PORT ANGELES — With plans for an online concert today and a virtual festival come 2021, the nonprofit Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts is starting its largest outreach effort.
First up is the “In [Your] Living Room” show, starring the Crushwater duo, Chandra Johnson and Scott Sullivan of Port Angeles, live-streamed on YouTube.
The “doors” open at 5:30 p.m. today via multiple platforms: the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts YouTube channel, JFFA Facebook page and at JFFA.org. Admission to the show is free while donations are welcome.
“It’s going to be a blast,” said Johnson, the violinist half of the duo.
Crushwater will play from 6 p.m. till 7:15 p.m. or so, much like last month’s live-streamed performance by David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach.
More than 125 households logged on to see that Oct. 16 show, JFFA executive director Kayla Oakes said.
“We’re going to do all original tunes; some softer songs and some louder songs,” Johnson said.
“I’d call it folk rock,” while she’s also been known to play indie folk, Americana, bluegrass and Latin fusion.
“Crushwater is a beloved local band, so it’s exciting to celebrate them with an evening concert,” said Oakes, adding the online event kicks off a year-end membership campaign unlike any before it. The goal, she noted, is to raise $10,000 by the end of December.
“Our main source of revenue is ticket sales, and 2020 put a stop to those. JFFA needs support now, more than ever, to allow us to continue serving our community, and to ensure we’re here for years to come.”
Membership levels range from “Fan” at $50 on up to “Visionary” at $5,000, with several tiers in between. Donations fund JFFA’s presentation of performing artists from the North Olympic Peninsula and around the globe, both in season concerts and the annual Juan de Fuca Festival. That Memorial Day weekend event will either go virtual or become a combination of in-person and online shows, Oakes said.
For details about membership levels and perks, see JFFA.org/membership, email the staff at contact@jffa.org or phone the office at 360-457-5411.
JFFA’s mission includes providing new programs and shows for local young people who otherwise wouldn’t have access.
“We are about offering transformative experiences — concerts, collaborations among community groups, youth camps,” added Oakes.
Johnson, a professional musician who plays in bands all over the West Coast, grew up attending the Juan de Fuca Festival and regards it as a tremendous influence on her life.
“The festival is one of the most incredible things about Port Angeles,” she said.
“It was the way I got to experience other cultures and other parts of the world. What a beautiful gift to the community. It’s all-ages music, all-accessible music,” for people — younger or older — who aren’t inclined to go out to bars for live music.
JFFA is also opening up an online shop for the first time. The “Juan de Fuca Red” special edition wine from Harbinger Winery, etched wine glasses, JFFA logo shirts and market totes are available, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s programs.
To find the merchandise, visit JFFA.org/shop; this new link goes up Thursday night.
The performing artists who were originally booked for the 2020 Juan de Fuca Festival have a new year on the horizon, possibly with a virtual Winter Benefit in January, more “In [Your] Living Room” concerts and the May 28-31 festival.
Just as the Northwest Folklife Festival is being planned as a largely online event, Oakes is preparing to book performers for a virtual 27th annual Juan de Fuca Festival.
Funds raised during the current membership campaign will keep the event alive, she said — while supporting its musicians, dancers and other performers.
“It’s possible the festival will be a hybrid, with a handful of in-person events, depending on where our county sits. We have a healthy list of artists I’ll go to first,” she said.
