STG Announces THING, A Two-Day Arts Event

This summer will find a fresh alternative for music and arts enthusiasts in THING, a new multidisciplinary event located at Fort Worden in scenic Port Townsend, WA. Produced by Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and Adam Zacks--STG's Chief Programming Officer and founder of the Sasquatch! Festival--this two-day event features a unique offering of tightly curated programming including music, comedy, film, dance, food, podcasts, visual arts, and...a mentalist.

The complete programming lineup will be unveiled on Monday, April 22. The origin of the name "THING" comes from the medieval term "Ting" which is described as "an assembly of free people to reduce feuds and avoid social disorder," a definition which inspired the creation of this new venture.

"We are excited to be offering this unique new event for people to come together to celebrate a shared love of music, art, and community," Zacks says. "It's especially thrilling to be teaming up with Fort Worden on this event, continuing the ongoing partnership we've been fortunate enough to have with this extraordinary site for the past 10 years."

Fort Worden and its epic natural setting of Port Townsend--dubbed "the Paris of the Pacific Northwest" by Sunset Magazine--is the kind of destination that stays with one for a lifetime. Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound, Fort Worden has evolved into an iconic and cherished state park and lifelong learning center. The fort, featuring 100 historic structures, spans two miles of saltwater shoreline with views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, and the San Juan Islands.

Eagle eye observers will recognize the Fort as the filming location for An Officer And A Gentleman. For the past 10 years, STG has partnered with Centrum and Fort Worden to provide the DANCE This Camp at Centrum, a week-long overnight dance program for high school students to study a wide range of styles and techniques in a supportive, yet challenging atmosphere.

THING will feature three Primary Stages including a decommissioned zeppelin hangar (McCurdy Pavilion), the charming and intimate art-deco Wheeler Theatre, and the Parade Grounds overlooking Puget Sound. A variety of camping, parking and housing accommodations will also be available for purchase. The event is open to all ages and will feature multiple beer gardens with valid ID required for entry. Kids 13 & under are free.

Tickets to THING will go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. (PST) at thingnw.org, stgpresents.org, and ticketmaster.com.