IT’S SEPTEMBER, AND summer just got here, and now school starts. Where’s the justice in that?
Take some time off this holiday weekend and relieve the stress with some live music, be it country, blues, rock, jazz, bluegrass or something else.
You’ll find it all on our beautiful Peninsula this week.
Port Angeles
■ Tonight at Castaway’s 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 Friday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band rocks Castaway’s country style from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jimmy and the band do classic country, rockin’ country and a pop tune or two with Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” a crowd favorite.
■ On Saturday at the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, dance to the sagebrush blues of Ravin’ Wolf from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This Washington Blues Society award-winning duo puts out a great dance program.
Johnnie Mustang hosts the Sunday Junction Blues Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. There have been some great jams and blues improvisations lately. Come and join in.
Next Wednesday, banjo craftsman Jason Mogi and bassist Paul Stehr-Green play from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Saturday, local jazz diva Sarah Shea, riding on the coattails of her successful new CD, “The Nearness of You,” returns to the intimate setting of Wine on the Waterfront (WOW) at The Landing mall at 115 Railroad Ave. at 8 p.m. $3 cover.
■ On Friday at Front Street Alibi, 1605 E. Front St., the Bucky Briggs Band featuring Jenn Smith plays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $2 cover.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play a rousing evening of acoustic country, bluegrass and old-time music and country selections by Charlie Ferris from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Don’t be late because Charlie’s Angels will be there, too.
■ On Monday, Rusty and Duke entertain at Smugglers Landing, 115 Railroad Ave., with some pickin’ and sweet singin’ from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ 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., those ol’ rascals the Discovery Bay Pirates will raid the club from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, renowned Chicago blues artist Keith Scott performs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Wednesday, dance to the smooth tunes of the Blue Hole Quintet from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ During the First Friday Art Walk at Damiana’s Best Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., Locozonly will be rockin’ from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Saturday at the Wind Rose Cellars Tasting Room, 155 W. Cedar St., enjoy the musical talents of Jake Reichner from 3 p.m. to 6 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, the lovely Robyn Lynn performs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ On Friday at Club Seven Lounge, 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, rock to Mister Sister featuring the vocal talents of Rachael bringing top 40 classic rock to the dance floor from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, groove to the top 40 party and dance band Gruv Box from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, 3 Miles High, led by Dana Osborn, will play your favorites (just ask him) from (note the holiday time) 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Monday, we be jammin’ with host Barry Burnett and friends, so bring your ax and/or vocal talents for the fun from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Townsend and Port Hadlock
■ BBR entertains Saturday at the Ajax, 271 Water St., Port Hadlock, with its rousing acoustic classic rock at 6 p.m.
■ Tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., Port Townsend, there may be a repeat of Wednesday’s concert by Garth Hudson, Maud Hudson and Eric Fridich. Phone 360-385-2216 for info.
On Friday, the Meklit Hadero Band performs a wide and diverse range of jazz, soul, hip-hop, art rock and folk from the Americas to the East African nation of Ethiopia at 8 p.m. $12 cover
On Saturday, Jim Nyby and the F Street Band provide a tasty gumbo of blues, rock and jazz at 8 p.m. $6 cover.
On Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Old Crusty Minstrels perform a benefit in support of live music. Voluntary $10 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
■ On Friday at the Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., Locust Street Taxi brings its pop rock sound complete with horns and intelligible lyrics to the outdoors under the sun stage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, John Nelson (not me, but I wish I had his talent!) plays acoustic folk, blues and country on guitar from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Tool Shed Trio plays American roots-rock with an ever-changing lineup of special guests from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 623 Water St., Quenby and the West of Wayland Band plays Americana/country/roots music at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, Southern rock meets Northwest grunge in the original music of The Pitfalls at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Saturday at Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, the Skip Morris Trio jazzes it up from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $8 cover.
■ Lickity Split, a 20-year-ago local band that used to pack ’em in, reunites for a gig at the Highway Twenty Road House, 2152 W. Sims Way, on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. $7 cover.
■ The Blue Crows get together Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., bringing vintage jazz, blues and ragtime to the Undertown, 211 Taylor St.
Area concerts
■ The final community concert of the summer is Wednesday in Port Angeles’ Concert on the Pier, featuring the gypsy jazz of Ranger and the Re-arrangers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
High notes
■ The sixth annual Quilcene Shindig, on Saturday outside the old Quilcene Theater, features the Morels at 2 p.m., the Low Ones at 3 p.m., Irish Salt at 4 p.m., the Steve Grandinetti Band at 5:30 p.m. and Locust Street Taxi at 7 p.m. So, as they say, bring your boots, lawn chair or sofa, neighbor, children and second cousin to this rousing Quilcene community event. Food will be available for purchase.
■ On Saturday, Howly Slim performs at the Port Angeles Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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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.
