IT’S APRIL, AND it’s warming up outside (really), and more outside activities are looming (mowing, gardening, etc.).
Did you know dancing is a great way to get in shape? Dancing to music is a great cardiovascular exercise — just look at all the commercials for different regimens on TV.
However, I think it would be more fun going out with friends and dancing to live music. Where there is no dance floor; just move to the groove where you’re sitting.
Even tapping your toes to the beat of live music is better than watching commercials on TV. Besides, it will lift your spirits on these gray, rainy days.
Port Angeles
■ Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, the Sundowners will host a jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can’t help but have a fun time with these guys.
On Friday and Saturday, country up to Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire from 8 p.m. to midnight. Now, it ain’t all country; there’s some rock ‘n’ roll to get your heart rate up, too.
■ On Friday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band heads downtown to the R Bar, 132 E. Front St., with some country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $3 cover.
■ On Friday, BBR plays classic ’50s to ’70s rock ‘n’ roll at Bar N9ne, 129 W. First St., from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tom Svornich will be guesting on drums. Proceeds will benefit Relay For Life.
■ On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront, in The Landing mall at 115 Railroad Ave., it’s a welcome return for Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz at 7:30 p.m. When she sings, my heart starts pounding. $3 cover.
■ On Friday, Chuck Grall, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country will perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday marks the return of Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band, playing acoustic country, bluegrass and old-time music from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Monday sees the final appearance of Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band at Smuggler’s Landing, 115 Railroad Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Special guests are Joe Hunt and Ramona Wright.
■ On Saturday, come strut your stuff at the Spring Swing at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring the Port Angeles High School Jazz Ensemble. These young men and women are a product of the fine music program at the high school and really know their music. $3 suggested donation.
On Tuesday, Wally and the Boys will be 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!
■ The Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, features its Sunday and Wednesday night lineups.
On Sunday, the Goodfellas have taken over the Junction Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Next Wednesday, banjo craftsman Jason Mogi and bassist Paul Stehr-Green will play from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ 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., those rascally Discovery Bay Pirates perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, stop in for the Irish Session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, Denny Secord Sr. hooks up with Jubilee at 5:30 p.m.
■ On Saturday, Paul Sagan will play at the 3 Crabs Restaurant, 11 Three Crabs Road, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Wednesday at Mugs ‘n’ Jugs Bar & Grill, 735 W. Washington St., Jimmy Hoffman and friends perform unplugged from 7 p.m. to midnight. Donations welcome.
■ 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, the lovely Robin Lynn sings for your supper from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday at Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, dance to the wide variety of music by Author Unknown from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, have some Rock Candy with Rachel and dance to top 40 hits from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, two-step and boogie to the country and rock ‘n’ roll of Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, we be jammin’ with host Barry Burnett and friends, so bring your ax and/or vocal talents for the fun from7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ On Friday at the Ajax Cafe, 271 Water St., Ahmad Baabahar will perform his soulful originals on guitar with vocals at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Howly Slim will play guitar and sing original songs as well as old-time faves at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Jim Nyby will play piano and harmonica with vocals of blues, ballads, jazz and soul from 5:30 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., the Marcia Ball Band will play at 8 p.m. Marcia Ball is a four-time Grammy nominee and 2010 Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame inductee. Winner of eight Blues Music Awards, she’s a legend and a piano wizard. $35 cover.
On Friday, Repo Zest will open for Bub Pratt and the Two Beat Kings from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. $6 cover.
On Saturday, the David Vest Band will play barrel house boogie-woogie and blues at 8 p.m. David Vest is not only known for his piano playing, but also wrote the first songs recorded by country diva Tammy Wynette. $10 cover.
On Sunday, two events will brighten your day. First up is the jazz/rock of Locust Street Taxi at 3 p.m. $3 cover. Jazz players are free ‘cuz it’s followed by Rex Rice’s Penultimate Sunday Jazz Jam at 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, drop in for Annie Clark’s Music Jam at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Martha Gallagher with David Michael promise to put on a harp concert like you’ve never heard before at 7:30 p.m. They’ll cover several genres of music including blues, world jazz and more. $8 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
■ On Friday at the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., the Solvents, with June Madrona, will play at 8 p.m. $3 cover.
On Saturday, there’s a “Star Wars” party with Locust Street Taxi at 9 p.m. $6 cover.
On Wednesday, Clay Bartlett plays at 6 p.m.
■ It’s a big night at the Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, Saturday when Northwest blues giant Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne plays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $20 cover.
■ Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., will host new folk artists Misner & Smith and their originals with vocal harmonies Friday at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, jazz and pop/rock vocalist Eleanor Frye will entertain at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
Next Wednesday, there will be a special Gypsy jazz treat with Willie & Lobo. The cost is $20, and the time hasn’t been announced. Phone 360-379-1100.
■ On Friday, Locust Street Taxi makes its first stop of the weekend at the Uptown Pub and Grill, 1016 Lawrence St. $5 cover.
■ Ol’ Howly Slim will be at the Banana Leaf Bistro, 609 Washington St., on Friday at 6 p.m.
■ Steve Grandinetti will play solo piano at Lanza’s Ristorante, 1020 Lawrence St., every Wednesday in April from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Music notes
■ Olympic Peninsula Dance presents Maia Santell and House Blend at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. They play swing, big-band, jump blues and rhythm and blues to Latin and country. Open to all ages, smoke-free, adults $15, students with ID and disabled people $10, ages 12 and younger $7. There will be a free (with admission) pre-dance lesson in the Charleston with Scot Thomas and Mary Beth Conners at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.olympicpeninsuladance.com or phone 360-385-6919 or 360-385-5327.
■ The Quilcene Historical Museum, 151 E. Columbia St., will celebrate its 20th anniversary and reopening for the season with free grilled hot dogs, cake and music by Denny Secord and the Northwest Country Boys on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Donations appreciated.
Now get out there and get your heart rate up because there’s plenty of music to dance to.
________
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 (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.
