SO HE SAID to his sweetheart: “Here’s some chocolates and a dozen roses. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“But honey,” she said, “I want to go dancing with live music.”
Don’t be that guy, but be her hero and take her dancing at one of these fine places.
Port Angeles
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, sing and pick country-style at the jam hosted by High Country from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Special guests are Jim Hanson and Terry Roszatycki. They’ll also remember Phil Adams (see end of this column).
On Saturday, Chantilly Lace rocks the club from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Today at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, multi-instrumentalist Ches Ferguson returns from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Friday, dance to the acoustic rock and blues of Keith Scott and Brian Adams from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover.
Be safe and sane: Call All Points Charters & Tours at 360-775-9128 or 360-460-7131 for a free ride out and back.
■ On Wednesdays from now on, Jason and Paul return as Deadwood Experiment from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Saturday, a birthday-party performance for Paul Stehr-Green with performances by Green and Jason Mogi will be at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., at 8 p.m.
■ On Saturday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., enjoy the music of Locos Only. $3 cover.
On Monday, Justin Scott Rivet goes solo from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ On Friday, Rachael and Barry play classic rock and Motown at the Coo Coo Nest, 1017 E. First St., at 9 p.m.
■ On Saturday, BBR (Bill, Barry and Rachael), with special guest Tom Svornich on drums, play classic rock from the 1950s and ’60s at the Eagles Club, 2843 Myrtle St., from 8 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Saturday, Country Aire Natural Market, 200 W. First St., has Twisted Roots dropping by from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country play old songs at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
■ On Wednesday, join in the fun with Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band with special guest Tune Drifters from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every 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 and Saturday at Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., Denny Secord Jr. goes solo from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, legendary Chicago blues artist Keith Scott performs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Denny Secord Jr. returns in his trio format from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Today at Wind Rose Cellars, 233 Bell Bottom Road, Gerald Braude performs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Braude returns from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Red Wine and Chocolate event.
■ Today at the Old Mill Cafe, 721 Carlsborg Road, John Erskine plays love songs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday, the Old Sidekicks will have a Valentine’s dinner-dance at the Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Road, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open to the public. Dinner $20; dancing only, $10 or $15 per couple.
It’s “All the Buzz” Wednesdays at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St., with Victor hosting the open mic from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, Trevor and Sam perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ Today in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, it’s dance night with the Dukes of Dabob from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Friday, guitarist Cody Rentas and his band show why they’re getting accolades from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, dance to 4 More from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, go on a Mystery Tour, a tribute to The Beatles’ legacy, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ Today at the Ajax Cafe, 21 N. Water St., Trevor Hanson performs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Today at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., Sue Logg, Janna Marit and Kara Hesse and friends sing in a Valentine’s Day performance.
On Friday, Janiva Magness and her band perform at 8 p.m. $25/$30.
On Saturday, the Jenny Davis Jazz Quartet (Jenny, vocals; Ed Donahue, trumpet; Chuck Easton, guitar; Ted Enderle, bass; and Tim Sheffel, drums) performs at 7:30 p.m. $8 cover.
On Sunday, jazz musicians and fans gather for Rex Rice’s Penultimate Sunday Jazz Jam at 6 p.m. $5 cover.
On Wednesday, Ash Devine and friends play contemporary and traditional music with an Appalachian flair at 7 p.m. Voluntary donations.
Phone 360-385-2216 for details and reservations.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., it’s time for the Water Street Prom.
On Saturday, Baby Gramps and Petunia play rag, jazz and blues from the 1920s and ’30s at 10 p.m. $7 cover.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub and Grill, 1016 Lawrence St., composer and cellist Brandon Smith plays originals from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today, Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Thursdays and Fridays, Steve Grandinetti plays and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center cafe, 431 Water St., from noon till 2 p.m.
High notes
■ The Third Saturday Quimper Grange Square Dance, Corona and Sheridan streets, Port Townsend, brings Amy Carroll and the Bristlestones. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.
The monthly square dance caters to dancers of all ages and is $5 for adults, free for those younger than 16.
All dances will be taught.
For details, phone Dave Theik at 360-385-3308 or visit www.ptcommunitydance.com.
■ The Olympic Peninsula Valentine Dance brings the dynamic Maia Santell and House Blend to the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for its annual Hiroko’s Hot Swing Night (tropical attire encouraged).
With Maia Santell on vocals, Al Alto on guitar, Ted Enderle on bass and Tim Malland on drums, the band has been performing for 25 years at such leading venues/events as Seattle’s Jazz Alley, U.S. ballroom dances and the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival.
Adults, $15; students with ID and disabled, $10. Smoke-free. No partner needed.
Attendance supports continuation of live band dancing in Port Townsend.
There will be a free (with admission) pre-dance lesson taught by Steve Johnson on breaks and embellishments at 7 p.m.
For details, visit www.olympicpeninsuladance.com or phone 360-385-6919 or 360-385-5327.
Low notes
My friend Phil Adams, country and classic-rock guitarist and vocalist with many bands over the years, died in a vehicular wreck last Saturday night at the age of 69.
He was not only a counselor at Peninsula College, but a mentor to many musicians over the past 40 years or so.
Adams last played at the country jam a week ago in Port Angeles.
He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
RIP, my friend.
________
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.