Anacortes Music Project (AMP) The Skagit County Fair is excited to welcome performers from the Anacortes Music Project (AMP) for the first time. Fair goers will be treated to live performances of original songs, from amazing local artists. AMP is looking forward to sharing its music and vision at the Skagit County Fair. Said President Sommer Carter, “It’s super fun to be a part of the celebration of the work and fun of being in the Skagit Valley and to be able to cross the bridge and be a part of a long history of community fair gathering with 4-H, crafting, etc.”
legacy of the Anacortes music scene by fostering platforms that honor the original music that musicians create together. All ages, walks of life, and music genres are welcome at AMP. Said Carter, “Anacortes has a unique reputation as a place to play and hear music. AMP is the vision of decades of local artists and musicians who have created a space and opportunities for local music. As a non-profit, our biggest effort is putting on festivals throughout the year where we feature local bands and bands from broader Skagit County. Over the years we have also brought in bands from around the country and world but mostly we support our local artists.”
we’re wanting to amplify: original music made by our community and encouraging kids to make music and tell their stories that way.” AMPs next big event is its flagship festival, AMP Fest, on Saturday, September 3 from noon-8:00 p.m. at Seafarers Memorial Park. This is a free, all ages event. There will be up to 20 bands of original artists from Anacortes and beyond! AMP Fest is a celebration of Anacortes and our broader community.
AMP is on the cusp of launching a campaign to have a fulltime physical space in downtown Karl Blau founded AMP in 2016. Anacortes dedicated for AMP and Having been a major community year-round, week-round oppororganizer for years, it was in his tunities to make and play music. blood to share his wellspring of The goal is for the space to be a musical abilities and encourage In addition to being a place for welcoming place for everyone to others to share theirs. His expemusicians and listeners to display, visit, participate, and get involved rience and passion manifested document, perform, learn and in the local music scene. Through in AMP, with Sommer serving as play; AMP produces a free publica- this space AMP will offer lessons, president since its founding. Said tion called Show Chime, sponsors workshops, and rehearsal space Sommer, “The music scene has music festivals, provides summer and the community will be able to forever had a relationship with music camps for kids, a free instru- borrow from the instrument library. Skagit County and now equally or ment-lending library, a streaming Keep an eye out for the organizamore than ever, there is an effort to broadcast of ever-expanding Ana- tion’s full-time offerings starting shore up connections for origicortes music, and more. spring 2023. Said Sommer, “AMP nal artists around Skagit County. was inspired by other places that We are supporting local original What’s coming up for have created community music musicians to fill venues around the AMP? spaces. The city is very supportive county like Farmstrong Brewery Said Sommer, “More and more because spaces like these help while singing the songs of the peobring people to town for culturally is happening every year. We are ple of where we live. It’s a special rich encounters – creative tourism standing on the shoulders of oththing to be a part of. It’s family ers in our town who have provided for something unique and wonderlike. The relationship is potent – musical opportunities for the youth ful.” keeping that local music vibrancy in our community. It’s an honor to Founder Karl Blau will perform happening.” be at the helm of AMP at this stage on Thursday on the Main Stage at Anacortes Music Project is a of the journey as we continue to 7:00 p.m., followed by The Ennon-profit volunteer-run, commugrow and shore up our youth by thusiasts at 8:00 p.m., and Young nity-driven organization committed providing resources for beginners Hunks at 9:00 p.m. Learn more in to the support and development and our veteran musicians.” the Main Stage Music write-up. of musicians of all ages. They This summer AMP is hosting a Visit AMP’s website at https:// cultivate opportunities for people Rock Camp for kids 12-18 to join anacortesmusicproject.org/ for to come together and be part of in, create original songs, and play more information about the orAnacortes’ rich heritage of original in a show. Said Sommer, “The Rock ganization and how you can get music and a history of local music Camp is an exciting aspect of what involved. appreciation. AMP builds on the 10
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