PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan Claflin
Marketing & Communications Manager
mclaflin@centrum.org
(360) 385-3102 x130
Centrum Presents the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. — Each year, Centrum’s Festival of American Fiddle Tunes welcomes hundreds of
players of traditional American music to Fort Worden State Park for a full week of immersion workshops, band
labs, tutorials, open jams, parties, and spontaneous gatherings.
“The communal epiphany that takes place at Fiddle Tunes is hard to describe, but it is joyful, thoughtful, toetapping, delicate, and strong and it’s all about bringing people together regardless of where they have come
from,” said Artistic Director Suzy Thompson. “Spontaneous collaborations take place and relationships are forged
that often continue for generations.”
These workshops culminate with three mainstage shows, July 4-5. Audience members can gather at McCurdy
Pavilion, a World War I-era balloon hangar converted into one of the West’s most distinctive performance halls, to
listen to the masters play.
Performers include: (Old Time) Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich, Alice Gerrard, Walt Koken, Clare Milliner, Carl Jones
and the Foghorn Stringband; (Bluegrass) Blaine Sprouse, Peter Rowan, Patrick Sauber; (Scottish) Alasdair
Fraser; (Irish) Dale Russ and Randal Bays; (Missouri) Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett; (New England) David
Kaynor; (Cape Breton) Dwayne Cote and Barbara MacDonald Magone; (Quebec) Claude Méthé and Pascal
Gemme with Mario Loiselle; (Finland) Arto Järvelä; (St. Lucia) Manmay Lakay; (Ozarks) Betse Ellis; (Cajun)
Sheryl and Russell Cormier, Courtney Granger, Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy, and many more!
“This week, master musicians, young hotshots and revered elders have mingled together with participants,
sharing music and forming lasting friendships,” Thompson said. “We are blessed to spend time with these brilliant
bearers of tradition, who honor the past while continuing to create brand new music that reflects their cultural
heritage.”
On July 4, The Rhythm Rollers – Laurie Andres, accordion and piano; Cathie Whitesides, fiddle; WB Reid, guitar
and banjo – will pay tribute to one of the greats.
Bob McQuillen passed away this past February at the age of 90. He has made a significant impact on the Fiddle
Tunes community, having first been on staff 30 years ago. He was one of the most beloved New England contra
dance musicians. “Mac” played to the delight of countless dancers continuously for more than 60 years since his
start in 1947 with the “Ralph Page Orchestra.”
The trio was first captivated by McQuillen’s playing on the seminal recordings of the “Canterbury Country Dance
Orchestra” in the 1970s. So much so, in fact, that they formed a band with him – The Rhythm Rollers.
The more than thirty-year tradition of Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend started in 1977, when a doctor named
Bertram Levy began the Festival in order to bring the music of the traditional Southern Mountain fiddle to the
Pacific Northwest. Levy hired fiddlers to teach a weeklong workshop that culminated in a full weekend of
performances. About 90 people attended the workshop. The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes now serves over
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan Claflin
Marketing & Communications Manager
mclaflin@centrum.org
(360) 385-3102 x130
300 participants and thousands of audience members, but the original vision of the Festival has remained, said
Centrum Executive Director Robert Birman.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit Centrum.org or call (800) 746-1982.
Friday, July 4
Fiddles on the Fourth
McCurdy Pavilion
1:30 p.m.; $28/$23
Bob McQuillen Tribute with the Rhythm Rollers
Cape Breton – Dwayne Cote and Barbara MacDonald Magone
Old Time – Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich, and Alice Gerrard
Cathie Whitesides, WB Reid, Laurie Andres
Scottish – Alasdair Fraser
Old Time – Walt Koken and Clare Milliner
Step Dance – Nic Gareiss
Friday, July 4
Fiddles & Fireworks
McCurdy Pavilion
7 p.m.; $28/$23
Missouri – Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett
New England – David Kaynor and friends
Old Time – Foghorn Stringband
Irish – Dale Russ, Randal Bays and friends
Bluegrass – Blaine Sprouse, Peter Rowan, Patrick Sauber
Saturday, July 5
Fiddles Without Borders
McCurdy Pavilion
1:30 p.m.; $28/$23
Quebec – Claude Méthé and Pascal Gemme with Mario Loiselle
Old Time - Carl Jones and friends
Finland – Arto Järvelä
St. Lucia – Manmay Lakay
Ozarks – Betse Ellis
Cajun Dance Music – with Sheryl and Russell Cormier, Courtney Granger, Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy, and friends
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan Claflin
Marketing & Communications Manager
mclaflin@centrum.org
(360) 385-3102 x130
FIDDLE TUNES PACKAGE
Mainstage Package – Includes all three concerts held at McCurdy Pavilion!
Friday, July 4, afternoon and evening
Saturday, July 5 afternoon
Seating is reserved.
Section A: $70
Section B: $55
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