Centrum: Washington's home for arts and education.

Genticorum Joins 2012 Festival of American Fiddle Tunes

2012-01-26T11:28:33-08:00

Centrum is thrilled to announce the addition of renowned Quebecois group, Genticorum to our 2012 Festival of Fiddle Tunes faculty roster.

Composed of players, Pascal Gemme (fiddle, feet, vocals), Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (flute, bass, fiddle, vocals) and Yann Falquet (guitar, jew’s harp, vocals), the Quebec group Genticorum has become a fixture on the international world, trad, folk and Celtic music circuit. The trio’s first three albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Great Britain, assuring the band a brilliant future. Known for its energy and stage presence, Genticorum is often mistaken for a larger ensemble.

'For a three piece, Genticorum makes a very full and glorious noise, both instrumentally and vocally… This is a band that’s going to go places.’
--SING OUT!

On its latest album, Nagez Rameurs, the group is joined by such well-known trad artists as Stéphanie Lépine, Olivier Demers, Nicholas Williams and Grey Larsen, signaling a work of undeniable musical refinement and irresistible raw energy. Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, they weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humor and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser.

Don’t miss out on the talent of Genticorum; register for the 2012 Festival of American Fiddle Tunes.

Centrum Announces "Reverberations"

2012-01-25T10:50:25-08:00

Composer Wayne Horvitz and Choreographer Yukio Suzuki

Seattle-based composer/pianist Wayne Horvitz, audio engineer and producer Tucker Martine, Japanese dancer/choreographer Yukio Suzuki and Japanese video artist Yohei Saito will be in residence at Centrum in 2012 for a three-week period to create Music and Dance in Concrete. The new multimedia piece will receive its world premiere September 21-23, 2012 in Fort Worden State Park's historic batteries and cistern on as part of Centrum's Reverberations festival.

The project will feature 55 short improvised and 55 composed works which will include installations that utilize video screens and speakers placed in the concrete military structures, live performances from Suzuki and his dancers on the gun emplacement platforms, and performances from Horvitz and guest musicians in the Harpole Cistern, which is known worldwide for its long reverberation time.

Visitors will be able to walk through concrete structures and will experience the Cistern performance from the lawn that lies above the chamber. The schedule for these free events will be announced later this year.Reverberations will be presented on the same weekend as the acclaimed Port Townsend Film Festival, and it is expected that there will be some collaborative events between Centrum and the Port Townsend Film Institute during that period.

Music and Dance in Concrete has received initial funding from the MAP Fund and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, as well as support from the Arizona State University Art Museum where it will be presented following its premiere in Port Townsend. The Centrum Artist Residency program is made possible by support from the Washington State Arts Commission and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Learn more about the project on our Reverberations page.

April 14 Choro Concert Tickets Now On Sale

2012-01-17T12:32:13-08:00

Choro returns to Centrum! Come enjoy this lively and engaging concert on Saturday, April 14^th at the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater.

Choro is the spirited Brazilian street music that pre-dates the Bossa Nova. Now a Port Townsend tradition, this annual event produced by Centrum features five masters of this delightful musical style who come together for the first time to perform a wide range of Choro favorites.

Direct from Brazil, experience the artistry of the world renowned mandolinist Dudu Maia, 7- string guitar virtuoso Henrique Neto, and percussionist Alexandre Lora who join with the legendary Seattle-based Brazilian composer/pianist Jovino Santos Neto and Andy Connell, the clarinet virtuoso from America’s top Choro ensemble -- Choro Famoso.

Whether you enjoy sultry sweet ballads or lively sambas, you’ll love this concert.

The concert will be at 7:30pm on April 14^th at the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 1-800-746-1982. We hope to see you there!

Centrum Jazz Artist Gary Smulyan Named Top Baritone Saxophonist

2012-01-10T08:19:57-08:00

Gary Smulyan at Jazz Port Townsend - Photo by Jim Levitt

Congratulations to Jazz Port Townsend faculty member Gary Smulyan, for being awarded Baritone Saxophonist of the Year in JazzTimes’ 2011 Readers’ Poll. JazzTimes Magazine asked their readers to consider artists who were notably active in the last year and to vote for their favorites in a number of categories.

Register for the 2012 Jazz Port Townsend Workshop.

Among the winners are many friends and faculty of Jazz Port Townsend, present and past. Some highlights include trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire as Best New Artist, Regina Carter as Best Violinist, and Kurt Elling as Best Male Vocalist.

Also placing in the poll were Centrum friends Sachal Vasandani (new artist and male vocalist), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Jaleel Shaw (alto saxophone), Gary Versace (organ), Stefon Harris (vibraphone), Matt Wilson (drums), Gretchen Parlato (female vocalist), Gerald Wilson (arranger) and Jazz Port Townsend Artistic Director, John Clayton (arranger).

2012 at Centrum: Registration Has Begun!

2012-01-03T08:57:07-08:00

(Lightnin' Wells and Micah Kesselring, in the studio at KPTZ. Photo by Barney Burke)

Happy New Year!

2012 promises to be an exciting year at Centrum – registration for the summer workshop season has begun, and registration is also underway for Choro and Young Artist programming in 2012, including the Advanced Visual Art Studio, and the Advanced Writers’ Studio - two brand new programs designed specifically for high school students!

We’re excited to welcome Daryl Davis as the new Artistic Director for the 2012 Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival, and we’re thrilled to be welcoming back returning Artistic Directors John Clayton, Suzy Thompson, Lucinda Carver, and Erin Belieu. You can learn more about the talented faculty/artists who will be joining them in 2012 by visiting the "Faculty" pages at the Centrum website at www.centrum.org.

2012 also includes the return of Voice Works, featuring a dynamic lineup of faculty/artists, and a special daily guitar “twang” workshop taught by the Titan of the Telecaster, Bill Kirchen.

Make plans now to attend a Centrum workshop in 2012 – scholarships are available for most programs, and lodging is available at the historic facilities of beautiful Fort Worden State Park. Visit www.centrum.org for more information or to register for workshops in 2012, or call 800.733.3608.

CHORO
April 11-15, 2012
www.centrum.org/choro
Featuring Dudu Maia, Alexandre Lora, Jovino Santos Neto, Henrique Neto, and Andy Connell - Due to overwhelming demand, choro has been extended to four days, and will again focus on daily rehearsals and coaching combined with instrumental master classes, plus film and audio sessions of Choro innovators and masters. REGISTER TODAY!

VOICE WORKS
June 25 - July 1, 2012
www.centrum.org/voiceworks
Masters of American vocal styles will guide you on a weeklong exploration of traditional and contemporary singing. You’ll gain confidence, develop your style, and find your voice in an embracing and supportive environment.

THE FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN FIDDLE TUNES
Suzy Thompson, Artistic Director
July 1-8, 2012
www.centrum.org/fiddle
Fiddle virtuosos and standard bearers of the old-time tradition representing a wide variety of fiddle styles, including Old Time, Irish, New England, Cape Breton, Cajun, Bluegrass, and others, with an emphasis on the oral tradition of close observation and listening.

THE PORT TOWNSEND WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
Erin Belieu, Artistic Director
July 8-22, 2012
www.centrum.org/writing
For the first time in its thirty-nine year history, the annual Port Townsend Writers’ Conference is happening over the course of two weeks! Choose from four day, seven day, ten day, or fourteen day options, and experience the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene.

JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND
John Clayton, Artistic Director
July 22-29, 2012
www.centrum.org/jazz
Led by more than 30 iconic artist/faculty, Jazz Port Townsend features master class coaching, combo performance and informal jamming, as well as mainstage performances at McCurdy Pavilion, and club performances throughout the city.

THE PORT TOWNSEND ACOUSTIC BLUES FESTIVAL
Daryl Davis, Artistic Director
July 29-August 5, 2012
www.centrum.org/blues
A week-long, total-immersion experience that passes down the skills, sounds, stories, laughter and heartache of the authentic bearers of the blues tradition.

YOUNG ARTISTS PROJECT
Centrum’s weeklong intensive programs provide an exceptional educational experience for students engaged in the arts and sciences. The model for elementary and middle school programs is to have artists and scientists, engaged in the most current cultural issues of our times, mentor young people in grades 5-9, as well as the teachers and adult chaperones who accompany them. High School students, and youth attending summer programs come to Centrum on their own, without chaperones. Visit www.centrum.org/youth.

For more information, or to register, visit Centrum at www.centrum.org, or call 800.733. 3608.