BREAD & GRAVY: SOUL-SATISFYING LOCAL MUSIC IN PORT ANGELES
From genre-defying multi-media performances to inspiring open mic nights, Stephanie and Jess Doenges of Bread & Gravy Duo are changing the local music scene in Port Angeles – for good.
Field Hall audiences might recognize Stephanie and Jess from hosting Open Mic Monday or from “A History of Time: Through Music,” an experimental musical, theatrical, and visual arts performance hosted in the Donna M. Morris Theater in April of 2025.
The local music scene in Port Angeles is starting to look a whole lot tastier, in part because of the husband-and-wife duo Stephanie and Jess Doenges. Known as the driving force behind local band Bread & Gravy, Stephanie and Jess have become familiar faces at Field Hall over the past two years. Their long-standing Open Mic Monday series at Field Hall welcomed musicians, artists, and variety acts to perform inside the waterfront Sunset Lounge and helped shine the spotlight on emerging local artists.
On their social media pages, Jess and Stephanie continue to champion new musical acts and celebrate Port Angeles as a growing artistic community.
“I said years ago that this area is gonna be a top ten music destination,” Jess wrote in a social media post. “We may already be there, folks.”
Rather than seeing this growth as competition, Jess sees the expansion as inspirational. That encouraging, collaborative vibe has been part of what has made Open Mic Mondays so special.
“Bread & Gravy worked with us to create an Open Mic at Field Hall and have spent two years as the creative forces behind the series. Their welcoming presence has encouraged so many artists to perform live – many for the very first time – and has introduced a whole new crowd to Field Hall. We are so grateful for the impact that has had on this building and this community,” said Steve Raider-Ginsburg, Field Hall Artistic & Executive Director.
THE FUTURE OF OPEN MIC MONDAY
As Field Hall enters the 2026 summer season, Open Mic Mondays have been put on a temporary hiatus in order to revisit the model. Moving forward, the event is slated to become part of the new Connections Series at Field Hall which aims to welcome local arts organizations into the building for free cultural and educational experiences.
The vision for upcoming Open Mic series includes a rotating set of hosts who will provide a brief performance or presentation about their work and set a theme for the evening, with the goal of encouraging arts of all kinds: music, dance, theater, spoken word, storytelling, and more.
A HISTORY OF TIME: THROUGH MUSIC
“A History of Time: Through Music” is a comedy, a musical, and a love story about the human condition. Utilizing multi media displays, thespian scenes, and live music performances, it weaves through monumental topics such as Love, War, and Personal Growth. It entails the story of God attempting to impress his biggest crush, Disco Karen, by creating our world. God then spends most of his time trying to understand the behaviors of his human creations. Styles of music and performance include: Americana, Rock, Blues, Pop, Disco, Classical, Broadway, Spoken Word Poetry, and pre-filmed movie scenes.
The show was workshop in partnership with Field Hall and presented in its full form in April of 2025. A full recording of the show can now be enjoyed on YouTube.
The show is a perfect representation of part of Field Hall’s mission to support and develop new works from local and touring artists.
BREAD & GRAVY SUMMER SHOWS
Bread & Gravy will be performing in locations throughout the Olympic Peninsula all summer long. In addition to performing as a duo, Bread & Gravy welcomes additional musicians on stage for trio and quintet formations. Head out to support these local artists as well as the fabulous venues who host their shows!
June 12th 4-6PM: The Vintage, Port Townsend (Duo)
June 13th 1-3PM: Dungeness Valley Creamery, 20 Year Anniversary Celebration, Sequim (Trio)
June 14th 11AM-2PM: Kingston Market on the Waterfront (Quartet)
June 20th 7-9PM: Howling Moon, Port Angeles (Duo)
June 21st (Time TBA): Fundraiser for Rise Rescue at Purple Haze (Quintet)
June 26th 7-10PM: Moose Lodge of Port Angeles (Quartet)
June 27th 8-11PM: Tracyton Public House, Bremerton (Trio)
July 4th 8-11PM: 4th of July Celebration at The Roadhouse, Port Townsend (Quartet)
July 11th and 12th (Times TBA): Toast and Jam/Clallam Bay festival/parade
July 16th 1:30 – 2PM: Sequim Lavender Festival (Stephanie Doenges, solo)
July 17th 2-4PM: Purple Haze Lavender Farm, Seqium (Quintet)
July 18th 2-5 PM: Olympic Bluffs Lavender Farm & Cidery, Port Angeles (Quintet)
July 19th 1:30-2:15PM: Lavender Festival Side Stage (Stephanie Doenges, solo)
July 28th 6-8PM: Concert in the Carrie Blake Park, Sequim (Quintet)
July 31st 8-11PM: The Oasis Bar & Grill, Sequim (Quartet)
August 7th 7-9PM: Joshua’s Restaurant and Lounge, Port Angeles (Trio)
August 14th 4:30-6-30PM: The Vintage on the Port Townsend Waterfront (Duo)
August 21th 6PM – 8PM: The Top on Whidbey, Clinton (Duo)
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