AS THE YEAR winds down and we prepare to put a cap on this year’s live music scene, take some time and enjoy some of the live music we are blessed with on our beautiful Peninsula.
Port Angeles
■ Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, come on down for Jerry’s Country Jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If country’s your style, come and dance or play plugged or unplugged.
On Saturday, Andy Koch and the Badd Dog Blues Society bring their rockin’ blues for a great night of dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., marks the last appearance in 2011 for Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz and an evening of classic, romantic and intimate jazz at 7:30 p.m. $3 cover.
On Sunday, local singer/guitarist Otter will be playing at the bar at 2 p.m.
■ The Second Friday Art Walk (2FAR) at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., features Sequim rockers Bound to Happen in the intimate setting of this popular club at 8 p.m. $3 cover.
■ Charlie Ferris’ last public show of 2011 is Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bushwhacker Restaurant, 1527 E. First St. Charlie’s going to be singing some of your favorite tunes before his rousing holiday songfest. Come and join the fun. Charlie’s Angels will be there, too.
■ On Saturday at the R Bar, 132 E. Front St., Hooky will be performing its blend of hip-rock-reggae from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. or so.
■ On Sunday, the Cornstalks will be performing at the Next Door gastropub, 113 W. First St., at 3 p.m.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play old-time music with guests John and Donna Spence of the Washington Old Time Fiddlers, with guitars and vocals, for an old-fashioned good ol’ time from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ On Tuesday, Ches Ferguson stops by for some picking and grinning at 7 p.m. at the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles.
■ Every Tuesday evening at the Port Angeles Senior Center, Seventh and Peabody streets, the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally and the Boys playing ballroom dance favorites for the dancing pleasure of all adults 45 years and older from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover, first-timers free.
■ On Wednesday at Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues with a brew and barbecue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., Fret Noir (Gil Yslas and Mary Tulin) blend English and Celtic folk with originals, blues, rock and jazz from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, dance to BluMeadows at 9 p.m.
■ Ming’s Buffet, 10181 Old Olympic Highway, presents seasonal stylings by Judy Clark on Wednesdays and Thursdays in December from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday, enjoy the holiday expressions on the keyboard of Sandy Lockwood from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas and Victor Reventlow host the very popular and rousing open mic Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, Kelly and Barry perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday, That 80s Show rocks Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, with costumes, dancing and more from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, dance to the Motown and funk of Society’s Child from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire with Bobbie will reach your country soul no matter what you say is your favorite music. Dance the evening away from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, no We Be Jammin’.
Port Townsend
■ On Friday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., Badd Dog Blues Society with Fat James, Andy Koch and Tim Halpin rocks the blues at 8 p.m. $8 cover.
On Saturday, the Christmas Jug Band blows through a couple of skewed yule sets “that in a moment of insanity has become an annual holiday tradition spanning over 30 years,” followed by a later dance set. The fun starts at 8 p.m. $10 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for information and reservations.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., the bluegrass of Bill Monroe lives on in the music of the Oly Mountain Boys as it combines bluegrass picking with three-part vocal harmonies from 9 p.m. to midnight. $5 cover.
On Saturday, the acoustic string band Blackberry Bushes brings its progressive Americana music for a night of fun at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ Today, the Crow Quill Night Owls play at 8 p.m. at the Undertown, 211 Taylor St.
On Saturday, the Toolshed Trio plays for a Boiler Room Benefit auction party from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Saturday at the Highway 20 Road House, 2152 Sims Way, the Battle of the Bands Round 2 features Thomas Sparks and his Generals and Fatal Frequency duking it out starting at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., today and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today, classical guitarist Trevor Hanson plays at Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine, 1208 Water St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Monday, Trevor Hanson plays guitar at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe, Port Townsend, on Thursdays and Fridays from noon till 2 p.m.
High notes
■ On Friday, Olympic Peninsula Dance features the salsa music of Malo Combo at the Port Townsend American Legion, 209 Monroe St. from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Adults $15, students/disabled $10, 12 and younger $7. There is a free beginning salsa dance lesson (with paid admission) at 7 p.m. with Roberto Villamarin.
■ Also Friday, at the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., the Wild Canadians present a swinging, upbeat, backwoods family fiddling concert and contra dance from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $10 cover.
■ The Second Saturday Community Dance at the Quimper Grange features The Contradictions with Eric Curl calling the dances from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Adults $6, 18 and younger $3, younger than 3 admitted free.
________
John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in “KLMA — Keep Live Music Alive” on the North Olympic Peninsula. His column, Live Music, appears every Thursday.
Are you performing in or promoting a live music gig? Contact John by phoning 360-565-1139 or emailing news@peninsuladailynews.com, with John Nelson in the subject line. And note: Nelson’s new deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. preceding Thursday’s column.
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.