A once-in-a-lifetime free community event is planned for First Fed’s Centennial Celebration on Sunday, September 3, 2023. First Fed has announced the mainstage bands, representing diverse music genres and talent from across the PNW.
“I’m thrilled about this line up,” said Matt Deines, CEO of First Fed and FNWB. “Absolutely phenomenal representation of really cool local talent.”
The Daddies, formerly known as the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, are a household name due to their hit song “Zoot Suit Riot.” Their album of the same name went double platinum, selling over two million copies, and heralding the neo-swing movement of the late 1990s. Today they continue to perform a mix of original material as well as swing-era standards from “the great American songbook, from Cole Porter to Frank Sinatra,” according to their website.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) is the breakout First Nations rap/trap/hip hop crew best known for their song “Boujee Natives” with its music video currently over 3 million views on YouTube. SNRK has won several awards such as Best Rap Hip Hop Video at the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) and Best Hip Hop Artist at the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMAs). Since SNRK songs include a warning for explicit content, the event organizers note that there will be a family-friendly alternative on the second stage during that time.
Photo courtesy of Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
Lady A, also known as “the real Lady A,” is a PNW blues legend who was voted Female Blues Performer of the Year by the Washington Blues Society in 2020 and 2021. According to her website, “Lady A has a high energy show compared to the likes of “Tina Turner” and “Chaka Khan” and a smile that easily draws in the audience with her sultry-husky voice and contemporary blues-funk style. Like a good pot-a-gumbo, Lady A is best served HOT!”
Photo courtesy of Lady A.
Abby Mae and the Homeschool Boys are a folk group from Port Angeles whose past gigs evolved from packed bars and auditoriums to the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle and Wintergrass in Bellevue. The band has reunited specifically for the First Fed Centennial Celebration by special request from the organizers, who were looking for a local favorite to represent the peninsula.
Photo courtesy of Abby Mae and the Homeschool Boys.
“All our mainstage bands are outstanding performers who have headlined other events,” noted Derek Brown, Chief HR and Marketing Officer for First Fed. “We are delighted for the opportunity to host them in Port Angeles.”
“I wanted to see if the organizers would let me sing karaoke, but that’s obviously unnecessary given the quality of the performances planned,” joked Deines. “It’s going to be an amazing day. We are excited to bring the community together for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”
The outdoor mainstage will be set up in a lot on the Port Angeles waterfront near the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Laurel Street. There are bleachers being brought in for the event, but most of the area around the stage will be reserved for dancing and standing room to accommodate the most guests. Leaders from the Juan de Fuca Foundation (JFFA) are bringing their festival expertise to the mainstage production.
Inside the new world-class Field Arts and Events Hall, a second stage will host the Love Local Community Showcase with a diverse lineup including music, dance, athletics, and speakers.
“A few showcase spots are still available for local organizations who want to apply,” added Brown. “We are looking for experienced performers and presenters from the Puget Sound region.”
Throughout the day, non-profit organizations will host free activities for families. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from 11am – 8pm. Beer and wine will be sold as a non-profit fundraiser for Olympic Medical Center Foundation.
Event parking will be available at Peninsula College and other locations with non-stop shuttles from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Bicycle parking will be designated nearby. Event organizers are actively working to secure dedicated weekend parking for the Black Ball Ferry passengers.
More details about the First Fed Centennial Celebration, including the Love Local applications, can be found at: ourfirstfed.com/100a
First Fed is a member FDIC bank and equal housing lender.
