FROM SOLO PERFORMANCES to big bands, we have the live music scene covered on the Peninsula with a venue hosting your favorite music. Read on:
Port Angeles
• On Friday, the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Route 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, will echo with the superb blues-driven guitar work and gritty vocals of the Soulshakers from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 cover.
On Sunday, Barry Burnett invites you to come out early and dance to a variety of music during the open mic jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Wednesday, multi-instrumentalist Jason Mogi will entertain from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, the Sun downers host a jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. These fellas really know how to have fun!
The word on the street is an electrically augmented duo will be playing in Port Angeles this weekend. They’re not the usual suspects, but The Suspects can be found at Castaways Friday and Saturday rocking from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $3 cover
• Popular local entertainer Kory Nagler returns for a solo show at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., on Friday at 7 p.m. Get there early! $5 cover.
On Saturday, blues maestro Thom Davis, fresh from the success of his new CD “Ocean of Blues,” brings his inspiring solo show at 7 p.m. $3 cover.
• Dave Secord and Rosalie and the whole Luck of the Draw gang are back at the Fairmount Restaurant on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Tuesday acoustic jam. Don’t be left out!
• On Friday night, The Veela Cafe, 133 E. First St., has Jim Lind providing both rock and country, fast and slow, from his impressive repertoire, from 7:30 p.m.
• Every Tuesday evening, the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally and the Boys playing ballroom dance favorites for the dancing pleasure of all adults 45 years plus from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles Senior Center, Seventh and Peabody streets. $5 cover, first-timers free!
Sequim and Blyn
• Tonight, don’t miss the jam hosted by Chantilly Lace at the Oasis Sports Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Any Thursday night you’ll find some of the best jammers from your favorite bands joining in the fun. Classic rock and country from the ’50s and ’60s, blues and pop from later decades are all in the broad repertoire honed over 35 years. Jammers come in early and sign in on the sign-up sheet.
On Friday, Skidder Hill plays bluegrass and fiddle music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Is that “Orange Blossom Special” I hear?
On Saturday, you can rock, country style, to the Jimmy Hoffman Band, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $3 cover.
On Wednesday, make it an early evening with Chez Jazz featuring Sarah Shea from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas hosts the very popular and rousing open mic Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Sarah Shea begins her weekend Friday, with Al Harris, at Stymies Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, for your dining pleasure from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Get your country up this weekend at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, in the Club Seven Lounge.
Tonight, Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire get you two-steppin’ from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Friday, Country Rock Association plays new country from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, the mechanical bull stops by from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. to give you the ride of your life with the Jimmy Hoffman Band playing their style of country rock from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by the Country Rock Association.
Mellow out Sunday to the big band sound of The Stardust Big Band from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, dance to the Dixieland style of No-Inhibitions from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Hadlock
• Tonight at the Ajax Cafe, 271 Water St., Buzz Rogowski plays jazz and originals on piano at 6 p.m.
On Friday, Graham Walsh plays jazz guitar at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Mark Holeman and Bruce Cowan play jazz standards from the ’50s and ’60s at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Jim Nyby plays blues, ballads, jazz and soul at 5:30 p.m.
Port Townsend
• Tonight, the golden pipes of Terry Evans and the Big City Rollers do blues, soul and rhythm and blues at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., at 7 p.m. $8 cover.
On Friday, violin virtuoso Ben Powell and his quartet play swinging jazz at 8 p.m. At 23 years of age, he has already played with a list of who’s who in the jazz world and solo performances all over Europe and the U.S. $12 cover.
On Saturday, Tony La Strella performs a Rat Pack Tribute at 5:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., he performs 50 years of hits from rock, pop, soul and blues. $10 per show or $15 for both.
On Tuesday, join the Jazz Jam at 8 p.m.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
• Looking for something different? Then check out Reverse Dotty Friday at Sirens, 823 Water St. Violin and mixed-gauge guitar strings bring a different sound at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, take in the consciousness rock of Blu Meadows at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
• On Friday, Timber Town entertains at Port Townsend Brew Pub, 330 10th St., at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, Toolshed Trio plays American roots rock and country blues from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by Tim Halpin and The Better Half playing the blues at 6:30 p.m. This is the Brew Pub’s 13th anniversary Saturday. They have 13 employees and 13 beers on tap, with food from Bub’s Tacos and door prizes. Join them for a real celebration.
• Ahmad Baabahar brings his guitar and voice to Undertown, 211 Taylor St., on Friday at 7 p.m.
• Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., goes primeval with the Apples of Eden rocking and rolling Saturday at 9 p.m., $3.
• The Blue Crows, with John Morton, play early jazz, blues and ragtime Saturday at the Port Townsend Farmers Market at 10 p.m.
• On Saturday, the Scott Lindenmuth Trio enriches Castle Key Restaurant, Seventh and Sheridan streets, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $8 cover.
• Zydeco and Cajun music springs eternal with Whozyamama Saturday at the all-ages dance at Quimper Grange, 1217 Corona, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. $12 cover.
• Tonight, party down all night at Water Street Brewing & Alehouse, 639 Water St., with the Big Whoop and Lucius Clay.
Music News
• Amsterjam, Man of the Woods and guests will be rocking on Saturday in a concert at the Port Angeles City Pier from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is a benefit show for Habitat for Humanity.
• Award-winning accordionist Gary Blair and his son, Gary Blair Jr., will play European music and music from around the world Friday at Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road, Sequim, from 7 p.m. $5 cover.
• Friends of Fort Flagler kick off their 2010 concert season Saturday at 7 p.m. with the booming bass voice, flat-top guitar and wry sense of humor of Hank Cramer. It’s outside, so bring a chair and a wrap for a fun evening. $5 donation appreciated.
• The Sequim concert series this week will feature the Air National Guard Band on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the James Center for the Performing Arts, 202 N. Blake Ave.
• Concerts on the Pier are back with Big Fine Daddies rocking away next Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the Port Angeles waterfront.
• On Friday, another venue goes dark as Water Street Brewing closes its doors. The owners are looking to relocate, but in the meantime, tip one for me.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in SDLqKLMA — 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 e-mailing news@peninsula dailynews.com (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.