Year in Review 2018: Pacific Arts Association

By Kitty King, co-president

Did you notice the festival name change? We have been wanting for some time to put “Blaine” back in the name because all of us in the Pacific Arts Association (PAA) are proud of this community and what it has to offer. It is the support of the Blaine community that makes it possible for the Blaine Harbor Music Festival + Camp to continue into its 18th year!

2018 was a great year for the Festival. The July sun shone down on live musical performances at the G Street Plaza for six days; the Performing Arts Center hosted four inspiring by donation evening concerts; the Blaine Pavilion rocked to the sounds of our annual Big Band Benefit; and – most important of all – over 60 music students experienced the thrill of working and playing with professionals and the resulting confidence and joy that comes from sharing your passion.

From the extraordinary “Serenata Brasileira” kick-off concert on Sunday, to the downtown Jazz-by-the-Sea student performances on the final Saturday, this was an amazing week of listening, learning and feeling the power of music to

bring us all together.

Looking forward to 2019, our 18th year of inspiring young artists and bringing world-class music to Blaine, we plan to continue our excellent music programs, including Songwriting and Trad Jazz, and to expand our New Directions program for classically trained students (formerly Classics to Contemporary).

We are proud of our efforts to put Blaine on the map by bringing music to our shores. Thank you, Blaine, for your support!