AS YOU READ this, I am winding up the birthday celebration in Illinois with my namesake uncle, and it was a great time.
Other members of our family joined us for a mini family reunion, and it was a tremendous event.
I got several phone calls because there were tornadoes near the area where we are.
Thanks to all who expressed concerned for our well-being, but the storm missed us by 30 miles.
We are looking forward to getting back home to our beautiful Olympic Peninsula.
Port Angeles
■ On Friday at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, Bakin’ Phat delivers sizzling R&B from 9 p.m. to midnight. $5 cover.
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.
■ On Friday at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., the Soulshakers, a blues band, will perform from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, it’s Jerry’s Country Jam with Jerry Robison, Rusty Moroz and Jim Huffman from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
On Saturday, the Turner Brothers Band of Sequim brings you classic rock ’n’ roll from 8 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Friday at Next Door Gastropub, 113 W. First St., Dan and the Juan de Fuca Band will play original rock starting at 10 p.m.
On Sunday, you can enjoy Dan Maguire with Clark Driese, an acoustic duo, starting at 4 p.m.
■ On Friday, Joy in Mudville will perform at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 E. Railroad Ave., at 8 p.m. No cover.
■ 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 Old Sidekicks bring you country dance music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Stardust Dance Band plays ballroom dance music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, dance to more country with Buck Ellard 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, Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz play jazz tunes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Trevor Hanson plays classical guitar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 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 at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, R&B (Rachael & Barry) play acoustic classic rock and Motown guitar from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, dance the night away with the Michael Pratt Band playing high-energy country music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Friday in the Rainforest Bar, Julie Dukes and Van Bergan are accompanied by piano from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, listen to Joey James Dean sing contemporary blues and country from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ On Friday at the Ajax Cafe, 21 N. Water St., Trevor Hanson plays classical guitar from 5 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., the twins Julie and Meg play and sing soulful melodies from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Blue Holiday Band follows, playing blues, R&B and jazz from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. No cover for either.
■ On Friday at Sirens, 823 Water St., Hillary Susz, a cross-genre chanteuse, entertains from 9 p.m. until close. $5 cover.
On Saturday, the Blue Holiday Band plays blues, R&B and jazz, and dancing starts at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Tuesday at the Cellar Door, 940 Water St., Carla Main sings jazz, blues and pop vocals from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ 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
■ Today, the young and highly charged band Kithkin plays a concert at Peninsula College’s Maier Performance Hall at 7 p.m.
Featuring percussion and upbeat songs with unconventional vocals, this band is recently back in Washington state after a presentation in Iceland.
Admission is free; however, participants are encouraged to bring canned food to support the college’s food drive.
■ On Saturday, the Crescent Blue Bluegrass Band will perform a free show at the Peninsula College Forks Extension site, 71 S. Forks Ave., at 7 p.m.
■ On Saturday, Jim Nyby and the F Street Band performs New Orleans blues and rock ’n’ roll with a touch of zydeco dance at the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St. in Port Townsend.
A dance lesson kicks things off at 7 p.m., followed by live music and dancing from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Cover is $12 for adults, with a discount for children.
■ On Sunday, the Bottom Line Duo, composed of Port Angeles natives and high school sweethearts Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland, return for performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Peninsula College’s Maier Hall.
Their repertoire has its roots in chamber music, which they combine with a mix of modern and popular sounds, resulting in what they call “social chamber or 21st-century parlor music.”
Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $5 for students.
They may be purchased online at www.pencol.edu/cultural-events.
■ On Wednesday, solo vocalist Charlie Ferris covers music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and many more with his smooth crooning. He’ll be performing at Park View Villas, 1430 Park View Lane, Port Angeles, at 2 p.m. Phone 360-452-7222 for more information.
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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, with John Nelson in the subject line. And note: Nelson’s deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. preceding Thursday’s column.
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.