HERE’S THE LATEST from the North Olympic Peninsula Environs (NOPE): Country-rocker Jimmy Hoffman is going to dye his hair red and become a punk rocker. The Upstage Restaurant in Port Townsend is going to become a country music roadhouse, and Chuck Darland of Chantilly Lace, with his vocal range, is joining Seattle Opera’s next “Ring of the Nibelung” performance.
Say what? It’s only the first of April and already the music scene is making waves across the Peninsula?
April Fools’!
All of the preceding (except for that last sentence) came from the twisted mind of your friendly writer.
But live music’s waves across the Peninsula are nearing tsunami proportions with all the music festivals just over the horizon or around the corner or just ahead, as the case may be.
And in any case, here is where live music is this week.
Port Angeles
• Roots rock and blues “Janis-esk”-style artist Cee Cee James comes to the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, for the first time Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cee Cee is currently nominated for Washington Blues Society Best Blues Vocalist and Blues Songwriter of the Year 2010. $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, The Good Medicine Band with Jason, Ches and Justin plays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• On Saturday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band rocks Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, country style, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Come and dance the night away. $3 cover.
• The Big Fine Daddies (with their beautiful lead singer) rock Kokopelli’s Grill Underground, 203 E. Front St., Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Cover.
Saturday mellows out with the jazz of the Blue Notes from 8 p.m. to midnight. Cover.
• On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., Impulse makes their WOW debut from 7:30 p.m. Led by Skip Morris (guitar, vocals) the band is completed by Craig Buhler (sax, flute) and Ted Enderle (bass). Skip has put together an evening of jazz/rock- and jazz/funk-inspired fusion, bringing some sunshine to this April showers week. $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.
Sequim and Blyn
• Tonight at the Oasis Sports Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., Chantilly Lace hosts the open jam from 7. All musicians and vocalists are invited to join the fun.
On Friday, the bluegrass of Skidder Hill will get you dancing from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Later, The Lonely H will get you rockin’ from 9 p.m. $3 cover.
• Kevin Lee Magner, Scott Bradley and Mary Pender will be providing some of their acoustic soul at Damiana’s Best Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., for the Friday Art Walk from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas hosts the very popular open mic Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• The irrepressible Lynn Peterson sings for your dinner Friday at Stymies Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Her Vegas style is very entertaining and enjoyable over dinner or a libation or two.
• At Club Seven at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, Friday and Saturday, popular top 40 dance band Reanne’s Groove will help you find your groove on the dance floor from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
In a rare Sunday appearance, Savoy Nights with Carol and Michael Menefee will get you dancing from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, the Funaddicts play a mix that’ll satisfy your every dancing need in a special Monday time slot from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
• Tonight at the Ajax Cafe, 271 Water St., Buzz Rogowski plays jazz and originals on piano from.
On Sunday, Jim Nyby plays blues, ballads, jazz and soul from 5:30 p.m.
Port Townsend
• On Friday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., the Terry “Harmonica” Bean Band presents an evening of blues, roots and classic rock dance music from 8 p.m. $10 cover.
On Saturday, Los Angeles rhythm and blues Independent Artist of the Year Award winner Cee Cee James and her band play from 8 p.m. Cee Cee sings like Janis Joplin at her best. $10 cover.
Next Wednesday, enjoy Kiss My Bluegrass Band from 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss this young, neo-folk band. $3 cover.
Call 360-385-2216 for reservations.
• Sirens, 823 Water St., goes from country to hip-hop and rap this week, with Howly Slim giving you your country fix tonight from 8 p.m.
On Friday, Marilyn K. and Co. provides original compositions, blue grass and country classics, from 9 p.m. $5.
On Saturday, the mood changes when Paulie Rhyme livens the scene with hip-hop and rap.
• Greg Vinson entertains at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., Friday at 9 p.m. $2 cover.
• On Friday at Water Street Brewing, 639 Water St., the Quick and Easy Boys play funk, honky-tonk, disco, blues and rock ‘n’ roll from 9 p.m. Cover.
On Saturday, dance to the roots-rock-gypsy-folk-soul of Zingara from 9 p.m. Cover.
• At the Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar, beneath Taylor Street at Water Street, Tony Petrillo and Jim Oliver play jazz, Latin swing and standards, Friday from 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, The Blue Crows — John Morton, clarinet, and George Rezendes, guitar — play a flock of old tunes by Jelly Roll Morton, W.C. Handy, Jimmie Noone and more from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Music News
My apologies to the Junction Roadhouse, Junkyard Jane and music fans because of my error in listing Junkyard Jane for last Saturday instead of last Friday. My bad!
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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.
