FINALLY, SUMMER IS here tonight!
The opportunity to enjoy live music, inside or outdoors, has never been greater.
This week and in the weeks to come, summer brings out the best local and visiting musicians have to offer.
Whether you like to dance or prefer just to listen to the music, it’s good to get away from all those tweets, emails and other electronic clutter that can bog us down in our daily lives.
Get out there and enjoy some live music today.
Port Angeles
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, Jerry’s Country Jam welcomes special guests Jim Lind and Terry Roszatycki from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, check out local rock ’n’ rollers Testify from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Today at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, Chesnut Junction plays from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. That’s a brand-new name for the combo that features Ches Ferguson (guitar), Paul Eyestone (bass), Zubrie Kamau (percussion), Kevin Briggs (guitar) and Ron Daylo (flute.)
On Friday, the Gig Harbor blues rockers Crazy Texas Gypsies make their return to western Port Angeles. They’ll have you moving about the dance floor from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Eggplant plays blues, classic rock and more in a benefit show for Jeff Tocher and the late Cindy Pritchard from 8 p.m. to midnight.
All Points Charters & Tours will run a free shuttle for patrons and music lovers Friday and Saturday nights. Phone 360-775-9128 or 360-460-7131 for a ride out or back.
On Wednesday, Joy in Mudville features banjo, bass and bodhran, as well as an eclectic mix of originals and covers, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Friday, Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., hosts Twisted Roots from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The acoustic roots duo consists of Marty Kaler and Bob Lawrence-Markarian.
■ On Friday at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, the Old Time Country Band plays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
■ Every Tuesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., Wally’s Boys play ballroom favorites for your dancing pleasure 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., Gil Yslas performs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Crazy Texas Gypsies entertain from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Wednesday, Buck Ellard goes country on fiddle and guitar from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
■ Today at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., it’s a “Pick ’n’ Pair” with Cort Armstrong playing country blues and bluegrass from 5:30 p.m. until closing.
On Friday, Howly Slim and Sandy pick, grin, sing and yodel a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Irish traditional meets American eclectic when Rick May and Gil Yslas team up from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ On Wednesday at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St., Victor Reventlow hosts the “All the Buzz” 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 the Pirates play Irish folk music and pub songs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ On Friday in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, the classic rock sounds of One Eyed Jack will have you rocking from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, it’s a hillbilly hoedown with the Shivering Denizens from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wear your camo, bibs or Daisy Dukes and enjoy some hard-driving, high-energy outlaw country.
On Sunday, the Shivering Denizens are back with an early show, rocking Seven’s stage from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
On Friday in the Rainforest Lounge, extraordinary bluesman Thom Davis performs on his silver guitar from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Jason Mogi (Joy in Mudville, Deadwood Revival) performs on banjo, mandolin and guitar from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Ludlow
On Saturday at the Resort at Port Ludlow’s Fireside Restaurant, 1 Heron Road, Trevor Hanson performs on classical guitar from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ On Saturday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., the Seth Freeman Band plays rock and blues, complete with a little slide guitar. They’ll be outside in the courtyard from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., The Maldives play “cinematic American rock ’n’ roll” starting at 10 p.m. $7 cover.
■ On Friday at Port Townsend Brewing, 330 10th St., the Delta Rays play from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Shady Grove performs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., local singer-songwriter Sue Logg performs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sam Maynard takes over from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. with classic tunes and some originals.
■ Today, Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today and Friday, Steve plays and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe, 431 Water St., from noon till 2 p.m.
■ Today, classical guitarist Trevor Hanson plays at Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine, 1208 Water St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Monday, Trevor also plays at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
High notes
■ On Wednesday, the Old Sidekicks play a free show at City Pier in downtown Port Angeles from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kick up your heels to country and bluegrass, and enjoy some music on a summer evening.
■ On Saturday, the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., will hold a community dance featuring Cajun and zydeco sounds of Swamp Soul from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All ages are welcome; there is a $12 cover for adults.
________
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.