Fisherman’s Village Music Festival: ‘It’s about community’

EVERETT — The third annual Fisherman’s Village Music Festival is certain to be a charm.

Thousands of people are expected to fill the streets of downtown Everett as they walk among five venues checking out nearly 80 bands, family activities, food trucks, nearby restaurants, a beer garden, a vintage market and art shows.

The festival is offered by the Everett Music Initiative, the five-year-old nonprofit organization led by Ryan Crowther.

“My goal this year was to create partnerships with already successful groups so that the festival has something for everyone,” Crowther said. “It’s about community. It started out as a niche music festival, but it’s growing. This year’s festival is for all ages.”

For families with children, well-known performers Tim Noah and Pig Snout perform starting at noon Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre. And Friday night, Imagine Children’s Museum offers free admission.

It all fits together, Crowther said.

“Everett is at a critical cultural juncture,” he said. “We are either going to move ahead or we are going to stagnate. But I think that with all the new people with new energy moving to the Everett area and all the longtime residents with new ideas — the people who want to invest in the community —the future looks good.

“Beautiful downtown Everett has great potential. Ultimately, events such as Fisherman’s Village Music Festival will lead to more investment in Everett.”

Accessibility is one of the city’s strengths, Crowther said.

“Don’t compare Everett to Seattle,” he said. “You can get around in Everett. Find a parking spot. Bike easily. Walk to the farmers market. It is easier to live here.”

It’s also easier to attend this festival than any you might find in Seattle. Crowther instituted a pay-what-you-can admission price to encourage people to get out to the event.

So far, people bought their festival ticket wristbands for an average of $5.

That’s not enough to pay for the festival, so Crowther is counting on donations from concert-goers.

“I trust that people will be appreciative and generous,” he said. “Especially after they hear the music.”

The festival offers an eclectic mix of musical genres to please audiences from ages 15 to 75, he said.

Many of the bands are well-known from Bellingham to Portland and some have previously appeared at the Summer Meltdown in Darrington.

“Everett wants a party,” Crowther said. “And the festival line up is designed for that party. Teens need to take advantage of the all-ages entrance until 11 p.m. at Tony V’s and the Anchor.”

Crowther is looking forward to seeing Grace Love &The True Loves at 10 tonight at the Historic Everett Theatre.

“If you don’t like Grace Love, you’re out,” he said with a laugh.

The groovin’ Loves are a nine-piece hot soul and blue funk sensation from Seattle. From the group’s website, “On vocals, Grace Love is Seattle’s shining jewel of grit, beauty and power — think Etta James and Betty Wright meet Mahalia Jackson.”

Other recommendations from Crowther include Chris Staples at 4 p.m. followed by Soft Sleep at 5 p.m. and then Sisters at 11 p.m., all on Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre. And Bryan John Appleby’s concert, the closing act on the Colby Outdoors stage at 7 p.m. Sunday is where you’ll find Crowther.

More than 20 local bands are featured in the festival, including Fauna Shade and Tellers.

Tellers, featured on today’s A&E cover, began as the band Preacher’s Wife. Singer/songwriter Sarah Feinberg met Brad Heyne, who helped her form the band and the two began playing shows. A year into the band’s formation, Tyler Chism and Isaac Melum were added to the lineup.

Fauna Shade won an Everett Mayor’s Arts Award in 2014, the same year the band won the Experience Music Project’s Sound Off! Competition in Seattle. Their music is appreciated by fans across the country, thanks to positive reviews from the Chicago-based music website Consequence of Sound and locally because of the featured airplay on the radio station KEXP (90.3 FM). The group is set to perform at the Sasquatch! Musical Festival during Memorial Day weekend at The Gorge.

Members Scotty Smith, Richie Owen and Derek Johnston offered other must-see Fisherman’s festival shows.

Their list includes Tango Alpha Tango at 9 p.m. Friday at the Historic Everett Theatre, Choir of Crickets at about midnight Friday night at Tony V’s Garage, Rabbit Wilde at 2 p.m. Saturday at the theater, Planes on Paper at 11 p.m. Saturday at the Anchor Pub, Campion at about 6 p.m. Saturday and I Will Keep Your Ghost after midnight Saturday, both at Tony V’s. They also plan to catch Mr. Night Sky at 2 p.m. Sunday on the outdoor stage.

To learn more about the musicians performing at the festival, go to www.thefishermansvillage.com/artists.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

If you go

Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, 5 p.m. until midnight (or so) May 20, noon to after midnight May 21 and noon to 8 p.m. May 22, Historic Everett Theatre, the outdoor stage on Colby Avenue, Tony V’s Garage, the Anchor Pub, Cafe Zippy’s. Buy a wristband at the main desk at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave. For more information, go to www.thefishermansvillage.com.