There are a lot of reasons for Bremertonians to never have to utter the phrase, “There’s nothing to do in Bremerton.”
Especially this summer.
July is packed with movies, music, puppet shows and farmer’s markets, but free music and movies are going on day and night.
“We want to encourage people to enjoy working downtown,” John Bridger said.
Bridger, owner of Henry’s Deli & Cafe, in the Norm Dicks Government Center, said the promenade at the center will be filled with music from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday through the summer. The two-hour window of time will give more people the chance to enjoy the free music, he said.
On July 8, the Bub Pratt Jazz Trio kicked off the Henry’s concert series and, according to Bridger, Pratt not only performed, but also helped organize bands.
“He booked all of the bands for July,” Bridger said.
The remainder of July will feature three more concerts at Henry’s starting July 15 with the B-Katz Jazz quintet, Malo Combo will play Latin Jazz July 22 and Gwen Bayly performs Jazz saxophone on July 29.
Bridger said he is working to get the Bremerton Symphony and the Navy band to play in August or September and also is looking for more sponsorships.
“We have a lot of great sponsors now,” Bridger said. “But we are looking for more corporate sponsors.”
If you can’t get downtown during lunch and are in the mood for some classic rock ‘n’ roll, Jr. Cadillac is performing at 6 p.m. today, July 10 down the stairs outside the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside. It is the first of four shows in the 21st annual Concerts on the Boardwalk. All of the concerts are 6-8 p.m. each Friday in July.
Soul Purpose, classic rock and soul with horns, will be there July 17; The Spirit of Ojah, high-energy African and reggae, puts on their show July 24; and Navy Band Northwest “Cascade,” contemporary big band compositions, takes the stage July 31.
The group Soul Purpose has some members who are originally from Bremerton, according to Carol Atkinson, executive director of the Bremerton Main Stream Association.
“People are pleasantly surprised with the quality of these shows,” Atkinson said.
The 4th Street Stage Outdoor Music Series also takes place Thursdays at 4 p.m. on the corner of Fourth Street and Pacific Avenue.
On Fridays, starting July 17, through the end of the month and into August, watch free movies on the roof at Harborside Commons (The J.C. Penney building). Third Place Company is once again sponsoring the event and four movies are scheduled to be shown.
“Groundhog Day,” a 1993 comedy starring Bill Murray will show July 17; the 1996 action thriller “Independence Day,” starring Will Smith hits the screen July 24 and on July 31 “Back to the Future,” a 1985 comedy starring Michael J. Fox, will be shown.
Aug. 7 will be the last day of the free movie series and the movie shown will be chosen by the public, according to Karen True, director of community development for Third Place Company. You can vote for your choice at www.thirdplacecompany.com until 5 p.m. July 31 and the winner will be announced that evening after the movie.
“It has been so fun watching it grow,” True said of the Movies on the Roof event. “Last year we had more than 1,200 people take part in the movies.”
There will be a beer garden and food vendors and the first 50 cars made before 1970 will be allowed to drive up and strut their classic style. The movies start at 8:30 p.m. and free parking will be available on the main and basement levels of the garage after 8 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 21, the Evergreen Park Concert Series kicks off with Swing Fever at 6 p.m. while Cowboy Buck & Elizabeth and the Festival of Arts will take place at 6 p.m. July 28.
“People really need to get out and take advantage of these events,” Atkinson said. “They are free.”
