SUMMER IN SEPTEMBER is stupendous, just stupendous. Just ask the kids that have just started school!
Well, recess is OK ‘cuz it’s outside in the late summer sunshine. Maybe it’s time for you to take a little recess and get away from it all with some live music.
Take your pick ‘cuz there’s lots to choose from.
Port Angeles
■ On Saturday at the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, Issaquah-based blues band Palmer Junction makes its first foray onto the Peninsula showing why it’s one of the hottest new bands from across the Puget Pond. Come and dance the night away from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 cover.
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 will play from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ 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.
If you like rock ‘n’ roll but not real loud, head down to the Boat Haven and enjoy the boats, the sunset and the rock ‘n’ roll of MLR (moderately loud rock) Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Summer’s not over for the Second Friday Art Rock (2FAR) following the Art Walk downtown at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St. Port Townsend indie rock band The Solvents provide the vibes, and Port Angeles artist Deidre Gonzales provides the color. $3 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 old-time music with some aloha music by Holomua from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I guess this is a case where West meets far West.
■ On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront (WOW) at The Landing mall at 115 Railroad Ave., BB&R provides its repertoire of classic hits from the ’50s through the ’70s at 8 p.m. $5 cover.
■ Crooner Charlie Ferris returns Monday to the site of many standing-room-only performances at the Bushwhacker Restaurant, 1527 E. First St., where he’ll do more than croon. Charlie will joke and jive, sometimes with a twang, as he sings a song and adds a little tidbit of info on how the original artist or song came to be. He kicks off his third season 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.
Joyce
■ On Friday at the Salt Creek Restaurant and Lounge, 53821 state Highway 112, the Bucky Briggs Band plays blues, rock and reggae to help Mike and Nikki celebrate their first anniversary in the restaurant as well as the 100th anniversary of Joyce at 9 p.m. The band will feature Jen Smith belting out the vocals.
■ Joyce will keep celebrating Saturday at the Joyce General Store, 50893 state Highway 112, with a party that starts at noon, the Puddle City Possums from Seattle and classic rock from Fat Chance from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., Gil Yslas and Mary Turin as Fret Noir play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Jack Havoc, Kill or Be Killed and others rock on in a heavy-metal benefit show at 9:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Final Approach lands with some great boomer music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 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, catch Awesome Bob, a one-man band, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ On Saturday in Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, the beast is back. The Jim Hoffman Band kicks off the night at 5 p.m. and at 6 p.m. Line up to ride the mechanical bull a la Travolta from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. At 9 p.m., Country Rock Association follows with its blend of country rock till 1 a.m. Remember, the bull will be waiting for you, and that’s no bull.
On Sunday, country is still king with Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire getting’ you two-steppin’ and more 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 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., Gregory Rawlins plays blues, experimental and folk rock at 7:30 p.m. Voluntary cover.
On Friday, true blues original guitarist and saxophonist Maurice John Vaughn and his band perform original blues and rhythm and blues from 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Saturday, 2008 and 2009 Iowa Blues Challenge Champions the Avey Brothers, Chris and Mark, who are joined by Bryon West and Detroit Larry, deliver high energy to the stage at 8 p.m. $10 advance, $12 at the door.
On Tuesday, a virtual who’s who of Peninsula jazz perform in an Upstage Live Music Fundraiser at 7 p.m. Three bands with various guests will take you on a fun ride from standards, improv and to seldom-heard compositions. $10 voluntary admission.
On Wednesday, Steve Smith and Julie Adams pick and play at 7:30 p.m. Steve is one of the premier finger-style guitarists of our time. $10 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
■ On Friday at the Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., the dynamic Deadwood Revival duo of Kim and Jason will have you dancin’ on the grass and . . . well, wherever you can put your feet down from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the Skip Morris Trio plays jazz from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, rock out to the Pitfalls from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 623 Water St., the Erev Rav Klezmer Orchestra does its thing with traditional tunes and original compositions illuminated by funk, reggae, bee bop, rock, Latin rhythm and gypsy jazz. Whew! At 9 p.m. $5 cover.
High notes
■ The Second Saturday contra dance at the Quimper Grange, Corona and Sheridan streets, Port Townsend, features local band Homemade Music with Cindy Holmes calling. Dance from 7:30 p.m. till about 10:30 p.m. $6 adults, $3 for 3- to 18-year-olds.
■ On Saturday, Washington Old Time Fiddlers play live music at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road, Sequim. All-players jam from noon to 1:30 p.m., performance from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Donations support scholarships. More information is at http://d15.wotfa.org.
■ Do you like wooden boats? Check out the Wooden Boat Festival and all that live music on the festival stage today through Sunday in Port Townsend.
■ On Saturday, the Winterlings play the Port Angeles Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
________
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.
