SOUNDCHECK
Art & Music for Everyone
Friday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Port Townsend, WA
It’s cozy. It’s creative. It’s connection. It’s what February in the PNW calls for.
Soundcheck is a wintertime weekend of participatory, artist-driven events and experiences that highlight Port Townsend’s rich creative spirit.
It’s totally free and designed for all ages to enjoy!
Artwork by Rose Burt
**There is more to come! Check back in the new year for more Soundcheck details or sign up for the Arts & Culture newsletter to be sure to get the latest info**
Soundcheck kicks off on Friday with a celebration of artists and community. The Port Townsend Art Awards honor those who have used the arts to make great things happen in 2025. Handmade awards, tearful speeches, live music! Hungry yet? It’s a real Strega Nona moment with a pasta feed for everyone. Vegan and gluten-free options, butter pasta for the kids, the works! Plus a dessert potluck and cook-off with mystery ingredients. Enjoy the communal meal while bonfires light the night and warm the hands. Then dance the night away with great local DJs at an all-ages dance party!
Friday, February 27th
Jefferson County Fairgrounds (Map)
5:00-6:30pm
Port Townsend Art Awards
Port Townsend Arts Commission
A celebration of the local art community
Erickson Building
More Details
Winners to be announced February 6th! Learn more at the Port Townsend Arts Commission’s Art Award’s webpage: https://cityofpt.us/bc-ac/page/arts-awards
Organized by The Port Townsend Art Commission
6:30-8:30pm
Community Pasta Feed & Mystery Box Dessert Cook-off
The Kitchen and The Food Coop
Pasta for all and a contest of community-made desserts (suggested donation of $10 per adult for dinner goes to The Kitchen; no one turned away)
Erickson Building
More Details & Dessert Cook-off Sign Up
Get ready for a sweet showdown! As part of Soundcheck, the Food Co-op is inviting local cooks to put their creativity to the test with one surprise mystery ingredient. This is a dessert-only competition, with dishes prepared in advance and showcased live on Friday night, February 27th at Soundcheck. Guests and judges will sample, savor, and celebrate bold flavors, inventive ideas, and beautiful presentation.
Get all the info and sign up for the Mystery Box Cook-off at: https://www.foodcoop.coop/soundcheck
The Community Pasta Feed with chef Arran Stark and The Kitchen follows the Port Townsend Art Awards with a red sauce pasta dinner for all, including gluten-free and vegan options. $10 suggested donation per adult; no one turned away. Consider bringing cash if you plan to contribute, and check in for dinner at the top of the Art Awards to save time.
Organized by The Kitchen, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, and the Food Co-op
7:00-11:00pm
In the Round, a DJ Dance Party
Salish Sound
All-ages dancing and good times
Erickson Building
More Details
Coming Soon!
On Saturday, things get hands-on and ideas get brought to life with ongoing activities all afternoon. In the Creation Station, contribute to a community mural, make one-of-a-kind buttons and zines, and add your face to the photo wall. Wander next door to hear and share the stories, have a cup of tea, and watercolor or draw at the Artist Salon Discussion Cafe. Across the way, acoustic sets, readings, and performances light up City Hall. Stop by and get lunch from the Port Townsend High School Food Truck or hit up one of the many restaurants offering Soundcheck Specials. Then see a killer line up of local bands playing all original tunes!
Saturday, February 28th
Downtown Port Townsend (Map)
1:00-5:00pm
Creation Station
Community Mural with Park Avenue Studios
Button Making Party with Danielle Fodor
Photobooth Community Collage with PTHS A/V Club
Hands-on art projects for all ages and beats from the Raptor Rhythm Brigade
The Cotton Building
More Details
Coming Soon!
1:00-5:00pm
Artist Salon
Alexandra Anagnostopoulos & Drea DiPrete
Ideas and tea
Velocity Port Townsend
More Details
Coming Soon!
1:00-5:00pm
Performances for the People
Poet Laureate Rufina C. Garay
Leila Block: Jazz, Blues and Folk Tunes
PT Youth Theatre Ensemble
Tex Armstrong
Readings, music, and performances with house musicians the Boiler Room String Band
City Council Chambers
More Details
Coming Soon!
1:00-5:00pm
PT High School Culinary Cruiser
Yummy snacks to buy and support learning through the culinary arts!
Pope Marine Park
More Details
Coming Soon!
5:00-11:00pm
All Original, All Local Music Concert
Port Townsend Original Music Society with Brother Townsend, Lowire, Wizard, and The Chloroform Rags
Favorite local bands show off their songwriting chops.
American Legion Hall
More Details
Doors at 5:00, show starts at 5:30.
Brother Townsend is the long running project of the band’s songwriter and lead singer, Brett Townsend. The band draws from country, rock, folk and blues traditions to produce an original sound that is unique yet somehow familiar. Heartfelt lyrics combined with virtuoso instrumentals and powerful vocals get folks on their feet, dancing and singing along.
Wizard is an alternative rock band fronted by George Yoder, a local guitar master with strong songwriting chops. The band is passionate about honest artistic expression and committed to keeping the flame of original music alive on the Olympic Peninsula.
Imagine a seasoned funk rhythm section so tight it could cut glass, paired with a young guitar shredder, and a horn section that’s pure fire. Add a sultry vocal powerhouse bursting with original songs, and you’ve got LOWIRE, Port Townsend’s homegrown jazz-infused funk band.
Straight out of Port Townsend High School! Chloroform Rags is a punk band with ska, folk and rock influences. Members Ben Shafer, CJ Fisher, Sol Kennedy and Zeke Banks are a high energy team who will blow your mind with their original songs and creative covers of classic hits.
Organized by the Port Townsend Original Music Society
Soundcheck Specials
Various Restaurants and Businesses
More Details
Coming Soon!
As the day breaks on Sunday morning, we gather to eat pancakes! Free, delicious pancakes to fuel a nature walk (rain or shine!) led by the Port Townsend Public Library to kick off the 2026 Community Read. Head off on that literary adventure through the park or go straight on to All Kinds of Workshops where around every corner you’ll find more artists inviting you to make more things, move more body parts, write more words, or sing more songs. You’ve done it! You’ve been cozy! You’ve been creative! You’ve connected! Now you know how to Soundcheck.
Sunday, March 1st
Fort Worden State Park (Map)
*please note that all vehicles need a Discover Pass to park at Fort Worden
9:00-11:00pm
Pancake Breakfast
Planted & Friends of the Port Townsend Library
Free pancake breakfast to celebrate the 2026 Community Read!
Fort Worden Commons
More Details
Coming Soon!
10:30-11:30am
PT Public Library Community Reads Self-Guided Kick-off Walking Tour
Port Townsend Public Library
Pick up your Community Read Adventure Log and go on a self-guided walking tour of Fort Worden to kick-off the 2026 Community Read
Fort Worden Commons
More Details
Coming Soon!
11:00-3:00pm
All Kinds of Workshops
Generative Poetry with PT Poet Laureate Rufina C. Garay
Pop-up Makers Fair with Michelle Hagewood
Free Flow Dance Funk with Mary Purdy
Collage/Zine Time with Northwind Art School
Film Pop-up with Port Townsend Film Festival
Rainshadow Recording Studio Open House
Explore a wide array of creative practice in workshops and demos designed for collaboration (aka be ready to try something new!)
Fort Worden Buildings 305, 306, 310, 315
More Details
Coming Soon!
All the Time
All the Places
Huge thanks to all the artists who are bringing their creative spirit and talent to Soundcheck. Check them out all in one place right here! Throughout the weekend, we are excited to partner with Centrum and The Beacon for live art coverage and documentation. Also, don’t forget to get your Soundcheck Bingo Card for lots of fun prizes. The more places you go and things you do, the more chances to win!
Soundcheck Artists & Partners
Details coming soon!
Live Art Reporting
Centrum & The Beacon
Look out all weekend for youth journalists capturing photos, interviews, and reporting on the happenings of Soundcheck
Soundcheck Bingo
The more you do, the more chances to win!
Details coming soon!
Hmmm, what else? Oh, want to help? Need a hotel or more directions? Look no further!
Lodging Partners
Details coming soon!
Volunteer
Lend a hand and help make Soundcheck awesome!
Program & Schedule (PDF)
Coming soon!
Soundcheck Bingo
Coming soon!
