THE TURKEY’S BEEN eaten, and the mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy have settled around my waist, along with the pumpkin pie.
I can’t believe I ate it all!
If this is you, I’m here to help.
Dance away those extra pounds. The benefits derived from dancing are many, based on many studies by many experts.
Where to dance, you say? Read on for the live music venues that offer your favorite kind of music.
Even if you don’t dance or your favorite venue doesn’t have a dance floor, live music stirs the blood, soothes the soul and gives you an extra uptick in your step and well-being.
After all, you have to make room for Christmas dinner in three weeks.
NOTE: During this time of holiday parties, if you plan to drink, please have a designated driver, get a cab or call a friend to get you home safely.
Port Angeles
■ Today at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, Chesnut Junction with Ches Ferguson, guitar; Kevin Briggs, guitar; Ron Daylo, flute; Paul Eyestone, bass; and percussionist Zubrie Kamau will have you grooving from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Friday, Joy in Mudville has a special Friday night roots, jam-band and rock dance party from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Sunday, the Whiskey Minstrels — Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlin of Tiller’s Folly — play Celtic, roots, originals and more from 8 p.m. to midnight. $5 cover.
On Sunday, All Points Charters & Tours can get you there and back free of charge. Phone 360-775-9128 for a ride.
On Wednesday, Joy in Mudville (Jason Mogi, Paul Stehr-Green and Colin Leahy) performs a unique mix of old-time/jam-band/rock/Celtic-funk-influenced original and cover tunes at 7:30 p.m.
■ Today at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., celebrates the 80th anniversary of the 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition as well as the brewery’s third anniversary with a 1930s-era costume party featuring the music of Good Co., a techno-swing band from Seattle, at 8 p.m.
On Friday, Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz continue the celebration from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, Dan and the Juan de Fuca Band wrap the weekend with a performance from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Friday and Saturday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., Good Co., a techno-swing band from Seattle, comes over from Barhop Brewing for a two-night celebration starting at 9 p.m.
At both Barhop Brewing and Bar N9ne, it’s the official release of Old PA Beer, a pre-Prohibition-style lager. All events are free, as they are fully sponsored by Peninsula Bottling Co. Wear your best ’20s-’30s-era attire.
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, it’s Jerry’s Country Jam with Jim Lind and Gerald Pierce from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
On Saturday, the Turner Brothers Band of Sequim brings you classic rock for shedding those extra pounds from 9 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Sunday, Stef Muzic, a Hawaii-based pop vocalist, ends her Peninsula visit at Next Door Gastropub, 113 W. First St., at 4 p.m.
■ On Tuesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally’s Boys playing ballroom dance favorites from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover; first-timers free.
■ On Friday at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, Old Tyme Country plays old-time country tunes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at The Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., the Discovery Bay Pirates play Irish songs and sea chanteys from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Whiskey Minstrels perform from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by Stef Muzic at 9 p.m.
On Wednesday, Final Approach plays boomer music for the dance crowd from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Today at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., Cort Armstrong plays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Gil Yslas plays blues guitar from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Gerald Braude plays acoustic jazz guitar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ On Friday, Rainshadow Coffee, 157 W. Cedar St., features Celtic duo RowenTree for the Sequim First Friday Art Walk from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Wednesday at Nourish restaurant, 1345 S. Sequim Ave., Victor Reventlow hosts the open mic from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with sign-ups at 6 p.m.
■ On Friday in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, Stripped, a new Top 40 dance band, will help get those extra pounds off from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, a Seven favorite, Society’s Child, plays Motown, funk and current dance music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Friday in the Rainforest Bar, Jeremy Pederson plays contemporary guitar with vocals from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, RowenTree plays folk, Celtic and more from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ On Friday at the Ajax Cafe, 21 N. Water St., Mickey and Barry play acoustic country and classic rock guitar from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Ludlow
■ Today in the Fireside Room at the Resort at Port Ludlow, 1 Heron Road, Trevor Hanson plays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Today at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., local singer-songwriter Sue Logg performs soulful originals from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the blues and Americana originals and covers of Dave Sheehan from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Friday at Sirens, 823 Water St., Grammy hopeful Stef Muzic begins her Washington state tour with her Americana pop at 9:30 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Saturday at Highway Twenty Road House, 2152 Sims Way, The Upstage presents Rick Estrin and The Nightcats, a blues/rock band, for entertainment and dance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Phone 360-385-2216 or email upstage@olympus.net.
■ On Saturday at the Cellar Door, 940 Water St., the Jim Nyby Combo presents a New Orleans-infused dance party from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. $5 cover.
■ Today, Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Monday, Trevor Hanson plays guitar at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
High notes
■ On Friday as part of the Sequim Library Concert Series and First Fridays in Sequim, Howly Slim and Sandy Summers on acoustic guitars perform original music and a short medley of traditional Christmas music at the library from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also appearing are Port Townsend musicians Raindance Kid on bass and Jon Parry on fiddle. This is a free event.
■ On Saturday at the Black Diamond Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Road, Port Angeles, Red Crow returns for the monthly contra dance with Michael Karcher calling. The dance workshop begins at 7:30 p.m., with dancing at 8 p.m. Requested donation: adults, $7; children, $3 — or bring food of equivalent value to share for snacks.
■ Also Saturday, Toot Sweet, a clarinet ensemble, performs a Christmas program from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at April Fool & Penny Too, 725 Water St., Port Townsend, for the December Gallery Walk.
The group includes Nancy Peterson of Port Ludlow, Port Townsend residents Lylburn Layer and John Adams, and Sequim’s Vicky Blakesley.
■ On Sunday, the Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St., Port Townsend, hosts acclaimed bluegrass band John Reischman and the Jaybirds. The band fuses old-time, rollicking bluegrass with contemporary sounds on guitar, fiddle, banjo and bass.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $20 and can be purchased by phoning 360-385-KCPT (5278) or online at www.keycitypublictheater.org/concert_series.htm.
_______
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, with John Nelson in the subject line. And note: Nelson’s deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. preceding Thursday’s column.
