm Pet Parade begins and the Funtastic Carnival opens at Memorial Field
Friday, May 19
3:30pm Kiddies Parade begins and the Carnival is ongoing through the evening
6:30pm Bed Races begin
Saturday, May 20
1pm Rhody Festival Grand Parade with a Cake Picnic to follow
Sunday, May 21
11am Rhody Run XXXIX begins
www.RhodyFestival.org or www.RhodyRun.com
4th Annual Artisan Food Festival, May 27
Celebrate the delicious, diverse and abundant artisan and local food of Jefferson County and the Olympic Peninsula at this year’s Artisan Food Festival, Saturday, May 27 from 9 am to 2 pm on Tyler Street in Uptown Port Townsend and from 5 pm to 10 pm at Propolis Brewing, 2457 Jefferson Street.
More than 70 artisan food vendors and local farms will feature craft beer, cider, wine, goat and cow cheese, pastries, arts and crafts. During the day enjoy chef demonstrations by chef Arran Stark of Jefferson Healthcare, Kelly Bell of Gray Wolf Ranch, and Gabriel Schuenemann of Alder Wood Bistro. There will also be cheese tasting and paring by award-winning Mt. Townsend Creamery, live music, kids’ activities and more. In the evening, join for local handcrafted herbal ales by Propolis Brewing, with artisan foods by local chefs, live music by Abakis and Dirty Beat Duo. Free with suggested $5 donation for the evening event. All ages welcome. Visit http://jcfmarkets.org/ptaff/ for more information.
Save the date for upcoming events in June:
June 2-4
Classic Mariners’ Regatta
Watch beautiful wooden boats and high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out.
www.nwmaritime.org/classic-mariners-regatta/
June 8
Race to Alaska
No motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. Watch the race start in Port Townsend!
www.r2ak.com
June 9-11
The Brass Screw Confederacy – Steampunk Festival
Join us somewhere between 1891 and a time that yet may be…
www.brass-screw.org
June 15
Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Taste of Port Townsend
Sample. Sip. Mingle. It’s going to be delicious!
www.ptmainstreet.org/tastes-of-port-townsend-2/
June 30 and July 1
Centrum’s Voice Works Performances
Boogie at the Honky Tonk Polka Dot Dance, June 30, 8 pm
Indulge in Vintage Vocals: Roots to Jazz to R&B, July 1, 7:30 pm
We can’t wait to see you in Port Townsend in May!
Centrum Port Townsend
July 6, 2016 by bluegullinn
Centrum Port Townsend
Nonstop Music & Readings at Centrum in July
Centrum Port Townsend, is known around the world for its immersive arts and cultural workshops and festivals. In July, 2016, we will present twenty-four public performances and literary readings (nearly one a day!) at Fort Worden State Park and in venues throughout downtown Port Townsend.
The month of July features in-depth multi-generational workshops in Voice, Fiddle Tunes, Poetry and Creative Writing, and Jazz. Visitors and residents benefit from access to many free events at the Fort and world-class performances at concert venues on the Fort Worden campus.
This year also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes and the 25th Anniversary of the McCurdy Pavilion, a WWI balloon hangar that Centrum converted into a 1,200-seat concert facility in the 1990s.
July Events
Voice Works: A Workshop for Singers (June 28-July 3)
Blood Harmony: Mothers and Fathers and Daughters
Friday, July 1, 7:30pm, Wheeler Theater
Free Fridays at the Fort (outdoor concert)
Friday July 1, Noon, featuring Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms
Honky Tonk Polka Dot Dance
Saturday, July 2, 7:30pm, USO Building
The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes – the 40th Gathering (July 3-July 10)
Fiddles on the Fourth
Monday, July 4, 1:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion
Fiddles and Fireworks
Monday, July 4, 7pm, McCurdy Pavilion
Free Fridays at the Fort (outdoor concert)
Friday, July 8, Noon, featuring The Seabright Serenaders
Rhythm and Roots Dance
Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m. – Littlefield Green at McCurdy Pavilion
North and South America
Saturday, July 9, 1:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion
The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference (July 17-July 24)
Free Fridays at the Fort (outdoor concert)
Friday July 15, Noon, featuring Farko Dosumov & Friends
Writers’ Conference Public Readings (FREE)
July 17-23, 7 p.m., Wheeler Theater & Northwind Arts Center
Free Fridays at the Fort (outdoor concert)
Friday July 22, Noon, featuring Aba Kiser
Jazz Port Townsend (July 24-July 31)
Free Fridays at the Fort (outdoor concert)
Friday July 29, Noon, featuring the Jazz Port Townsend Big Band Directed by Clarence Acox
Friday Night Mainstage Performance
Friday, July 29, 7:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion
Saturday Afternoon Mainstage Performance
Saturday, July 30, 1:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion
Saturday Night Mainstage Performance
Saturday, July 30, 7:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion
Jazz in the Clubs
Thursday, July 28, 8pm-11pm, Downtown Port Townsend Clubs
Friday, July 29, 10pm-12:30am, Downtown Port Townsend Clubs
Saturday, July 30, 10pm-12:30am, Downtown Port Townsend Clubs
Voice Works – Centrum
June 28, 2016 by bluegullinn
Voice Works – Centrum
Fort Worden State Park
VOICE WORKS ARTICLES
Voice Works is this weekend at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA.
Be part of all that Centrum has to offer as a great kick off to Summer in the old blimp hanger.
Blood Harmony Voice Works Concert July 1
Voice Works – Centrum…..Friday night at the Wheeler is a show that you don’t want to miss. “Blood Harmony: Mothers and Fathers and Daughters” is a Voice Works concert featuring family members singing together, showing how people who were raised with the same accent, the same phrasing and intonation, the same genes, are capable of blending two and…
Voice Works Special: Free Screening of The Winding Stream on June 30
Voice Works – Centrum…..As part of 2016 Voice Works, Centrum and the Port Townsend Film Festival are delighted to present The Winding Stream, the story of the Carter Family that began in the hills of Virginia and led to the first real super stars of American country music. We will screen the film at the Joseph Wheeler Theater…
Petunia and the Vipers: Honky-Tonk Dance July 2
Voice Works – Centrum…..Honky-Tonk Polka Dot Dance Join us Saturday, July 2, at 8:00 p.m. in the USO Building at Fort Worden! Tickets $15 (sold at the door only) Featuring Petunia and the Vipers with a beer garden and a nice wooden dance floor. Wear your Polka Dots! About Petunia – acoustic guitar, vocals, yodeler, trumpeter Spending the early part…
2016 Voice Works: Singing to Kickstart your Summer
Voice Works – Centrum…….We’re getting close to June 28 to July 3 when we gather at Fort Worden in Port Townsend for Voice Works – our summer week of singing – and the program is shaping up nicely. There’s a plethora of opportunities for harmony singing, with a duet session held each period of the day: Duets from…
Voice Works Welcomes Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick in 2016
Voice Works – Centrum…..Before Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick became the highly respected and successful singers, songwriters, and bluegrass bandleaders they are today, they were founding members of the groundbreaking northern California band the Good Ol’ Persons. Although Laurie remained in that group for only a short while before moving on to lead her own bands, she and…
Mollie O’Brien, Rich Moore and Kids This Summer @ Voice Works!
Voice Works – Centrum…. Mollie O’Brien and her husband, guitarist Rich Moore, have for nearly 30 years quietly made it their mission to find, mine and reinvent other artists’ songs. They are geniuses at the craft of interpretation in the way that great singers, since the beginning of popular American music, have made the songs of their era their own. As songwriters they…
Fiddle Tunes
June 25, 2016 by bluegullinn
The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes Workshop
July 3 – July 10, 2016 – the 40th Gathering!
Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, Washington
Fiddle Tunes. Spend a week living, learning, and playing music with masters of a wide variety of fiddling styles. The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes provides an opportunity to be in community with the bearers of fiddle traditions.
The goals of the gathering are broader than improving your skills as a musician, and include discovering culture through music, learning music in a cultural context, and building lifelong relationships in the fiddle music community.
Fiddle Tunes started in 1977. It’s a week-long, total-immersion workshop with a hallmark of presenting an expansive array of fiddle styles from specific regions of the world. Workshops, classes, band labs, tutorials, dances, concerts, singing, open jams, hat parties – all contribute to participants’ experience. Visit the artist faculty page to learn more about the artists and the regional styles represented at the gathering.
You’ll learn by the oral tradition – listen, imitate, listen, practice, and listen again. Please don’t expect written music on paper. The main teaching focus is on the fiddle, but you’ll find day-long instruction on the banjo, guitar, and button accordion, and nearly as many classes on piano, keyboard accordion, singing, clogging, string bass, mandolin, and social dance.
What happens during the week?
You’ll arrive at Fort Worden and pick up your registration packet, which has a schedule, your badge, and your meal ticket if you ordered one. You’ll have time to settle into your dorm room (or other housing) in time for the first event, which is dinner in the Commons. After dinner we’ll have an extensive welcoming session where we’ll attempt to introduce everyone who is teaching during the week. This is harder than it sounds, as there are more than 55 people on the teaching staff. Your goals at the welcome session might be to visually identify the faculty, try to choose who you want to spend time with during the week, and enjoy other styles of music that you won’t have time to study.
There are two categories of staff–the faculty and the tutors.
FACULTY: During the week each faculty person will teach four morning classes, lead an afternoon “band lab,” play for an evening dance, and play in one or two performances.
TUTORS: Beginning-level tutorials are designed to address the needs of beginning and beginning/intermediate players who wish more individualized instruction on their instrument; they will focus on technique. Intermediate level tutorials tend to focus on style. In many cases, the intermediate tutorials will be in the musical styles presented by the faculty. Tutorial sessions are universally small, and are open to all.
You will also find tutors hosting jam sessions with a spirit of graceful encouragement, playing for dances, and generally being a welcoming and helpful presence throughout the week.
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Band Labs
Each of the faculty will lead a Band Lab after lunch. What’s a Band Lab? Basically, you’ll be a part of a band learning to play in that faculty member’s style. You’ll learn what makes that style sound like it does – slurs, slides, bowing, ornaments, tempo, etc. Each band lab will play for a dance late in the week, and play in the band lab concert on Saturday morning.
There is also a Beginners’ Band Lab, which is a band lab for beginning-level musicians.
Other Events During the Week
Three nights of in-house concerts showcasing the faculty; a participants’ concert; hat party; four public performances (two on the 4th, one on the 8th, and one on the 9th); pleanty of hosted jams.
Beginners at Fiddle Tunes
What might a beginning musician expect at Fiddle Tunes? The gathering welcomes people of all abilities, but it’s not uncommon for beginning musicians to feel frustrated at Fiddle Tunes. Here’s what to expect.
The mornings are dedicated to workshops led by the faculty. Generally speaking, these players were invited to the festival as representatives of a certain style of music, one that they learned from their family and neighbors. Some are experienced teachers, many are not. In an effort to present them in an organically (as much as possible), they receive no guidelines from Centrum as to what level they should teach – it’s their choice. Most teach at an intermediate and above level.
As a result, there is nothing geared specifically for beginners in the morning classes. But we think it’s critically important that you attend these sessions. The people on staff are active tradition-bearers, and they share more than their music. You probably won’t open your case at these sessions. Rather, you’ll be in listening mode, soaking your head in a certain style, listening to stories, understanding the context in which this person’s music is played back home.
After lunch, you can join the Beginners Band Lab – all beginning-level players of any instrument are invited. You’ll get an idea about how exciting it is to play with other people. The Beginners Band will play for a dance if they’d like, and also in the Band Lab concert on Saturday morning.
In the late afternoon we offer beginning level tutorials (see above). They’re small, so you’ll have plenty of personal attention.
We hope this information is helpful to you in deciding whether the workshop might be a good fit. Being among so many players can be overwhelming, but it helps to know what to expect. If you have any more questions, feel free to call Peter McCracken at 360-385-3102, x127.
Kids at Fiddle Tunes
Is the gathering appropriate for children?
Absolutely! The Festival is an intergenerational gathering, and we welcome musicians of all ages and abilities to participate fully in Festival activities.
If your child is under 13, and not ready to fully participate, we offer a special Kids Track (see the FAQ page).
If you have any questions about any of this, send Peter McCracken an email: peter@centrum.org , or call 360-385-3102, x127.
Centrum Port Townsend
June 24, 2016 by bluegullinn
BLUES
Apply for the John Potter Blues Scholarship
Our friends at Crossroads Music in Port Townsend are once again paying for a young, aspiring blues musician from Jefferson or Clallam County to attend the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Workshop. Crossroads Music began this music scholarship to honor their dear friend and teacher John Potter who passed in 2013. He taught at Crossroads Music for…
FIDDLE TUNES
Peter McCracken Named ‘Best of the West’
Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) announced this week that Peter McCracken and Centrum, along with legendary songwriter/performer Danny O’Keefe are the recipients of its Best of the West Awards for 2016. The Best of the West awards were established by FAR-West in 2005 to honor individuals who have maintained an enduring presence in the folk and acoustic music scene in…
JAZZ
Space & Scholarships Still Available for Jazz Port Townsend
Summer will be here before we know it and of course that includes the 2016 Jazz Port Townsend workshop July 24-31. Remember the feeling of hearing world-class faculty from just a few feet away in your first Faculty Presents concert? The individualized attention you got in your combo or vocal class? The amazing mainstage and club performances,…
WRITING
Helena María Viramontes: Story Has No Limit
Centrum is pleased to welcome Helena María Viramontes to the faculty of the 2016 Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. Considered one of Hispanic literature’s most distinguished craftspersons, Viramontes is the author of The Moths and Other Stories and two novels Under the Feet of Jesus and Their Dogs Came With Them. She has also co-edited with…
VOICE WORKS
2016 Voice Works: Singing to Kickstart your Summer
We’re getting close to June 28 to July 3 when we gather at Fort Worden in Port Townsend for Voice Works – our summer week of singing – and the program is shaping up nicely. There’s a plethora of opportunities for harmony singing, with a duet session held each period of the day: Duets from…
YOUNG ARTISTS
Scholarship Deadlines for Youth Programs
Explorations Scholarship Deadline: January 25,2016 Notifications the week of February 1 Explorations is Centrum’s immersive, week-long program for middle schoolers. Students are introduced to the world of arts and ideas, creative risk-taking, and personal development. It’s a total learning environment that challenges the mind and body in equal measure. Each day features four workshop sessions where…
Fireworks on the Beach
June 23, 2016 by bluegullinn
Fireworks on the Beach
Fireworks on the Beach
“Old School” 4th of July
Celebrating Interdependance, JeffCo Style
Monday, July 4, 2016
Fireworks on the Beach. The “Old School” 4th of July is back for a 2nd round of homespun antics!
The 2016 event features an amazing lineup of live music, food vendors, beer garden, car show, hot air balloon, field games, free rootbeer floats, mini golf and tug of war, culminating in an epic display of fireworks.
Schedule of Events
4:00 PM – Event begins
4:15 PM – National Guard Dixieland Jazz Band
5:15 PM – National Anthem + 1000 Free Root Beer Floats served
5:30 PM – Stars of Tomorrow Winners
6:00 PM – Kevin Mason & the PT All-Stars
7:00 PM – Tug of War + The Unexpected Brass Band
7:20 PM – Kevin Mason & the PT All-Stars, 2nd Set
8:00 PM – Pie Eating Contest
8:20 – 50/50 Raffle + Awards
8:25 PM – Community Photo – David Conklin
8:30 PM – Canon & the Lion of Judah
10:10 PM – FIREWORKS
We are still seeking community support!
If you can, donate:
The Chamber is seeking individual contributions to help pay for live music, port-a-potties, event coordination and other expenses. To help ensure the success and annual return of this event, consider making a donation today: www.jeffcountychamber.org/4th or drop by any Kitsap Bank with your donation. Custom T-shirts will also be available to buy at the event, which will help cover the costs of production.
Anything from $10 and up helps make this free community celebration possible!
Parking:
Event parking will be available on the Parade Grounds for a suggested donation of $5 per vehicle. Discover passes will not be required to park in the Parade Grounds but will be required for all parking areas managed by State Parks.
Sign up to volunteer:
Click on the links below to learn more about each volunteer position and to sign up. Contact info@thunderbullproductions.com with any questions.
Volunteer Opportunities:
– Saturday Set Up Crew: 1pm – 5pm – Work Party Day!
– Set Up Crew: 11am – 3pm
– First Parking Crew: 3pm – 6pm
– Middle Parking Crew: 6pm – 9pm
– Late Parking Crew: 9pm – 11pm
– Car Show Assistant: 4-7pm
– Breakdown Crew: 10pm – till the work is done (~1hr)
– Morning After Crew: Tuesday 9am – Noon