BY KIMBERLY JACOBSON - Anacortes American staff writer
Duck Severinsen is hiding out around town for the next seven weeks in preparation for the third annual Anacortes Jazz Festival.
The little yellow duck featuring cool shades is named after Doc Severinsen, a jazz trumpet player and former music director of “The Tonight Show.”
Clues posted on the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Web site (www.anacortes.org) Wednesday mornings Aug. 2 through Sept. 13 will lead you to a local business.
The first five people to pick up a duck at the correct business and bring it to the chamber office by the end of the week get a free ticket to the Jazz Festival on Curtis Wharf.
Stephanie Hamilton, chamber events coordinator, said they want to encourage people to check out local businesses while promoting the festival.
“I really want our own community to be excited about it,” she said.
She said the focus is to bring in not only people from Anacortes, but also fill the hotels with tourists.
“Our goal is still to have this festival be a huge regional draw,” Hamilton said.
If you’re not one of the 35 lucky winners, you can purchase tickets to the festival online or at the chamber office.
Visit www.anacortes.org and click on the Jazz Festival link.
The opening gala dinner and concert is at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. Cost is $45.
The event features the Dena DeRose Trio. Dena DeRose is a dynamic vocalist and assertive, swinging pianist whose talents and style have launched her into a position of international acclaim in the jazz world.
All About Jazz named her Jazz Artist of the Year in 2003 and Cadence Magazine awarded her Album of the Year and Best Vocal Jazz Album for two of her five released CDs.
The Festival on the Wharf is from 11:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 for $25 and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 for $20.
Both days are at Curtis Wharf.
A two-day pass is $37. With a student ID, cost is $10 per day.
A Gospel Brunch will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Port Warehouse, featuring Debbie Cavitt. Cost is $27.
A full package is $99 and includes the opening gala dinner and concert, Saturday and Sunday at Curtis Wharf and the Sunday Gospel Brunch.
Other performers include: Garfield High School Jazz Combo, Clarence Acox Quintet with Bernie Jacobs, Dillinger’s Clambake, Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project, the Trish Hatley Quintet and the Eric Madis Swing Trio.
For a complete schedule visit the chamber Web site.
Volunteers are still needed for the event.
Call the chamber at 293-7911.
